Find Ontario County Police Blotter Records

Ontario County police blotter records are on file at the Sheriff's Office Records Division in Canandaigua, covering incident reports, arrest records, and accident reports for this Finger Lakes region county with about 112,000 residents. You can request records in person, by mail, or through a FOIL request submitted online or at the county clerk's office.

Ontario County Sheriff's Office Records Division

The Ontario County Sheriff's Office Records Division handles requests for law enforcement records across the county. All types of reports are available to crime victims and insurance companies. Motor vehicle accident reports are among the most commonly requested records. Victims and interested parties can ask for reports directly at the Records Office or submit them by mail.

FOIL requests received at the Records Division are forwarded to the County Records Access Officer for review before being sent to the requester. The Records Division also maintains booking records and jail records for individuals who have been processed through Ontario County Jail. Public terminals at the County Clerk's office allow free searching of court record indexes, though printing fees apply.

Valid identification is required for all in-person records requests. Mail-in requests must include your full name and contact information, a description of the specific records you want, a copy of your ID, payment for applicable fees, and a self-addressed stamped envelope for return of documents. Accident reports are typically available within 5 to 10 business days after the incident is reported to the Sheriff's Office.

How to Search Ontario County Police Blotter Records

There are several ways to find police blotter information in Ontario County. For records from the Sheriff's Office, go to the Records Division on Ontario Street in Canandaigua. Staff can search by name or case number. Bring your ID. For accident reports, you also have the option of purchasing them directly from the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles by credit card through the DMV's online system.

The Ontario County Clerk's Office at 20 Ontario Street provides online record search access for court filings and land records. You can search the index at ontariocountyny.gov. Login as a guest to start. Use the Name Index for most records. For criminal and civil cases, use the Civil/Criminal Case Name search. The format is Last First (example: Smith John S).

For mailed copies of court records, send a self-addressed stamped envelope with 65 cents per page ($1.30 minimum per document) to the Ontario County Clerk's Office at 20 Ontario Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424. Note that staff does not do searches over the phone. All requests must be in writing or submitted in person. The Clerk's phone is (585) 396-4200 and their hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

For State Police records covering incidents on state highways in Ontario County, contact the NYS Troop E headquarters or use the GovQA online portal at troopers.ny.gov/foil-requests. You will need the incident number, date, location, and names of involved parties. State Police charge $15 per incident report and $0.25 per additional page.

FOIL Requests for Ontario County Police Records

New York's Freedom of Information Law at Public Officers Law sections 84-90 covers all Ontario County agencies. Any person can request records regardless of residency or reason. You do not need to explain why you want a record to file a FOIL request. The law assumes all records are public unless a specific exemption applies.

To submit a FOIL request to the Sheriff's Office, use the online form at ontariocountyny.gov or visit the Records Division in person. Include the type of record, approximate date range, and any identifying information like names or case numbers. The agency must acknowledge your request within five business days.

Fees for copies are $0.25 per page under state law. The Records Access Officer reviews FOIL requests before releasing materials. They may withhold records that are part of active investigations, contain confidential informant information, or involve personal privacy. If your request is denied, you have 30 days to file a written appeal.

Criminal history record searches require fingerprinting through the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services. The DCJS maintains the statewide criminal history database. Contact DCJS at criminaljustice.ny.gov if you need an official criminal history search. The Sheriff's Office cannot provide official criminal history reports.

Ontario County Clerk and Court Records

The Ontario County Clerk's Office at 20 Ontario Street in Canandaigua maintains court records, land records, and vital statistics. Their records and archives division also holds historical records going back to the 1800s. Genealogical research services are available by appointment for complex historical record searches. Call (585) 396-4376 for archives and research assistance.

Court records in the public index include criminal case filings from County Court and Supreme Court. The online record search is a convenient way to check case status without visiting the courthouse. Images of many documents are available for viewing and printing through the online system. For records not yet available digitally, in-person visits or mailed requests work best.

The County Clerk's office coordinates with the Sheriff's Office for records storage and archival of older case files. The Records Management division also oversees retention schedules. Digital records initiatives are ongoing to improve public access to non-sensitive records over time.

Legal Help in Ontario County

If you need legal assistance in Ontario County, a few local and regional resources can help. The Ontario County Bar Association can refer you to attorneys who handle criminal defense, civil rights, or records law. Legal aid services through the Legal Assistance of Western New York (LawNY) office in Geneva cover Finger Lakes counties including Ontario. Call (315) 781-1465 for LawNY services in this area.

The NYS Committee on Open Government at opengovernment.ny.gov provides free guidance on FOIL rights. If an Ontario County agency denies your records request, the Committee can review the denial and issue an advisory opinion. While their opinions are not binding on agencies, they carry weight and often lead to resolution.

For court-related assistance, the NYS Courts Self-Help Center provides free information at courthouses. Ontario County Court is at 27 North Main Street, Canandaigua. Court staff can point you to the right office but cannot give legal advice. The Unified Court System's website at nycourts.gov has forms, guides, and information about court procedures.

Cities in Ontario County

Ontario County includes the City of Canandaigua and several towns and villages in the Finger Lakes region. None of the cities currently reach the population threshold for a dedicated page on this site.

Communities in Ontario County include Canandaigua, Geneva, Victor, Phelps, Shortsville, and Clifton Springs. All criminal court records are processed through Ontario County Court in Canandaigua.

Nearby Counties

These counties share borders with Ontario County. Each has its own sheriff's office and records processes.