Broome County Background Check Search
Background check records in Broome County are held by the County Clerk in Binghamton, the Sheriff's Office, and the 6th Judicial District court system. The Clerk's Office at 60 Hawley Street maintains Supreme and County Court records with online search access dating back to 1986. The Sheriff's Identification Division handles fingerprinting and criminal records. State databases through DCJS and OCA also cover Broome County. This page covers the offices, fees, and steps for searching public records in this part of New York's Southern Tier.
Broome County Background Check Overview
Broome County Clerk's Office
The Broome County Clerk is Laura M. Ehrich. The office is at 60 Hawley Street, Binghamton, NY 13901. The phone number is 607-778-2451. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Online records search runs at www.gobcclerk.com. Land records go back to 1946. Court documents are available from 1986 to the present.
Search fees are $5.00 per name per two-year period. Copy fees run $0.65 per page. Certified copies cost $5.20. The internet document fee is $1.90. Businesses can get remote access for $200 per month. The office maintains records of deeds, mortgages, and judgments. Pistol permits, passport services, and notary filings are also handled here. The Clerk serves as Clerk of Supreme and County Courts, which means felony case files and civil court records are kept at this location.
How to Search Background Check Records in Broome County
Three main paths are available. Each pulls from different sources.
The local search starts at the Clerk's Office on Hawley Street. Visit in person and inspect court records for free under Judiciary Law Section 255. The office has records from 1986 onward in digital format. For a formal name search, pay $5 per name per two-year period. Copies cost $0.65 per page. The online portal at gobcclerk.com lets you search land and court indices from a computer. Supreme and County Court records are available this way. Town and village court records are held at those individual courts.
For statewide coverage, the OCA Criminal History Record Search costs $95 per name and covers every court in all 62 counties. Results rely on an exact match of name and date of birth. Sealed records are excluded. Submit online through Direct Access or by mail. "No record" results come back immediately. Records found get reviewed and emailed the next business day.
The fingerprint-based route goes through DCJS. This is the only official source of criminal history in New York under Executive Law Article 35. Fingerprinting is available at IdentoGO locations in Binghamton. The cost is $62 to $65. Processing takes 7 to 10 business days. Results come by mail. Suppressed responses hide sealed records under CPL 160.50, 160.55, 160.58, and 160.59. Unsuppressed responses show everything but require specific legal authority to obtain.
Broome County Sheriff's Office
The Broome County Sheriff's Office is at 155 Lt. VanWinkle Drive, Binghamton, NY 13905. The main number is 607-778-1911. The Records Division can be reached at 607-778-2166 or RecordsDivision@broomecountyny.gov. Motor vehicle accident reports are available online at www.crashdocs.org within 48 hours. Other records require a FOIL request through broomecountyny.gov/foil.
The Identification Division handles pistol permits, fingerprinting, and criminal records. Pistol Permit Office phone: 607-778-2113. Public fingerprinting is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with no appointment needed. Sheriff ID Cards cost $10 with same-day service. The office also provides court security at all Broome County court facilities and runs a 24/7 emergency dispatch center.
Background Check Fees in Broome County
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Name Search (per 2-year period) | $5.00 |
| Copies Per Page | $0.65 |
| Certified Copies | $5.20 |
| Internet Document Fee | $1.90 |
| Remote Business Access | $200/month |
| Sheriff ID Card | $10.00 |
| OCA Statewide Search | $95 per name |
| DCJS Fingerprint Review | $62 - $65 |
In-person record inspection is free. FOIL copies cost 25 cents per page. Agencies may waive fees when doing so serves the public interest. Call the Clerk's Office at 607-778-2451 to confirm current fees before visiting.
Broome County Courts
The Broome County Courts sit in Binghamton. Supreme Court is at 3200 Civic Center Plaza. County Court is on the 3rd floor of the County Courthouse. These courts handle felony criminal cases and civil matters. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Public access terminals are available at the courthouse. WebCrims provides online lookup for criminal cases.
The Binghamton Police Department at (607) 772-7111 provides municipal law enforcement for the city. City Court at City Hall handles criminal and traffic matters for Binghamton. Records from City Court are separate from the County Clerk's files. For complete coverage, check both the county and city courts. The county courts participate in treatment court programs and offer alternative sentencing options. Interpreter services are available on request.
FOIL and Public Records in Broome County
Submit FOIL requests in writing to the Records Access Officer at any Broome County agency. Under Public Officers Law Sections 84 through 90, any person can request government records. You do not need to live in New York. The agency has five business days to respond. Standard copy fees are 25 cents per page. Inspection of records in person is generally free.
DCJS criminal history records are not available through FOIL. Those need fingerprints. Court records, incident reports from the Sheriff's Office, and most other Broome County agency records are covered. Include the full name, approximate dates, and case numbers when possible to speed up the process. Denied requests can be appealed within 30 days to the agency head. If the appeal fails, the next step is an Article 78 proceeding in Supreme Court.
Sealed Records and Clean Slate in Broome County
The Clean Slate Act provides automatic sealing for eligible convictions in Broome County. Misdemeanors seal after three years. Felonies seal after eight years. The person must stay clear of new charges. Sex offenses under SORA and non-drug Class A felonies are excluded. Until OCA finishes the automated system, DCJS results may still show eligible records.
The Sex Offender Registry covers Broome County. Level 2 and Level 3 offenders are in the online directory. Level 1 information requires a call to 800-262-3257. Alerts through NY-ALERT notify you when a registered offender moves. Records sealed under CPL 160.50, 160.55, 160.58, and 160.59 are already excluded from suppressed DCJS responses. People whose records do not qualify for automatic sealing can still petition under CPL 160.59.
Cities in Broome County
Background check records for all communities in Broome County flow through the county court system and clerk's office in Binghamton.
Other communities include Binghamton (the county seat), Endicott, Johnson City, and Vestal. These areas use the same county-level record sources for background checks.
Nearby Counties
Records from adjacent counties need separate searches through their own offices.