Erie County Clerk (NY): Records, Services & Office Information

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Erie County, New York Clerk Guide

Erie County Clerk (NY): Records, Services & Office Information

The Erie County Clerk’s Office in Buffalo is the official county office for many records and public services, including land records, deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, judgments, liens, court records, business filings, passports, notary services, veterans programs, pistol permit services, copy requests, and Erie County Auto Bureau services.

Use this guide to find the correct official link, understand which records are searched online, request copies, locate the Old County Hall office, check Auto Bureau locations, and avoid confusing the County Clerk with the court system or state DMV.

Official Erie County Clerk Website Search Official Records Contact & Office Information

Independent guide last reviewed September 2026. Always confirm current hours, fees, forms, record access rules, DMV hours, passport requirements, and holiday closures on the official Erie County Clerk website before visiting, filing, or ordering records.

Quick Facts: Erie County Clerk

Official office Erie County Clerk’s Office.
County Clerk Michael P. Kearns.
Main office Old County Hall, 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202.
Main phone 716-858-8785.
Office hours Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Filing cutoff note If putting documents “on file,” be in line with completed documents by 4:15 p.m.
Online records Official Records Public Search and Browser View search are available online.
Auto Bureau appointment line 716-858-8864 for appointment help if internet access is limited.
Fast answer: use the Erie County Clerk for land records, official recorded documents, legal records, copy requests, passports, notary services, veterans programs, and local Auto Bureau services. Use New York State Courts or NYSCEF when the task is an active court filing, court calendar, judge information, or an e-filed case record.

Erie County Clerk Address, Phone, Hours, and Google Map

The main Erie County Clerk’s Office is located on the first floor of Old County Hall in downtown Buffalo. This is the location most people use for land-record questions, copy requests, legal record questions, passport service, notary-related service, and general County Clerk help.

Erie County Clerk’s Office

Address: Old County Hall, 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202

Phone: 716-858-8785

Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Document filing note: if you need to put documents “on file,” arrive with completed documents and be in line by 4:15 p.m.

Common divisions: Land Records, Legal Division, Customer Service, Record Room, Passports, Notary, Pistol Permits, and general Clerk services.

Open in Google Maps

Official contactErie County Clerk Contact Information

After opening this link:

  1. Confirm the office address and current office hours before visiting.
  2. Choose the correct division from the phone directory: Land Records, Legal Division, Customer Service, Pistol Permits, Passports, or general information.
  3. For record-copy questions, look for the Record Room and copy request information.
  4. If you are filing documents in person, review the 4:15 p.m. filing cutoff note before traveling.
  5. Check the holiday closure list if your visit is near a federal or county holiday.

Search Erie County Clerk Records Online

The Erie County Clerk provides an Official Records Public Search site for many filed and recorded documents. The office also offers a Browser View option, which can be useful for users who are not using the older Windows/Internet Explorer-style search environment.

The Clerk’s search system is indexed by party name, document type, and recording information. It does not allow ordinary public searching of official records by property address. If you only know the property address, use Erie County Real Property Parcel Search first to identify owner and deed reference details.

Official records searchErie County Clerk Official Records Public Search

After opening this link:

  1. Choose the search method that matches your information, such as party name, document type, book/page, or recording details.
  2. Use Advanced Search if you need to narrow results by document category, filing date, or other indexed details.
  3. Remember that the system does not search by property address.
  4. If the image viewer does not work on your device, use the Browser View search option from the Clerk’s records system.
  5. Write down the book/page, document number, index number, or filing information before requesting copies.

Browser searchErie County Clerk Browser View Search

After opening this link:

  1. Use this version if the standard search viewer is not working well on your computer or browser.
  2. Search with names, document details, or indexed record information.
  3. Review whether the result status shows a verified document before relying on it.
  4. Use the final record details to request a copy, certified copy, or staff search if needed.
Address-search warning: the Clerk’s official records search does not index records by property address. If all you know is an address, start with Erie County’s parcel search, find deed book/page or file details, then return to the Clerk’s search system.

Erie County Land Records: Deeds, Mortgages, Satisfactions, Liens, and Judgments

The Erie County Clerk is the official registrar for deeds, mortgages, assignments of mortgages, satisfactions of mortgages, judgments, and liens. These records provide public notice of ownership, liens, and other property interests.

Land records are commonly needed for home sales, title searches, mortgage satisfaction checks, lien research, estate matters, property disputes, and certified-copy requests.

Common land records Deeds, mortgages, assignments, satisfactions, powers of attorney, discharges, liens, judgments, and related property records.
Best search details Owner name, grantor/grantee name, document type, recording date, book/page, index number, or instrument details.
Address-only search Use Real Property Parcel Search first, then use owner and deed details in the Clerk’s system.
Certified copies Request through the Clerk’s copy process; do not rely on a simple search-screen print as a certified document.

Official land recordsErie County Clerk Land Records

After opening this link:

  1. Review the types of records maintained by the Land Records division.
  2. Open the records search link if you need to locate a deed, mortgage, satisfaction, assignment, judgment, or lien.
  3. Use the General Rules for Requesting Information page if you need copies or certified copies.
  4. If you are recording a document, check the fee schedule and recording requirements before arriving.
  5. For legal questions about whether a document is correct to record, speak with a qualified professional.

Property address helpErie County Real Property Parcel Search

After opening this link:

  1. Use this if you only know the property address and do not know the owner name or deed reference.
  2. Search by address or parcel information.
  3. Open the property details page and look for deed book/page or file number information.
  4. Return to the Erie County Clerk’s Official Records Public Search and search using the owner or deed details.

Request Copies, Certified Copies, Divorce Records, and Closed Criminal Records

The Erie County Clerk recommends using the Official Records Public Search site first to gather the details needed for a copy request. Missing details can cause additional search charges or delay the request.

Some records can be requested online, but divorce and criminal records have separate instructions. Closed criminal record copies are requested through the Actions & Proceedings Office at 92 Franklin Street during posted weekday hours.

$1.30 Copy fee listed for the first two pages of many paper records.
$0.65 Additional page fee listed for many copy requests.
$5.00 Certified copy first four pages listed in the Clerk’s request guidance.
$1.25 Additional certified-copy page fee listed for many requests.
$5.00 Digital search fee per name, record type, and two-year period when staff search is needed.
$10.00 Manual search fee per name, record type, and two-year period when staff search is needed.

Official copy rulesGeneral Rules for Requesting Information

After opening this link:

  1. Search the Official Records Public Search site first if you can.
  2. Use the online request form only for records eligible for online copy requests.
  3. Use the correct mail form for deeds, general copies, search-and-copy requests, divorce records, closed criminal records, or local criminal searches.
  4. If you know the book/page or index number, include it to avoid unnecessary search charges.
  5. If mailing a request, include payment and a postage-paid self-addressed envelope when required.

Official request formErie County Clerk Document Request Form

After opening this link:

  1. Enter the document type, such as deed, mortgage, lien, judgment, or other filed record.
  2. Enter book and page for land records or an index number for court records if you have it.
  3. Provide names, date range, and contact information carefully.
  4. Review the form before submission because missing details can result in search charges.
  5. Use a separate dedicated process for divorce and closed criminal records when required.
Best practice: search first, copy second. A request with book/page, index number, or document number is faster and cheaper than asking staff to search a broad name across many years.

Erie County Auto Bureau Locations, DMV Services, and Reservations

Erie County Auto Bureau offices are operated through the Erie County Clerk’s Office for many local DMV-related services. Locations and hours can change, so check the official locations page before visiting.

Reservations can reduce waiting time and may give access to DMV Fast Lane service. If you need help and do not have reliable internet access, the Clerk lists an appointment hotline at 716-858-8864.

Buffalo 170 Pearl Street, Buffalo, NY 14202. Rath Building. Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cheektowaga/Depew 2122 George Urban Blvd., Depew, NY 14043. Urbandale Plaza. Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tonawanda 2309 Eggert Road, Tonawanda, NY 14150. Sheridan Plaza. Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
West Seneca 1088-B Union Road, West Seneca, NY 14224. Southgate Plaza. Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Williamsville 4545 Transit Road, Williamsville, NY 14221. Eastern Hills Mall. Check the official page for current special hours.
Evans 6853 Erie Road, Evans, NY 14047. Highland Plaza. Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Official locationsErie County Auto Bureau Locations and Hours

After opening this link:

  1. Choose the location closest to you: Buffalo, Cheektowaga/Depew, Tonawanda, West Seneca, Williamsville, Evans, or a mobile DMV stop.
  2. Check current hours, Saturday availability, special openings, and closures.
  3. Use the reservation link if your task allows an appointment.
  4. Call the appointment hotline at 716-858-8864 if you need scheduling help without internet access.
  5. Bring proof of identity, residency, vehicle paperwork, payment, and any DMV forms required for your transaction.

Official Auto BureauErie County Clerk Auto Bureau

After opening this link:

  1. Review whether your DMV task can be handled online, by appointment, or in person.
  2. Use Renew Local or the official reservation system when available.
  3. Check branch hours before visiting, because different locations can have different hours.
  4. For plate surrenders, duplicate registrations, titles, or license transactions, read the specific DMV requirements before arriving.

Passport Services at the Erie County Clerk

The Erie County Clerk accepts first-time passport applications and applications for children under 16. Passport books are valid for international travel by air, land, and sea, while passport cards are limited to certain land and sea re-entry uses.

Applicants need proof of citizenship, valid identification, a passport photo, and the correct payment method. The Clerk’s passport page states that photos are available on-site for a fee and that renewal applications must be mailed directly to the U.S. Department of State.

Old County Hall 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo. Passport office hours listed as 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Southtowns Outreach Center 1086 B Union Road, West Seneca, near the Southgate Plaza Auto Bureau. Check current hours before visiting.
Northtowns Outreach Center 4545 Transit Road, Williamsville, near the Eastern Hills Mall Auto Bureau. Check current hours before visiting.
Payment reminder Passport fees may require separate checks or money orders for the U.S. Department of State and Erie County Clerk.

Official passportsErie County Clerk Passport Services

After opening this link:

  1. Read whether you need a passport book, card, or both.
  2. Check whether you are a first-time applicant, a child applicant, or a renewal applicant.
  3. Bring proof of citizenship, identification, a 2-by-2 color passport photo, and payment.
  4. Do not sign the passport application before arriving; the acceptance agent must witness your signature.
  5. Arrive at least 15 minutes before closing to ensure service can be completed.

Notary, Veterans Services, Apostilles, EZ Pass, Genealogy, and Other Clerk Services

The Erie County Clerk’s services extend beyond land records and passports. The office links to notary information, veterans services, genealogy resources, approved legal publication lists, apostilles, EZ Pass, annual reports, account holder services, and public-record request tools.

Notary information Use the Clerk’s notary section for notary card renewals, certificates of official character, and authentication questions.
Thank A Vet The Clerk’s veterans program provides information connected with veteran services and discount programs.
Genealogy Use the genealogy section for older records and historical research guidance.
Apostilles Use apostille guidance when a record needs authentication for use outside the United States.
Pistol permits Use the Clerk’s pistol permit contact path for pistol permit and SAFE Act questions.
Account holder services Frequent users can review registered-user and escrow account information for record search and copy workflows.

Official servicesErie County Clerk Services

After opening this link:

  1. Choose the specific service you need: notary, passports, veterans, records, genealogy, apostilles, EZ Pass, e-recording, e-filing, or account holder services.
  2. Open the service page and check whether the task is online, mail-in, or in-person.
  3. Review fees and forms before visiting the Old County Hall office.
  4. Use the contact page if you are not sure which division handles your request.

FOIL Requests and When You Should Not Use FOIL

The Erie County Clerk explains that many records held by the office are already public and easily accessible through the Public Search Site or public computers in the Clerk’s Office. For those documents, a FOIL request is usually not necessary.

FOIL may be appropriate for additional records maintained by the Clerk that are not produced through the ordinary search and copy process. If you are requesting a deed, mortgage, judgment, lien, divorce record, or court file copy, use the direct record-request process first.

Use direct Clerk services for

  • Deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, assignments, and liens.
  • Plain or certified copies of records.
  • Divorce record requests.
  • Closed criminal record requests.
  • Judgments, lien satisfactions, and court-record copies.

Use FOIL for

  • Records not already accessible through public search or normal Clerk copy processes.
  • Administrative records maintained by the Clerk’s Office.
  • Requests where the official page specifically directs you to submit a FOIL request.
  • Appeals of FOIL determinations using the Clerk’s appeal form.

Official FOIL guidanceErie County Clerk Freedom of Information Law

After opening this link:

  1. Read whether your record is already available through the Public Search Site or record request process.
  2. If FOIL is still appropriate, download the Clerk’s FOIL Request Form.
  3. Describe the requested records clearly and include contact information.
  4. Use the Clerk’s FOIL appeal form only if you are appealing a FOIL decision.
  5. Do not use FOIL as a shortcut for routine deed, mortgage, court record, or certified-copy requests.

Fees and Payment Notes

Erie County Clerk fees vary by record type and service. Copy fees, certification fees, recording fees, search fees, passport fees, notary fees, pistol permit fees, real estate transfer taxes, and recording cover-page fees are not the same.

Always check the official fee schedule before mailing payment, recording documents, ordering large copy sets, or preparing passport payment. Some passport payments require separate checks or money orders to different payees.

$45.00 + pages Recording cover page fee listed for many real-property and non-real-property recorded papers, plus per-page fee.
$5.00 / $10.00 Digital or manual search fees commonly listed per name, record type, and two-year period.
$5.00+ Certification fees and certified-copy costs vary by record type and page count.
$60.00 Notary renewal or original four-year term fee listed on the fee schedule.
$35.00 Passport execution fee to County Clerk per new application, subject to current fee rules.
$10.00 Passport photo fee listed by the Clerk, subject to current availability.

Official feesErie County Clerk Schedule of Fees

After opening this link:

  1. Choose the category that matches your task: copies, certification, recording, searches, notary, passports, pistol permits, or transfer tax.
  2. Check whether a fee is per page, per name, per record type, per two-year search period, or per document.
  3. For recording, add cover-page and per-page charges and review whether taxes apply.
  4. For passports, separate Department of State fees from Erie County Clerk execution/photo fees.
  5. Call the Clerk before mailing payment if your fee calculation is unclear.

Before You Visit or Submit a Request

A few minutes of preparation can save a second trip or an extra search charge. The Erie County Clerk handles several different record systems, so bring the details that match your request.

For deeds or mortgages Bring owner name, grantor/grantee name, book/page, file number, approximate recording date, or parcel details.
For court records Bring index number, party names, case year, document type, and whether the case was e-filed.
For copies Know whether you need a plain copy, certified copy, exemplified copy, or staff search.
For passports Bring citizenship proof, ID, passport photo or photo fee, unsigned application, and required checks or money orders.
For Auto Bureau Check the branch hours, reservation system, DMV form requirements, and proof documents before visiting.
For filing documents Arrive in line by 4:15 p.m. with completed documents if you are putting documents “on file.”
Legal advice warning: Erie County Clerk staff can explain office procedures, record access, forms, fees, and filing routes. They cannot tell you whether a deed, mortgage, lien, court filing, business filing, or legal document is legally correct for your situation.

Official Erie County Clerk Links Used in This Guide

Erie County Clerk Official Website Contact the Erie County Clerk Official Records Public Search Browser View Search Records Kept by the County Clerk Land Records General Rules for Requesting Information Passport Services Auto Bureau Locations and Hours Schedule of Fees

Privacy, Accuracy, and Independent Guide Notice

This page is an independent informational guide and is not the official Erie County Clerk website. Use the official Erie County Clerk links above for current fees, office hours, holiday closures, forms, record rules, DMV location hours, passport requirements, and copy request procedures.

Do not use this guide as legal advice. Do not rely on any public-record search for employment screening, tenant screening, credit decisions, insurance eligibility, or any other regulated background-check purpose unless you are complying with all applicable laws.

Verify before acting: if the record affects a property transaction, court filing, passport application, lien, judgment, mortgage satisfaction, DMV transaction, or legal deadline, confirm the requirement directly with the Clerk, the court, DMV, or a qualified professional.

Erie County Clerk FAQs

1. Where is the Erie County Clerk located?

The Erie County Clerk’s Office is located in Old County Hall at 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202, on the first floor.

2. What is the phone number for the Erie County Clerk?

The main phone number for the Erie County Clerk is 716-858-8785. Use that number for general information, Land Records, Legal Division, Customer Service, Passports, Pistol Permits, and copy request routing.

3. What are the Erie County Clerk office hours?

The main Clerk’s Office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If you are filing documents in person, the Clerk instructs visitors to be in line with completed documents by 4:15 p.m.

4. How do I search Erie County Clerk records online?

Use the Erie County Clerk Official Records Public Search or Browser View Search. Search by name, document type, book/page, filing date, index number, or other indexed record details.

5. Can I search Erie County Clerk land records by property address?

No. The Clerk’s official records system is not indexed for public searching by property address. Use Erie County Real Property Parcel Search first if you only know the address, then return to the Clerk’s search with deed or owner details.

6. How do I request a copy of an Erie County Clerk record?

Search the record first if possible, then use the Clerk’s document request form or mail request instructions. Include the book/page, index number, document type, names, date range, and contact information to avoid extra search charges.

7. Does the Erie County Clerk handle passports?

Yes. The Erie County Clerk accepts first-time passport applications and applications for children under 16. Renewal applications generally must be mailed directly to the U.S. Department of State.

8. Does the Erie County Clerk operate DMV services?

Yes. The Erie County Clerk operates Erie County Auto Bureau locations for many local DMV services. Check the official locations and hours page before visiting because branch hours differ by location.

9. Are e-filed court cases available on the Erie County Clerk website?

Many cases commenced by e-filing after April 3, 2012 are available through NYSCEF rather than only through the Erie County Clerk’s website. In some searches, you may need to check both systems.

10. Is this the official Erie County Clerk website?

No. This is an independent guide. For official records, forms, fees, office hours, Auto Bureau locations, passports, and record request rules, use the official Erie County Clerk links included in this article.

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