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Schenectady County, New York public records

In Schenectady County, deeds are recorded by the Schenectady County Clerk; property values come from the Schenectady County Real Property Tax Service Agency; court files are split between the Schenectady County Clerk and the Schenectady County Surrogate's Court.

Last checked against official sources on .

On this page
  1. Where to get each record
  2. Deeds and land records
  3. Property values, owners and tax bills
  4. Court records: which clerk keeps which case
  5. Marriage records
  6. Divorce records
  7. Birth certificates
  8. Death certificates
  9. Probate records and wills
  10. Business names (DBA)
  11. Voter records
  12. Historical records
  13. Other records at the county
  14. Good to know about Schenectady County records
  15. Office addresses, phones and hours
  16. Records that are not online: public records requests
  17. Questions people ask
  18. Official copies vs look-alike sites
  19. Sources

Where to get each record

RecordOfficeSearch onlineFee
Deeds and land recordsSchenectady County Clerk4Search deeds2Self-service copies $.50 per page; staff-prepared copies $1.00 per page; document search fee $5.003
Property values and ownersSchenectady County Real Property Tax Service Agency4Property search5—
Property tax billsSchenectady County Department of Finance4Tax bill search6—
Court casesSchenectady County Clerk7
Schenectady County Surrogate's Court8		Supreme Court and County Court, Schenectady County9
Surrogate's Court, Schenectady County9		—
Marriage recordsTown or city clerk where the license was purchased; also NYS Department of Health10——
Divorce recordsSchenectady County Clerk7——
Birth certificatesLocal Registrar of Vital Statistics where the birth occurred (city/town), or NYS Department of Health11——
Death certificatesLocal Registrar of Vital Statistics where the death occurred, or NYS Department of Health12——
Probate and willsSchenectady County Surrogate's Court8Search probate cases9—
Business names (DBA)Schenectady County Clerk4—Assumed name (DBA): file $25.00; certified copy $5.00; form $1.00; discontinue no fee3

Deeds and land records

Deeds, mortgages and other land documents for property in Schenectady County are recorded by the Schenectady County Clerk (land and legal document recording).4

Who runs it
SearchIQS7
Copy fee
Self-service copies $.50 per page; staff-prepared copies $1.00 per page; document search fee $5.003
Certified copy fee
Certification minimum charge $5.00; exemplified copies $15.003
Recording fee
$45.00 recording fee (includes office-generated cover page) plus $5.00 per page; $0.50 per name over two and per reference cited; RP-5217 $125.00 residential / $250.00 commercial; TP-584 $5.00; deed conveyance notification $10.00; transfer tax $4 per thousand; mortgage tax 1.25%3
How to order
In person or by mail at the County Clerk, 620 State Street, 3rd Floor; checks payable to Schenectady County Clerk7
Fraud alerts
Free Record Alert / Fraud Alert through IQS for county residents13
Transfer on death
Transfer on Death Deeds (RPL 424) recorded at $45 first page and $5 each additional page2

How deeds work in New York

Property values, owners and tax bills

The Schenectady County Real Property Tax Service Agency (assessments are made by the town and City of Schenectady assessors) sets property values4; the Schenectady County Department of Finance (collects delinquent town, county, village and school taxes outside the City of Schenectady) bills and collects the tax4.

Parcel map (GIS)
Tax maps via Beacon Online (PDF tax maps viewable, not printable)5

How property tax works in New York

Court records: which clerk keeps which case

CourtCasesRecords kept byCase search
Supreme Court and County Court, Schenectady County (Fourth Judicial District)Supreme Court civil actions (index numbers, foreclosures, judgments, lis pendens, divorce) filed with the County Clerk3Schenectady County Clerk (clerk of Supreme and County Court filings: index numbers, RJIs, judgments, lis pendens)iapps.courts.state.ny.us/…9
Surrogate's Court, Schenectady CountyCases relating to individuals who have passed away, including disputes about wills and managing or dividing the estate; also adoptions8Schenectady County Surrogate's Court (NYS Unified Court System)websurrogates.nycourts.gov9
Family Court, Schenectady County———
City, town and village courts———
Fees
Supreme Court: index number $210.00 ($400.00 foreclosure); RJI $95.00; motion $45.00; note of issue $30.00; demand for jury $65.00; notice of appeal $65.003

How New York courts keep their files

Marriage records

Town or city clerk where the license was purchased; also NYS Department of Health10

New York marriage records, statewide

Divorce records

Divorce decree filed with the County Clerk (usually county where plaintiff resided); Certificate of Dissolution from NYS DOH14

Fee
Index number $210.00 (Supreme Court filing at the County Clerk)3

New York divorce records: decree or state record

Birth certificates

Local Registrar of Vital Statistics where the birth occurred (city/town), or NYS Department of Health11

Ordering a New York birth certificate

Death certificates

Local Registrar of Vital Statistics where the death occurred, or NYS Department of Health12

Ordering a New York death certificate

Probate records and wills

Schenectady County Surrogate's Court (state court), 612 State Street, Schenectady8

Finding a will or probate case in New York

Business names (DBA)

Kept by the Schenectady County Clerk.4

Fee
Assumed name (DBA): file $25.00; certified copy $5.00; form $1.00; discontinue no fee3

Voter records

Kept by the Schenectady County Board of Elections.15

Contact
Board of Elections (518) 377-246916

Historical records

County Historian provides research assistance17

Other records at the county

Liens and UCC filings

What the office says
UCC file $40.00; UCC search $25.00; federal tax lien release $40.00; mechanics lien $15.003

Military discharges (DD-214)

What the office says
DD-214 recording with the County Clerk is free7

Census records

What the office says
County Clerk census record search & certificate $5.00 each 2 years3

Good to know about Schenectady County records

  • The County Clerk is also the county's DMV commissioner and handles naturalization ceremonies and pistol permits7
  • The County does not collect or enforce property taxes for parcels in the City of Schenectady (City Bureau of Receipts: (518) 382-5016)6
  • Assessments are made by the five towns and the City of Schenectady; the county RPTSA links to each local assessor5
  • Written county policy on Transfer on Death Deeds (effective July 19, 2024 under RPL 424): amendments not accepted, only full revocation2
  • 2026 county tax foreclosure auction held online October 2-23, 20265

Office addresses, phones and hours

Schenectady County Clerk (land and legal document recording)

Address
Schenectady County Clerk's Office, 620 State Street, 3rd Floor, Schenectady, NY 12305 (County Office Building)7
Mail
Schenectady County Clerk's Office, 620 State Street, 3rd Floor, Schenectady, NY 12305 (County Office Building)7
Phone
(518) 388-4220; fax (518) 388-42247
Email
Via the county contact form (/contact)7
Hours
8:30AM - 4:30PM (9:00AM - 4:00PM July & August); arrive 15 minutes before closing to record documents7

Schenectady County Clerk

Address
Schenectady County Clerk's Office, 620 State Street, 3rd Floor, Schenectady, NY 12305 (County Office Building)7
Mail
Schenectady County Clerk's Office, 620 State Street, 3rd Floor, Schenectady, NY 12305 (County Office Building)7
Phone
(518) 388-4220; fax (518) 388-42247
Email
Via the county contact form (/contact)7
Hours
8:30AM - 4:30PM (9:00AM - 4:00PM July & August); arrive 15 minutes before closing to record documents7

Schenectady County Clerk (clerk of Supreme and County Court filings: index numbers, RJIs, judgments, lis pendens)

Address
Schenectady County Clerk's Office, 620 State Street, 3rd Floor, Schenectady, NY 12305 (County Office Building)7
Mail
Schenectady County Clerk's Office, 620 State Street, 3rd Floor, Schenectady, NY 12305 (County Office Building)7
Phone
(518) 388-4220; fax (518) 388-42247
Email
Via the county contact form (/contact)7
Hours
8:30AM - 4:30PM (9:00AM - 4:00PM July & August); arrive 15 minutes before closing to record documents7

Schenectady County Real Property Tax Service Agency (assessments are made by the town and City of Schenectady assessors)

Address
County Office Building, 620 State Street, 3rd Floor, Schenectady, NY 123055
Phone
(518) 388-4246; fax (518) 347-36295

Schenectady County Department of Finance (collects delinquent town, county, village and school taxes outside the City of Schenectady)

Address
620 State Street, 3rd Floor, Schenectady, NY 1230518
Mail
Schenectady County Finance Dept., 620 State Street, Schenectady, NY 12305 (mailed delinquent-tax payments; checks payable to Schenectady County)6
Phone
(518) 388-4260; delinquent tax inquiries (518) 388-42626
Hours
8:30am - 4:30pm Monday-Friday (except holidays); summer 9:00am - 4:00pm (July & August)18

Schenectady County Sheriff's Office - Records Unit

Address
Schenectady County Sheriff's Office, Records Unit, 320 Veeder Ave, Schenectady, NY 1230719

Schenectady County Board of Elections

Address
2696 Hamburg Street, Schenectady, NY 1230316
Phone
(518) 377-2469; fax (518) 377-271616

Schenectady County Historian

Address
County Office Building, 6th Floor, 620 State Street, Schenectady, NY 1230517

Schenectady County Surrogate's Court (NYS Unified Court System)

Address
612 State Street, Schenectady, NY 123058
Hours
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.8

Records that are not online: public records requests

Where to send it
Online FOIL request form; copies $.25 per page21

How to write a public records request

Questions people ask

How do I get a copy of a deed in Schenectady County?

The Schenectady County Clerk (land and legal document recording) keeps deed records. To order copies: In person or by mail at the County Clerk, 620 State Street, 3rd Floor; checks payable to Schenectady County Clerk. Plain copies: Self-service copies $.50 per page; staff-prepared copies $1.00 per page; document search fee $5.00. Certified copies: Certification minimum charge $5.00; exemplified copies $15.00.473

Where do I get a divorce decree in Schenectady County?

Divorce decree filed with the County Clerk (usually county where plaintiff resided); Certificate of Dissolution from NYS DOH.14

How do I look up who owns a property in Schenectady County?

Use the property search of the Schenectady County Real Property Tax Service Agency (assessments are made by the town and City of Schenectady assessors): beacon.schneidercorp.com/Application.aspx5

Official copies vs look-alike sites

A certified copy comes only from the office that holds the record; reports and "research copies" sold by commercial sites are not issued by any Schenectady County office. How to tell an official record source from a paid look-alike.

Other counties in New York with a full guide: Albany County, Bronx County, Broome County, Chautauqua County, Clinton County, Dutchess County, Erie County, Kings County, Monroe County, New York County, Oneida County, Onondaga County, Orange County, Queens County, Rensselaer County, Richmond County, Saratoga County, Suffolk County, Sullivan County, Ulster County, Westchester County. Every county in the state: New York county list.

Sources

Every fact above links to the official page it comes from. Fees and rules change, so check the office's own page before you pay or travel.

  1. Government Units List 2026US Census Bureauchecked November 4, 2026
  2. Online Records (County Clerk)Schenectady Countychecked November 4, 2026
  3. Filing and Recording Fees (County Clerk)Schenectady Countychecked November 4, 2026
  4. Schenectady County - HomeSchenectady Countychecked November 4, 2026
  5. Real Property Tax Service AgencySchenectady Countychecked November 4, 2026
  6. Delinquent Property TaxSchenectady Countychecked November 4, 2026
  7. Schenectady County ClerkSchenectady Countychecked November 4, 2026
  8. Schenectady County Surrogate's CourtNew York State Unified Court Systemchecked November 7, 2026
  9. eCourtsNew York State Unified Court Systemchecked November 4, 2026
  10. Marriage CertificatesNew York State Department of Healthchecked November 4, 2026
  11. Birth CertificatesNew York State Department of Healthchecked November 4, 2026
  12. Death CertificatesNew York State Department of Healthchecked November 4, 2026
  13. Record Alert (County Clerk)Schenectady Countychecked November 4, 2026
  14. Divorce CertificatesNew York State Department of Healthchecked November 4, 2026
  15. DepartmentsSchenectady Countychecked November 4, 2026
  16. Board of ElectionsSchenectady Countychecked November 4, 2026
  17. Schenectady County HistorianSchenectady Countychecked November 4, 2026
  18. Finance DepartmentSchenectady Countychecked November 4, 2026
  19. Sheriff - RecordsSchenectady Countychecked November 4, 2026
  20. SheriffSchenectady Countychecked November 4, 2026
  21. FOIL RequestSchenectady Countychecked November 4, 2026
  22. County population totals: Vintage 2025 (July 1, 2025)US Census Bureauchecked November 4, 2026