Access Buffalo Arrest Records
Buffalo arrest records are kept by the Buffalo Police Department and Erie County agencies. The city has its own police force, and records requests go through the city's NextRequest FOIL portal. Erie County courts, the Sheriff's Office, and the District Attorney also hold records tied to Buffalo arrests. Whether you need a copy of an incident report, want to check on a pending case, or need to look up someone in custody, this page lays out where to go. Buffalo arrest records can be found through several channels, and the steps depend on what type of record you need.
Buffalo Quick Facts
Buffalo Police Department Records
The Buffalo Police Department is at 74 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202. The general number is (716) 851-4444. The department processes FOIL requests through the City of Buffalo's NextRequest portal. Because of the volume of requests they get, the department says to allow 30 business days for a determination on your request. That is longer than the standard five-day acknowledgment window, but they still must respond within the legal timeframe.
Under Public Officers Law section 87(1)(b), the BPD charges $0.25 per page for redacted or copied material that is emailed or mailed, for pages not over 9 by 14 inches. You have to pay up front before they release records. The department sends out acknowledgment letters under Public Officers Law Section 89. If they don't have the record you asked for, they will tell you to try City Hall instead.
If your request is denied, you can appeal in writing within 30 days. Send the appeal to Corporation Counsel, City of Buffalo Law Department, 1100 City Hall, Buffalo NY 14202. Include a copy of your original request and the denial letter.
Note: The BPD checks whether it actually holds the record before responding. If the file sits with another department, they will point you in the right direction.
Erie County Arrest Records
The Erie County Sheriff's Office is at 10 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14202. Call (716) 858-7618. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. For arrest records from Erie County deputies or jail booking data, submit a FOIL request to the Sheriff's Office. They handle records for people who went through the county jail system.
The Erie County Clerk's Office at 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202, phone (716) 858-8785, maintains court records from County Court and Supreme Court. They also provide an online public record search tool that gives access to court records and land records. Felony cases from Buffalo end up at the county level after indictment, and those files are at the Clerk's office.
The Erie County Comptroller's Office handles FOIL requests through Records Access Officer Jessica Schuster at the Edward A. Rath County Office Building, 95 Franklin Street, Room 1100, Buffalo, NY 14202. Phone is (716) 858-8400.
Buffalo City Court and Clerk
Buffalo City Court handles misdemeanor cases, traffic violations, and preliminary felony proceedings. Cases that start with a Buffalo arrest go through city court first. For certified copies of dispositions, contact the court clerk's office directly. There may be fees for document copies.
The Buffalo City Clerk's Office is on the 13th floor of City Hall in Room 1302. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The Clerk's office handles vital records but is also the city's FOIL coordinator. Mail requests for vital records go to: Vital Records, 1302 City Hall, 65 Niagara Square, Buffalo NY 14202.
State Searches for Buffalo Arrests
The Division of Criminal Justice Services holds official fingerprint-based criminal history records. Submit prints through IdentoGO for $50 to $65. Results come by mail in 7 to 10 business days. Third-party sites cannot access these files.
The OCA Criminal History Record Search is $95 per name. It is name-based and needs an exact match. Sealed records are not shown. For pending cases with future court dates, WebCrims provides free guest access. It covers selected courts statewide.
Sealing Buffalo Arrest Records
Under CPL 160.50, arrests that end in dismissal or acquittal seal automatically. Cannabis convictions covered by the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act are expunged. CPL 160.59 lets you apply to seal up to two convictions after 10 years from sentence completion. Only one can be a felony. Sex offenses, violent felonies, and Class A felonies are excluded.
The Clean Slate Act took effect November 16, 2024. It will automatically seal eligible misdemeanors after 3 years and felonies after 8 years. The Attorney General's sealing guide covers eligibility and the application process.
Inmate Lookups for Buffalo
The DOCCS Inmate Lookup covers people in state prison. Search by name or DIN. People held only at the Erie County jail are not in this system. The Sex Offender Registry is free and shows Level 2 and Level 3 offenders. You can search by name, county, or ZIP code.
The image below links to the City of Buffalo official website, which is the gateway to city services including the NextRequest FOIL portal.
Buffalo residents use state-level tools alongside city resources to search for arrest records and check criminal history.
Buffalo Arrest Records by County
Buffalo is in Erie County. Felony cases move from city court to the county system after indictment. The county page covers the Sheriff, Clerk, DA, and other agencies that process arrest records across Erie County.
Nearby Cities
These nearby areas also have arrest record pages:
State Search Tools for Arrest Records
The Division of Criminal Justice Services is the only source for official New York State rap sheets. You must submit fingerprints through IdentoGO to get your own record. The cost runs $50 to $65. Results arrive by mail in 7 to 10 business days. No other agency or third party can provide the official state record. DCJS records are not available through FOIL requests.
The Criminal History Record Search costs $95 and covers all 62 New York counties. It matches on exact name and date of birth only. The DOCCS Inmate Lookup is free and shows people in state prison with live data. For pending cases, WebCrims lets you search as a guest at no cost. The Sex Offender Registry is free and searchable by name, county, or ZIP code.
Under CPL Section 160.50, arrests ending in dismissal or acquittal are sealed automatically. The Clean Slate Act seals eligible misdemeanor convictions after three years and felonies after eight years. Sex offenses and Class A felonies cannot be sealed. Marijuana convictions under Penal Law Sections 221.05 through 221.40 are expunged under the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act and will not show on any search.