Ulster County Arrest Records
Ulster County arrest records are maintained by the Sheriff's Office, County Clerk, and District Attorney. Located in the mid-Hudson Valley with Kingston as the county seat, Ulster County processes arrest records through several agencies. This page covers how to access booking data, court records, and inmate information from each office.
Ulster County Overview
Ulster County Sheriff's Office Records
The Ulster County Sheriff's Office is at the Ulster County Law Enforcement Center, 380 Boulevard, Kingston, NY 12401. Main phone is (845) 338-3640. Administration is at (845) 340-3802. The Records Division can be reached at (845) 340-4217, with fax at (845) 340-3468. Sheriff Paul J. VanBlarcum heads the office. The Records Clerk is James Kalish.
The Civil Division, supervised by the Lieutenant, serves as the central repository for police reports. The division is responsible for processing, maintaining, securing, and distributing all office records and reports. Records available include incident reports, accident reports, arrest records, and booking information. The office uses eJustice for criminal history verification and responds to FOIL requests in accordance with Article 6 of the Public Officers Law.
FOIL requests should be submitted in writing to the Records Access Officer. The office must respond within five business days. Fees for copies are $0.25 per page as authorized by Public Officers Law section 87(1)(b)(iii). The office maintains juvenile files separately from other office files in accordance with applicable statutes. You can email the Sheriff's Office at sheriff@co.ulster.ny.us.
Court Records in Ulster County
The Ulster County Clerk is at the Ulster County Office Building, 244 Fair Street, Kingston, NY 12401. Call (845) 340-3288. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The Clerk maintains court records, land records, and business certificates. Criminal court records are available for inspection during regular business hours.
The office charges $5.00 per search and $0.65 per page for copies. For in-person requests, bring valid photo identification and complete a records request form. Written requests by mail should include all identifying information, a check or money order for fees, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Processing time for mail requests is typically 5 to 10 business days.
The Ulster County Court is at the Ulster County Courthouse, 285 Wall Street, Kingston, NY 12401. The court handles felony criminal cases and major civil matters. Certificates of disposition can be obtained through the County Clerk by providing the defendant's name, date of birth, and case number if available.
The Office of Court Administration runs a statewide Criminal History Record Search for $95 per name. You can also check WebCrims for pending criminal cases. Guest access is free.
Ulster County District Attorney
The Ulster County District Attorney's Office is at 275 Wall Street, Kingston, NY 12401. Phone is (845) 340-3280. The DA prosecutes all felony offenses and select misdemeanors in the county. The office includes specialized bureaus for domestic violence, sex crimes, economic crimes, and drug offenses.
Victim services are available to assist crime victims through all stages of the criminal justice process. The office works closely with the Sheriff's Office, State Police, and municipal police departments. Case information can be obtained by contacting the office during regular business hours.
State Resources for Ulster County Records
The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services is the only source of official state criminal history records. DCJS keeps fingerprint-based records. You cannot get your own rap sheet without submitting fingerprints through an authorized IdentoGO location. The fee is between $50 and $65. Results come by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
Official DCJS records cannot be obtained through FOIL. Under CPL section 160.50, dismissed cases are sealed automatically. The Clean Slate Act, effective November 16, 2024, seals eligible misdemeanor convictions after 3 years and felony convictions after 8 years from sentence completion. Sex offenses and Class A felonies are not eligible.
The DOCCS Inmate Lookup tool lets you search for people in state prison. The Sex Offender Registry is free to search by name, county, or ZIP code for Level 2 and Level 3 offenders.
How FOIL Works in Ulster County
Freedom of Information Law gives the public a right to see government records. In Ulster County, you can file a FOIL request with the Sheriff's Office, the County Clerk, or the District Attorney. Each office has its own Records Access Officer. Put your request in writing. Be specific about the records you want. Give dates, names, and case numbers.
The agency has five business days to respond. They can give you the records, deny the request with a reason, or say they need more time. Denials can be appealed within 30 days. Fees are $0.25 per page for copies from the Sheriff's Office. The County Clerk charges $0.65 per page. Some records are exempt, including ongoing investigations and sealed cases. Under Public Officers Law section 89, the agency must explain any denial in writing.
Sealing and Expungement in Ulster County
Under CPL section 160.50, arrests that end in dismissal, acquittal, or a non-criminal outcome are sealed automatically. No application is needed. For convictions, CPL section 160.59 lets you apply to seal up to two criminal convictions if at least 10 years have passed since your last sentence ended. You can have no more than one felony.
Sex offenses, violent felonies, and Class A felonies are not eligible. The application goes to the court where the conviction happened. The NY Attorney General's office has more details on who qualifies.
Ulster County Jail and Inmate Data
The Ulster County Jail is at the Ulster County Law Enforcement Center, 380 Boulevard, Kingston, NY 12401. The Corrections Division phone is (845) 340-3644. Superintendent James R. Hanstein runs the facility. The jail holds people awaiting trial and those serving sentences under one year.
The facility provides medical care, mental health services, educational programs, and vocational training. Inmate information including custody status, charges, and bond details is available online through the Sheriff's Office. Visiting requires photo identification, and appointments should be scheduled in advance. All mail must include the inmate's full name and ID number. Commissary services are available through a contracted vendor. If someone has been moved to state prison, use the DOCCS lookup instead.
The Ulster County Sheriff's Office website provides details on records access, FOIL procedures, and law enforcement services.
Nearby Counties
If you need records from areas next to Ulster County, these neighboring counties each have their own Sheriff's Office and court system: