Washington County Arrest Records
Washington County arrest records are held by the Sheriff's Office and County Clerk in Fort Edward. The county sits along the eastern border of New York near Vermont. If you need to look up a booking, find court records, or submit a records request, this page covers what each agency handles and how to reach them.
Washington County Overview
Washington County Sheriff's Office Records
The Washington County Sheriff's Office is at 383 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY 12828. The records phone number is (518) 746-2470. Non-emergency dispatch is at (518) 747-4623. The anonymous tip line is (518) 746-2522. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
The office accepts record requests in accordance with New York's Freedom of Information Law. Requests can be submitted to the Main Office at 383 Broadway, Room A129. The Director, Accredited Program oversees records management. The office maintains arrest records, incident reports, and investigative files subject to FOIL exemptions for ongoing investigations and confidential materials.
Submit your FOIL request in writing. Give the name of the person, the date of the arrest, and any case numbers you have. The office must respond within five business days. Copy fees are $0.25 per page. For emergencies, call 911.
Court Records in Washington County
The Washington County Clerk is at the Washington County Municipal Center, Building A, 383 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY 12828. Call (518) 746-2170. Fax is (518) 746-2177. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The Clerk maintains Supreme Court and County Court records, land records, deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments, DBAs, and business certificates.
The office provides free online access to recorded documents. The Clerk serves as Clerk to the Supreme and County Courts, maintaining records of all court proceedings and documents. Copy fees apply for certified and uncertified copies. The office also processes passport applications and notary public filings.
The Washington County Court is at the Municipal Center, 383 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY 12828. The court handles felony criminal prosecutions and major civil matters. Court records can be accessed in person or through the online document search system. Certificates of disposition are available upon request with appropriate case information.
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.
Washington County District Attorney
The Washington County District Attorney's Office is at the Washington County Municipal Center, 383 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY 12828. Phone is (518) 746-2480. The DA prosecutes all felony offenses and select misdemeanors in the county.
The office works with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Victim services are available to assist crime victims through the prosecution process. The office handles cases ranging from property crimes to violent felonies. Case information can be obtained during regular business hours.
State Resources for Washington 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 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 Washington County
Freedom of Information Law gives the public a right to see government records. In Washington 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 what records you want.
The agency has five business days to respond. Denials can be appealed within 30 days. Fees are $0.25 per page. Records exempt from FOIL include ongoing investigations, sealed cases, and materials that would invade personal privacy. Under Public Officers Law section 89, the agency must explain any denial in writing.
Sealing and Expungement in Washington 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 NY Attorney General's office has details on who qualifies and how to file.
Washington County Jail and Inmate Data
The Washington County Jail is at 399 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY 12828. Call (518) 746-2476 for inmate information. The jail houses pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates serving terms of one year or less. The facility operates under the supervision of the Sheriff's Office.
Inmate information can be obtained by contacting the jail during business hours. The facility meets New York State Commission of Correction standards for safety and operations. Visiting schedules and procedures vary, so contact the facility for current requirements. If someone has been moved to state prison, use the DOCCS lookup instead.
The Washington County website includes a records request page where residents can submit FOIL requests to the Sheriff's Office.
Nearby Counties
If you need records from areas next to Washington County, these neighboring counties each have their own Sheriff's Office and court system:
State Arrest Record Search Tools
The Division of Criminal Justice Services keeps the official state rap sheet for every person with a criminal history in New York. You need to submit fingerprints through an IdentoGO location to get your own record. The fee is $50 to $65. Results come by mail in 7 to 10 business days. DCJS records cannot be obtained through FOIL.
The Criminal History Record Search from the Office of Court Administration costs $95 per search. It uses an exact match on name and date of birth. Results include open cases and convictions from all 62 counties but not sealed records. The search can be done online through Direct Access or by mail. For pending cases with future court dates, WebCrims is free and open to the public as a guest.
Under CPL Section 160.50, arrests that end in dismissal or acquittal are sealed automatically. The Clean Slate Act, effective November 2024, will seal eligible convictions over time. Misdemeanors seal after three years from sentencing. Felonies seal after eight years from completion of sentence. Sex offenses and Class A felonies are not eligible for sealing. Marijuana convictions under Penal Law Sections 221.05 through 221.40 are expunged under the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act.