N.Y. County Law § 208: Books and records

§ 208. Books and records. 1. Whenever any public record, book, map or

paper has become obliterated or unfit for further public inspection and

use, the board of supervisors, upon a certificate of the county judge or

a supreme court justice of the judicial district to the effect that

transcripts or copies should be made and certified for future public

inspection and use, shall direct and provide for such transcripts or

copies to be made by the officer having custody thereof. Upon

certification by such county judge or supreme court justice that the

same have been examined, and the manner, contents and form thereof are

approved, such certified transcripts or copies shall be deemed to take

the place of the originals for all purposes of public inspection, use

and evidence.

2. Except as otherwise provided by law and subject to reasonable rules

and regulations of the officer having custody thereof, all records,

books, maps or other papers recorded or filed in any county office,

shall be open to public inspection, and upon request, copies shall be

prepared and certified; and, except where another fee is prescribed by

law, such officer upon the payment of a fee of twenty cents for each

folio, shall furnish such certified copy. Upon request and after

diligent search, if no record be found, such officer shall be entitled

to receive a fee of one dollar for certification thereof.

3. In addition to the provisions of the real property law, each board

of supervisors, by resolution, may authorize the purchase and

installation of equipment to photograph or microphotograph, or otherwise

reproduce upon film such records, maps or other papers as may be deemed

advisable; and may provide for the purchase of supplies and necessary

files for the preservation of the same. When duly certified, such

reproduction shall be deemed an original record for all purposes of

public inspection, use and evidence; and a transcript, exemplified or

certified copy shall for all purposes be deemed such a transcript,

exemplified or certified copy of the original. When inconsistent with

the use of entry in record books, such record books may be dispensed

with. The fee shall be twenty cents for each folio, together with the

fee for certification or exemplification thereof.

4. Each officer, so far as practicable, shall complete all incomplete

books and records of which he shall have custody and control by signing

and certifying such completion in his own name and giving the date

thereof. The county clerk shall complete only such records and minutes

in actions or proceedings as are ordered completed by the respective

county or supreme court having jurisdiction over such action or

proceeding.

5. Each officer shall execute and deliver all necessary deeds,

releases, discharges, ratifications or other documents and papers to

fulfill any duty imposed by law upon his predecessor in office. Any

liability of a sheriff resulting from the execution and delivery of a

document required by law on behalf of a predecessor in office shall be

determined to be the liability of the sheriff during whose term of

office the error, mistake or cause of damage arose.