Search Buffalo Booking Releases

Buffalo booking releases track all arrests processed by the Buffalo Police Department and housed at the Erie County Holding Center. As the second-largest city in New York State, Buffalo sees a high volume of arrests flowing through its five police districts and central booking at headquarters on Franklin Street. If you need to look up booking releases in Buffalo, the Erie County Sheriff's Office website has an inmate search tool, you can call the Holding Center directly, or you can file a FOIL request with either the BPD records division or the Sheriff's Office. This page covers the full process for finding and getting copies of Buffalo booking releases.

Buffalo Arrest and Booking Process

The Buffalo Police Department runs about 1,000 sworn officers across five districts. Headquarters is at 74 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202. The main number is (716) 851-4444. District A covers downtown from 40 Alabama Street, (716) 851-4417. District B handles the west side from 695 Virginia Street, (716) 851-4418. District C serves the east side at 693 East Ferry Street, (716) 851-4419. District D covers the north at 669 Hertel Avenue, (716) 851-4420. District E takes the south from 2767 South Park Avenue, (716) 851-4421.

Central booking happens at police headquarters. Officers fingerprint and photograph the person, then enter the data into the system. From there, if the person is not released, they go to the Erie County Holding Center for detention. Arraignment takes place at Buffalo City Court. The BPD records division at 74 Franklin Street handles records requests. Call (716) 851-4485 during office hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Erie County Holding Center for Buffalo

The Erie County Holding Center at 40 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14202 is the main jail for Buffalo arrests. Phone is (716) 858-7618. The facility has capacity for over 1,100 inmates using a direct supervision model. It provides medical and mental health services, educational programs, and visitation. The Erie County Correctional Facility at 11581 Walden Avenue, Alden, NY 14004 holds sentenced inmates and overflow at (716) 937-9100.

The Erie County Sheriff's Office at 10 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14202 runs both facilities. Each booking at the Holding Center creates a detailed record with the person's name, charges, bail amount, booking date and time, and housing assignment. These booking releases are public records and can be accessed through the methods described below. The Sheriff's Office website also provides information about facility operations and inmate services.

Buffalo generates a large share of the total bookings at the Holding Center, given it is the largest city in Erie County by population.

Searching Buffalo Booking Releases Online

The Erie County Sheriff's Office has an online inmate lookup on its website at www2.erie.gov/sheriff. Click on the inmate lookup or corrections section. You can search by name or booking number. Results show custody status, charges, bail info, and housing details. Call the Holding Center at (716) 858-7618 any time for phone inquiries. Walk-in requests need valid ID during business hours.

The VINE Link notification system is free and covers Erie County. Sign up to get alerts when someone's custody status changes. You can choose phone, email, or text. VINE runs 24 hours a day. For people who move from the county jail to state prison, the DOCCS Inmate Lookup tracks their status. That tool shows facility, sentence length, and projected release dates.

Note: The online lookup only shows people currently in custody at the Holding Center or the Alden facility.

Buffalo FOIL Requests for Booking Records

Under Public Officers Law Article 6, New York's Freedom of Information Law, anyone can request booking releases. For Buffalo police records, write to the Records Division at Buffalo Police Department, 74 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202 or call (716) 851-4485. For jail records, contact the Erie County Sheriff's Office at 10 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14202 at (716) 858-7618.

Your request needs to be in writing. Include what records you want, dates, names, and your contact details. The agency has five business days to acknowledge your request. Copies are $0.25 per page. Some records may be exempt, particularly anything connected to ongoing investigations or containing medical information. If a request is denied, you can file an appeal. The Committee on Open Government advises on the appeals process and helps people navigate FOIL issues across the state.

Buffalo Courts and Booking Records

Buffalo City Court at 50 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14202 handles misdemeanors, violations, and arraignments. Call (716) 845-9301. Felony cases go to Erie County Supreme Court at 25 Delaware Avenue, same phone number. Both courts are within walking distance of the Holding Center, which makes transfers for court appearances straightforward. Court records connect to booking releases because each case starts with an arrest that generates a booking record.

The Unified Court System has online tools for case research. The Division of Criminal Justice Services handles statewide criminal history checks. The OCA Criminal History Record Search costs $95 per name and covers all counties. The DOCCS website covers state prison records for anyone who has been sentenced beyond the county level. Erie County Legal Aid at (716) 853-9555 and the Erie County Bar Association at (716) 852-8687 offer resources for people dealing with the court system.

Buffalo Booking Releases Screenshot

The City of Buffalo maintains an official government website with police department contacts and city services. Visit the Buffalo city site for police district information and records request details.

The site provides links to each police district, the records division, and other city departments involved in the arrest and booking process.

County Page for Buffalo

Buffalo is in Erie County. All jail bookings go through the Erie County Holding Center. See the Erie County page for the full breakdown of county-level booking releases, inmate search tools, and records access procedures.

Nearby Cities

Other communities near Buffalo with booking release information: