Genealogy and Historical Research Services

and will be handled on a first come, first served basis. If you have a substantial research project in mind, we may be able to get you in touch with a private researcher. Do not hesitate to direct any research questions via email to the Assistant Records Management Officer but, please do not expect them to be answered over the telephone. 

In-House Research - By Appointment Only

To make an appointment to access the historical records at the Ontario County Records and Archives Center call or email the  Assistant Records Management Officer ahead of time with your date of arrival and documents you are interested in accessing. This will ensure that someone will be available to assist you and save you research time. There is no charge to perform in-house research at the Ontario County Records and Archives Center. Free parking and wi-fi is available on the premises, and in-house researchers only pay for copies.

Research Services Policy

While no fees are charged to in-person researchers, the fee for mail-in or electronic research requests is $40.00 per hour, chargeable in half-hour increments with a $20.00 minimum. Researchers pay only a $0.25 cent fee for each page of each document copied. This same fee applies for copies requested in-person, via mail or electronically. 
 
All requests for research services must be accompanied by a deposit check of $20 (for the first 30 minutes minimum.) The Assistant Records Management Officer will give you an estimate of costs beyond the initial $20. Then you may decide whether to continue. 
 
Please print and fill out the Historical and Genealogical Research Request Form and send it with your check made payable to Ontario County Records and Archives or RAIMS to: 

Assistant Records Management Office, 3051 County Complex Dr.  Canandaigua, NY 14424

Charges & Fees

The copy and other fees charged by RAIMS are established by local law or state statute. The research and retrieval fee for local and family history research was established by Board of Supervisors Resolution 432-2002, effective January 1, 2003.

Make an Online Payment

Once you have received your fee quote, you have the option to pay using our online payment system GovPayNet/AllPaid.