2023 New York Laws › CNT - County › Article 5 - General Powers of Board of Supervisors › 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.