Search New York Public Records
New York public records are kept by state and county offices across all 62 counties. You can search court cases, vital records, property filings, and criminal history data online or in person at the right office. The state runs several free search tools through the Unified Court System and other agencies. County Clerks handle land records, court filings, and many other documents at the local level. If you need a certified copy of any public record in New York, the County Clerk in the county where the record was filed is usually the place to start. For statewide searches, the eCourts system and the Criminal History Record Search cover cases from every county in the state.
New York Public Records Overview
Where to Find New York Public Records
Public records in New York come from many offices. The type of record you need tells you where to look. Court records sit with the County Clerk or the Unified Court System. Vital records like birth and death certificates go through the Department of Health. Property records are at the County Clerk too, since that office records deeds, mortgages, and liens. Criminal history data is handled by the Office of Court Administration. Each of these sources has its own search tools and fees, and some let you look things up online for free while others charge a set rate per search or per page.
The New York State Committee on Open Government oversees access to public records under the Freedom of Information Law, known as FOIL. This office is part of the Department of State at 99 Washington Avenue, Suite 650, Albany, NY 12231. You can call them at (518) 474-2518 with questions about your right to see any government record. They put out advisory opinions that explain what agencies must share and what they can hold back. Under Public Officers Law Section 87, most records held by state and local agencies are open to the public unless a specific rule says otherwise.
County Clerks are the main source for public records at the local level in New York. Each of the 62 counties has a Clerk who serves as the keeper of Supreme and County Court records. The Clerk also records land documents, issues pistol permits in some counties, and files other legal papers. Many County Clerks now offer online search tools so you can look up records from home.
Note: New York City works a bit differently. The five boroughs (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island) each have their own County Clerk, and NYC also has the Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS) which handles municipal archives and city records.
How to Search Public Records in New York
New York gives you several ways to search public records online. The eCourts system is the biggest one. It covers civil, criminal, family, and housing court cases from all 62 counties. The system has separate portals for different case types, and each one lets you search by name, case number, or other details. All of these tools are free to use.
WebCivil Supreme holds civil Supreme Court cases from every county in New York. You can search by index number, party name, or attorney. Some counties get updates four times a day, while others update once daily. The system covers cases going back to the late 1970s in some counties, though most data starts in the 1980s or later. For local civil cases, WebCivil Local covers City Courts, District Courts in Nassau and Suffolk, and New York City Civil Courts.
The Criminal History Record Search from the Office of Court Administration is available around the clock. It costs $95 per search and uses an exact match on name and date of birth. Results include open cases and convictions from all court levels in all 62 counties. Sealed records do not show up. The search does not cover violations or infractions that did not involve fingerprinting. Results come back by email after a manual review, except for "no results found" which come back right away.
For property records, check with the County Clerk in the county where the property sits. Many clerks have online land record search systems. Suffolk County, for example, has an imaging system with documents going back to 1987 that you can search by address, owner name, or tax map ID. Monroe County charges 65 cents per page for copies with a $1.30 minimum, and certified copies cost $5 plus page fees.
New York Public Records and FOIL Requests
The Freedom of Information Law gives you the right to ask for records from any state or local agency in New York. Under Public Officers Law Article 6, a "record" means anything an agency keeps in any form, including reports, files, letters, computer data, maps, and photos. The law is broad on purpose. If an agency has it, you can probably ask for it.
To make a FOIL request, write to the Records Access Officer at the agency that has the records you want. The Department of State FOIL page explains the full process. You can submit requests by mail, fax, email, or through online portals like GovQA. Be as specific as you can about what you need. Include dates, names, and descriptions. The agency has five business days to respond with the records, a denial with reasons, or a letter saying they need more time.
Copy fees under FOIL are set by law. Agencies can charge up to 50 cents per page for copies up to 9 by 14 inches, or the actual cost if reproducing the record takes special equipment or outside help. If the work takes more than two hours of staff time, the agency can also charge for that at the rate of its lowest-paid employee who can do the work. Records can be sent by email, fax, CD, USB, or paper. You can also inspect records in person by appointment.
If your request is denied, you have 30 days to file a written appeal. Send it to the agency head or general counsel along with a copy of your request and the denial letter. The agency must respond within ten business days. If the appeal is also denied, you can take the matter to court under Article 78 of the Civil Practice Law and Rules.
New York Vital Records
The New York State Department of Health keeps birth, marriage, death, and divorce records for the entire state except New York City. Birth and marriage records go back to 1881. Death records start at 1880. Divorce records begin in 1963 and cover all counties, including the five boroughs.
Access depends on how old the record is. Anyone can get birth records from 75 or more years ago, and marriage and death records from 50 or more years ago. These are genealogical records. More recent records are only available to immediate family members with proof of identity. A certified copy costs $30. Regular processing takes 8 to 10 weeks. Priority handling with two-week turnaround is available for an extra $15 if you send your request overnight to the Menands office at 800 North Pearl Street, 2nd Floor, Menands, NY 12204.
Local registrars and town or village clerks can often get you vital records faster than the state office. For New York City records, contact the NYC Office of Vital Records at 125 Worth Street, Room 133, New York, NY 10013, or call (212) 788-4520. The NYC Municipal Archives at 31 Chambers Street holds older records including Manhattan births from 1847 to 1909, deaths from 1795 to 1948, and marriages from 1847 to 1949.
Voter Registration and Election Records
The New York State Board of Elections runs the NYSVoter system, which is the single statewide voter registration list. County Boards of Elections add, change, and remove records. The state board keeps the master list. Each voter record includes a unique ID, current eligibility status, and voting history. Driver's license numbers and social security numbers are not available for public inspection under Election Law Section 5-614.
You can register to vote or update your registration online at the Online Voter Registration portal. To register, you must be a US citizen, at least 18 years old (pre-registration is open at 16), and a resident of your county for at least 30 days before the election. Voter registration information may not be used for non-election purposes by law.
Business and Corporation Public Records
The Department of State Corporation and Business Entity Database lets you look up any business registered in New York. The search is free. You can find the entity name, filing date, status, registered agent, and other details. This covers corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and other business types that file with the state.
Browse New York Public Records by County
Each of New York's 62 counties has a County Clerk who handles court records, land records, and other public filings. Pick a county below to find local contact info and resources.
Public Records in Major New York Cities
City and town clerks handle local records and FOIL requests. Pick a city below to find out where to go for public records in that area.