New York County Public Records
New York County public records cover Manhattan, the heart of New York City and one of the busiest court jurisdictions in the country. The County Clerk at 60 Centre Street handles Supreme Court civil records and land filings. Criminal cases go through the Supreme Court Criminal Term. With millions of residents and businesses packed into this borough, the volume of court filings, property recordings, and government records is massive. Multiple offices and online systems serve the public, and knowing which one to use for your particular need can save hours of searching.
New York County Public Records Overview
New York County Clerk Office
The New York County Clerk is responsible for receiving papers that start lawsuits and special proceedings in Supreme Court. The Clerk maintains the official case files, which contain all papers filed during each case. The office also records land instruments for Manhattan, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and other documents that affect real property. As one of the busiest clerk offices in the state, it handles an enormous number of filings each year.
| Office | New York County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007 |
| Phone | (646) 386-5955 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Copy Fee | $0.50 per page |
| Certified Copies | $5.00 plus page fees |
Land recordings in Manhattan go through the City Register's office, which is part of the NYC Department of Finance. The Automated City Register Information System (ACRIS) provides online access to recorded documents for all five boroughs. You can search by address, block and lot, party name, or document type. ACRIS has records going back decades and is free to use. For Manhattan specifically, this is the primary tool for looking up deeds, mortgages, and other recorded instruments.
Supreme Court civil files at the New York County Clerk cover a broad range of cases. Manhattan is a major center for commercial litigation, personal injury cases, and other civil matters. The office at 60 Centre Street stores these files. You can visit in person to inspect a file or use the eCourts system online to check case status. The New York County Supreme Court Criminal Term handles felony criminal cases separately, and criminal case data is accessible through WebCriminal.
How to Search New York County Public Records
The WebCivil Supreme portal is the primary free tool for civil court records. It covers New York County Supreme Court cases along with every other county in the state. Search by party name, index number, or attorney. Results include case details, docket entries, and filing dates. The system updates multiple times daily.
For criminal records, the Criminal History Record Search covers all court levels statewide for $95. Provide the exact name and date of birth. Results include open cases and convictions from every county. Sealed records are not included. For pending criminal cases in Manhattan, WebCriminal allows searching by name or docket number.
ACRIS is the go-to tool for land records in Manhattan. Search by address, block and lot, owner name, or document type. The system is free and covers all five NYC boroughs. Recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, and liens are available for viewing and downloading. For documents not available online, contact the County Clerk or the City Register's office.
Vital records for events in New York City go through the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The Office of Vital Records at 125 Worth Street handles birth, death, and marriage certificates. You can also order online or by mail. The state Department of Health handles vital records for events outside the city. The NYC Municipal Archives at 31 Chambers Street has historical records including Manhattan births from 1847 to 1909, deaths from 1795 to 1948, and marriages from 1847 to 1949.
The New York County Surrogate's Court at 31 Chambers Street handles probate and estate matters for Manhattan. Surrogate records include wills, estate inventories, and accountings. Some information is available through the state eCourts system. The NYC Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS) also maintains municipal archives with historical city records.
Types of Public Records in New York County
New York County has the full spectrum of public records. Court records cover Supreme Court civil and criminal cases, Civil Court matters, Family Court, Housing Court, and Surrogate's Court. The County Clerk holds Supreme Court civil files. Each court level has its own filing system and access rules.
Land records for Manhattan are accessible through ACRIS. Voter registration is handled by the NYC Board of Elections. Business entity records are at the state Department of State. Municipal records from city agencies are available through FOIL or the city's OpenRecords portal. Property tax and assessment data comes from the NYC Department of Finance. The volume and variety of public records in Manhattan is unmatched by any other county in the state.
FOIL Requests in New York County
The Freedom of Information Law covers all government agencies serving New York County, including city, state, and county offices. Under Public Officers Law Section 87, most records are public. For NYC agencies, you can submit FOIL requests through the OpenRecords portal, which tracks requests electronically. For state agencies, write to the Records Access Officer directly.
The Department of State FOIL page covers the state-level process. Copy fees are 50 cents per page maximum. The NYC OpenRecords system makes it easy to submit, track, and receive records from city departments. Agencies must respond within five business days. If denied, appeal within 30 days. The Committee on Open Government at (518) 474-2518 provides guidance.
Manhattan is home to countless city, state, and federal offices. The NYPD, Department of Buildings, Department of Health, Housing Preservation and Development, and many other agencies all hold records that are subject to FOIL. Each agency has its own Records Access Officer. The OpenRecords portal is the best starting point for city agency requests. For state agencies like the court system, contact their FOIL officers directly.
Legal Resources for New York County
Manhattan has the highest concentration of legal resources in the state. Legal Aid Society of New York provides free criminal and civil representation. Legal Services NYC and New York Legal Assistance Group handle civil matters for low-income residents. The New York City Bar Association runs a legal referral service and pro bono programs.
The Manhattan Supreme Court at 60 Centre Street has a self-help center for unrepresented litigants. The New York Courts website has forms and instructions for common filings. For housing matters, the Manhattan Housing Court at 111 Centre Street has its own resource center. The Committee on Open Government at (518) 474-2518 is the statewide resource for public records access questions.
Cities in New York County
New York County is coextensive with the Borough of Manhattan, which is part of New York City.
Nearby Counties
New York County borders other New York City boroughs and counties. Each has its own County Clerk and public records offices.