Find Public Records in Richmond County
Richmond County public records cover Staten Island, one of the five boroughs of New York City. The Richmond County Clerk serves as the Clerk of the Supreme Court and manages civil court records and land records for the borough. You can also search records through the state court system and NYC-specific databases. Both online and in-person options are available for finding the documents you need.
Richmond County Quick Facts
Richmond County Clerk's Office
The Richmond County Clerk serves as the Clerk of the Supreme Court for Staten Island. The office maintains Supreme Court civil records and land records. Deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents are recorded here. The office also supports jury management and other court functions.
| Office | Richmond County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 18 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10301 |
| Phone | (718) 675-8500 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | nycourts.gov |
The office is on Richmond Terrace near the St. George Ferry Terminal. If you are coming from Manhattan, the Staten Island Ferry drops you off close by. The courthouse complex houses several courts along with the Clerk's Office. Compared to the other NYC borough clerks, Richmond County tends to be less crowded.
As an NYC borough, Richmond County's record system works differently from upstate counties. The County Clerk handles land records and Supreme Court files. But property tax records go through the NYC Department of Finance. Birth and death certificates are handled by the NYC Department of Health. Marriage licenses come from the NYC City Clerk. The city's DORIS manages municipal archives.
Standard copy fees apply. Copies are 50 cents per page. Certified copies run $1.25 for the first page, 50 cents for added pages, plus a $5 certification fee. Recording fees for new land documents depend on the type and length of the document.
How to Search Richmond County Records
Several tools are available for searching records in Richmond County. State and NYC systems both cover this borough.
For civil court cases, the eCourts portal covers Supreme Court filings from Richmond County. This free tool lets you search by name, index number, or attorney. Data is updated daily and goes back many years. No registration or fee is needed.
Criminal records are available through the Criminal History Record Search for $95 per name search. You need the exact legal name and date of birth. The search covers all 62 counties and all court levels. Sealed records are not included. Results come by email.
Land records for Staten Island are searchable through ACRIS, the Automated City Register Information System run by the NYC Department of Finance. ACRIS covers property records for all five boroughs and lets you search online for free. Deeds, mortgages, liens, and other documents are available. Records go back decades in the system.
Vital records for Richmond County residents come from NYC agencies. Birth and death certificates are from the NYC Department of Health. Marriage licenses are issued at any NYC City Clerk office. You can also get marriage records from the state level through the Department of Health.
Types of Records in Richmond County
Court records span civil, criminal, family, and surrogate matters. Supreme Court handles the biggest civil and criminal cases. Richmond County Criminal Court processes misdemeanors. Civil Court covers smaller disputes and housing cases. Family Court addresses custody, support, and domestic matters. Surrogate's Court manages wills, estates, and guardianships for Staten Island residents.
Property records are a large part of what the Clerk handles. Every deed, mortgage, satisfaction, lien, and assignment for Staten Island real estate gets filed here. ACRIS makes most of these searchable online. The borough has a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial properties, all with records on file at the county level.
Other records include judgments, UCC filings, federal tax liens, and court orders. NYC-level records like building permits and violations come from the Department of Buildings. Business records are filed with the city and state. Historical records and archives are held by DORIS and the Staten Island Museum's archives.
FOIL Requests in Richmond County
FOIL applies to all government agencies serving Richmond County, including county offices, NYC agencies, and state departments. You can request any public record unless it falls under a specific exemption.
Write to the records access officer at the relevant agency. NYC agencies each have their own FOIL procedures and officers. Be specific about what records you want. You do not need to give a reason. Agencies have five business days to respond.
If denied, appeal to the agency head. The Committee on Open Government provides guidance on FOIL matters across New York. The Department of State FOIL page has templates and answers to common questions. Copy fees are 25 cents per page under FOIL.
Richmond County Resources
Richmond County makes up the 13th Judicial District, the only judicial district that covers a single borough. The courthouse complex on Richmond Terrace houses the Supreme Court, Criminal Court, Civil Court, Family Court, and Surrogate's Court. Nearly all court business on Staten Island happens here.
Legal aid on Staten Island is provided by the Legal Aid Society and Staten Island Legal Services. These groups handle civil and criminal matters for qualifying residents. The Richmond County Bar Association can refer you to private attorneys. The court system runs a self-help center at the courthouse.
The NYPD's 120th, 121st, 122nd, and 123rd precincts cover Staten Island. Police reports can be requested from the precinct where the incident occurred or through the NYPD Records Access Bureau. The Richmond County District Attorney handles criminal prosecutions.
NYC Department of Finance handles property tax records for Staten Island. The Department of Buildings has permit and violation data. For historical research, DORIS and the Staten Island Historical Society maintain archives and older records.
Cities in Richmond County
Richmond County is the borough of Staten Island in New York City. See the city page for more detail.
Nearby Counties
Adjacent counties and boroughs where records may relate to Staten Island matters.