New York Residents Directory Search
The New York residents directory connects you with public records held by state and local agencies across all 62 counties. New York's Freedom of Information Law gives anyone the right to request records from any state or local agency. You can search court records, look up property and land documents, find vital records like birth and death certificates, and check voter registration data. Each county clerk keeps its own set of records, and many are now searchable online. The state also runs several free databases for court cases, property deeds, and voter info. This page covers the main sources in the New York residents directory, how to use them, and what you need to know before you start.
New York Residents Directory Overview
Where to Find Records in the New York Residents Directory
Public records in New York fall under the Freedom of Information Law, known as FOIL. The law took effect on January 1, 1978. It gives the public a right to see records that show how government operates. Under Public Officers Law Sections 84 through 90, any person can ask for records from any state or local agency. You don't need to give a reason. The Committee on Open Government oversees FOIL and is housed in the NYS Department of State at One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Ave., Suite 650, Albany, NY 12231.
Agencies must respond within five business days. They can grant access, deny the request, or give a date for when they will respond. That follow-up cannot be more than 20 additional business days. If your request is denied, you have 30 days to file an appeal. The appeal must be decided within 10 business days of receipt.
Inspecting records is free. No charge for searching, admin costs, or staff time to pull copies. Copies of standard-size pages cost up to $0.25 each. Under 21 NYCRR Part 1401, each agency must name at least one records access officer to handle public requests. When records sit on computers and the agency can pull them with reasonable effort, it must do so. If pulling the data takes more than two hours of staff time, the agency may charge a fee based on actual cost.
Online Public Records Sources
Several state databases let you search the New York residents directory without going to a government office. The New York State eCourts system gives access to civil and criminal case data. WebCivil Supreme covers Supreme Court cases. WebCivil Local covers city courts and town courts. WebCriminal handles criminal case lookups. You can search by party name, index number, or attorney.
The New York State Open Data Portal holds thousands of datasets from state agencies. Campaign finance data, professional licenses, state contracts, and spending records are all there. Each dataset has metadata that describes where the data comes from and how often it gets updated. You can download data in CSV, JSON, XML, and shapefile formats at no cost.
For property records in New York City, the ACRIS system provides online access to deeds, mortgages, and land records from 1966 to the present. It covers Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. Staten Island property records go through the Richmond County Clerk instead. Outside the city, each county clerk runs its own land records portal.
Court Records in the New York Residents Directory
The New York State Unified Court System runs all courts in the state. NYSCEF is the electronic filing system for attorneys and self-represented parties. Court records you can look up include filings, decisions, judgments, orders, and calendars. Some records may be sealed by court order. For records not in the electronic system, contact the court clerk's office directly. Fees may apply for certified copies.
Each county clerk serves as clerk to the Supreme Court in that county. They keep case files, indices, and judgment dockets. Business certificates for DBA filings also go through the county clerk. Many county clerks hold naturalization records going back to the 19th century. These can help with genealogical research and are part of the broader residents directory for each county. Notary public registrations were historically processed by county clerks, though renewals now go through the NYS Secretary of State per Executive Law Section 131(2).
The Division of Criminal Justice Services keeps the Sex Offender Registry under the Sex Offender Registration Act. State law requires a public directory of Level 2 and Level 3 offenders. You can sign up for NY-ALERT to get notices when a listed offender moves. For Level 1 offenders, call 800-262-3257. You need the person's name and at least one identifier like a date of birth or address. Registry staff work weekdays from 8 AM to 4 PM at 80 South Swan St., Albany, NY 12210.
The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision runs a lookup for individuals in its 44 correctional facilities. The tool covers current and certain former incarcerated individuals dating back to the early 1970s. Under Correction Law Section 9, DOCCS removes data for certain non-violent offenders five years after they finish their sentence or supervision period. The lookup is available around the clock except for a brief maintenance window near midnight.
Vital Records in New York
The New York State Department of Health runs the vital records system. It maintains birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, and divorce certificates. These records are not available through FOIL. You must apply through the Department of Health directly, and there are rules about who can get a copy based on their relationship to the person named.
Call 855-322-1022 for questions. Records cannot be sent based on email requests alone. Adoption records are under court seal. The Adoption Information Registry can share non-identifying details while keeping privacy protections in place. It can also help registered adoptees connect with birth parents and siblings.
In New York City, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene issues birth and death certificates for all five boroughs. Their office is at 125 Worth Street, New York, NY 10007. Call 212-788-4500 for help. Birth records go back to 1910 and death records to 1949. Marriage licenses in the city come from the City Clerk at 212-669-8898, not the Health Department. Outside the city, vital records from towns and villages are kept by the local registrar in each municipality.
New York Residents Directory Property Records
Each county clerk in New York is the official registrar of deeds, mortgages, judgments, and liens. These records show who owns a property and what claims exist against it. Most counties now have online search tools that are free to use.
In New York City, ACRIS handles property records for four boroughs. Certified copies cost $4 per page online. Uncertified copies at a City Register office run $1 per page. No charge applies for documents you print from your own computer. Documents from before 1966 must be requested in person at the City Register's office in the right borough. Each borough has its own office with specific hours and procedures. Brooklyn's is at 210 Joralemon Street, Queens is at 144-06 94th Avenue, Manhattan is at 66 John Street, and the Bronx office is at 3030 3rd Avenue.
Outside the city, each county clerk runs a land records portal. Nassau County, Suffolk County, Erie County, and Monroe County all offer online searches. Records in many counties go back over a hundred years. The New York State Tax Department keeps property tax data and runs the STAR program for homeowner exemptions. Tax warrants and liens get filed with county clerks under Section 6 of the Tax Law.
Voter Registration and Election Records
The New York State Board of Elections manages voter registration data for the state. The online voter lookup tool lets registered voters check their status, find polling places, and see party affiliation. Voting history shows which elections a person took part in. Address changes can also be started through the online system.
Election Law Section 3-103(5) limits voter data use to election-related purposes only. That means campaigning, voter outreach, fundraising, and academic research. Statewide files hold millions of records and come in ASCII comma-delimited format. FOIL requests to the Board of Elections go to Records Access Officer Kathleen McGrath at (518) 474-1953. Copies cost $0.25 per page. Electronic records sent by email are free. The Board's office is at 40 North Pearl Street, Suite 5, Albany, open weekdays from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
New York Residents Directory Legal Framework
FOIL is codified in Public Officers Law Sections 84 through 90. If an agency fails to respond in time, it counts as a denial. You can then appeal under Article 78 of the Civil Practice Law and Rules. Advisory opinions from the Committee on Open Government carry precedential value and are kept at law libraries throughout the state.
The DMV keeps records of driver licenses, vehicle registrations, titles, and driving histories. Driver record abstracts are available with proper authorization. The New York State Archives preserves government records from the 17th century to the present. Collections include colonial records, military service records, land patents, gubernatorial papers, and naturalization records. Many have been digitized. The Archives also runs records management programs for state agencies and local governments, helping set retention schedules for municipal records across New York.
Browse New York Residents Directory by County
Each of New York's 62 counties keeps its own set of public records. The county clerk in each one manages court files, land records, and other official documents. Pick a county below to find local offices and resources in the residents directory.
Residents Directory in Major New York Cities
New York has dozens of cities and towns with local clerks who handle records requests. Select a city below for specific information about searching the residents directory in that area.