Guide
Where to Look in New York
A New York search usually starts with these six offices: the state court case search, business filings, state prison and sex offender records, New York City property records and vital records.
- WebCivil Supreme, NY Courts eCourtsCivil Supreme Court cases in all 62 counties
- NY Department of State business searchCorporations, LLCs and limited partnerships with agents
- DOCCS Incarcerated LookupPeople now or formerly held in state prisons
- NY Sex Offender RegistryLevel 2 and Level 3 offenders, kept by DCJS
- ACRIS, NYC Department of FinanceDeeds and mortgages for Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens
- NY Department of Health, Vital RecordsBirth, death, marriage and divorce records and who may order them
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Official State Sources
Secretary of State / State Government Portal
The Department of State keeps business filings and many licenses; its business search is linked in Where to Look.
State Archives
Guide
Court Records
Statewide Court Search System
Federal Courts
Access federal civil, criminal, and bankruptcy records via PACER for the Northern, Southern (SDNY), Eastern (EDNY), and Western Districts of New York.
County guides on this site
- Erie County records guideBuffalo; courts and county offices
- Monroe County records guideRochester; courts and county offices
- Onondaga County records guideSyracuse; courts and county offices
- Albany County records guideAlbany, the state capital; courts and county offices
- Westchester County records guideWhite Plains and the Hudson Valley suburbs; courts and county offices
- Nassau County records guideWestern Long Island; courts and county offices
- Suffolk County records guideEastern Long Island; courts and county offices
- Queens County records guideThe New York City borough of Queens; courts and county offices
New York City deeds and mortgages are not in a state system. For Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens, search ACRIS, run by the NYC Department of Finance Office of the City Register. Staten Island deeds are recorded by the Richmond County Clerk.
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Property and Tax Records
State-level Property Info
Property assessments are generally handled at the municipal or county level in NY, not statewide.
Outside New York City
Outside New York City, deeds are recorded by the county clerk, and tax rolls are kept by the town or city assessor and the county Real Property Tax Service. This applies upstate (Erie, Monroe) and in the suburban counties (Westchester, Nassau, Suffolk).
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Business and Licensing Records
Professional Licensing Boards
Medical, nursing, accounting, engineering and other professions are licensed through the State Education Department Office of the Professions.
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Corrections & Inmate Records
People Search Tip for New York: Always check both Supreme Court (handling major civil cases/felonies) and local City/Town courts (handling misdemeanors/small claims). Town court records in NY are notoriously decentralized and often require an in-person visit or mailed request.
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Voter Registration
New York voter lists are public but may be used only for election purposes, not for commercial use. You can check your own registration on the State Board of Elections lookup.
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Archives, Genealogy & Obituary Resources
The New York State Library and the Library of Congress (Chronicling America) hold historic New York newspapers. For family history before statewide birth and death registration began in 1880, check local historical societies.
Privacy Note: New York has strict seal laws for certain criminal convictions (e.g., CPL 160.59) and juvenile records. These will not appear in official public court searches. Always respect DPPA (Driver's Privacy Protection Act) restrictions regarding DMV data.
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More New York Record Tools
Combine a people search with New York-specific record searches for a complete profile. These companion directories are already live on PublicRecordCenter.com:
- New York Public RecordsMain state directory, all record types
- About New York RecordsCivic overview & public records law
- People Search GuideHow people-finding actually works
- Genealogy SearchFamily history & ancestry
- Vital RecordsBirth, death, marriage & divorce
- Judgments & LiensCivil judgments & debt records
Straight answers
New York People Search, questions
Who can order a New York death certificate?
The New York State Department of Health has death records since 1881 for the whole state except New York City. A spouse, parent, child or sibling may order one. Others need a documented lawful right, medical need or court order.
Can I get old New York vital records for family history?
Yes. The Department of Health gives uncertified genealogy copies of death certificates on file at least 50 years. Marriage records need 50 years and both spouses deceased. The standard fee is $22 for a three year search.
Where do I get a New York marriage record?
The Department of Health holds marriage records since 1881 for licenses bought anywhere in New York State outside New York City. Copies also come from the town or city clerk where the license was bought.
How do I find a New York divorce record?
The divorce decree is filed with the County Clerk, usually where the plaintiff lived. The Department of Health keeps divorce certificates for divorces granted since January 1, 1963, and either spouse may order one.
How do I find someone held in a New York City jail?
The New York City Department of Correction Person in Custody Lookup shows where a person in DOC custody is held, with basic case information. It does not cover people in police, state or federal custody.
How do I check a New York professional license?
The State Education Department Office of the Professions online verification covers more than 1,500,000 licensees in over 50 professions. It shows the licensee's name, profession, license number, location, original license date and registration status.
Is there unclaimed money in a person's name in New York?
Banks, insurers, companies and courts must report dormant accounts to the Office of the State Comptroller. Funds that stay unclaimed are turned over to it, including bank accounts, court funds, estate proceeds, insurance benefits and stocks.
Does the New York State Archives index births, marriages and deaths?
Yes, in a microfiche index that is not online. It covers state birth certificates from 1881 to 1935, marriages from 1881 to 1960 and deaths from 1880 to 1960. New York City events are not included.