About Staten Island New — In Depth
Jail & Inmate Records
Richmond County doesn't operate its own jail facility. When someone is arrested on Staten Island, they're typically transported to facilities run by the New York City Department of Correction, most notably the Rikers Island complex. The booking process follows standard protocols: photographing, fingerprinting, and documenting personal information of each arrestee. Families and attorneys can locate inmates using the Department of Correction's online lookup system. Visitation rules vary depending on which facility holds the individual.
Bail procedures now fall under New York State's bail reform laws, which prioritize non-monetary release conditions. To find someone recently arrested in the area, residents should use the online inmate lookup tool provided by the New York City Department of Correction.
Arrest Records
The New York City Police Department and the Richmond County Sheriff's Office maintain arrest records for Staten Island. Residents and attorneys seeking these records can submit requests directly to the NYPD or go through the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services. Each arrest record typically documents the individual's personal information, circumstances of the arrest, charges filed, and details about the arresting officer. Under the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), the public has the right to access these records unless specific exemptions apply.
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Richmond County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and sex offender registrations. These records are maintained by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services and the NYPD. Residents can run a background check through the New York State Office of Court Administration, which provides access to statewide criminal history records. The New York State Police offers additional resources for Richmond residents seeking information on criminal records.
Vital Records
Vital records, such as birth, death, and marriage certificates for Staten Island, are maintained by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Residents can request copies of these records online or by visiting the department's office. The Richmond County Clerk's Office also keeps some vital records for the area. Links: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/index.page), Richmond County Clerk's Office (https://richmondcountyny.gov/clerk).
Business & Licensing Records
Business records for Staten Island, including commercial property deeds, business licenses, and corporate filings, are accessible through the Richmond County Clerk's Office and the New York State Department of State. The Staten Island Chamber of Commerce maintains additional information about local businesses operating in the borough. These resources help residents research company histories, verify licenses, and access property records.
Links: Richmond County Clerk's Office (https://richmondcountyny.gov/clerk), New York State Department of State (https://www.dos.ny.gov/), Staten Island Chamber of Commerce (https://www.sichamber.com/).
Economy & Demographics
Economic and financial records for Staten Island, including property tax assessments, business licenses, and economic development data, can be accessed through the Richmond Town Assessor's Office, the New York City Department of Finance, and the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation. These agencies provide information about the local economy, real estate, and business activity.
Links: Richmond Town Assessor's Office (https://richmondcountyny.gov/assessor), NYC Department of Finance (https://www1.nyc.gov/site/finance/index.page), Staten Island Economic Development Corporation (https://sidc.org/).
Elections & Voter Records
ELECTION HUB for Staten Island, New York voters The Richmond County Board of Elections serves all voters across Staten Island. The office is located at 1 Edgewater Plaza, Staten Island, NY 10305, and can be reached at (718) 876-0079. Their website is https://www.elections.ny.gov/CountyBoards.html. Residents can register to vote online through the New York State Board of Elections website (https://www.elections.ny.gov/VotingRegister.html). The registration deadline falls 25 days before any election. Online registration requires a valid New York driver's license, permit, or non-driver ID card.
Municipal elections on Staten Island follow the New York City election calendar, meaning residents vote for mayor and city council representatives alongside the other boroughs. Voters can research candidates and their platforms through the NYC Campaign Finance Board website (https://www.nyccfb.info/). The borough doesn't conduct separate municipal elections apart from the citywide races. To find your designated polling place, use the New York State Board of Elections poll site locator (https://www.vote.gov/register-to-vote/new-york/). Election records such as voter registration lists, campaign finance filings, and results are considered public in New York. These can be accessed through the State Board of Elections and the Richmond County Board of elections. Coming up in November 2026, voters will participate in races for New York's 11th Congressional District representative, along with state senate and assembly seats. For absentee or mail-in ballots, New York voters can request an application online, by mail, or in person. The request deadline is 7 days before the election for in-person delivery or 15 days before for mail delivery. Completed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within 7 days after the election.
Public Records Resources for Staten Island, New York
Official government websites for Staten Island, New York and the surrounding area. Listings prioritize federal, state, county, and municipal sources on official .gov or .mil domains, supplemented by verified non-government portals where the responsible agency uses a different domain.
- New York Criminal History RecordsObtain a copy of all your criminal history information.
- Federal Bureau of Investigation New York Field OfficeInvestigative, criminal history reporting services.
- New York State Criminal Court CasesSearch New York state unified courtsystem for criminal history records.
- New York InmatesFind the location and release information of individuals incarcerated with the NY Dept. of Corrections.
- New York Sex OffendersSearch the NY Division of Criminal Justice Services database of registered offenders by name or location.
- New York Most WantedCurrent posting of fugitives and absconders from the NY State Most Wanted Fugitives.
- New York State PoliceLaw enforcement, traffic, criminal investigations and more.
- New York State Department of Environmental ConservationLicenses, permits, information and more
- New York Attorney GeneralCivil, criminal and appellate courts
- New York State Division of Criminal Justice ServicesLaw enforcement, forensics, reports and more.
- New York Business and Corporation SearchFind active and inactive corporations by name from the NY Dept. of State Division of Corporations.
- New York Lawyer LookupVerify an attorney's licensing status with the NY State Unified Court System.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register to vote in Staten Island, New York?
To register to vote in Staten Island, New York, residents can register online through the New York State Board of Elections website, by mail, or in person at the Richmond County elections office. New York requires voters to be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and residents of the state. The registration deadline is typically 30 days before an election. Voters can verify their registration status and find polling locations through the New York State Board of Elections voter lookup tool. For local municipal elections in Staten Island, contact the Richmond County Clerk's office for schedules and ballot information.
How do I look up property records in Staten Island, New York?
Property records for Staten Island, New York are maintained by Richmond County. The county assessor's office holds property tax records, assessed values, and ownership information. Property deeds, liens, and mortgage documents are filed with the county recorder's office. Many counties in New York offer online portals where residents can search property records by address or owner name. For federal property related records, the USA.gov website provides guidance on accessing land patents, federal tax liens, and other property documentation.
How do I get a birth or death certificate in Staten Island, New York?
Birth and death certificates for Staten Island, New York residents are available through the New York State Department of Health, Vital Records. Requests can typically be made online, by mail, or in person. You will need to provide identification and proof of eligibility, as vital records in New York are restricted to authorized individuals such as the registrant, immediate family members, or legal representatives. Locally, the Richmond County Clerk's office may also process vital record requests. Processing times and fees vary depending on the method of request and the issuing office.
How do I find business license records in Staten Island, New York?
Business license records for Staten Island, New York can be obtained through the city's municipal offices or Richmond County administration. The city clerk's office or planning and development department typically handles business license applications, renewals, and public records requests. The New York Secretary of State's office maintains records of registered business entities, including corporations, LLCs, and partnerships, which can be searched through their online business filing database. For federal employer identification numbers and tax related business records, the IRS website provides relevant forms and search tools.