About New York Public Records

New York public records are governed by the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), Public Officers Law Article 6 §§ 84–90, which presumes records of every state and local government agency are open for inspection unless covered by an enumerated exemption. County clerks and the NYC Department of Finance ACRIS system hold land records, the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) administers statewide criminal history, and the NY State Unified Court System publishes case records through nycourts.gov.

New York Public Records

Court Records

Court of Claims Decisions
Official Free
The MacLaw database contains the decisions of the New York State Court of Claims from March 2000 to the present. Search by keyword, judge, claimant, date or UID.
🌐 ny.gov
Criminal History
Official Free
This New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA) service provides fee-based access to New York Criminal History Records. Access requires that you complete the application and pay a $65.00...
🌐 courts.state.ny.us

Criminal Records

Child Support Payments
Official Free
New York State Division of Child Support Enforcement provides this service to custodial and non-custodial parents to logon with their SSN and PIN to view the latest posted payments.
🌐 ny.gov
Child Support Warrants
Official Free
New York State Department of State Child Support Enforcement Warrant Notice System. Search for child support evaders by debtor name, city, or county.
🌐 dos.ny.gov
Inmates & Offenders
Official Free
Search by name, birth date, DIN, or NYSID # for current/former NY State Dept. of Correctional Services inmate records. Does NOT include offenders in County or local institutions, youthful offender...
🌐 nysdoccslookup.doccs.ny.gov
Missing Persons
Official Free
New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services searches for information on missing children, college students, and vulnerable adults.
🌐 criminaljustice.ny.gov
Sex Offenders
Official Free
New York State offender registry. View information on high risk/Level 3 offenders including name, photo, DOB, address, physical description, scars, marks, tattoos, aliases and vehicle registration.
🌐 criminaljustice.ny.gov
Tax Warrants
Official Free
Search the New York State Department of State - State Tax Warrant Notice System for tax warrants filed in county clerks' offices in New York. Search by taxpayer name, city, and/or county.
🌐 dos.ny.gov
Nassau County
Official Free
Click on the Property Search link in the left margin of this Nassau County Assessor page to access property information by address or section, block & lot.
🌐 nassaucountyny.gov
New York City Inmates
Official Free
Use this NYC Department of Correction service to search for inmates by NYSID or name and birth date.
🌐 nyc.gov
Criminal Searches
Official Free
Search New York Department of Corrections inmate records, prison release records, and New York registered offenders statewide. For a complete New York Criminal History search, click on the link titled Criminal History provided by the New York State Unified Court System.
🌐 searchsystems.net

Property Records

Appearance Enhancement
Official Free
Appearance Enhancement licensee database search from the the New York State License Center. Includes barbers, barber shops, cosmetologists, hair salons, estheticians, nail specialists, hair stylist...
🌐 ny.gov
Real Estate
Official Free
New York Occupational Licensing Management System license search for real estate brokers, salespersons, associates, instructors, and continuing education courses.
🌐 appext20.dos.ny.gov
Real Estate Agents, Brokers, Firms
Official Free
Real Estate licensee verification in New York, including agents, brokers, associates, corporations, branch offices, partners, instructors, and courses.
🌐 ny.gov
Tax Liens
Official Free
Search the New York Secretary of State UCC system for Federal tax lien records filed in New York.
🌐 ny.gov
Unclaimed Property
Official Free
Search by name or name & city for unclaimed property in New York. Provides name, address, reported by, account #, type of property, year reported, and instructions on how to file a claim.
🌐 osc.state.ny.us
New York Financial License Databases
Official Free
Go here to search New York Financial License databases. You'll find links to the New York registry for check cashers, mortgage bankers and brokers, banking representatives, licensed lenders, money transmitters, finance, and safe deposit companies.
🌐 publicrecords.searchsystems.net

Vital Records

Inmates & Offenders
Official Free
Search by name, birth date, DIN, or NYSID # for current/former NY State Dept. of Correctional Services inmate records. Does NOT include offenders in County or local institutions, youthful offenders, or those whose convictions were set aside.
🌐 nysdoccslookup.doccs.ny.gov

Licenses

Workers Compensation Information
Official Free
Provides workers comp information, news, facts, and contact information for employees, employers, insurers, and medical providers in New York. Find rules, statutes, forms, and professional help relating to workplace injuries and disabilities.
🌐 wcb.ny.gov

Business

Banks & Trust Companies
Official Free
Browse alphabetically by name for Department of Financial Services (DFS) supervised banks and trust companies. Provides institution name and address.
🌐 dfs.ny.gov
Safe Deposit Companies
Official Free
Safe Deposit Companies (firms responsible for secure storage of personal property) supervised by the New York Department of Financial Services.
🌐 dfs.ny.gov
Sales Finance Companies
Official Free
Sales Finance Companies (firms that buy installment contracts, credit agreements or obligations) supervised by the State of New York Department of Financial Services.
🌐 dfs.ny.gov
Uniform Commercial Code
Official Free
Search the New York Secretary of State Uniform Commercial Code Public Inquiry System for UCCs by standard (RA9) search logic, non-standard, filing number, or secured party. Search, results, and document copies are free online.
🌐 dos.ny.gov

Civic

Campaign Contributions
Official Free
Search for corporate, committee, partner, union, association, or individual political campaign contributors in the State of New York by name, office, committee, and/or contribution amount. This dat...
🌐 elections.ny.gov
Voter Registration Statewide
Official Free
Search for registered voters in the state of New York by first and last name, date of birth, county and address. All fields are required to search.
🌐 ny.gov
Premium Finance Agencies
Official Free
Premium Finance Companies (agencies or brokers who make premium payments in advance on behalf of insured persons to insurance companies) who are supervised by the State of New York Department of Fi...
🌐 dfs.ny.gov
Legislators
Official Free
Use this State of New York service to search for legislators: congressional districts; state senate districts; and state assembly districts by address or use the interactive GIS map.
🌐 unhp.org

Other

Insurance - Disciplinary Actions
Official Free
Search for Disciplinary Actions taken by the New York State Department of Insurance against Insurance Companies, brokers, and individual licensees.
🌐 ny.gov
Licensed Lenders
Official Free
New York Department of Financial Services list of licensed lenders (loans under $25,000).
🌐 dfs.ny.gov
Liquor
Official Free
Search liqour licenses in New York by premises or trade name, license number, premises location, or name of principal.
🌐 sla.ny.gov
Physicians | Disciplined
Official Free
New York Department of Health records of Physician, Physician Assistant, and Specialist Assistant disciplinary actions.
🌐 ny.gov
Racing and Wagering
Official Free
New York State Racing and Wagering Board for harness and thoroughbred licenses, including jockeys, trainers, agents, drivers, mutuel clerks, race officials, track managements, veterinarians, securi...
🌐 license.gaming.ny.gov
Realtors
Official Free
Search the New York State Association of Realtors web site by name, company name or area for realtors in New York. For licensing information use the Licenses.
🌐 nysar.com
Check Cashers
Official Free
Browse alphabetically by name for Check Casher Companies supervised by the State of New York Department of Financial Services.
🌐 dfs.ny.gov
Credit Unions
Official Free
New York Department of Financial Services (DFS) list of supervised Credit Unions.
🌐 dfs.ny.gov
Money Transmitters
Official Free
Browse alphabetically by name for Money Transmitters (businesses that transfer money and sell traveler checks and money orders) supervised by the New York Department of Financial Services.
🌐 dfs.ny.gov
Savings Banks
Official Free
List of New York Department of Financial Services supervised Savings Banks.
🌐 dfs.ny.gov
New York Times Articles 1851-Present
Official Free
Search New York Times articles from 1981-present (text only format) or search article archives from 1851-1980. View the first few lines or (if available) an abstract for free. Full text articles can be purchased for $3.95 per article.
🌐 help.nytimes.com
School Codes
Official Free
New York Department of Taxation and Finance index of school districts and code numbers.
🌐 tax.ny.gov
State Phone Directory
Official Free
New York public phone directory, including state employees, departments, functions, organizations, hearing/speech impaired access, and Congressional, Assembly, and Senate office numbers.
🌐 ny.gov
Census 1905
Official Free
1905 New York State Census records and view or download images of population schedules.
🌐 familysearch.org

Frequently Asked Questions

What public records are available in New York?

New York provides public access to court records, criminal histories, vital records (birth/death/marriage), property records, professional licenses, voter registration, and business filings. Each record type has its own page on SearchSystems.net.

Are New York public records free?

Most online lookups — court calendars, property assessor portals, license verification, voter status — are free. Certified copies and fingerprint-based criminal-history checks typically carry a state fee.

What law governs public records in New York?

New York public records are governed by the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), Public Officers Law Article 6 §§ 84–90, which presumes records of every state and local government agency are open for inspection unless covered by an enumerated exemption.

How do I request a record not available online?

File a written records request with the state or local agency that maintains the record. Most New York agencies must respond within a fixed statutory window (typically 3–15 business days).