Access New York County Public Records

There are fifty counties in the state of New York. The county public records are stored and maintained by the offices of the different departments in these counties. Public records are the documents of those actions that have been taken by the courts and governments of local level, that is, municipality and county while in interaction with the residents of the counties.

New York County Records

The New York county public records include vital records or the documents of birth, death, marriage and divorce, incarceration history, information on trade license, and others. By Freedom of Information Act, now every individual is entitled to view, inspect and request a copy of own records.

The records of birth and death are filed with the clerk of the city. The records of divorces and marriages are filed with the Clerk of the County Court that had granted the license. So, though the Department of Public Health offers the certificates of these vital records, if you do not know the exact city where these events took place, you can pay a visit to the County Court Clerk.

Apart from the vital records, County Clerk’s office also offers other records including mortgage, current deeds, records of Supreme Court etc. In some counties, county public records New York can be searched and accessed online too.

You can request a copy of the certificate by paying a stipulated fee. These fees can vary from one county to another. Also, the titles may differ in each county.  For records of incarceration, parole or probation, you can visit the website of County Sheriff. You can view the records online and get copies of the records upon making request.

Search New York County Public Records

Usually there are three ways of requesting a copy of the certificate. You can request or collect in person, via mail, phone or fax. There are some commercial sites that provide you facility to request online and get the certificates through Express Shipping, yet it is always recommended to opt for the authentic sources.

You will get the address of the County Clerks in the website of respective counties. Here are the addresses of some of the County Vital Statistics Departments and the Clerk’s office.

If you are a resident of Albany County, send your request for birth or death certificates to City Vital Statistics, City Hall, Room #254M, Albany, NY 12207 or you can call up the office at (518) 434-5045. If you want a certificate of marriage license, or mortgage records, contact the County Clerk at Albany County Courthouse, Room # 128, Albany, New York 12207. You can call the Clerk at (518) 487-5100 or fax at (518) 487-5099.

Similarly, the residents of Rockland County can reach their clerk at Rockland County Clerk, 27 New Hempstead Road, New City, NY 10956. The phone number of the clerk’s office is (845) 638-5070.

The Niagara County Clerk can be reached at Courthouse, Lockport, NY 14094. This office does not issue copies for the license of marriage. They are available at New York State Vital Records Office located in Albany if required.