New York Public Records

To begin, add a public record or view a list of counties, locations and resources for New York public records.

The New York Committee on Open Government oversees and advises the public about the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) [New York Public Officers Law, Article 6]. In order to view or otherwise access public records in New York, most government agencies will require that you submit your request in writing either by mail, fax or e-mail to the Records Access Officer in either New York City or Albany. If there is doubt as to which office to submit a request to, it should be sent to New York City.

A department representative will contact you regarding your New York public records request and that individual will be your point of contact for any and all matters pertaining to your request. This representative should give you a FOIL request number that should be referenced in any future concerns with regard to that particular request.

Any agency maintaining public records in New York is required to explain the purpose of collecting such data upon request.

To lookup New York public records information, contact:

The state Committee on Open Government is the initial jumping off point for any successful New York public records search. It has undergone major changes since August of 2008, when the Freedom of Information Law modernized its policies to allow for greater ease of access to this data and the documents containing it. Primarily, it had to do with making much more information available online.

New York County Public Records