New York City Public Records
Public Records In New York City
Quickly route New York City record searches across Clerk, Finance, Buildings, and Vital Records, showing what is online, which office holds it, and required search inputs.
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Recorded Documents
Property Tax
Permits
Vital Records
Licenses
On this page:
Scope
City-level public records for New York City.
Online Availability
Recorded documents, property tax/assessment, and building permits are searchable online; vital certificates and some licenses require a request.
Common Identifiers
Borough–Block–Lot (BBL), Street Address, Party Name, Permit/License Number.
Certified Copies
Order certified copies from the holding office; online printouts are not certified.
Start Here
- Start with City Clerk for marriage record verification and certified copy requests.
- Search City Finance recorded documents by party name or borough–block–lot to confirm deeds and liens.
- Check property tax and assessment by address or parcel number to identify owner and valuation.
- Use Building Department lookup for permits, violations, and certificates of occupancy by address.
- Confirm eligibility and request routing for birth or death certificates with City Vital Records.
Record Routing
- Recorded land documents → City Finance/Recorder
- Marriage records → City Clerk
- Birth and death certificates → City Vital Records
- Property assessment and tax → City Finance Assessment
- Building permits and COs → Building Department
Search Inputs
- Party/Grantor–Grantee Name
- Borough–Block–Lot (BBL)
- Street Address
- Document Type/Instrument
- Date Range
- Permit or License Number
Source Map
| Source / Office | Best For | Search Method | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| City Clerk (Marriage Records) | Marriage record verification and certified copies. | Request-based; limited index by names and date. | Marriage records are maintained at the city level; certification typically requires a formal request. |
| City Finance (Recorded Documents) | Deeds, mortgages, liens, and releases. | Online index by party name, BBL, document type, and date. | NYC land records are recorded with city finance; parcel IDs use borough–block–lot. |
| City Finance (Property Tax and Assessment) | Owner name, mailing address, assessed value, tax status. | Address or BBL lookup; filter by borough. | Assessment and tax data anchors ownership context and due diligence for NYC parcels. |
| Building Department (Permits and CO) | Permits, violations, complaints, and Certificates of Occupancy. | Address-based lookup; optional filters by record type and date. | Building activity and occupancy affect compliance, risk, and property use in NYC. |
| City Vital Records (Birth/Death) | Certified birth and death certificates. | Request-based by name, date, and place; eligibility checks apply. | Vital certificates are restricted and issued by the city health authority. |
| State Courts (Civil Dockets) | Civil cases, judgments, liens, and name searches affecting NYC parties. | Name or case number search; select the appropriate county venue. | Court outcomes can impact property interests, licensing, and compliance checks. |
NYC Records FAQs
How do I request a certified marriage record in New York City?
Submit a request to the City Clerk using the spouses’ names and event date; eligibility and identification requirements apply.
Can I find who owns a NYC property online?
Yes. Use City Finance property tax/assessment by address or BBL to view owner and mailing address, and cross-check deed history in recorded documents.
Where do I locate NYC deeds and liens?
Use the City Finance recorded documents index to search by party name, BBL, document type, and date; request certification from the recorder if needed.
Are NYC building permits and Certificates of Occupancy public?
Yes. Search the Building Department by address for permits, violations, and occupancy data; some document images may require a records request.