What's the source for arrest records in New York?

Arrest records in New York come from the local police or sheriff that made the arrest. The NYPD arrest data is at https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/. The NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services Personal Background Check at https://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/ provides individual criminal history reques…

What's the source for arrest records in New York?

New York arrest records source: County-level — each of 62 county sheriffs and city police via NY Sheriffs' Association (https://www.nysheriffs.org/). NYPD (https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/) for NYC arrests. Statewide criminal history: NY DCJS Personal Record Review (https://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/…

How do I look up a business in New York?

To look up a business in New York, use the New York Department of State Division of Corporations Entity Search at https://apps.dos.ny.gov/publicInquiry/. Free name-based search returns LLCs, corporations, partnerships, and DBAs statewide. The NY DOS Division of Corporations is at One Commerce Plaza,…

Common Questions About Public Records in Staten Island

Real questions from people researching records in Staten Island. Each answer is verified against official agency sources — no third-party services.

🚔 Where do recent arrests show up in New York? ▼

For recent arrests in New York State, the NYPD arrest data for NYC is at https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/, with daily arrest summaries published at https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/stats/reports-analysis/. Other major cities have their own (Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany). Counties outside NYC use sheriff offices and town/village police. The NY Division of Criminal Justice Services at https://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/ provides statewide criminal history (subject's own record via IdentoGO, $63 + $14.25 FBI). The NY DOCCS inmate locator at https://nysdoccslookup.doccs.ny.gov/ shows current state-prison detainees. Court charges tied to arrests are at https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/webcrim_attorney/. NY Public Officers Law §84 (FOIL) governs disclosure. Sources: NYPD (https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/), NY DCJS (https://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/).

Tagged: New York · arrest

⚰️ How do I get a death certificate in New York? ▼

To get a death certificate in New York (outside NYC), order from NY Department of Health Vital Records at https://www.health.ny.gov/vital_records/. Certified death certificates cost $30 ($45 with priority handling). For NYC deaths, use the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Office of Vital Records at https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/services/vital-records.page. Records from 1881 forward are at the state level; only the spouse, parents, children, or legal representatives can obtain certified copies under NY Public Health Law §4173. Pre-1881 records and genealogy (50+ years old where decedent and immediate family are deceased) are at the NY State Archives at https://www.archives.nysed.gov/. Sources: NY DOH (https://www.health.ny.gov/), NYC DOHMH (https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/).

Tagged: New York · death

🔍 What's the right way to do a background check on someone in New York? ▼

To run a background check on someone in New York, the NY Division of Criminal Justice Services Personal Background Check at https://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/. Subjects request their own record by submitting fingerprints through IdentoGO at https://www.identogo.com/ ($63 statewide, $14.25 FBI add-on). For employment-purpose checks, the employer must use a state-certified vendor. Court records are searchable at https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/webcrim_attorney/ (criminal) and https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/webcivil/ (civil). NY Public Officers Law §84 (FOIL) governs disclosure. Employment use must comply with NY Article 23-A and the FCRA, which limit consideration of arrest-only records. Sources: NY DCJS (https://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/), NY Courts (https://www.nycourts.gov/).

Tagged: New York · background check

Have a question about records in Staten Island? The agencies that hold these records are listed throughout this page — start there.

Staten Island, New York · Public Records

Staten Island Public Records, Court Cases & Arrests

Search court records, arrest information, criminal history, and police reports for Staten Island, located in Richmond County, New York. All records linked here come from official government sources.

Records access in Staten Island

Staten Island has a population, making it the least populous of the five boroughs despite its status as the third-largest borough by land area at approximately 58 square miles. The borough is known for its relatively suburban character compared to other parts of New York City, featuring single-family homes, green spaces, and neighborhood commercial districts. Staten Island is home to Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, the Staten Island Zoo, Richmond Town Historic Village, and extensive parklands including the Staten Island Greenbelt, a 3,000-acre nature preserve in the center of the island. Government on Staten Island operates within the New York City administrative framework. The NYPD's Staten Island Borough Command oversees multiple precincts providing law enforcement throughout the borough, with the 120th, 121st, 122nd, and 123rd Precincts covering different sections. The FDNY operates numerous firehouses on Staten Island providing fire suppression and emergency medical services. The Staten Island Borough President advocates for borough-level interests, and the City Council members from Staten Island districts represent neighborhood concerns at the city legislative level. Richmond County Supreme Court, family court, and surrogate's court serve local judicial needs. Public education on Staten Island is administered by the New York City Department of Education, operating numerous public schools including elementary schools, intermediate schools, high schools, and specialized schools. Staten Island Technical High School and Curtis High School are among the well-regarded secondary institutions. The College of Staten Island, part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system, provides higher education and serves thousands of students each year. Public library services are provided by the New York Public Library's Staten Island branches, which include numerous neighborhood locations offering books, digital media, programs, and community resources. Public records for Staten Island are maintained through New York City and Richmond County government offices. The Richmond County Clerk's Office at 130 Stuyvesant Place handles property records, court filings, and recorded documents. The New York City Department of Finance administers property tax records and real property assessments for Staten Island properties, accessible through the DOF online portal. Vital records including birth and death certificates are maintained by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, with certified copies available online or by mail. Criminal and civil court records from proceedings in Richmond County are accessible through the New York State Unified Court System's public portal. The Richmond County Surrogate's Court in St. George handles estate and probate matters. Building permits, violations, and construction history are maintained by the NYC Department of Buildings online. New York's Freedom of Information Law governs access to government records at both city and state levels. The Staten Island Historical Society and the NYC Municipal Archives maintain extensive historical records relevant to Staten Island's history, genealogy, and civic development.

New York public records law

Records held by Staten Island city offices, the Richmond County Sheriff, and the Richmond County courts are subject to the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) (N.Y. Pub. Off. Law § 84).

Where to file a records request in Staten Island

Police records: file with the Staten Island Police Department or via the Richmond County Sheriff for unincorporated areas.

Court records: Richmond County courts handle criminal, civil, family, and probate matters.

Booking and inmate records: Richmond County Sheriff publishes a public inmate roster including booking photos and charges.