About Public Records in New York

• General Jurisdiction / Upper Courts


• Supreme Courts - 4 courts.
• Civil - tort, contracts, real property rights.
• Domestic - marriage dissolution.
• Criminal felony, drunk driving.


• County Courts - in 57 counties outside of New York City.
• Civil - to $25,000. Tort, contracts, real property rights.
• Domestic - marriage dissolution.
• Criminal felony, drunk driving.



 

• Limited Jurisdiction / Lower Courts


• Surrogates' Court - one or more courts in each New York county.
• Estates.
• Adoptions.


• Family Courts - one or more courts in each New York county.
• Guardianship.
• Domestic relations.
• Domestic violence.
• Juvenile.


• District Courts - Nassau and Suffolk Counties only
• Civil - tort, contract and real property to $15,000. small claims to $3,000.
• Criminal - felony, misdemeanor, drunk driving.
• Moving traffic, ordinance violations.
• Preliminary hearings.


• City Courts - 61 cities.
• Civil - tort, contract and real property to $15,000. small claims to $3,000.
• Criminal - felony, misdemeanor, drunk driving.
• Moving traffic, ordinance violations.
• Preliminary hearings.


• Town and Village Justice Courts - Over 1400 courts in the state.
• Civil - tort, contract and real property to $15,000. small claims to $3,000.
• Criminal - felony, misdemeanor, drunk driving.
• Moving traffic, ordinance violations.
• Preliminary hearings.


• Criminal Court of the City of New York - 1 court in New York City.
• Criminal - misdemeanor, drunk driving.
• Moving traffic, ordinance violations.
• Preliminary hearings.


• Criminal Court of the City of New York - 1 court in New York City.
• Civil - tort, contract and real property to $25,000. small claims to $3,000.

New York real and personal property tax records are kept by the Real Property Tax Office in each county.
 

New York deeds and general document recording are handled by the County Clerk in each county. Larger offices have separate divisions for recording. Records kept include deeds, mortgage documents, easements, powers of attorney, marriage licenses, and liens.

The New York Department of Health is responsible for issuing certified copies of vital records, including birth, death, marriage and divorce certificates.