New York Public Records
State Level Information
Though the first version of New York's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) was passed in 1974 to allow for access to public records by members of the public, amendments were made in 1982, 2005 and 2008 that made significant changes to it.
- According to the FOIL, a public record is defined as "any information kept, held, filed, produced, or reproduced by, with or for an agency or the state legislature, in any physical form whatsoever."
- According to Washington Post v. Insurance Department (1984), "promise of confidentiality...is irrelevant to whether the requested documents fit within the Legislature's definition of records...Nor is it relevant [whether] the documents originated outside the government."
- All FOIL agencies are required by law to prepare a detailed current list of all records that are currently in their possession.
State of New York Department of Public Safety
State of New York Secretary of State
New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets
New York State Real Estate Brokers Salesperson Page
New York State Department of Taxation and Finance
New York Department of Transportation
New York State Veterinary Medical Examining Board
Court Record Resources
New York Code of Rules and Regulations Part 6050.1 instructs the DCJS to affirm the right of an individual, or their duly authorized legal representative to receive a complete copy of all criminal history information of record at the DCJS or to receive a response indicating that no such criminal history information exists.
This criminal history record report will include employment and licensing fingerprints may be used for any personal reason by the requesting subject, however this check may not be used in place of a fingerprint based check where such a check is required by law.
New York Judicial BranchNew York State Division of Criminal Justice Services
New York State Capitol Police
New York State Department of Correctional Services
New York Office of Administrative Hearings
Vital Records Facts
New York Department of Health ServicesNew York State Library, Vital Records