Purchasing Resources for New York Public Records

New York Public Records

Knowing how to research New York public records
By Frank Alvarado

New York public records search programs come in handy for a lot of New York companies. Concerned business owners rely on free public records in New York to determine whether or not to hire an applicant or whether or not to work with a specific contractor. Fortunately, New York court records and other public records in New York are readily available if you know where to look.
 

When it comes to finding free public records, New York local and state officials do not make it easy. New York birth records, New York death certificates and marriage and divorce records are offered on a restricted basis and are not generally included in free searches. Subscription services, however, will provide you with a wider variety of New York vital records and other public records for your business to use.

Keep these points in mind when you search New York public records for your business:

1. What specific information do you want to find in your New York public records search?
2. New York criminal background checks and bankruptcy records in New York are offered via fee-based searches.
3. It is illegal to obtain a person's Social Security number through any search.

Compile a list of the New York public records you want to search for

Some information will be more useful for your business than other items. You can save time by only searching for the records that you really need. For example, if you are conducting a background check on a job applicant, then it doesn't make sense to search for marriage records.
Try: 

There is a staggering list of New York vital records that are available for searching on the New York Free Public Records Directory.  It is easy to navigate and tells you upfront if there is a fee. When it comes to looking for free public records, New York courts can save you a lot of time. Use this application to do index and party searches on any case in the New York state courts system.

Find free public records New York

You can save your business money when you utilize free public records searches. Some searches, for example, like New York criminal record searches and bankruptcy records, are fee-based. However, some public record services, like sex offender registries, are offered free of charge. Use these resources to help you screen job applicants and contractors.
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Intelius offers the above mentioned search options on a one-time basis, as well as on a subscription basis. You can also use the Public Record Center to find information on sex offenders and criminal records free of charge.

Contact the New York Department of Health for New York vital records

The health department is the only place where you can access New York vital records of people, including New York death records.
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You can request vital records by filling out a Freedom of Information Letter and submitting it to the New York Department of Health. You can also use VitalRec to help track down vital records of current New York residents that may have been born in another state.

• Familiarize yourself with New York public records laws before commencing your background check so you don't waste your time trying to obtain information that is not available to the public or that is illegal to access.