public records long island ny: practical ways to find what you need

What public records cover

On Long Island, most government documents are available under New York’s FOIL, spanning court filings, property deeds, assessment rolls, building permits, and some police and code enforcement logs. Vital records exist too, though certified copies have tighter rules.

Where to look first

Begin with county-level offices: the Nassau and Suffolk County Clerks keep land records, while state courts provide dockets and judgments. Towns and villages maintain permits, code histories, and meeting minutes; school districts hold budgets and contracts.

• County Clerk land and mortgage indexes by name, party, or section‑block‑lot (SBL)
• NY Courts calendars and e-filing dockets by case number or party
• Town/village FOIL portals for permits, complaints, and minutes
• Assessors’ rolls for ownership, lot size, and taxable values
• Police blotters and incident logs, subject to redactions

Tips for faster results

Use exact names, date ranges, and any index or parcel number. Request “plain copies” unless you need certification, expect modest fees, and watch for the five-business-day acknowledgment. If denied, file a timely administrative appeal citing the public interest.