Kings County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Kings County?

Public records in Kings County (Brooklyn), New York are defined as information or documents created, received, or maintained by government agencies that are accessible to the public under the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), codified in Public Officers Law § 84-90. These records document official government activities and transactions, serving as a foundation for governmental transparency and accountability.

Kings County maintains numerous categories of public records, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, family, and surrogate's court proceedings maintained by the New York State Unified Court System
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property transfers accessible through the Automated City Register Information System (ACRIS)
Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage records (with certain access restrictions)
Business Records: Business certificates, licenses, and permits issued by various city agencies
Tax Records: Property tax statements, assessment records, and tax liens maintained by the NYC Department of Finance
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information and election results maintained by the NYC Board of Elections
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of Brooklyn Community Boards, Borough President's Office, and other public bodies
Budget and Financial Documents: County expenditures, contracts, and financial reports
Law Enforcement Records: Certain police records including incident reports and arrest information (with statutory exemptions)
Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning applications, and environmental reviews

The Kings County Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian for many county records, while specialized records are maintained by respective departments such as the Department of Finance for property records and the City Clerk for marriage records.

Kings County Clerk's Office
360 Adams Street, Room 189
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(347) 404-9700
Kings County Clerk

Is Kings County an Open Records County?

Kings County adheres to New York State's robust open records framework established under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), codified in Public Officers Law § 84-90. This comprehensive statute establishes the presumption that all government records are accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law.

The legislative declaration in Public Officers Law § 84 explicitly states: "The legislature hereby finds that a free society is maintained when government is responsive and responsible to the public, and when the public is aware of governmental actions... The people's right to know the process of governmental decision-making and to review the documents and statistics leading to determinations is basic to our society."

Kings County government agencies comply with FOIL by:

Maintaining publicly accessible record request systems
Appointing Records Access Officers to process requests
Providing records in the requested format when feasible
Responding to requests within statutory timeframes
Providing written explanations when records are denied

Additionally, Kings County agencies adhere to New York's Open Meetings Law (Public Officers Law § 100-111), often called the "Sunshine Law," which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public and that meeting minutes be recorded and made available.

The NYC OpenRecords portal serves as the centralized system for submitting FOIL requests to all New York City agencies, including those serving Kings County. This platform streamlines the request process and enhances transparency in government operations.

How to Find Public Records in Kings County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Kings County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain documents. The most efficient approach depends on the specific record type and its custodian agency.

For most city agency records, the NYC OpenRecords portal serves as the centralized request system. To submit a request through this platform:

Navigate to the OpenRecords website
Create an account or log in as a guest
Select the appropriate agency from the dropdown menu
Complete the request form with specific details about the desired records
Submit the request and retain the confirmation number for tracking purposes

For property records, the Automated City Register Information System (ACRIS) provides direct online access:

Visit the ACRIS website
Select "Search Property Records"
Choose between searching by address, party name, or document type
Enter the relevant search criteria
Review and download available documents

For court records, the New York State Unified Court System offers several access methods:

Visit the Kings County Courthouse in person at 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn
Use the electronic case filing system (NYSCEF) for participating courts
Submit a written request to the specific court division holding the records

For vital records such as marriage certificates, applicants must:

Complete the appropriate application form
Provide required identification and documentation of eligibility
Submit the application in person at the City Clerk's Office or by mail
Pay the applicable fees

For police records, including accident reports and criminal history information:

Submit a request through the NYPD's Records Access Officer
Provide specific details about the incident (date, location, report number)
Include proof of identity when requesting personal records
Pay any applicable fees

Many agencies maintain reading rooms or public terminals for in-person record inspection at no cost. Requestors are advised to contact the specific agency in advance to confirm availability and schedule appointments when necessary.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Kings County?

The fee structure for public records in Kings County is governed by Public Officers Law § 87(1)(b)(iii), which permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for copying or reproducing records. Current standard fees vary by record type and format:

General Document Fees:

Paper copies: $0.25 per page (standard 8.5" x 11")
Electronic records: No fee when records are maintained electronically and can be emailed
Custom data extraction: Actual cost of staff time for programming/extraction
Media storage devices: Actual cost of the storage medium (CD, DVD, flash drive)

Specialized Record Fees:

Marriage records: $15 per certificate through the City Clerk's Office
Property records: $5 per document for certified copies through ACRIS
Police accident reports: $10 per report through the NYPD
Criminal history search: $50 money order or certified check payable to NYPD
Court records: Varies by document type and certification requirements

Accepted payment methods typically include:

Cash (in-person requests only)
Money orders
Certified checks
Credit/debit cards (for certain agencies and online systems)
Personal checks (accepted by some agencies)

Agencies may waive fees when disclosure primarily benefits the general public, as determined by the Records Access Officer. Additionally, indigent persons may request fee waivers in certain circumstances, though this is discretionary and varies by agency.

For voluminous requests or those requiring extensive staff time, agencies may provide cost estimates before proceeding with record production. Requestors have the option to modify requests to reduce costs or proceed with the original request and associated fees.

Does Kings County Have Free Public Records?

Kings County provides several avenues for accessing public records at no cost to requestors. Under Public Officers Law § 87(2), all government agencies must make records available for public inspection at no charge during regular business hours.

Free public record resources in Kings County include:

In-person inspection: All public agencies must provide facilities for examining non-exempt records without charge. Appointments may be required.
NYC OpenRecords portal: Electronic records that can be emailed are provided at no cost through this centralized FOIL request system.
ACRIS: The Automated City Register Information System offers free online searching and viewing of property records, though certification requires payment.
NYC Open Data Portal: Datasets from various city agencies are freely available for download, including building permits, restaurant inspections, and 311 service requests.
Community Board Minutes: Records of Brooklyn's Community Boards are available for free online viewing through the borough president's website.
Court Calendars and Dockets: Basic case information is accessible without charge through public terminals at the courthouse.
Campaign Finance Records: Information about political contributions and expenditures is freely available through the NYC Campaign Finance Board.
Budget Documents: The city's financial plans, including Brooklyn-specific allocations, are published online at no cost.

The NYC Department of Finance also provides free access to property tax information, assessment rolls, and certain financial records through their online portal. While viewing these records is free, obtaining certified copies or extensive printouts may incur standard fees.

Who Can Request Public Records in Kings County?

Under New York's Freedom of Information Law (Public Officers Law § 89(1)), any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request and receive public records from Kings County government agencies. This broad eligibility reflects the statute's purpose of promoting governmental transparency and accountability.

Key eligibility considerations include:

Residency: Non-residents of New York State have the same rights to access public records as residents.
Identification: Basic identification may be required to process requests, but agencies cannot generally demand extensive personal information or reasons for requests.
Purpose: Requestors are not required to explain why they seek records, and agencies cannot deny access based on the intended use of the information (with limited exceptions for commercial mailing lists).
Age: Minors may submit FOIL requests, though certain sensitive records may require parental consent.
Representatives: Attorneys, researchers, and other agents may request records on behalf of clients or organizations.

For certain record types, additional eligibility restrictions apply:

Vital Records: Access to birth and death certificates is limited to the person named in the record, immediate family members, or those with a documented legal interest.
Criminal History: Complete criminal history information is restricted to the subject of the record or their designated representative with proper authorization.
Medical Records: Health information is protected under HIPAA and state law, requiring specific authorization from the patient.
Juvenile Records: Family Court records involving minors have strict confidentiality protections under Family Court Act § 166.

When requesting records about oneself, proper identification must be provided to verify identity and prevent unauthorized disclosure of personal information. For requests concerning other individuals, documentation establishing legal authority or legitimate interest may be required depending on the record type.

What Records Are Confidential in Kings County?

While New York's Freedom of Information Law establishes a presumption of access to government records, Public Officers Law § 87(2) enumerates specific categories of records that are exempt from disclosure. Kings County agencies must withhold or redact the following confidential information:

Personal Privacy Information: Records that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, including:
- Social Security numbers
- Home addresses and telephone numbers of public employees
- Medical and health records
- Personal financial information
Law Enforcement Records: Information that would:
- Interfere with active investigations or judicial proceedings
- Deprive a person of the right to a fair trial
- Identify confidential sources or disclose confidential information
- Reveal non-routine criminal investigative techniques
Public Safety Information: Records that could endanger life or safety if disclosed, including:
- Critical infrastructure details
- Security plans for public facilities
- Emergency response protocols
Inter/Intra-Agency Materials: Deliberative process documents, including:
- Draft policies and recommendations
- Pre-decisional memoranda
- Advisory opinions (with exceptions for factual data and final policy determinations)
Trade Secrets: Proprietary business information submitted to agencies that would cause substantial injury to competitive position if disclosed
Computer Access Codes: Information that would jeopardize an agency's information technology security
Sealed Court Records: Documents sealed by court order, including:
- Certain family court proceedings
- Youthful offender records
- Expunged criminal records
Attorney-Client Materials: Communications between agencies and their attorneys that are privileged under law
Collective Bargaining Information: Records pertaining to ongoing labor negotiations

Additionally, numerous state and federal statutes create specific confidentiality protections, including:

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) for student records
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) for medical information
New York Social Services Law § 422 for child abuse reports

When records contain both exempt and non-exempt information, agencies must redact the confidential portions and release the remainder. All denials of access must cite the specific statutory provision supporting the exemption and inform requestors of their right to appeal.

Kings County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The recording of property documents and business certificates in Kings County is administered by two primary offices:

Kings County Clerk's Office
360 Adams Street, Room 189
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(347) 404-9700
Kings County Clerk

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and legal holidays

NYC Department of Finance - Brooklyn Office
210 Joralemon Street, 2nd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(212) 291-2000
NYC Department of Finance

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and legal holidays

The Kings County Clerk's Office handles:

Business certificates (DBA filings)
Notary public registrations
Supreme and Civil Court records
Naturalization records
Judgment dockets

The Department of Finance, through the ACRIS system, processes:

Deeds and property transfers
Mortgages and satisfactions
Liens and releases
Easements
Other land records

For marriage records and certificates, contact:

Office of the City Clerk - Brooklyn Office
210 Joralemon Street, Room 205
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(212) 669-8090
NYC City Clerk

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 3:45 PM
Closed on weekends and legal holidays

Visitors are advised to arrive at least one hour before closing time to ensure same-day service. Many services are also available online through the respective agency websites, which may offer extended accessibility beyond regular business hours.

Lookup Public Records in Kings County

ACRIS property records system

Marriage records through the City Clerk

NYC OpenRecords FOIL request portal

New York State Police records requests

NYC Department of Finance property information

New York Freedom of Information Law resources

NYPD record request procedures