Track down Bronx County public records such as birth, death, marriage, divorce, property, and court records. Publicly available information from official custodians can also help searchers seeking details on arrests, prisoners, probation, warrants, and if someone has a criminal record or insight via background check reports.
Free public records searches in Bronx County–one of the five boroughs of New York City and more commonly known as simply “The Bronx”–are made possible by the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). This statute allows easy access to all previously listed New York public records types, which can also be used for background checks and investigating anyone.
The streamlined guide below outlines the process for finding each of these records quickly and affordably.
How To Look Up Bronx County Inmates Through the New York Department of Corrections’ Inmate Search Tool
Since the five boroughs of New York City share the same law enforcement agency (the New York City Police Department) and utilize the same correctional agency (the New York City Department of Correction), Bronx County arrest records are best obtained through these agencies.
The NYCDOC inmate lookup tool is a free and publicly available resource operated by the New York City Department of Correction (NYDOC) and allows anyone to look up incarcerated subjects who have been convicted of misdemeanors and others who remain on the jail roster until they go to trial (such as those who cannot make bail).1, 2
This online directory can be browsed by entering the New York State Identification (NYSID) number, first and last name, case number, or booking number and reviewing the relevant results.
Jail records displayed in the NYCDOC inmate lookup tool include booking details, inmate demographics, inmate names, current warrants, and relevant case information.
Note: After conducting a search, individuals will be able to find out if someone is in jail in NYCDOC custody, but this database does not include subjects in custody of federal, state, or police agencies.
Acquire Arrest Records Hosted by Other New York City Law Enforcement Agencies
Recent arrest reports for arrestees from Bronx County and the other four boroughs won’t show up in the NYCDOC inmate search until their fingerprints and photographs are taken at Central Booking and they are brought before a judge. If information is needed on an individual still in Central Booking, interested parties can request a record or call either 311 or (212)639-9675.
There is not a Bronx County sheriff’s office, as the New York City Sheriff’s Office provides civil law enforcement services throughout all five boroughs/counties that comprise New York City.
However, the NYC Sheriff’s Office does not offer any sort of inmate search as the sheriff is an officer of the court and this agency primarily serves legal orders from state courts, holds vehicle auctions, and deals with matters of property seizure.
The sheriff’s office can also make arrests, but all individuals arrested by the sheriff’s department, or the NYPD are transferred to the New York City jail and will ultimately be searchable via the NYCDOC inmate search tool described above.
The NYPD and NYC Sheriff’s Office must disclose requested information to the public. Both can be reached via the contact details below for police reports or details on specific incidents:
New York City Sheriff’s Office
30 – 10 Starr Ave.
Long Island City, New York 11101
Phone: 718.610.0448
New York Police Department
Criminal Records Unit
375 Pearl St.
Ste. 4 – Floor 16
New York, NY 10038
Phone: 718.610.8457
Interested parties looking to find someone’s mugshot should note that mugshots are now legally withheld in the state of New York and are prohibited from being disbursed by law enforcement agencies to either the media or the public.
How To Track Down Bronx County Marriage & Divorce Records
Bronx County public records include marital records, but searchers trying to find out if someone is married may benefit from knowing that all New York marriage records are made legally confidential for 50 years after the ceremony.
This means that members of the public cannot utilize these records to check if someone is married for the first 50 years, but the parties to the marriage, their attorneys, or other individuals who get court-ordered access can obtain these records at any time.
Records involving divorce are permanently withheld from public view in New York to protect citizen privacy, but–similarly to marriage records–are still available to the parties involved in the divorce, their legal representation, and others with a court order.
Check Bronx County Records of Marriage Through Official Agencies
Authorized parties who submit an application for a certificate of marriage and pay the appropriate costs are able to obtain Bronx County marriage records from the Marriage License Bureau of the New York City Clerk of Court (records hosted by the city clerk range from 1950 to present).3
Requests can be submitted to either of the New York City clerk locations listed below by mail, but only the Manhattan location allows for in-person marital record viewing. Each application should be accompanied by the correct payment for the desired record of marriage.
The fee for a domestic use “short certificate of marriage” is $15 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy.
The “extended marriage certificate” is approved for foreign use and comes at a price of $35 for the initial copy and $30 for each copy thereafter.
New York City Clerk (Queens Office)
120 – 55 Queens Blvd.
Rm. G – 100
Kew Gardens, New York 11424
New York City Clerk (Manhattan Office)
60 Centre St.
Rm. 141 – B
New York, New York 10007
Digital records of marriages that occurred between 1898 and 1937 as well as physical copies of marriage records for ceremonies held from 1790 to 1949 can be purchased from the Historical Vital Records Unit of the NYC Department of Records & Information Services (DORIS).
The cost is $18 for each certificate, but extra fees might be added if the search takes longer than usual.
Marital records can be viewed or obtained in person from the address below, but requesters are required to schedule their appointments beforehand via email:
New York City Department of Records & Information Services
Room 111
31 Chambers St.
New York, New York 10007
Email: [email protected]
Hours: M-F 9am–Noon & 1-4pm
Lastly, anyone can check out the NYC Marriage Index for free to see all public marriage licenses filed in New York City between 1950 and 2017.4
After entering search criteria such as the names of the individuals who were married or the year the marriage license was issued, searchers can choose “Bronx” from the dropdown menu under “License Filed” to narrow down their search for a particular record within the county.
Obtain Divorce Judgments & Records From the County Clerk or the New York State Department of Health
Though New York divorce records are not publicly available, approved individuals who can legally acquire Bronx County divorce records have several options for tracking down this information.
The best option for retrieving records of divorce is through the Bronx County Clerk, either by conducting a Bronx County case search to find dissolution of marriage case information or by calling the clerk directly. Interested parties who opt for the online case search can search by either party name, attorney name, case number, or date filed.
Though all electronically filed Bronx County judicial records can be found in this database, dissolution of marriage cases will be identifiable because the divorce will be explicitly mentioned (i.e., “Judgment of Divorce”).
Bronx County Clerk
851 Grand Concourse
Bronx, New York 10451
Phone: 718.618.3300
Hours: M-F 9am–5pm
Though official divorce certificates and decrees are not publicly available, anyone can request a divorce judgment from the clerk. This is simply a court document verifying that the divorce was finalized and is the only type of divorce document that will be distributed to any member of the public who asks for one.
The Vital Records Certification Unit of the New York State Department of Health doesn’t provide marriage records within any New York City boroughs, but fulfills orders for New York divorce certificates from 1963 to now–as long as the requester is approved to access the record (as a party to the divorce, an involved attorney, or someone with a court order).6
To get a divorce certificate or decree (a more in depth document outlining the conditions of the divorce), interested individuals can follow the instructions for requesting a New York divorce record. Requests can either be made by submitting a mail-in application for divorce ($30 per copy) or by applying online via VitalChek ($45 per copy plus a $13.50 processing fee). VitalChek also accepts orders by phone at 855.322.1022 for the same cost.
Mail-in applications and the supplemental documents and payment should be sent to:
New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Certification Unit
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, New York 12220
Citizens seeking marital records in Bronx County can check with local churches where the ceremony could have been held to see if they still maintain records.
Searchers could also opt to utilize a third-party service to efficiently and effectively find records in any county or even state, as these services have broad jurisdiction and can save requesters a great deal of time and effort.
How To Delve Into Anyone’s Criminal Past in Bronx County, New York
Several agencies host Bronx County criminal records, which outline a subject’s criminal history such as local incidents, arrests, criminal case proceedings, and convictions.
While individuals can petition the courts to have their criminal records sealed or made confidential from public view, many public criminal records on people within Bronx County can be obtained through searching through criminal court case documents or inquiring with law enforcement agencies in the area.
In a broader scope, New York state agencies can also provide statewide criminal records on prior or current offenders in Bronx County.
View Bronx County Criminal Proceedings Through the Court System
To run a free criminal record check of ongoing criminal case details, searchers can turn to WebCriminal to view cases with future court appearances. Users of this resource can search criminal proceedings at no cost by entering the name of the defendant, case identifier, or conducting a court calendar search.
Results will show the following case information:
- Arresting Officer
- Case or Summons Number
- Date of Arrest
- Date of Incident
- Date of Next Appearance
- Defendant’s Name
- Defendant’s Year of Birth
- Defense Attorney
- District Attorney
Criminal court records can also be acquired in person. Each borough of New York City hosts a criminal court; the Bronx County Criminal Division of the New York City Criminal Court tries misdemeanors and lesser offenses and performs both felony indictments and preliminary hearings.
To retrieve details on either active or completed cases, residents can visit the Criminal Term of the Bronx Supreme Court Clerk:
Criminal Term Clerk
265 E. 161st St.
Floor 2
Bronx, New York 10451
Phone: 718.618.3100
Fax: 718.618.3585
Get Criminal Records Through Law Enforcement Agencies in Bronx County, New York
Although local law enforcement departments who serve as arresting agencies can provide members of the public with certain arrest or incident reports, these will not be comprehensive or all-encompassing criminal records as they’re limited to just one event.
However, these records may still be helpful to citizens looking for criminal history information so relevant agencies are described below along with the records they host:
- The New York City Department of Correction inmate search is explained in depth in the section above about inmate records; it is a free resource and can provide insight into subjects currently in custody of the NYCDOC
- An NYPD Verification of Crime Form can be filled out online or downloaded and printed, then sent to the Criminal Records Unit of the New York Police Department; if mailed, two completed copies must be sent in along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:8
New York Police Department
Criminal Records Unit
1 Police Plaza
Rm 303
New York, New York 10038
The NYPD provides victims of crimes and their legal representatives with criminal reports for free, but other parties must pay a small fee.
Utilize State Resources To Get Detailed Criminal Records on Anyone in New York
While local law enforcement in Bronx County can give limited insight into one’s criminal past, it is highly advisable to look up someone’s criminal record through the state of New York’s criminal public records repository for the most detailed and all-inclusive results. The state agencies outlined below are not limited to one county or even to New York City, but instead cover criminal history statewide.
Office of Court Administration (OCA)
The New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA) is the main criminal record custodian in the state. OCA allows citizens to check anyone in New York’s criminal record, including their own. The more information known about the subject of the record, the better; searchers should at least know the individual’s birth date and first and last names.
The two options for obtaining criminal records through OCA are to either:
- Go through Direct Access, create a free account, and pay the $95 fee by debit card, credit card, or e-check
- Complete a Criminal History Record Search (CHRS) Application Form and send it to the address below with a $95 payment by check or money order payable to the “New York State Office of Court Administration”:
New York State Unified Court System
Office of Court Administration
25 Beaver Street
Room 852
New York, NY 10004
Records will be sent out within one business day, either by email or mail (depending on the delivery preference specified in the application). Questions about either method can be asked by reaching out to OCA at either [email protected] or 212.428.2700.
New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS)
Any New Yorker has the right to request a copy of their own state criminal record via the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS).
To do so, interested parties can visit the DCJS-endorsed third-party IdentoGo website or call 877.472.6915 to schedule a fingerprinting appointment, decide whether they’d like a “suppressed” or “unsuppressed” record (explained below), then visit the chosen fingerprinting location at the set time and date and pay the $13.50 cost. A valid form of identification will need to be displayed at the appointment as well.
Suppressed records exclude all criminal history information previously sealed under court order, while unsuppressed records include all incidents and case details–even from when the subject was a juvenile.
Requesters will receive a response within 4 weeks of the submission. Responses will either say “No Record” if no New York criminal record exists on the subject, otherwise CJIS will send a full report of all available indictments, arrests, convictions, and other relevant criminal history.
Use Additional State & Federal Resources To Access Criminal Details on Individuals in Bronx County, New York
Several other state and federal agencies maintain files of New York criminal records that are freely accessible to the public as long as searchers know where to turn. Each custodian is easy and convenient to search for quick access to desired criminal history information.
- The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (NYSDOCCS) offers a free NYSDOCCS inmate search which users can browse by last name or Departmental Identification Number (DIN) to check information on subjects held in state correctional facilities. Results will show crime class, description of the crime, current facility, parole details, and current custody status.
- The New York State Sex Offender Registry run by the DCJS lets users of this free search tool look up convicted sex offenders throughout New York by last name, county, or zip code.
- The National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) is very similar to the New York State Sex Offender Registry, but provides insight on convicted sex offenders throughout the country rather than just the state. Searchers can enter a particular address or the offender’s name.
- The federal Bureau of Prisons BOP inmate locator can be searched by either the individual’s name or BOP number; results will display past conviction information on federal offenders.9
Uncover Details of Someone’s Past by Running a Background Check in Bronx County, New York
Citizens have the opportunity to find out more about anyone in Bronx County by checking into their past using Bronx County public records.
Interested parties hoping to gain insight into the history of a colleague, neighbor, or new acquaintance can do so through a personal background check. Investigations done for professional reasons–such as employment, licensing, or purchase of firearms–are also available, but have slightly different stipulations.
Personal background checks can be conducted on anyone outside of a professional setting; to perform one, an individual can simply check public records through the methods outlined in this article (such as looking into the subject’s arrests, court cases, criminal history, and even uncovering details on their marital status).
Citizens running personal checks can use the aid of public information at the local level within the Bronx, as well as wider New York City, New York state, and even federal records that are publicly available. Consent from the subject is not required, so investigative parties can either opt to either probe for helpful information themselves or use the assistance of third-party platforms who have valuable experience and knowledge to quickly browse many records and custodians.
Professional background checks must be done in any sort of business or official setting and require the subject to be notified prior to the check being performed. Such investigations can be extremely useful in gauging the risk and reliability factors of a potential employee, tenant, or licensee.
Results from a professional check will include information on the subject’s criminal, employment, educational, and marital history and can even disclose details such as previous addresses and court proceedings.
Although background checks are not offered by any agencies in Bronx County, professional checks can be conducted by completing a Criminal History Record Search (CHRS) Application Form on someone and turning it into the Office of Court Administration (OCA) or running their own professional online search through Direct Access.
Further instructions on how to run each type of check can be reviewed in the section above on criminal records through state agencies; each option costs $95 and the individual requesting the check must have knowledge of the subject’s full name and birth date.
All professional background checks must adhere to these relevant statutes:
- New York’s Fair Chance Act forbids background checks on applicants unless they have already been offered a position; if an employer fails to abide by this law, applicants or employees have the right to file a report of discrimination with the New York City Commission on Human Rights
- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission allows anyone to file a charge of discrimination with the EEOC if they believe they have been discriminated against in any form within a workplace setting
- Since professional background checks are prohibited from being performed until the subject has been notified and given their explicit written consent for the check, anyone who suspects their employer of violating this protocol can file a report of fraud with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
- Applicants, trainees, or employees whose labor or privacy rights have been infringed can also look into how to file a discrimination claim with the New York State Department of Labor or can call the department directly at 518.457.9000
How To Look Up Current Warrants in Bronx County
To verify if someone has a warrant active in Bronx County, citizens have several options. First, they can perform their own arrest warrant search by calling the New York City Criminal Court via the general criminal court information line (646.383.4900).
Searchers can also choose to call or visit the Bronx County Criminal Court or Criminal Supreme Court at:
Bronx County Criminal Court
215 E. 161st St.
Bronx, New York 10451
Phone: 718.618.2460
Bronx Criminal Supreme Court
265 E. 161st St.
Bronx, New York 10451
Phone: 718.618.3100
Lastly, information on Bronx County warrants can be obtained directly from the Chief Clerk of the Bronx County Criminal Supreme Court by calling 718.618.3000.
How To Gain Insight on a Probationer in Bronx County Through the New York City Department of Probation
Information on probation–the release of jail inmates to supervision within society–can be obtained through the NYC Department of Probation.
Although no online search tool for probationers is offered, inquiries on individuals under supervision can be directed to any o the Bronx County probation offices either by phone at 718.410.3766 or in person at any of the locations listed below:
Bronx County Probation Office Locations
215 E. 161st St.
Bronx, New York 10451
Hours: M-Th 8am – 6:30pm & Fri 8am – 4:45pm
265 E. 161st St.
Bronx, New York 10451
Hours: 8am – 5pm
198 E. 161st St.
Bronx, New York 10451
Hours: M-Th 8am – 6:30pm & Fri 8am – 4:45pm
How To Search & Acquire Court Records in Bronx County
Bronx County public records include court documents, which can be found through several methods and are available both online and in person. Searchers seeking information on local court cases can utilize an electronic database or visit courthouses to view or retrieve the desired case documents.
Interested parties can browse cases for free via the eCourts portal, which allows users to find Bronx County court records from the civil, criminal, probate, and family courts. After conducting a search by party, index number, attorney, or judge, ongoing and completed case information can be accessed (i.e., upcoming court dates, case proceedings, and parties to the case).
Aside from this online case search, residents can go directly to the Bronx County Clerk to request records, but will likely be charged a nominal fee per copy.
Bronx County Clerk
851 Grand Concourse
Room 118
Bronx, New York 10451
Phone: 718.618.3300
Getting court records via the New York State Unified Court System is possible through several means, including both the 12th Judicial Court’s Civil Supreme and Criminal Supreme courts:
12th Judicial Civil Supreme
851 Grand Concourse
Bronx, New York 10451
Phone: 718.618.1400
12th Judicial Criminal Supreme
215 E. 161st St.
Bronx, New York 10451
Phone: 718.618.2460
265 E. 161st St.
Bronx, New York 10451
Phone: 718.618.3100
At the state level, the New York court structure has three levels: the local civil and criminal courts, the trial courts, and the highest courts in the state–the appellate courts. A statewide court record lookup is available online through the New York State Courts Electronic Filing (NYSCEF).10
Anyone can search this public index at no cost, by either case identifier, name, or court and filing date (for new cases).
The court locator can give insight on addresses and phone numbers of each courthouse throughout New York, but can be vastly narrowed down by selecting “Bronx County” from the dropdown menu.
How To Secure Vital Records in Bronx County (Certificates of Birth & Death)
Birth certificates in New York are only granted to the subject named on the record, or to their legal guardian. The only exception is when another individual has a court order granting them access to the certificate.
Likewise, a certificate of death can only be obtained by the subject’s parent/guardian, spouse, sibling, child, or any other person with a court-ordered right to the record.
Access Bronx County Records of Birth & Death via the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene
Individuals in Bronx County or any of the other boroughs of New York City can get a certificate of birth or a certificate of death from the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, assuming that the birth or death happened within the city.
Requesters can order vital records online, by mail, or in person:
- Online – This option has the shortest turnaround time, as individuals are directed to VitalChek–a third-party service endorsed by the Department of Health & Mental Hygiene–to efficiently process orders for birth and death certificates
- Birth certificates cost $45 each, while VitalChek charges an additional $13.50 processing fee
- Death certificates are $15, with a $9.30 processing fee
- By Mail – Applicants must complete an application for certificate of birth or application for certificate of death, submit a copy of a valid form of identification, and pay the proper fees to:
New York City Dept. of Health & Mental Hygiene
125 Worth St.
Rm CN4 – Rm 119
New York, New York 10013
- In Person – Applicants must set an appointment electronically, bring valid identification, and show up at the scheduled appointment time
Citizens can review more information on department fees, processing times, and payment methods before placing an order or visiting a branch.
Find Birth & Death Specifics Through the Department of Records & Information Services (DORIS)
The Department of Records & Information Services (DORIS) provides vital records pertaining to birth and death for $18 per certificate. Certificates from DORIS can be delivered digitally or through the mail.
DORIS offers birth records ranging from 1847 to 1909 and death records from 1795 to 1948, but solely for events that occurred in any of New York City’s five boroughs.
Additionally, searchers can opt to use third-party services to assist with searches; these platforms have the ability to pursue records quickly and run a comprehensive search locally, statewide, or on a national scale. These documents will not be official or certified, but can come in very handy to determine the details of a particular birth or death.
How To Peruse Bronx County Property Records Through the Automated City Register Information System (ACRIS)
Public records in Bronx County that involve property ownership and information are accessible to anyone and free to view via the Automated City Register Information System (ACRIS).11 New York City property records–including those pertaining to Bronx County–can be found by typing the name of the owner, the city register file number, the parcel identifier, transaction number, or other search criteria into ACRIS.
After selecting “Bronx” from the “Select Borough/County” dropdown options, users will be able to review property documents dating back to 1966.
Copies of property records can also be obtained in person at the Bronx City Register Office, but individuals must make an appointment in advance. The City Register Office can provide residents with uncertified copies of property records for $1 per printed page or $4 per certified copy.
Bronx City Register
3030 3rd Ave.
Rm 280
Bronx, New York 10455
Phone: 718.579.6821
Hours: M–F 9am–4:30pm
The Department of Records & Information Services (DORIS) provides insight into property details in the form of a property card ($18 each). Property cards can be acquired for Bronx County property records from the 1930s through the 1970s.
Residents can either place an online order for property records by emailing [email protected], opting for delivery via digital file, or choosing to have the documentation delivered by postal mail or picked up in person at the address below:
NYC Department of Records & Information Services (DORIS)
31 Chambers St.
New York, New York 10007
Bronx County Public Records Recap
Once searchers seeking public records in Bronx County know where to turn, they can track down any record through the proper avenues. Many of these records are free or very affordable.
- Bronx County bookings–NYCDOC inmate lookup tool1
- Marital Records
- Marriage–New York City Clerk of Court3
- Divorce–Bronx County case search
- Criminal Records–WebCriminal
- Warrants in Bronx County–Arrest Warrant Lookup
- Bronx County Probation–NYC Department of Probation
- Bronx County court records–eCourts
- Birth & Death Documentation–New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene or the Department of Records & Information Services (DORIS)
- Property Records in Bronx County–Automated City Register Information System (ACRIS)11
By knowing exactly where to look and the steps and fees associated with every type, searchers can expedite the process of finding Bronx County public records and look up desired information on anyone easily.
References
1NYC Dept. of Correction. (2023). NYCDOC. Retrieved August 10, 2023, from <https://a073-ils-web.nyc.gov/inmatelookup/pages/home/home.jsf>
2NYC Dept. of Correction. (2023). New York City Department of Correction. Retrieved August 10, 2023, from <https://www.nyc.gov/site/doc/about/contact-doc.page>
3NYC Clerk Marriage License Bureau. (2016, September 20). Application for Certificate of Marriage. Retrieved August 10, 2023, from <https://www.cityclerk.nyc.gov/assets/cityclerk/downloads/pdf/mail_in_request_form%20final.pdf>
4Reclaim the Records. (n.d.). Marriage Index. Retrieved August 10, 2023, from <https://www.nycmarriageindex.com>
5Bronx County Clerk of Court. (n.d.). Bronx County case search. Retrieved August 10, 2023, from <https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/webccos/ctclrk/caseResults?14-1.-formSearchResults-pnlCaseResults-caseList-23-indexNumberLink>
6New York State. (2023, January). Divorce Certificates. Retrieved August 10, 2023, from <https://www.health.ny.gov/vital_records/divorce.htm>
7New York Unified Court System. (n.d.). IMAGE–WebCrims. Retrieved August 10, 2023, from <https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/webcrim_attorney/captcha>
8NYPD. (2019, May). Verification of Crime Form. Retrieved August 10, 2023, from <https://www.nyc.gov/assets/nypd/downloads/pdf/record_inquiries/record_crime_lostprop.pdf>
9Federal Bureau of Prisons. (n.d.). BOP inmate locator. Retrieved August 10, 2023, from <https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/>
10New York Unified Court System. (n.d.). IMAGE–NYSCEF. Retrieved August 10, 2023, from <https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/CaseSearch?TAB=caseIdentifier>
11Automated City Register Information System. (n.d.). ACRIS. Retrieved August 10, 2023, from <https://a836-acris.nyc.gov/CP/>
12Automated City Register Information System. (n.d.). IMAGE–ACRIS. Retrieved August 10, 2023, from <https://a836-acris.nyc.gov/DS/DocumentSearch/BBL>