Suffolk County Criminal Statistics
The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services publishes statutorily required annual crime index reports as part of the nationwide Uniform Crime Reporting Program. Crime rates in Suffolk county spiked in 2014 when 26,121 index crime offenses were reported. A close look at the data revealed property crimes to be the most popular crime subset with 18,003 reported incidents. Incidences of larceny-theft and burglary were the most reported offenses with 15,831 and 1,209 reports respectively. Motor vehicle theft, followed behind with 963 reported incidents, while aggravated-assault was reported to be the fourth-most recurring offense with 859 reported incidents. Incidents of robbery and rape declined by over 20% to 423 and 79 incidents respectively, while murder remained the least reported offense with 21 reports in the 12-month span.
Suffolk County Criminal Records
The Suffolk County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency of the county and the primary generator of crime-related records. However, the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services is the central repository of criminal history information, and as such is better suited for responding to requests for criminal records and statewide background checks. Essentially, all Suffolk county requests for criminal records may be directed to the state Division.
How to Get Criminal Records in Suffolk County
In compliance with New York state laws, criminal records are exclusively issued to individuals (the subject of the record), legally authorized persons, prospective employers, and licensing agencies. Interested and eligible persons may request one of the two kinds of criminal records checks processed by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services; personal record check and employer/licensing entities' check.
Interested persons may request personal record reviews, which consists of the rap sheet of the requestor. To request a review, the requesting party will be required to contact and schedule a fingerprinting appointment with any of the Fingerprinting Vendors authorized by the DCJS. This service costs $63.50, and subsequent to the appointment, the requestor can expect to receive the requested records within 7 days of the query.
On the other hand, employers and licensing agencies may obtain criminal records making mail or in-person queries to the office using the Request for Criminal History Record Information form. The form should be completed, notarized and accompanied by the fees indicated on the form, and sent to:
Office of Legal Services
New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services
Alfred E. Smith Building
80 South Swan St.
Albany, NY 12210
Suffolk County Court Records
Suffolk County Court records are official documents pertaining to court actions or proceedings within the county’s jurisdiction. They are generated, maintained and disseminated in keeping with the provisions of the New York Court Rules.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Suffolk County
The New York State Sex Offender Registry houses all public information regarding sex offenders resident in Suffolk county. Interested persons may view offender location, compliance status, and conviction history by searching the registry using the first or last name of the offender, their proximity to specific locations or their Sex Offender Registration Number. Suffolk County residents may also opt to receive free sex offender related email alerts by subscribing to the NY Alert System.
Where and How to Get Inmate and Jail Information
The Suffolk County Sheriff's Office is charged with managing the County Correctional Facility and disseminating information regarding the facility and all detainees. Inquirers may request inmate information in person/via mail or, they may conduct a Suffolk County Inmate Search through online repositories.
General jail-related information such as inmate welfare, contact information, phone services, and miscellaneous details may be obtained on the Sheriff's Jail Information Page. However, specific inmate information including details of the detainees' charges, bond conditions, and prospective release dates may only be obtained by querying the detention center via phone or in person at:
Suffolk County Correctional Facility
110 Center Drive South
Riverhead, NY 11901
Suffolk County Court Records
Where and How to Get Court Records in Suffolk County
Records of all court cases heard by the Suffolk County Supreme Court is maintained and disseminated by the office of the County Court Clerk. As per state laws, the office issues copies of non-confidential to interested members of the public, and record requests may be made via mail or in-person.
To request a record, the requesting party will be required to provide relevant information regarding the record of interest such as the name of the plaintiff, defendant or litigant, witness name, the case file number or the record, as well as the date on which the record was filed. Record requests may be made to:
Suffolk County Supreme Court
Hon. Alan D. Oshrin Supreme Court Building
1 Court Street,
Riverhead, NY 11901
Phone: (631) 852-2334
Fax: (631) 852-2340
Location of all Courts in County
Listed below are the addresses and contact information of all the courthouses in Suffolk County, New York:
Suffolk County Supreme Court
Hon. Alan D. Oshrin Supreme Court Building
1 Court Street,
Riverhead, NY 11901
Phone: (631) 852-2334
Fax: (631) 852-2340
Suffolk County Supreme Court
Cohalan Court Complex
400 Carleton Avenue, P.O. Box 9075,
Central Islip, NY 11722
Phone: (631) 853-5423
Fax: (631) 853-5385
Suffolk County Surrogate's Court
320 Center Drive,
Riverhead, NY 11901
Phone: (631) 852-1746
Fax: (631) 852-1777
Suffolk County 1st District Court- Civil
3105 Veterans Memorial Highway,
Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
Phone: (631) 854-9676
Fax: (631) 854-9681
Suffolk County 2nd District Court
30 East Hoffman Avenue,
Lindenhurst, NY 11757
Phone: (631) 854-1121
Fax: (631) 854-1127
Suffolk County 3rd District Court
1850 New York Avenue,
Huntington Station, NY 11746
Phone: (631) 854-4545
Fax: (631) 854-4549
Suffolk County 4th District Court
North County Complex, Building 158
Veterans Memorial Highway,
Smithtown, NY 11787
Phone: (631) 853-5400
Fax: (631) 853-5951
Suffolk County 6th District Court
150 West Main Street, Patchogue, NY 11772
Phone: (631) 854-1440
Fax: (631) 854-1444
Amityville Justice Court
21 Ireland Place,
Amityville, NY 11701
Phone: (631) 691-3303
Fax: (631) 691-3304
Asharoken Village Court
1 Asharoken Avenue,
Northport, NY 11768
Phone: (631) 261-8677
Babylon Village Court
153 West Main Street,
Babylon, NY 11702
Phone: (631) 669-1771
Belle Terre Village Justice Court
55 Cliff Road,
Belle Terre, NY 11777
Phone: (631) 473-5105
Bellport Village Court
29 Bellport Lane,
Bellport, NY 11713
Phone: (631) 286-0327 ext. 22
Brightwaters Village Justice Court
40 Seneca Drive,
P.O. Box 601,
Brightwaters, NY 11718
Phone: (631) 665-1281
Fax: (631) 665-2830
East Hampton Justice Court
159 Pantigo Road,
East Hampton, NY 11937
Phone: (631) 324-4134
Fax: (631) 324-4132
Vital Records
New York State vital records are generally maintained and issued by the Registrar of Vital Statistics in the city where the event occurred. Suffolk County vital records can be obtained from various city Registrars within the county. Alternatively, vital records may be accessed from the New York State Department of Health which serves as the central repository of records of vital events that took place in the State of New York.
Where and How to Get Divorce Records
Records of divorces granted by the Suffolk County Supreme Court are maintained and disseminated by the office of the County Court Clerk. Interested persons may request these records via mail or in-person. To request a certified copy of a divorce record, the requesting party will be required to provide information such as the names of the spouses, the case file number or the record as well as the date and place of the divorce. Record requests may be made to:
Suffolk County Supreme Court
Hon. Alan D. Oshrin Supreme Court Building
1 Court Street,
Riverhead, NY 11901
Phone: (631) 852-2334
Fax: (631) 852-2340
Where and How to Get Marriage Records, Birth Records and Death Records
All requests for Suffolk marriage records, birth records, and death records may be directed to the New York State Department of Health. In compliance with state laws, the Department only issues copies of these records to persons who have been deemed eligible - this includes, the subject of the record, their immediate family members and other legally authorized persons.
To request any of these records, interested and eligible persons may complete and submit an Application for a Marriage Certificate, Application for Copy of a Birth Certificate or the Application for a Copy of a Death Certificate. form in person or via mail. The completed form should be notarized, accompanied by the stated fees and ID requirements and submitted to:
New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Certification Unit
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602
In addition to government agencies, county public records may also be obtained from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. Users are able to search third-party websites remotely for multiple records at a time with just the name of the record subject and their last known location, including the city, county, or state. Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Are Property Records Open to the Public in Suffolk County?
According to the New York Freedom of Information Law, property records in Suffolk County are open records and are available for the public’s inspection. Interested individuals may obtain, view, and copy records by submitting a request in person or writing to the custodian’s office.
Where and How to Find Property Records in Suffolk County
The Suffolk County Clerk’s Office is responsible for maintaining land records and providing information about the public’s land records. The Clerk’s office provides an online registry where interested parties can find information on deeds and mortgages. The public can also request certified copies of land records from the County Clerk in person, by telephone, or mail. Certified copies of land records cost $5.
Suffolk County Clerk’s Office
310 Center Drive
Riverhead, NY 11901
How to Look Up Suffolk County Property Records
The Suffolk County Clerk’s Office maintains an online registry where interested parties can find information on deeds and mortgages. Researchers must input the 19-digit tax map ID number to search for records. Interested persons who do not know the required tax map ID may contact the Suffolk Town Assessor’s Office where the property is registered to get the number. Once identified, researchers may order copies of Suffolk County Property Records by completing and submitting a deed order form with a check or money order for $5, in person or by mail to the County Clerk’s Office.
Suffolk County Clerk’s Office
310 Center Drive
Riverhead, NY 11901
Location of Suffolk County Township Property Assessors
Babylon
200 E. Sunrise Highway
Lindenhurst, NY 11757
Phone: (631) 957-3014
Brookhaven
1 Independence Hill,
Farmingville, NY 11738
Phone: (631) 451-6300
East Hampton
300 Pantigo Place,
East Hampton, NY 11937
Phone: (631) 324-4187
Huntington
100 Main Street,
Huntington, NY 11743
Phone: (631) 351-3226
Islip
40 Nassau Avenue,
Islip, NY 11751
Phone: (631) 224-5585
Riverhead
200 Howell Avenue,
Riverhead, NY 11901
Phone: (631) 727-3200
Shelter Island
44 North Ferry Rd.,
P.O. Box 970,
Shelter Island, NY 11964
Phone: (631) 749-1080
Smithtown
40 Maple Avenue,
Smithtown, NY 11787
Southampton
116 Hampton Road,
Southampton, NY 11968
Phone: (631) 283-6020
Southold
P.O. Box 1179
Southold, NY 11971
Phone: (631) 765-1937
