New Rochelle Phone Directory
New Rochelle sits in Westchester County and has a population of roughly 80,000 people. A phone directory search here taps into city and county records that list names, addresses, and contact details for residents and business owners. The City Clerk, county offices, and state databases all hold records open to the public under New York's Freedom of Information Law. Whether you need to find a person, look up a property owner, or check a business filing, there are several places to start your search in New Rochelle.
New Rochelle Phone Directory Overview
New Rochelle City Clerk Records
The New Rochelle City Clerk is the main source for official city records. This office keeps vital records, meeting minutes, local ordinances, permits, and licenses. Each of these document types lists names and addresses that can help with a phone directory search. The clerk also acts as the Records Access Officer for the city, which means FOIL requests go through this office. You can reach the City Clerk at (914) 654-2130.
Marriage licenses filed in New Rochelle are kept by the City Clerk. Each license shows the names, addresses, and dates of birth for both parties. Birth and death records from the city are also on file here, though older vital records may have been transferred to the New York State Department of Health. If you are looking for someone who got married in New Rochelle, the clerk's office is the place to check first.
Meeting minutes from the City Council are public records. Every person who speaks at a meeting or files a petition with the council gets named in the minutes. This is an overlooked source of contact info. The clerk keeps minutes going back many years, and you can ask for copies in person or by FOIL request.
Business licenses and vendor permits are also held by the clerk. These list the owner's name, business name, and address. They are public records.
New York Public Records Access
The NYCLU FOIL Toolkit is a helpful guide for anyone looking to request public records in New Rochelle or anywhere else in New York State. It walks you through the process step by step.
FOIL applies to every city, town, and county in the state. New Rochelle must respond to your request within five business days. You do not need to live in the city or give a reason for your request.
Westchester County Records for New Rochelle
New Rochelle falls under Westchester County, and the county clerk's office in White Plains holds a large share of the public records useful for a phone directory lookup. Property deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments, and business certificates are all filed at the county level. Each one lists at least a name and an address, and sometimes a phone number as well.
The Westchester County Clerk runs an online land records search that lets you look up documents by name or property address. This is free to search. Results show document images in many cases, including the full text of deeds and mortgages. When someone buys or sells property in New Rochelle, the deed goes on file with Westchester County. Both the buyer and seller are named along with their mailing addresses.
Business certificates are another key source. Sole proprietors and partnerships doing business in New Rochelle must file a certificate with the county clerk. That filing lists the owner's full legal name and business address. These records are public and searchable without a FOIL request.
The Westchester County Board of Elections maintains voter registration data for New Rochelle residents. Voter rolls list each person's name, home address, and party affiliation. New York law makes voter data available for political purposes, which means it can be searched by the public.
Property and Tax Records
The City of New Rochelle Assessor's office keeps detailed property records for every parcel in the city. Assessment rolls, tax maps, and exemption records all contain owner names and mailing addresses. These records are updated each year and are available for public review.
Tax bills go to the owner of record. If you know a property address in New Rochelle, you can find out who owns it by checking assessment records. The city posts some of this data online, but you can also visit the Assessor's office in City Hall or make a FOIL request for specific records. Grievance filings add another layer of data. When a property owner disputes their assessment, the filing includes their name, address, and contact details.
Exemption records are worth checking too. Seniors, veterans, and nonprofits who get property tax exemptions must file applications that include their name and address. These sit in city files and are accessible under FOIL.
Building Permits and Code Records
New Rochelle's Building Department handles permits, inspections, and code enforcement. All of these create public records with names and addresses tied to specific properties.
When someone pulls a building permit, the application names the property owner and the contractor. It lists the property address and a description of the work. Permits for renovations, new construction, and demolitions are all public. You can look them up at the Building Department or through a FOIL request. Certificates of occupancy are on file as well. Each one confirms that a building meets code and names the owner.
Code enforcement records show violations, complaints, and inspections. Each violation notice names the property owner and gives their address. Over time, these records build up and can be a useful source for finding someone linked to a property in New Rochelle. The department keeps records for years, so older data is often still on file.
Court Records in New Rochelle
New Rochelle has a City Court that handles local criminal cases, traffic violations, and small claims. Court records list the names and addresses of all parties involved. These are public records in most cases, though some details may be sealed or redacted.
The Ninth Judicial District covers Westchester County and handles civil and criminal matters at the county level. Cases filed in Westchester County Supreme Court or County Court that involve New Rochelle residents will list their names and addresses in the court filings. You can search the state court system's online records or visit the courthouse in White Plains.
Small claims court is a good source of contact info. Both the plaintiff and defendant are named in the filing, along with their addresses. These records are public and can be searched at the New Rochelle City Court clerk's office.
Traffic court records also list names and addresses. If someone got a ticket in New Rochelle, there is a record on file that shows their name and home address. These records go back several years and are available through the court clerk.
Filing a FOIL Request in New Rochelle
New York's Freedom of Information Law gives you the right to request any record held by a city, county, or state agency. New Rochelle follows the same rules as every other municipality in the state. You do not need to be a resident. You do not need to give a reason for your request. Just describe what you want clearly.
To file a FOIL request with the City of New Rochelle, send a written request to the City Clerk or the appropriate department. Include the type of record, any names or dates you know, and how you want to get the copies. The city must respond within five business days. They can grant the request, deny it with a reason, or send a time estimate for when the records will be ready.
Copy fees are $0.25 per page for standard paper. If you want to avoid fees, you can ask to inspect the records in person at no charge. That is your right under the law. If your request is denied, you have 30 days to appeal. The NYS Committee on Open Government offers free guidance on FOIL issues and can help if you run into problems.
Other New Rochelle Phone Directory Resources
The City of New Rochelle official website lists departments, services, and contact info for city offices. It is a good starting point for figuring out which office holds the records you need.
The Westchester County government website provides access to county-level services and records. The county runs its own FOIL process separate from the city, so if you need county records for a New Rochelle address, you go through the county clerk's office.
The New Rochelle Public Library has historical city directories and phone books in its local history collection. These older directories can help you trace a person's address over time. Staff can help you search these resources at the main branch. The New York State Archives in Albany also holds older Westchester County records going back to the 1800s.
For legal help with records access, LawHelp NY connects people with free legal aid across the state. They can help with FOIL disputes and other public records issues. The Westchester County Bar Association also offers lawyer referral services for more specific questions.
Legal Framework for Public Records in New Rochelle
Public Officers Law Article 6 is the backbone of public records access in New York. It says all government records are presumed open unless they fall under a specific exemption. The law covers every city, county, town, village, and state agency in the state. New Rochelle must follow these rules just like every other municipality.
Exemptions are narrow. Records can be withheld if they would cause an unwarranted invasion of privacy, reveal trade secrets, interfere with an investigation, or put someone in danger. Social Security numbers and medical records are usually redacted. But basic info like names and addresses is almost always available. The burden is on the agency to prove a record should be withheld, not on you to prove it should be released.
The city must keep a list of all records it maintains. Each department must name a Records Access Officer. If you get a denial, you have the right to appeal within 30 days. If that fails, you can challenge the decision in court. The process is designed to favor disclosure, which is good news for phone directory searches.
Nearby Cities and Towns
New Rochelle borders several other communities in Westchester County. If you are searching for someone in the area, you may need to check records in these nearby places as well.
Westchester County Records
For county-level records that cover all of New Rochelle, visit the Westchester County page.