New York City Government Information: Getting Started

Online Government Portals

NYC.gov is the official website of the City of New York, providing information about New York City agencies, programs, and services. Includes NYC311, the Office of the Mayor, cultural/recreational events, and employment. Intended for New York City residents and visitors.

Finding Government Documents

The New York City Government Publications Portal provides easy access to reports and other materials produced by New York City agencies. The materials can be searched by title, description, date, agency, and content. The portal is maintained by the Municipal Library at the New York City Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS).

For older agency publications, consult the NYC Municipal Library catalog.

Selected New York City documents can be found in many of the libraries at Columbia University and its affiliated institutions. Check CLIO for titles in Columbia Libraries.

Finding Government Officials

The Green Book is the official directory of the City of New York. The Green Book includes detailed listings of contacts within each agency. Includes contact information for local, state, federal, international government and NGO entities. Also includes the courts. Search by organization, employee, position, and location. 

Select historical copies available via Columbia University Libraries. Comprehensive ive historical copies available NYC Municipal Library

NYC Resources manages an A-Z list of all New York City agencies

See the NYC Organizational Chart to see how different city agencies relate to one another.