New York Criminal Records Search: Cases & Public Records

ByQuarks Systems

Independent New York criminal records guide

New York Criminal Records Search: Cases, Public Records, Court Lookups and Official Background Routes

Use this guide to search New York criminal court records, WebCrims case information, eCourts tools, OCA Criminal History Record Search reports, DCJS personal criminal history records, DOCCS inmate and parolee records, New York sex offender registry records and federal PACER cases.

New York criminal records are not stored in one single public database. A pending criminal case, court disposition, OCA CHRS search, DCJS rap sheet, inmate lookup, parolee lookup, registry listing and federal criminal case each has a different official route.

Official New York and federal sources reviewed October 14, 2026
WebCrims / eCourts OCA CHRS DCJS rap sheet DOCCS lookup No HTML H1
Open NY eCourts Open OCA CHRS Request Your DCJS Record
New York criminal records route finder A visual map showing New York WebCrims and eCourts, OCA CHRS, DCJS personal criminal history, DOCCS inmate lookup, sex offender registry and PACER federal court records. Start Here Pick the record type Official route Court Case WebCrims OCA CHRS Court history DCJS / DOCCS Rap sheet / inmate Federal Case PACER Registry DCJS SOR
Independent website notice: CriminalCourtRecord.org is an independent public-information guide. It is not the New York State Unified Court System, Office of Court Administration, DCJS, DOCCS, New York Sex Offender Registry, PACER, any county clerk, any court, any law-enforcement agency, or any background-check company. This page does not run a background check, does not provide legal advice, and does not guarantee that any record exists.

Do Not Confuse New York Court Search, OCA CHRS and DCJS Rap Sheet Records

Use WebCrims or eCourts when you need public criminal case information, future appearance dates, case activity, eCourts tools or court records. Use OCA Criminal History Record Search when you need a New York Statewide court-system criminal history search. Use DCJS when you need your own official New York State criminal history record, commonly called a rap sheet.

A court search, OCA CHRS report, DCJS personal record review, DOCCS inmate result, parolee lookup, sex-offender registry listing and PACER federal case search are different tools. Always match the source to the purpose.

Choose Record Type Official Links Responsible Use

Quick Answer: How To Search New York Criminal Records

For New York criminal case information, start with the New York State Unified Court System’s eCourts tools and WebCrims. For a statewide court-system criminal history search, use OCA Criminal History Record Search, which is exact-match by name and date of birth and currently costs $95 per search. For your own official New York State criminal history record, use DCJS and submit fingerprints. For state inmate or parolee information, use DOCCS lookup tools. For New York sex-offender registry records, use the DCJS registry. For federal criminal cases, use PACER.

Court case lookup Use eCourts and WebCrims for selected New York court case information.
Statewide court search Use OCA CHRS for a paid, exact-match New York court-system criminal history search.
Official NY rap sheet Use DCJS personal criminal history record request with fingerprints.
Federal case Use PACER or PACER Case Locator, not New York state court tools.
Most common mistake: Users search WebCrims and assume they ran a full background check. WebCrims is a court-case access tool. OCA CHRS and DCJS records are different official routes with different limits.

Which New York Criminal Records Source Should You Use?

The correct source depends on what you need to prove. Pending court case information, a statewide court-system search, a fingerprint-based personal criminal history record, an inmate lookup and a federal case search are not the same thing.

Need Use this official route What it can show What it does not prove by itself
Pending or selected criminal court case WebCrims / eCourts Criminal case information and future appearance dates for selected New York courts Complete statewide criminal history, certified disposition or FBI record
Statewide New York court-system criminal history search OCA Criminal History Record Search Open/pending and conviction information from New York courts that are reportable under OCA CHRS rules Certified court record, FBI background check, nationwide record or sealed/non-disclosed information
Your official NY criminal history record DCJS personal criminal history record request Fingerprint-based New York State criminal history record or no-record response for the requester Public search of someone else’s record or federal court search
Certified disposition or court document Court of original jurisdiction / court clerk / county clerk Certificate of disposition, certified order, docket, judgment or other court document where available Statewide criminal-history result unless requested through the correct official route
State inmate or parolee information New York DOCCS inmate lookup or parolee lookup State incarceration or parole supervision information where publicly available Complete court history or full criminal background record
New York sex-offender registry search DCJS Sex Offender Registry Public registry information for reportable Level 2 and Level 3 offenders online Every criminal case, every conviction or complete background history
Federal criminal case PACER or PACER Case Locator Federal district, bankruptcy and appellate case information where available New York state court records or DCJS criminal history

Step-by-Step: How To Search New York Criminal Records

Use this process when your goal is to find a New York criminal case, disposition, statewide court search, official personal record, inmate record, registry listing or federal case.

1

Decide whether you need a case, CHRS report, DCJS record or federal search

Use WebCrims/eCourts for case information, OCA CHRS for court-system criminal history, DCJS for your own official rap sheet and PACER for federal cases.

2

Start with the court tool when you know the case is in New York court

Open eCourts or WebCrims and search by defendant name, docket number, court or calendar route where available.

3

Use exact identity details for OCA CHRS

OCA CHRS is an exact-match search based on name and date of birth. Variations of name or date of birth are not treated as matches.

4

Confirm the court, county, docket and disposition

Before relying on any case match, compare the court, county, docket number, defendant details, appearance date, charge and disposition.

5

Request certified records from the original court

If you need a certificate of disposition, certified judgment, order or other official court document, contact the court of original jurisdiction.

6

Use DCJS for your own official NY criminal history record

DCJS requires fingerprints for personal criminal history record requests and can return either a rap sheet or a no-record response.

7

Use DOCCS, registry or PACER when court search is not enough

Use DOCCS for inmate/parolee information, DCJS registry for sex-offender data and PACER for federal court cases.

New York Criminal Records Problem Finder

Select what you need and why you need it. This helper runs only in your browser and does not collect names, dates of birth, docket numbers or private identity details.

Find the right official route

New York WebCrims and eCourts: What They Can Show

New York eCourts is the starting hub for several court access tools. WebCrims provides information about criminal cases with future appearance dates for selected New York State courts of criminal jurisdiction.

Use WebCrims / eCourts for

  • Selected criminal case lookup
  • Future court appearance dates
  • Docket or defendant name search where available
  • Finding which court is handling a case
  • Case tracking or related eCourts tools where available
  • Starting point before contacting a clerk

Do not use WebCrims as

  • A complete statewide criminal-history report
  • A DCJS fingerprint-based rap sheet
  • An FBI background check
  • A certified disposition
  • A federal PACER case search
  • A guarantee that no sealed or restricted record exists
Practical tip: If WebCrims shows a case, save the court, docket number and appearance details. Use those details when contacting the clerk for certified records or certificate of disposition.

OCA Criminal History Record Search: New York Statewide Court Search

The New York State Office of Court Administration provides a New York Statewide criminal history record search through CHRS. It is a paid court-system search, not a free public people-search and not a certified court document.

OCA CHRS issue What it means What to do before relying
Current fee OCA lists CHRS at $95 per search request. Confirm the fee on the official OCA page before submitting.
Exact-match search The search is based on exact name and date of birth; variations are not considered matches. Use correct legal name, date of birth and aliases where appropriate.
Not certified OCA states CHRS results are not certified and should not be confused with a certificate of disposition. Contact the original court for certified documents.
Not nationwide or FBI OCA states CHRS is not a nationwide background check and not an FBI background search. Use FBI or other state/federal routes when needed.
Disclosure limits Sealed records, Youthful Offender rules, missing dispositions and other OCA policies may limit results. Read OCA CHRS FAQs and warnings before relying on the result.
Certificate of disposition reminder: OCA CHRS results are not certified. A certificate of disposition can only be issued by the court of original jurisdiction.
Open OCA CHRS Online Direct Access Info

DCJS Personal Criminal History Record: New York Rap Sheet Route

DCJS is the official source for New York State’s official criminal history records. A DCJS personal record request is fingerprint-based and is used so you or your lawyer can review your own record or receive a no-record response.

Use DCJS personal record review for

  • Your own New York State criminal history record
  • A no-record response
  • Checking accuracy and completeness
  • Suppressed or unsuppressed record request options
  • Record correction or seal-verification follow-up

Do not use DCJS personal record review as

  • A public search of someone else’s criminal history
  • A WebCrims case lookup
  • A certificate of disposition
  • A PACER federal case search
  • A consumer-reporting background check by itself
Privacy warning: DCJS says official New York State criminal history records are not public records and cannot be provided under FOIL or released to third-party businesses that sell background checks.
Request Your NY Criminal History

Certified New York Criminal Court Records and Certificates of Disposition

If you need a certified court record, certificate of disposition, judgment, order, docket entry or official case document, contact the court of original jurisdiction or the clerk that maintains the case file.

Use the court clerk route when

  • You need a certificate of disposition.
  • You need a certified copy.
  • The online record is incomplete or confusing.
  • You need a court order or judgment.
  • You need older records or local retrieval instructions.

Prepare before contacting the clerk

  • Court name and county or borough
  • Docket number or indictment number if known
  • Full legal name searched
  • Approximate filing, arrest or disposition date
  • Document type needed
  • Plain copy or certified copy request
Practical tip: Use WebCrims or eCourts first to identify the court and docket number. Then contact the court clerk for official copies.

New York DOCCS Inmate and Parolee Lookup

New York DOCCS lookup tools can help find public information about incarcerated individuals and people under parole supervision. These tools do not replace OCA CHRS, DCJS criminal history or certified court records.

Use DOCCS lookup for

  • State prison custody information
  • Incarcerated individual lookup
  • Parole supervision lookup
  • DIN or NYSID search where available
  • State custody and supervision research

Do not use DOCCS lookup as

  • A full criminal-history search
  • A certified court disposition
  • A county jail search for every county
  • A WebCrims court appearance search
  • A PACER federal case search
Display-limit note: DOCCS explains that certain information may be removed from its website under New York Correction Law § 9, and youthful offender records are treated as confidential under New York law.
Open DOCCS Lookup Open Parolee Lookup

New York Sex Offender Registry Search

The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services maintains the New York State Sex Offender Registry. The online registry directory has important risk-level limits and is not a complete criminal-history search.

Search carefully

  • Use the official DCJS registry website.
  • Search by name or available location fields.
  • Compare aliases, address details, photos and conviction details where available.
  • Read official warnings and risk-level limitations.

Understand the limits

  • Online search generally includes Level 2 and Level 3 offenders.
  • Registry data is not every criminal record.
  • Registration status can change by law, court action or official update.
  • Correction questions should go through DCJS or official law-enforcement routes.
Open NY Sex Offender Registry

Federal Criminal Records in New York: Use PACER

Federal criminal cases in New York are separate from New York state criminal court records. Use PACER or the PACER Case Locator for federal district, bankruptcy and appellate court records.

Use PACER when

The case is in a U.S. District Court, U.S. Court of Appeals or another federal court system.

Search by court if known

If you know the federal district, search that court directly after signing in to PACER.

Use Case Locator if unsure

If you do not know the federal court, use PACER Case Locator as a nationwide index.

Federal/state split: A person can have a New York state case, a federal case, both or neither. Searching WebCrims, OCA CHRS or DCJS does not automatically search PACER.
Open PACER Find a Case Open PACER Case Locator Info

What To Do When You Cannot Find a New York Criminal Record

A no-result search does not always mean no record exists. It may mean you searched the wrong tool, wrong court, wrong county, wrong name variation, wrong date of birth, or a record that is sealed, suppressed, youthful offender, not online, federal or held by another custodian.

Problem Possible reason Best next step
WebCrims has no match No future appearance date, unsupported court, wrong spelling, wrong docket or case not in that tool Try eCourts, contact the clerk, or use OCA CHRS if a statewide court search is needed
CHRS no match Exact name/date-of-birth mismatch, sealed record, disclosure policy, missing disposition or non-reportable case type Read CHRS rules, check aliases and DOB, and contact the original court for certified records
Need official personal criminal history OCA CHRS is not a DCJS fingerprint-based personal rap sheet Use DCJS personal criminal history record request
DOCCS lookup missing Not in DOCCS custody/supervision, county jail only, federal custody, record removed under display rules or identity mismatch Check court records, local jail, DOCCS, parolee lookup and PACER depending on facts
Federal case missing Federal cases are in PACER, not New York state court tools Search PACER or PACER Case Locator
Old or restricted record missing Sealing, youthful offender confidentiality, Clean Slate implementation, expungement, redaction or court-order restriction Ask the court, DCJS or qualified New York attorney about access rules
Avoid false conclusions: “No result found” does not prove no record exists, and a name match does not prove identity. Use official verification before relying on a result.

Sealed, Youthful Offender, Clean Slate and Restricted New York Records

Some New York records may not be publicly visible because of sealing, youthful offender confidentiality, suppression, expungement, Clean Slate implementation, court order, missing disposition policy, non-criminal offense treatment or other disclosure rules.

Records may be unavailable when

  • The record is sealed under New York Criminal Procedure Law.
  • The matter is a youthful offender adjudication.
  • The record is suppressed or hidden in a DCJS response option.
  • OCA CHRS disclosure policies exclude the result.
  • The case is federal or out of state.
  • The record must be requested from the original court.

Ask the official custodian

  • eCourts or WebCrims for public case lookup.
  • OCA CHRS for statewide court-system search.
  • DCJS for your own official criminal history record.
  • Original court for certified dispositions.
  • DOCCS for inmate/parolee lookup questions.
  • PACER for federal court records.
  • A qualified New York attorney for sealing questions.

Responsible Use, FCRA and Identity-Matching Warnings

Criminal record searches can affect jobs, housing, licensing, immigration, reputation and personal safety. Use official sources, confirm identity and check final disposition before relying on any result.

Do not assume

  • An arrest means conviction.
  • A charge means guilt.
  • A court appearance means final outcome.
  • A name match is the correct person.
  • WebCrims is a full background check.
  • OCA CHRS is an FBI or nationwide check.
  • DOCCS lookup is a complete court file.

Be extra careful for screening

  • Employment and tenant screening may trigger FCRA duties.
  • New York has additional employment and licensing protections for conviction history.
  • Use authorized consumer-reporting processes when required.
  • Give required notices when the law requires them.
  • Allow correction or dispute rights when applicable.
  • Do not use sealed, stale or mismatched records unfairly.
Practical rule: Use WebCrims/eCourts for case research, OCA CHRS for a New York court-system search, DCJS for your own official NY rap sheet, the original court for certified disposition, DOCCS for custody/supervision, and PACER for federal cases.
FTC Employer Background Check Guidance FTC Consumer Rights

New York Local Record Context

New York criminal records can involve New York City courts, city courts, town courts, village courts, county courts, Supreme Court criminal terms, appellate courts, OCA, DCJS, DOCCS and federal courts. The right source depends on whether you need a pending case, a disposition, a statewide court search, your own fingerprint-based record, custody information or a federal case.

Court cases

Use eCourts and WebCrims for public case information and appearance details where available.

Official history

Use OCA CHRS for a court-system search or DCJS for your own official criminal history record.

Certified records

Use the court of original jurisdiction for certificates of disposition and certified court documents.

New York Criminal Records Glossary

WebCrims
A New York court tool that provides information about criminal cases with future appearance dates for selected courts.
eCourts
The New York State Unified Court System hub for several online court case and case-tracking tools.
OCA CHRS
Office of Court Administration Criminal History Record Search, a paid statewide New York court-system criminal history search.
DCJS rap sheet
A fingerprint-based New York State criminal history record maintained by the Division of Criminal Justice Services.
Certificate of disposition
An official court-issued document showing the outcome of a criminal case or charge.
DOCCS
New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, which provides inmate and parolee lookup tools.
Youthful offender
A confidential non-criminal adjudication under New York law for certain eligible young people.
PACER
The federal judiciary’s public access system for federal court records.

New York Criminal Records Search FAQs

How do I search New York criminal court records?
Start with New York eCourts and WebCrims for selected public criminal case information. For official certified documents, contact the court that handled the case.
Is WebCrims the same as a New York background check?
No. WebCrims is a court case information tool for selected courts and cases. It is not a complete background check, DCJS rap sheet, FBI search or certified disposition.
What is OCA Criminal History Record Search?
OCA CHRS is a New York Statewide criminal history record search through the Office of Court Administration. It is exact-match by name and date of birth, currently costs $95 per search and is not certified.
Where do I get my official New York criminal history record?
Use the DCJS personal criminal history record request process. DCJS requires fingerprints and can return either your New York State criminal history record or a no-record response.
Can I request someone else’s DCJS criminal history record?
No. DCJS says New York State official criminal history records are not public records and are not released to third-party background-check sellers.
How do I get a New York certificate of disposition?
Contact the court of original jurisdiction that handled the case. OCA CHRS results are not certified and should not be confused with a certificate of disposition.
Where do I search New York inmate or parolee records?
Use New York DOCCS incarcerated lookup for state prison information and DOCCS parolee lookup for individuals under or formerly under parole supervision.
Where do I search New York sex-offender registry records?
Use the official New York State Sex Offender Registry maintained by DCJS. The online directory has risk-level and public-display limits.
Where do I search federal criminal cases in New York?
Use PACER or the PACER Case Locator. Federal criminal cases are separate from New York state court, OCA CHRS and DCJS records.
Why can I not find a New York criminal record online?
The case may be in another court, under another spelling, sealed, youthful offender, suppressed, missing a disposition, not available online, federal, out of state or held by another custodian.

Official Sources and Final-Action Links

Use these official links for final searches, court-record guidance, OCA CHRS requests, DCJS personal record requests, DOCCS lookups, registry searches and federal case research.

Editorial Accuracy and Use Note

This guide was written to separate New York WebCrims/eCourts case lookup, OCA Criminal History Record Search, DCJS personal criminal history records, certificates of disposition, DOCCS inmate/parolee lookups, New York registry searches and federal PACER cases. It avoids implying that one search covers every New York criminal public record.

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Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

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