NYPD Criminal Records Search: Cases & Public Records

The direct answer

Where Can You Search NYPD Criminal Records and Public Cases?

Start by identifying whether you need a police record, court record, personal background certificate or statewide criminal-history report. Each has a different official custodian.

Public criminal court lookup

How to Search NYC Criminal Cases by Name or Docket Number

New York’s Unified Court System provides WebCriminal, also commonly called WebCrims, through its e-Courts website.

WebCriminal provides information about pending criminal cases with future appearance dates in participating criminal courts. It does not provide a complete search of every NYPD arrest or historical conviction.

Step-by-step criminal case search

1. Open the New York Courts e-Courts page

   Use the official state court website rather than a commercial background-search page.

2. Select WebCriminal

   Choose the criminal case-search service, not WebCivil or WebFamily.

3. Use the guest-access option

   Follow the application’s displayed terms and search instructions.

4. Choose Defendant Name, Case Number or Court Calendar

   The available search choices allow you to look up a covered pending case or scheduled court appearance.

5. Enter accurate search details

   For a name search, enter the defendant’s name using the required fields. For a case-number search, enter the exact docket or indictment number shown on the court paperwork.

6. Select the correct court when possible

   If you know the case is in NYC Criminal Court or Supreme Court Criminal Term, narrow the search to that court.

7. Review the case result

   Check the listed docket or indictment number, next court date, courthouse and court part where available.

8. Verify important details with the court

   Contact the Clerk if a hearing is missing, the case appears finished, or you need the official charge disposition.

What WebCriminal does not show

The New York Courts’ published guidance explains that WebCrims does not display warrants, completed cases or sealed cases.

Consequently, a person may have a historical conviction or a sealed case without a corresponding result in a WebCriminal search.

Checking a criminal court date

WebCriminal’s Court Calendar option can show today’s and future scheduled proceedings for participating courts. Search by the defendant’s name, relevant docket number or supported calendar criteria.

Court dates can change. If you are required to appear and cannot confirm the schedule online, follow your official court notice and contact the assigned Clerk or attorney.

Police reports and NYPD arrest records

How to Request NYPD Arrest Records Through FOIL

The New York City Police Department maintains law-enforcement records such as arrest reports and incident-related records. Public disclosure requests are handled through the NYPD Legal Bureau’s Freedom of Information Law Unit.

FOIL is not an unrestricted public criminal-history search. Some arrest-related records may be withheld or redacted because of sealing orders, privacy protections, law-enforcement exemptions or other applicable law.

What information should your NYPD arrest-record request include?

The department recommends supplying enough detail to identify the record. For an arrest-related request, include available information such as:

• Full name of the individual connected to the arrest
• Date of arrest
• Arrest number, if known
• NYSID number, if lawfully available
• Date of birth, where appropriate and authorized
• Precinct that handled the arrest
• Type of report requested
• Any other information that helps identify the specific incident

How to submit an NYPD FOIL request

1. Check whether the record is already publicly available

   For aggregated crime statistics or published datasets, use the NYPD’s public statistics resources before filing an individual records request.

2. Open NYC OpenRecords

   Use the city’s official FOIL submission website.

3. Select the NYPD

   Choose New York City Police Department from the agency list.

4. Describe the requested report precisely

   Provide the date, precinct, arrest number and other available details. Avoid asking for an undefined person’s complete private history.

5. Submit the request

   Follow the portal’s instructions and retain the request reference.

6. Review the agency response

   The NYPD may release a record, redact protected information, seek clarification or cite a lawful reason for withholding it.

7. Use the official appeal procedure if applicable

   The NYPD publishes instructions for appealing FOIL denials. Review the deadline and requirements stated in your specific response.

NYPD FOIL Unit contact information

Free NYPD complaint verification

How to Obtain a Free NYPD Verification of a Complaint Report

The NYPD Criminal Records Unit provides a Verification of a Complaint Report at no charge for eligible requests.

This document is a brief summary showing that an incident was reported to the NYPD. It can be useful when an insurer, employer or other organization requests proof that a police complaint was filed.

It is not the entire investigative file, a public arrest-history report or a criminal court conviction record.

Mailing an eligible complaint verification request

1. Obtain and complete the NYPD’s Request for Verification of a Complaint Report form.
2. Provide the incident information required by the form.
3. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if requesting a mailed response.
4. If using an authorized representative, follow the NYPD’s notarized authorization requirement.
5. Mail the completed request to the Criminal Records Unit.

The NYPD Criminal Records Unit is not open to the public for report pickup. Reports are returned by mail or email under its procedures.

What if you need an NYPD Aided Report?

The NYPD separately provides eligible Aided Reports without charge. These concern qualifying aided-person incidents and are requested using the department’s applicable form and mail-in procedure.

An Aided Report is not a criminal conviction report and should not be used as a substitute for a court disposition.

Personal NYC police background certificate

NYPD Certificate of Conduct: Cost, Appointment and Requirements

The NYPD’s Certificate of Conduct, formerly called a Good Conduct Certificate, is a NYC-specific police criminal-history check that covers the five boroughs.

Applicants may need this certificate for specified licensing, permit, immigration or other official purposes. The applicant must attend an in-person appointment, provide accepted identification, and be fingerprinted and photographed.

How to apply for an NYPD Certificate of Conduct

1. Confirm that the receiving organization needs this certificate

   The NYPD Certificate of Conduct concerns a NYC police background search. It is not the same as the New York State DCJS criminal-history transcript or a court Certificate of Disposition.

2. Review the identification requirements

   The NYPD has different lists of acceptable documentation for U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens. Check the official page before scheduling.

3. Schedule an appointment online

   Visit NYPD Online, select Services, and use the appointment scheduling option.

4. Attend at One Police Plaza

   Arrive on time with the original accepted identification and required payment method.

5. Complete fingerprinting and photography

   The unit collects the required fingerprints and photograph for the Certificate of Conduct request.

6. Pay the application fee

   The NYPD currently lists a $50 fee. Accepted payment options include specified certified checks, money orders and eligible credit or debit cards.

7. Receive the certificate by mail

   The NYPD states that normal processing and mailing should occur within approximately 10 business days after the application is processed.

NYPD Certificate of Conduct office

What about non-criminal fingerprint cards?

The NYPD separately offers non-criminal fingerprint cards for $25, with additional cards available under its published fee rules.

Non-criminal fingerprinting does not include a background check. If the receiving organization requests a criminal-history certificate, purchasing only a fingerprint card may not fulfill its requirements.

Find the correct NYC criminal court

NYPD Criminal Cases by Borough: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx and Staten Island

The NYPD serves all five boroughs, but criminal court files are organized by court and county. The official New York City Criminal Court handles misdemeanors and lesser offenses and conducts certain initial felony proceedings.

Felony prosecutions proceeding by indictment are generally handled in the appropriate New York Supreme Court, Criminal Term. Despite its name, Supreme Court in New York is a trial-level court for felony matters, not simply the state’s highest appellate court.

These are general Criminal Court contact locations. A particular felony case may be assigned to Supreme Court Criminal Term or another designated courthouse.

Why the correct borough matters

For example, a person arrested in Brooklyn may have a preliminary proceeding in Kings County Criminal Court and a later felony indictment in Kings County Supreme Court.

A person arrested in Manhattan may have an initial case at 100 Centre Street and a later court record under a Supreme Court indictment number.

Official proof of a criminal case outcome

How to Request a NYC Criminal Court Certificate of Disposition

A Certificate of Disposition is an official court document that establishes the recorded outcome of a criminal proceeding.

It can identify the charge, conviction or other case disposition and, when applicable, the sentence. It is particularly useful when a receiving agency requires official proof of what happened in a case.

The certificate is issued by the court, not by the NYPD.

What you need to request a Certificate of Disposition

1. Identify the court where the case was handled

   Find the correct NYC Criminal Court or Supreme Court Criminal Term.

2. Collect the case information

   Provide the docket or indictment number if known. The court may also accept the defendant’s full name, date of birth and arrest date for locating the record.

3. Complete the applicable request form

   Use the court-approved Criminal Certificate of Disposition request process.

4. Provide identification

   Bring the photo ID and other documents required by the court.

5. Pay the certificate charge

   NYC Criminal Courts generally list a $10 charge for each certificate. Confirm the accepted payment method with the Clerk.

6. Obtain the certified court result

   Check that the certificate identifies the correct case and outcome.

Manhattan Supreme Court example

For a New York County Supreme Court Criminal Term case, the court provides disposition services through the Central Clerk’s Office at 100 Centre Street, Room 1000, New York, NY 10013.

The published telephone number is 646-386-4000, and the certificate charge is $10.

The court also publishes a mail-in procedure for eligible requests. Details and payment instructions should be taken from the official court page.

New York County Supreme Criminal — Certificate of Disposition Procedure

Statewide public court-history search

New York Criminal History Record Search (CHRS): $95 Public Lookup

New York’s Office of Court Administration (OCA) offers a statewide Criminal History Record Search, known as CHRS.

This paid service searches publicly reportable New York State criminal court-history information, including eligible open/pending and conviction case information.

It is different from a fingerprint-based DCJS criminal-history transcript and is not limited to NYPD cases.

How does the CHRS name search work?

1. Open the official OCA Criminal History Record Search page.
2. Read its coverage, restrictions and fee policy.
3. Choose online Direct Access or the official mail application.
4. Enter the exact full name and date of birth required by the system.
5. Submit the request and applicable $95 payment.
6. Review the reported publicly releasable criminal court-history result.

Important limitations of CHRS

OCA states that the service uses an exact match of name and date of birth. A misspelling, alternate name or incorrect date of birth may cause the search to miss a record.

The report does not include:

• Sealed criminal cases
• Federal criminal court cases
• Civil or Family Court cases
• Noncriminal violation and infraction dispositions in the ordinary reported history
• Certain other protected or excluded dispositions
• All historical Town and Village Court records without gaps

OCA also has a Misdemeanor Redemption Policy and other reporting rules that can affect whether older qualifying dispositions appear.

Your official New York State criminal history

How to Request Your Own New York Criminal Record From DCJS

The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) maintains the state’s official fingerprint-based criminal-history repository.

Individuals can request their own record through the DCJS Record Review process. This may return an official criminal-history transcript, commonly called a rap sheet, or a no-record response.

DCJS does not allow an ordinary private requester to obtain another person’s full official criminal-history transcript through this process.

Suppressed vs. unsuppressed records

DCJS requires separate requests if you want both versions.

How to get your own DCJS record

1. Open the official Record Review instructions

   Read the current requirements for applicants living inside or outside New York State.

2. Choose suppressed or unsuppressed history

   Select the appropriate IdentoGO service code based on the information you need to review.

3. Schedule fingerprinting

   Use IdentoGO’s appointment service or the alternative process specified for people without a nearby enrollment location.

4. Present acceptable identification

   Follow the fingerprint provider’s identity and payment requirements.

5. Complete the fingerprint submission

   The fingerprints are used to match the individual to the official DCJS repository.

6. Receive the response by mail

   DCJS lists an estimated three to four weeks after receiving a complete request. The response is not available for in-person pickup.

7. Check for errors

   If the criminal-history record contains incorrect arrest details or missing dispositions, follow the DCJS Record Challenge instructions and obtain supporting documents from the relevant agency or court.

2026 DCJS fingerprinting fees

The DCJS page states that the IdentoGO fingerprinting charge effective February 2, 2026 is:

DCJS also provides a process to request a fingerprint-processing fee-waiver application if an individual cannot afford the qualifying fee.

Compare official charges before applying

NYPD Criminal Records Search Fees: Free and Paid Services

These are separate services. The fee depends on which agency holds the record and what document is required.

Amounts are taken from the respective agencies’ published schedules, including DCJS fees effective February 2, 2026. Confirm current fees and any transaction-specific charges before applying.

Arrested person vs. incarcerated person

How to Search NYC Jail Custody Records

A person recently arrested by the NYPD may be in police custody, court-related custody or the custody of the New York City Department of Correction.

The NYC Department of Correction Person in Custody Lookup can help locate individuals currently held in DOC custody.

The NYC Department of Correction states that its lookup is not for people in NYPD police custody, New York State custody or federal custody.

For qualifying state prison or supervision records, use the separate New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision resources.

A booking or detention entry should not be interpreted as a criminal conviction.

Sealed and protected criminal records

Why NYPD Arrest and Criminal Court Records May Not Be Public

New York law provides record sealing and other restrictions for qualifying criminal dispositions, including many cases that end in dismissal or acquittal, certain noncriminal violations, qualifying youthful offender matters and some convictions.

These restrictions affect what may lawfully appear in a public court search, agency report or background-check result.

New York Clean Slate Act

New York’s Clean Slate Act took effect on November 16, 2024. It directs automatic sealing of certain qualifying criminal convictions after statutory waiting periods and other requirements.

The New York Unified Court System has until November 16, 2027 to implement the required processes for eligible convictions.

The published general waiting periods are:

• Three years: Qualifying misdemeanor convictions.
• Eight years: Qualifying felony convictions.

These periods are subject to statutory exclusions, subsequent convictions, custody and supervision status, pending cases and other requirements. Certain serious convictions are excluded.

What about older conviction sealing under CPL 160.59?

New York also permits eligible individuals to request discretionary sealing of certain convictions after ten years under Criminal Procedure Law section 160.59.

This is a separate procedure from automatic Clean Slate sealing.

Common search problems

Why Can’t I Find an NYPD Arrest or NYC Criminal Court Record?

How to interpret a criminal record correctly

An NYPD arrest, criminal complaint, indictment, arraignment, guilty plea and conviction are different legal events.

A person may be arrested and released without criminal charges. A criminal case may be dismissed or resolved without a conviction. A conviction may also be affected by a later court order or sealing provision.