Nys Criminal Records Search: Cases & Public Records

Start with the correct records system

Where Can I Search New York State Criminal Records?

New York has several criminal-record systems, and each answers a different question. Choosing the correct source before paying can save both money and time.

Official statewide public case history

NYS Criminal History Record Search (CHRS): How It Works

The New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA) operates the official statewide Criminal History Record Search. Members of the public, businesses and organizations can request searches of qualifying criminal court data.

The program searches records originating in County and Supreme Courts, City Courts, and Town and Village Courts across all 62 counties. It reports qualifying open, pending and conviction records, subject to its exclusions.

How to run a statewide NYS criminal records search

1. Open the Office of Court Administration website

   Use the official CHRS page to select the online Direct Access system or download the mail-in request form.

2. Choose the online public account

   For an online search, create or access a Direct Access Public Account. This account supports debit or credit card payments and allows up to five searches per request.

3. Enter the full legal name

   Provide the person’s first and last name and the complete date of birth. The system uses an exact name-and-DOB match, so spelling variations and other dates of birth are not automatically searched.

4. Review the search quantity

   OCA counts each alias and each different birth date as an additional search. If a person has several names, confirm the total number of searches before proceeding.

5. Pay the applicable fee

   OCA charges $95 per statewide search. Online payments may include a separate convenience fee.

6. Submit and track the request

   Direct Access allows users to review request status and view previous searches. A search showing no results may be returned immediately, while possible matches undergo review.

7. Read the report and its limitations

   Check the listed court, charges, status and disposition. If a specific result matters, request an official Certificate of Disposition from the court that handled the case.

What happens after the search?

OCA states that CHRS results requiring review are generally verified and emailed during business hours. Requests containing a possible record can take longer than a straightforward no-results response.

The Direct Access program also allows searches to be submitted at any time, although case reviews take place during the unit’s normal business operations.

Requesting CHRS by mail

OCA also accepts a completed CHRS Application Form with the required identifying information and payment.

Mail requests must include the $95 fee by an accepted method. OCA lists checks or money orders payable to the NYS Office of Court Administration. Include an email address if you want results emailed, or a self-addressed stamped envelope for postal delivery.

Important New York-specific coverage rules

What NYS CHRS Includes—and What It Does Not

A statewide search can be useful, but it is essential to understand the limitations before interpreting a no-record result.

The Town and Village Court historical gap

This is one of the most important details for people researching older New York criminal cases.

OCA identifies the following reporting limitations:

Misdemeanor Redemption Policy

OCA’s statewide CHRS generally does not disclose individuals whose only conviction was a single misdemeanor more than ten years before the search. This administrative reporting policy does not mean the court case was necessarily erased or expunged.

For an older case, check OCA’s CHRS Frequently Asked Questions and its county-specific data coverage references.

Free public court appearance lookup

How to Search NYS Criminal Court Cases Free Using WebCriminal

WebCriminal, also referred to as WebCrims, is part of New York Courts’ eCourts services. It provides case details and future appearance information for selected criminal courts.

The site is especially useful when you need a scheduled criminal hearing rather than a statewide historical background check.

1. Open eCourts and select WebCriminal

   Use the official New York Courts website rather than an unrelated paid public-record search service.

2. Choose the search method

   The system supports searching by defendant name, case identifier and available court calendar information.

3. Select the relevant participating court

   Choose the borough, district, city or county court supported by WebCriminal. Not every New York court is included.

4. Enter the name or case identifier

   Use the exact details from court paperwork where possible. A complete case number helps reduce uncertainty from common names.

5. Review the court date and available case details

   Check the court, case number, defendant information, next scheduled hearing and other publicly available entries.

6. Verify any upcoming appearance

   Cases may be rescheduled, and online updates can be delayed. Contact the courthouse when a date is time-sensitive.

Where WebCriminal is useful in New York State

The New York Courts criminal-record guidance identifies WebCriminal access for cases in the following areas, among others:

State court jurisdiction explained

Which New York Court Keeps Criminal Records?

New York’s criminal court structure differs significantly between New York City and the rest of the state. This determines where to obtain a completed case record.

Why the correct court matters

For example, a misdemeanor charge in Albany may begin and end in Albany City Court. A felony case arising in the same city may be handled in Albany County Court after indictment.

Similarly, a criminal case originating in a small town or village may have been filed in a local Justice Court even though the nearest larger city has its own City Court.

Find the original county court

How to Locate Criminal Court Records by NYS County or City

For a case-specific record, use the official New York Courts Court Locator. It allows searches by county, court type and case category, including Town and Village Courts.

Search instructions

1. Open the Court Locator

   Use the official New York State Unified Court System website.

2. Choose Criminal as the case type

   Use the available filters to narrow the results to criminal courts.

3. Enter the county

   For example, Albany, Erie, Monroe, Onondaga, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Dutchess or another New York county.

4. Include Town and Village Courts if necessary

   This is particularly important when the charge originated in a smaller municipality or the statewide CHRS has historical-data limitations.

5. Open the relevant courthouse listing

   Check its official address, phone number, public hours and court functions.

6. Contact the clerk for a completed criminal case

   Ask whether the file is public, whether electronic access is available and how to obtain a certified disposition or case history.

Examples of New York location-specific search paths

Fingerprint-based personal criminal history

How to Request Your Own NYS Criminal Record from DCJS

The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) maintains the state’s official fingerprint-based criminal-history records, often called rap sheets.

Unlike the OCA public court search, DCJS criminal-history records are not open for unrestricted public name searches. Individuals can request their own records through the official Record Review process.

Choose the correct response type

How to obtain your DCJS rap sheet

1. Open the DCJS Record Review instructions

   Read the current New York resident or out-of-state process based on where you live.

2. Choose suppressed or unsuppressed

   Select the appropriate service code before scheduling the fingerprint appointment.

3. Schedule fingerprints through IdentoGO

   Use the link on the DCJS website or call 877-472-6915 to locate an authorized service center.

4. Bring acceptable identification and payment

   Follow the provider’s identification requirements and pay the applicable fingerprint service charge.

5. Receive the official response by mail

   DCJS states that its response is generally mailed three to four weeks after it receives the completed request. Responses cannot be picked up in person.

6. Review the record for errors

   The response includes guidance for disputing inaccurate information. If necessary, obtain certified court documents to establish the correct case outcome.

Current state records costs

How Much Does a New York State Criminal Record Search Cost?

DCJS’s listed fingerprint charges took effect February 2, 2026. If you cannot pay the personal record-review fee, DCJS provides a process for requesting a fee-waiver application.

For fee-waiver guidance, email RecordReview@dcjs.ny.gov and include your current mailing address so the agency can provide the application packet.

Official case-specific documents

How to Obtain Certified NYS Criminal Court Records

If you need official proof of the outcome of a particular case, request a Certificate of Disposition from the original court.

New York Courts explains that the certificate includes the charge, disposition and sentence information. It bears the court seal and is different from the noncertified OCA CHRS report.

1. Identify the original criminal court

   Use the case number, docket, prior court notices or New York Courts locator to determine where the case was handled.

2. Contact that court clerk

   Ask how to request a Certificate of Disposition. Some courts accept mail requests while others have different application procedures.

3. Prepare the case information

   Have the defendant’s name, docket or indictment number, approximate date and other identifying information requested by the court.

4. Provide identification if necessary

   Courts may require photo identification. Requests involving sealed cases have additional restrictions and may require written authorization from the person named in the case.

5. Pay the fee or request an available waiver

   New York Courts lists typical certificate fees of $5 to $10. People receiving public assistance may qualify for a fee waiver in some circumstances.

6. Check the issued certificate

   Verify the court, case number, charge, disposition and seal before using the document for official purposes.

When a Certificate of Disposition is more useful than CHRS

Suppose a person’s statewide CHRS result lists a criminal conviction, but the case was later dismissed, modified on appeal or sealed. The original court’s certified disposition or later order is essential evidence when asking OCA, DCJS or a consumer background-check company to review its information.

State correctional records

New York State Prison Inmate and Parolee Lookup

If the goal is to locate someone in a New York State correctional facility or determine whether a person is under state parole supervision, use the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS).

Why a person may not appear

The state corrections search does not list everyone who has ever been arrested or prosecuted. People in county jails, federal custody or certain restricted categories may not appear.

New York Correction Law also requires the state to remove certain former incarcerated individuals’ information from public internet results after applicable statutory periods. A missing person does not necessarily mean that no criminal case existed.

Separate public safety registry

NYS Sex Offender Registry Search

The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services also maintains the state’s Sex Offender Registry.

The public online directory includes qualifying Level 2 and Level 3 registrants. Level 1 information is handled differently and is not generally displayed through that public online directory.

How to search

1. Open the DCJS registry website

   Use the official New York State government registry entry point.

2. Read the public search conditions

   Review the permitted uses and registry limitations before accessing the search.

3. Search by name, county or ZIP code

   Follow the official search fields and verify any potential match using the information available.

4. Understand the risk-level restrictions

   The online results do not include the same information for every level of registrant. The registry is not a complete statewide criminal-history database.

DCJS also operates a public information phone line at 800-262-3257 for certain registry inquiries, subject to additional identifying-information requirements.

New York criminal records privacy

NYS Clean Slate Act and Sealed Criminal Records

New York’s Clean Slate Act took effect on November 16, 2024. The law gives the New York State Unified Court System until November 16, 2027 to implement its automatic sealing process for eligible convictions.

General waiting periods

Eligibility also depends on factors such as pending criminal cases, probation, parole or post-release supervision. Certain offenses, including most non-drug Class A felonies and sex crimes, are excluded.

How sealing affects an NYS criminal records search

OCA CHRS does not disclose sealed criminal records. DCJS may provide different suppressed and unsuppressed personal-record responses, and other authorized agencies may have access to information unavailable through public checks.

Sealing is not the same as physically destroying every court or law-enforcement record. Check the specific sealing law and agency’s authorized access rules before drawing conclusions.

Fix missing or inaccurate criminal history

How to Correct an Error in NYS Criminal Records

New York criminal-history information may be inaccurate if a case disposition was reported incorrectly, an old entry was not updated or a record that should be sealed still appears publicly.

1. Identify the exact error

   Review the report for incorrect names, arrest dates, charge numbers, convictions, pending statuses or missing dismissals.

2. Obtain the original court disposition

   Ask the court clerk for a Certificate of Disposition or the relevant certified order.

3. Check whether the order confirms sealing

   If the record should be sealed, verify that the official court document or court file reflects the correct sealing status.

4. Contact the appropriate record custodian

   For incorrect DCJS criminal-history entries, follow its Record Review challenge process. For an OCA CHRS reporting issue, contact OCA and the originating court as appropriate.

5. Dispute an inaccurate consumer report separately

   If a commercial screening company reports incorrect information, use the consumer-reporting company’s formal dispute process as well.

Troubleshooting criminal record searches

Why Can’t I Find a New York State Criminal Record?

Federal court records

Federal Criminal Cases in New York State

Federal criminal prosecutions in New York are handled separately from the state’s criminal courts.

New York includes four federal judicial districts: Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western. The federal judiciary’s PACER system is the appropriate official source for federal criminal case records.

PACER registration is free, but retrieving records can result in usage fees, subject to the federal judiciary’s applicable fee rules.

Federal criminal records are not automatically included in the NYS OCA CHRS report.

Accuracy and responsible record use

NYS Criminal Records and Background Check Restrictions

Arrests, criminal charges, convictions, sealed records and pending cases are not the same. A court file may contain several charges with different dispositions, and a person with a common name may be confused with someone else.

CriminalCourtRecord.org is not a consumer reporting agency. The information on this page should not be treated as a screening report for employment, tenancy, credit, insurance or another eligibility decision.

Official government records resources

NYS Criminal Records: Official Search Links

These links direct readers to the actual New York State agencies, courts and official databases used for criminal record searches.