Search New York Criminal Records
New York criminal records are kept by courts and law enforcement agencies across all 62 counties. You can search for criminal case data online through the state court system or visit a county clerk's office in person. The New York State Office of Court Administration runs a statewide Criminal History Record Search that pulls results from every County Court, Supreme Court, City Court, and Town and Village Court in the state. Each county clerk also keeps local criminal records on file. Whether you need to look up a pending case, find a past conviction, or get a copy of court documents, there are several ways to search New York criminal records from any county.
New York Criminal Records Overview
Where to Find New York Criminal Records
Criminal records in New York come from several sources. The main ones are the county clerks, who serve as clerks of the Supreme and County Courts and keep case files on hand. The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, known as DCJS, acts as the central state repository for fingerprint-based criminal history. And the Office of Court Administration runs the Criminal History Record Search, or CHRS, which covers all 62 counties.
Each county has its own court system. County Courts handle felony cases. City courts, town courts, and village courts deal with misdemeanors, violations, and lesser offenses. The county clerk files and stores records from Supreme Court and County Court. If you want to look up a criminal case in a given county, the clerk's office is often the best place to start. Most offices let you inspect public records in person at no cost, though copy fees apply.
At the state level, DCJS keeps fingerprint-based records that include arrest data, indictments, convictions, and sentences. These are not public records. You can only get your own rap sheet through a personal record review. DCJS does not hand out criminal history to third parties or background check firms. For a name-based search that pulls from court records statewide, the OCA's CHRS system is the way to go.
Note: Court records and DCJS records are not the same. Court records are largely public under Public Officers Law Article 6. DCJS records are fingerprint-based and not available through FOIL requests.
The NYS Office of Court Administration provides a statewide criminal history record search covering all 62 counties.
How to Search Criminal Records in New York
There are a few ways to search for criminal records in New York. The method you pick depends on what you need. A quick look at pending cases is free through the state's online tools. A full statewide search costs $95. Getting your own fingerprint-based record from DCJS runs about $77.75 total.
WebCrims is a free tool from the New York State Unified Court System. It shows active and pending criminal cases by name or case number. It covers courts in New York City, Nassau County, Suffolk County, the 9th Judicial District (which takes in Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Putnam, and Dutchess), Erie County, and Buffalo City Court. WebCrims does not show closed or sealed cases. It is a good first step for checking a case status, but it does not give you a full criminal history.
The CHRS system from the Office of Court Administration does a broader search. It costs $95 per name and date of birth. Results come from all County, Supreme, City, Town, and Village courts in New York. You can submit a request online through the Direct Access portal or mail in a form. Results come back the next business day. Keep in mind that CHRS results are not certified. They are not a Certificate of Disposition. Sealed records do not show up. Town and Village Court data before 2007 may be limited.
For a fingerprint-based search, you go through DCJS Record Review. This is the only way to get an official rap sheet. You submit your fingerprints through an authorized vendor, and DCJS matches them against their database. The process takes about 7 to 10 business days. You can request either a suppressed version (which hides sealed records) or an unsuppressed version (which shows everything, including records sealed under CPL 160.50 and CPL 160.59).
DCJS serves as the state's central repository for fingerprint-based criminal history information.
Criminal Record Sealing in New York
Not all criminal records stay public. New York has several laws that seal or limit access to certain cases. If a case ends in dismissal or acquittal, the records are sealed automatically under CPL 160.50. You do not need to file anything. The court, police, and other agencies seal their files on their own. Once sealed, the person can legally say they were never arrested in that case.
For convictions, the path is different. Under CPL 160.59, a person can apply to have up to two convictions sealed after a 10-year wait. Only one can be a felony. The applicant must show the court that enough time has passed and that they meet all the requirements. Sex offenses, Class A felonies, and violent felonies do not qualify. The court has discretion to grant or deny the request.
New York also passed the Clean Slate Act in 2023. It took effect on November 16, 2024. This law calls for automatic sealing of some criminal records without requiring an application. Misdemeanor convictions get sealed 3 years after release or sentencing. Felony convictions get sealed after 8 years. Sex offenses, Class A felonies, violent felonies, and homicides are excluded. DCJS handles the process of identifying and sealing eligible records.
Marijuana convictions under certain Penal Law sections have already been vacated and expunged statewide. They will not show up in any search.
Criminal Records Search Fees in New York
Fees vary by method and source. Here is what the main options cost.
The statewide CHRS search through OCA is $95 per name. Each alias or different date of birth counts as a separate search at $95 each. You pay by check or money order. Cash is not accepted. If a check bounces, there is a $20 fee. Results come by email or mail. You can also use the online Direct Access system with a credit or debit card.
At the county level, fees differ from one clerk to the next. Most charge $5.00 per name for a local criminal record search covering a two-year period. Copy fees run about $0.25 to $0.65 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 to $10.00 per document. Some counties cap the total copy cost at $40 per document. You can inspect records in person for free at most clerk offices under Judiciary Law 255, but you pay if you want copies.
- CHRS statewide search: $95.00 per name
- DCJS personal record review: about $77.75 total
- Local county name search: $5.00 per name (most counties)
- Copy fees: $0.25 to $0.65 per page
- Certified copies: $5.00 to $10.00 per document
Are Criminal Records Public in New York
Most criminal court records in New York are public. The state's Freedom of Information Law, found in Public Officers Law Article 6, sets a broad right of access to government records. Court records specifically fall under Judiciary Law 255, which says a court clerk must search and provide copies of records when asked and paid. You do not need to be a party to the case. You do not need to give a reason for your request.
That said, some criminal records are restricted. Records sealed under CPL 160.50 (dismissals and acquittals) are off limits. Records sealed under CPL 160.59 (eligible convictions) are also protected. Youthful offender adjudications under CPL 720.35 are confidential. Family Court records, juvenile cases, and records sealed by court order are not public. Active investigation files held by police or prosecutors may also be withheld.
If you run into a denial, the Committee on Open Government can offer guidance. They handle questions about FOIL and issue advisory opinions. You can also appeal a FOIL denial to the agency's appeals officer.
More Ways to Search Criminal Records
Beyond the main court search tools, New York has other databases that can help. The Sex Offender Registry is free and public. It covers Level 2 and Level 3 offenders. You can search by name, county, or zip code. The registry shows photos, addresses, conviction details, and risk levels.
The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision runs a free Inmate Lookup service. It shows people currently held in any of the state's 44 correctional facilities. You can search by name or identification number. The system provides facility location, conviction details, and release dates. It does not cover county jails, which are run by each county's sheriff. For county jail info, you would need to call the sheriff's office in the right county.
The eCourts portal ties together several court databases. WebCivil Supreme covers civil Supreme Court cases. WebCivil Local covers District, City, Town, and Village civil courts. WebFamily gives limited info on Family Court cases. WebSurrogate shows estate and probate records. And NYSCEF lets you search electronically filed Supreme Court cases as a guest. All of these are free.
Browse New York Criminal Records by County
Each of New York's 62 counties has its own County Court that handles criminal cases. Pick a county below to find local contact info and resources for criminal records in that area.
Criminal Records in Major New York Cities
Residents of major cities can look up criminal records through the County Court in their county. Pick a city below to find out where to go for criminal records in that area.