Find Criminal Records in New York County
Criminal records in New York County are managed by the County Clerk, Manhattan Criminal Court, and the Supreme Court Criminal Term. New York County is coterminous with the borough of Manhattan. It is the hub of the state's court system and home to the busiest criminal courts in New York. The 1st Judicial District covers Manhattan alone. The sheer number of cases flowing through these courts each year is staggering. You can search New York County criminal records through WebCrims, the eCourts portal, the CHRS system, or by visiting the clerk's office at 60 Centre Street. Knowing which court heard a case will speed up your search considerably.
New York County Criminal Records Overview
Where to Search New York County Criminal Records
The New York County Clerk at 60 Centre Street, Room 141B, New York, NY 10007 handles criminal records from Supreme Court cases. The clerk files and stores case papers for felony indictments, pleas, and sentencing data. In-person inspection of public records is free under Judiciary Law 255. Copies have a per-page fee. The phone number is (646) 386-5955.
Manhattan Criminal Court at 100 Centre Street, New York, NY 10013 is one of the busiest criminal courts in the country. It handles misdemeanors, violations, and arraignments. Phone is (646) 386-4000. The court runs around the clock for arraignments. Thousands of cases pass through this courthouse each month. Criminal records from this court cover the full range of misdemeanor matters in Manhattan.
New York County Supreme Court, Criminal Term, operates at 100 Centre Street as well. Felony cases are tried here. The Manhattan DA's office presents cases before grand juries and tries them in Supreme Court. Criminal records include indictments, plea deals, trial verdicts, and sentencing orders. The County Clerk at 60 Centre Street stores these records for long-term public access.
The courthouse complex at 100 Centre Street also houses the Manhattan District Attorney's office, which is one of the largest and most well-known prosecution offices in the country. If you need information about a specific case, the DA's office may be able to help with victim notifications and case status updates through their main line at (212) 335-9000.
Online Criminal Records Search Options
WebCrims is the best free tool for active Manhattan criminal cases. It covers all New York City criminal courts. Search by name or case number. The tool shows pending cases, court dates, charges, and case status. It does not show sealed cases or old closed matters. Manhattan has the strongest WebCrims coverage of any county in the state because of the volume of cases processed here.
The eCourts portal gives broader access. Search by name, case number, or attorney. It covers Supreme Court and other courts in the 1st Judicial District. The system is free. Not every record type appears. Older criminal records may not be fully loaded.
The eCourts portal provides access to court records across New York County and the rest of the state.
The Criminal History Record Search costs $95 per name and date of birth. It covers every court in all 62 counties. Results arrive the next business day. This is the most thorough court-based criminal record search available in New York. Sealed records do not appear. The NYSCEF system also provides electronic filing and case tracking for Supreme Court matters in Manhattan.
DCJS Criminal History Records
The Division of Criminal Justice Services keeps fingerprint-based criminal histories. These are separate from court records. DCJS records tie arrest data, charges, and dispositions to fingerprints. They are not public. You cannot request someone else's record.
For your own record, use the Record Review program. Submit fingerprints through an approved vendor. Cost is about $77.75. Results come in 7 to 10 business days. Manhattan has numerous fingerprinting locations. Several NYPD precincts in Manhattan offer the service. Private fingerprinting vendors are also available throughout the borough.
Criminal Record Sealing in New York County
New York County courts follow the same sealing rules as every other county. Given the volume of cases here, a very large number of records get sealed each year.
Dismissals and acquittals seal automatically under CPL 160.50. No motion needed. The court and police seal their files. The person can legally say they were never arrested for that charge. Manhattan Criminal Court processes a huge number of dismissals, so automatic sealing is common.
Under CPL 160.59, a person can apply to seal up to two convictions after 10 years. Only one can be a felony. Sex offenses, Class A felonies, and violent felonies do not qualify. Supreme Court, Criminal Term handles these motions for felony cases. Manhattan Criminal Court handles them for misdemeanors.
The Clean Slate Act started November 16, 2024. Misdemeanor convictions seal 3 years after sentencing or release. Felony convictions seal after 8 years. Sex offenses, Class A felonies, violent felonies, and homicides are excluded. Youthful offender adjudications remain confidential under CPL 720.35.
Fees for Criminal Records
The New York County Clerk charges standard state fees. In-person inspection is free. Copies cost a per-page fee.
- CHRS statewide search: $95.00 per name
- DCJS personal record review: about $77.75
- County clerk name search: $5.00 per name (two-year period)
- Copy fees: $0.25 to $0.65 per page
- Certified copies: $5.00 to $10.00 per document
WebCrims and eCourts are free. They show case info on screen but cannot produce certified copies. Manhattan Criminal Court has a dedicated Clerk's Office window for Certificate of Disposition requests. This is one of the most commonly requested documents in New York County because of how many cases flow through the system.
Public Access to Criminal Records
Most criminal court records in New York County are public. The FOIL law, under Public Officers Law Article 6, grants broad access to government records. Court records fall under Judiciary Law 255. The clerk must search and provide copies when asked and paid. You do not need to be a party to the case.
Sealed cases under CPL 160.50 and CPL 160.59 are off limits. Family Court and juvenile records stay confidential. Grand jury proceedings are secret. Active investigation files from the NYPD or the Manhattan DA's office may be withheld under FOIL exemptions. The Committee on Open Government can help if you get turned down on a records request.
The OCA Criminal History Record Search covers all courts in New York County and across the state.
Sex Offender Registry Search
The Sex Offender Registry lets you search by name, county, or zip code. Look up registered offenders in New York County at no cost. Level 2 and Level 3 offenders show online. Level 1 offenders require a call to 1-800-262-3257. This system is separate from court records held by the New York County Clerk.
Corrections and Inmate Records
The DOCCS website has an inmate lookup for state prison and parole. Search by name or DIN number. For people held at city jails (Rikers Island and borough facilities), use the NYC Department of Correction inmate lookup. New York County does not have its own county jail. The NYC DOC handles detention for all five boroughs. Manhattan Detention Complex (also known as the Tombs) at 125 White Street holds detainees for Manhattan court appearances.
Cities in New York County
New York County is entirely within the City of New York. There are no separate cities or towns. All criminal matters go through Manhattan Criminal Court for misdemeanors or Supreme Court Criminal Term for felonies.
- New York City - New York County (Manhattan) is one of five boroughs in New York City.
Nearby Counties
New York County (Manhattan) borders several other New York City counties and one New Jersey county across the Hudson. Each New York county has its own court system.