Queens County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Queens County are handled through New York City's court system. Queens is one of five boroughs that make up New York City and falls within the 11th Judicial District. The county processes an enormous number of criminal cases each year, making it one of the busiest jurisdictions in the state. Queens Criminal Court at 125-01 Queens Boulevard in Kew Gardens handles misdemeanors and arraignments, while Queens Supreme Court processes felony criminal records. The Queens County Clerk at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard in Jamaica stores court documents and provides public access to files. State-run online tools also cover Queens County courts.
Queens County Criminal Records Overview
Where to Search Queens County Criminal Records
The Queens County Clerk at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Room 106, Jamaica, NY 11435 is the main office for criminal records from Supreme Court cases. The clerk stores felony case documents and handles record requests. You can visit and inspect public records for free under Judiciary Law 255. Copies cost a small per-page fee. The phone number is (718) 298-0600.
Queens Criminal Court at 125-01 Queens Boulevard, Kew Gardens, NY 11415 handles misdemeanor criminal records, violations, and arraignments. This is part of the NYC Criminal Court system, not the County Court system used in upstate counties. The phone number is (718) 298-0650. All criminal cases in Queens start here, with felonies moving to Supreme Court after grand jury indictment.
Queens Supreme Court Criminal Term is at 125-01 Queens Boulevard, Kew Gardens, NY 11415. This is where felony cases are tried. Criminal records from Supreme Court include indictments, pleas, trial verdicts, and sentencing information. Unlike upstate counties where the County Clerk serves as clerk of the court, the Queens County Clerk and the court clerk are part of a larger NYC system. Queens does not have separate town or village courts since the entire borough is within New York City.
Online Criminal Records Search Options
WebCrims is the fastest free tool for searching Queens County criminal records. It shows active and pending cases by defendant name or case number. Queens has a high volume of cases, so search results may be large. Sealed cases and old closed matters do not show up. WebCrims is best for tracking current cases.
The eCourts portal provides broader access to court records across New York. Search by name, case number, or attorney. Results pull from Queens courts. The system is free. Not all record types show up, and some older criminal records may not be in the database.
The eCourts portal provides access to court records across Queens County and all New York counties.
The Criminal History Record Search costs $95 per name and date of birth. Results come from every court level in all 62 counties, including all of Queens. You get results the next business day. Sealed records will not appear. This is a name-based search.
Criminal History and DCJS Records
The Division of Criminal Justice Services keeps fingerprint-based criminal history records separate from court records. DCJS files track arrest data, charges, and outcomes linked to fingerprints. These records are not public. You cannot request another person's DCJS record.
To get your own record, use the Record Review program. You submit fingerprints through an approved vendor. The cost is about $77.75 and results take 7 to 10 business days. Queens has many fingerprinting sites. This is the only way to get an official rap sheet in New York.
Criminal Record Sealing in Queens County
Queens County courts follow the same sealing laws as every other county in New York. These rules affect what comes up in a criminal records search.
Cases that end in dismissal or acquittal seal on their own under CPL 160.50. No motion is needed. This applies to both Queens Criminal Court and Queens Supreme Court Criminal Term.
For convictions, CPL 160.59 lets a person 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. Queens Supreme Court handles these motions for felony cases. Youthful offender adjudications stay confidential under CPL 720.35.
The Clean Slate Act took effect November 16, 2024. Misdemeanors seal 3 years after sentencing or release. Felonies seal after 8 years. Sex offenses, Class A felonies, violent felonies, and homicides are excluded. DCJS handles the sealing process statewide, which includes Queens County records. Given the large volume of cases processed in Queens, the automatic sealing provision affects a significant number of records.
Fees for Queens County Criminal Records
Standard fees apply at the Queens County Clerk's office. In-person inspection of records is free. Copies come with charges.
- 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: $10.00 per document
WebCrims and eCourts are free. They show case info on screen. Certified copies must be requested through the court or the County Clerk. A Certificate of Disposition from Queens Criminal Court or Supreme Court typically costs $10 per certificate.
Public Access to Criminal Records
Most criminal court records in Queens County are public. Public Officers Law Article 6 grants broad access. Court records fall under Judiciary Law 255. You do not need to be part of the case or provide a reason.
Sealed cases, Family Court files, juvenile matters, youthful offender adjudications, and grand jury proceedings cannot be accessed. The NYPD's 108th through 115th precincts and the Queens District Attorney may withhold active investigation files under FOIL exemptions. The Committee on Open Government can assist with denied requests.
Sex Offender Registry Search
The Sex Offender Registry lets you look up registered offenders in Queens County by name, county, or zip code. Level 2 and Level 3 offenders show up in the online search. Level 1 offenders require a call to 1-800-262-3257. This is a separate system from the criminal court records.
Corrections and Inmate Records
The DOCCS website has an inmate lookup for people sentenced in Queens who are in state prison. Search by name or DIN number. For people held at Rikers Island or other NYC Department of Correction facilities awaiting trial, use the NYC DOC inmate lookup tool. Queens cases that result in local jail time go through the NYC jail system, not a county jail.
The DOCCS inmate lookup covers people sentenced in Queens County who are in state custody.
Queens County and New York City
Queens County is coextensive with the Borough of Queens, one of the five boroughs of New York City. There are no separate cities, towns, or villages within Queens. All criminal matters go through the NYC court system.
- New York City - Queens is one of five boroughs. Criminal courts serve the entire city.
Neighborhoods like Flushing, Jamaica, Long Island City, Astoria, Forest Hills, and Far Rockaway are all within Queens. Criminal records from anywhere in the borough go through Queens Criminal Court or Queens Supreme Court.
Nearby Counties
Queens County is surrounded by other New York City boroughs and Nassau County on Long Island. Each has its own court system for criminal records.