Free New York Criminal & Arrest Records Search: Counties & Boroughs

Free New York Arrest Records & Criminal Records Search
Access New York Records: background checks, mugshots, warrants, probation and parole, court records, and all criminal and arrest records.

Run free New York arrest records and criminal records searches in any county or borough through official agencies today.

Thanks to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and New York’s Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), New York criminal records can be found through local agencies or divisions of varying municipalities.

However, finding this information can prove difficult with countless types of criminal records that don’t appear on most web searches. To complicate things even further, each county and borough has its own databases and processes.

With this in mind, New York Records Page provides every criminal record custodian, their online search portals, contact information, and other details so anyone can find the following information quickly and efficiently:

  • Arrests in NY counties and NYC boroughs
  • Criminal records
  • Arrest warrants
  • Probation and parole status
  • Sexual predators in any neighborhood
  • Background check reports for professional or personal uses
  • Prison records on the state and federal level

This resource will also discuss matters such as contacting and bailing someone out of jail, expunging and removing criminal records, laws protecting citizens against unethical practices, criminal records discrimination, and discrimination against protected classes.

Are Criminal & Arrest Records Available to the Public in NY?

New York criminal records and arrest records are both open to the public in accordance with the state’s Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). However, accessing an arrest report requires a different process than accessing a criminal record as each type of record is held by different record custodians.1

In addition to arrest and criminal records, everyone should feel empowered to follow the steps for looking up public records in New York — including marriage, divorce, death, birth, court records and more.

Furthermore, certain records are withheld from the public in part or in full; these include records that have been sealed, including juvenile records–which are automatically sealed upon adjudication (also known as determination).

A Comparison of What’s Shown on Criminal Records vs Arrest Records in New York

Information shown on New York arrest records is much less extensive than what is included in criminal records.

Arrest records give insight into one specific incident or arrest, while criminal records show more in depth information after an arrest, such as convictions and much more of the subject’s criminal history as opposed to just one event or arrest.

Arrest records often include the following:

  • Arrest Details (Arrest Agency, Date, Location)
  • Booking Date
  • Date of Birth
  • Full Name
  • Name of Holding Facility
  • Race & Ethnicity

Criminal records tend to list:

  • Current Detention Center
  • Date of Birth
  • Fingerprints
  • Full Name
  • Known Aliases
  • Mugshot
  • Previous Addresses
  • Prior Arrests & Convictions
  • Race & Ethnicity
  • Warrants

How To Search New York Arrest Records, Mugshots & the Reason for Detainment (Free)

To find recent arrests in New York, searchers should know the subject’s name and the general area and time frame in which they were detained. Interested parties are advised to start their search with broader county jail searches before moving on to looking at city jails operated by local police departments.

Current arrests are often accessible online if searchers know where to look, along with arrest details, the crime they were arrested for, and mugshots if available.

Check County Jails via Sheriff’s Offices Throughout NY

Members of the public who are looking to find out someone’s charges in jail can access arrest records by county–either online, by phone, or in person. New Yorkers are provided a helpful online inmate search tool for certain counties–showing daily arrests or booking logs per county–as well as the phone number to the relevant county jail or sheriff’s department.

While several larger counties do have these inmate search tools including a mugshot database, some smaller counties do not. In such cases, individuals wanting to look up who’s in jail will have to inquire with local law enforcement either in person or by phone.

County Inmate Search Tool County Jail or Sheriff’s Office Phone Number Shows Mugshots?
Chautauqua County Chautauqua County Sheriff Department:
(716)753-2131
Chautauqua County Jail:
(716)753-4935		 ✓
Erie County Erie County Sheriff Department:
(716)858-7618		 X
Monroe County Monroe County Sheriff Department:
(585)753-4178
Monroe County Jail:
(585)753-4300		 X
Niagara County Niagara County Sheriff Department:
(716)438-3393		 ✓
Oneida County Oneida County Sheriff Department:
(315)768-7804		 X
Yates County Yates County Sheriff Department:
(315)536-4438		 X
Washington County Washington County Sheriff Department:
(518)746-2475
Washington County Jail:
(518)746 -2476		 ✓

Counties that do not have an online inmate search tool or booking log can be found below with a link to the county sheriff department’s contact page and phone number.

The following counties do not have a sheriff’s department or office.

  • Kings County
  • New York County
  • Queens County
  • Richmond County

Check out the New York inmate search resource for further insight into looking up records of anyone incarcerated statewide.

Use the New York City Department of Correction (NYCDOC) To Find Recent Arrests in NYC Boroughs

In New York, most cities do not have jails but New York City and Yonkers are the exception; in either of these cities, arrest records can be accessed by checking their online inmate search portal firstly and if nothing appears, contacting the jail directly is the next best step.

The New York City Department of Correction (NYCDOC) conveniently provides arrest and inmate details via their NYCDOC inmate lookup tool.2,3 Note, detainees shown in these search results are only those in custody of the NYCDOC; inmates in police, state, or federal custody or facilities will not be shown.

A screenshot of the New York Department of Correction's inmate lookup service showing the two available search options: search by "NYSID or Book & Case Number" alternatively by the inmate's full name, beginning with the first name, and include a New York Department of Correction logo at the top left corner.
Source: New York Department of Correction3

If an inmate is arrested in one of New York City’s five boroughs and is still in Central Booking (where fingerprints and photographs are taken prior to being brought before a judge), their arrest details or records can be obtained by calling 311 or (212)639-9675. Requesting a Record is another option available to searchers, since under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) copies of New York City Agency records are available to the public.4,1

While Yonkers doesn’t have an online search feature, they can be contacted at 914-377-7260 for general jail inquires, and 914-377-7255 for the jail’s female section.

If individuals have trouble finding the arrestee that they’re looking for, a bail bondsman can be recruited for their services; any licensed bail bondsman will be able to assist with determining where an inmate is being held, as well as helping to navigate the legal process of bail.

How To Reach an Inmate in Any Jail & Post Bail (NY)

Jails throughout New York have varying phone and visitation hours and policies, so friends and family members hoping to contact inmates should check with the applicable jail for communication policies.

Many New York jails require all inmate contacts to set up an account through ConnectNetworkGTL and prepay for phone credits to be able to receive phone calls from incarcerated loved ones.5

Connect Network GTL tablets are also available to some inmates, and can be used for email correspondence or making outbound calls. Letters and certain packages are accepted at city and county jails, but must adhere to that particular jail’s mail policy. For example, the Dutchess County Jail does not permit money orders or checks to be sent by postal mail and the jail prohibits any correspondence sent without a return address.6

Bail is essentially a deposit that ensures an inmate will appear in court later, but allows them to be released in the meantime. In the state of New York, the amount of bail paid can be refunded by court order after the case is closed.

To post bail on behalf of an inmate, payments should be made to the relevant jail directly. This can be done in person or, in some cases, online via a credit card.

A bail bondsman can assist with posting bail if needed, often for a fee equal to 10% of the total bail amount. Inmates should be released within a few hours of posting bail.

How To Search New York Criminal Records

Criminal records are often held by county courts, while some states have additional record custodians such as certain state agencies. A clerk of courts (an officer of the court who maintains court records and case documents) or a background check service can often provide insight into an individual’s criminal history as well.

In New York, there are options for obtaining either one’s own criminal record or someone else’s; clear step by step instructions will be given below on how to access these records through various custodians and the costs (or lack thereof) associated with each.

Look Up Criminal Records in New York Through the County’s Court Case Access

New York criminal records are hosted by county courts (one of the state’s record custodians accessible to members of the public). Some criminal records can be viewed online via the county court’s online directory of cases, but not all courts offer this feature.

The table below includes links to each county’s record search tool, if available, or to the county court’s contact page. The courthouse address and phone number are included as well for searchers who cannot obtain records online:

County Criminal Record Search County Courthouse Address & Phone Number
Albany County 6 Lodge Street
Albany, NY 12207
(518)285-8777
Allegany County 7 Court Street
Belmont, NY 14813
(585)449-3462
Broome County 3rd Floor, 65 Hawley Street
Binghamton, NY 13901
(607)240-5800
Cattaraugus County 303 Court Street
Little Valley, NY 14755
(716)379-6636
Cayuga County 152 Genesee Street
Auburn, NY 13021
(315)237-6450
Chautauqua County 1 North Erie Street
Mayville, NY 14757
(716)753-4266
Chemung County 224 Lake Street
Elmira, NY 14901-0588
(607)873-9450
Chenango County 13 Eaton Ave
Norwich, NY 13815
(607)371-7160
Clinton County 137 Margaret Street
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
(518)565-4657
Columbia County 401 Union Street
Hudson, NY 12534
(518)267-3150
Cortland County 46 Greenbush Street, Suite 301
Cortland, NY 13045
(607)218-3320
Delaware County 3 Court Street
Delhi, NY 13753
(607)376-5400
Dutchess County 10 Market Street
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
(845)431-1700
Erie County 25 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716)845-9301
Essex County 7559 Court Street
Elizabethtown, NY 12932
(518)873-3375
Franklin County 355 West Main Street
Malone, NY 12953-1817
(518)481-1748
Fulton County 223 West Main Street
Johnstown, NY 12095
(518)706-3290
Genesee County 1 West Main Street
Batavia, NY 14020-2019
(585)201-5715
Greene County 320 Main Street
Catskill, NY 12414
(518)625-3160
Hamilton County 102 County View Drive
Lake Pleasant, NY 12108
(518)648-5411
Herkimer County 301 N. Washington Street, Suite 5550
Herkimer, NY 13350
(315)619-3400
Jefferson County 2nd Floor, 163 Arsenal Street
Watertown, NY 13601
(315)785-3044
Lewis County 2nd Floor, 7660 N. State Street
Lowville, NY 13367-1396
(315)376-5381
Livingston County 2 Court Street
Geneseo, NY 14454
(585)371-3920
Madison County North Court Street
Wampsville, NY 13163-0545
(315)231-5301
Monroe County 5th Floor, Room 545, 99 Exchange Blvd.
Rochester, NY 14614
(585)371-3758
Montgomery County 58 Broadway
Fonda, NY 12068-1500
(518)853-3431
Nassau County 262 Old Country Road
Mineola, NY 11501
(516)493-3600
Niagara County 175 Hawley Street
Lockport, NY 14094
(716)280-6400
Oneida County 4th Floor, 200 Elizabeth Street
Utica, NY 13501
(315)266-4200
Onondaga County 505 South State Street Suite 110
Syracuse, NY 13202
(315)671-1020
Ontario County 27 North Main Street
Canandaigua, NY 14424
(585)412-5300
Orange County 285 Main Street
Goshen, NY 10924
(845)476-3500
Orleans County 1 South Main Street, Suite 3
Albion, NY 14411-1497
(585)283-6657
Oswego County 25 East Oneida Street
Oswego, NY 13126
(315)207-7504
Otsego County 197 Main Street
Cooperstown, NY 13326
(607)322-3140
Putnam County 40 Gleneida Avenue
Carmel, NY 10512
(845)208-7800
Rensselaer County 80 Second Street
Troy, NY 12180
(518)285-5025
Rockland County 1 South Main Street
New City, NY 10956
(845)483-8300
Saratoga County Building 3, 30 McMaster Street
Ballston Spa, NY 12020
(518)451-8840
Schenectady County 612 State Street
Schenectady, NY 12305
(518)285-8403
Schoharie County 290 Main Street
Schoharie, NY 12157-0669
(518)453-6998
Schuyler County Unit 35, 105 9th Street
Watkins Glen, NY 14891
(607)228-3350
Seneca County 48 West Williams Street
Waterloo, NY 13165
(315)835-6229
St. Lawrence County 48 Court Street
Canton, NY 13617
(315)379-2219
Steuben County 3 Pulteney Square E
Bath, NY 14810
(607)776-7879
Suffolk County 210 Center Drive
Riverhead, NY 11901
(631)852-1462
Sullivan County 414 Broadway
Monticello, NY 12701
(845)791-3540
Tioga County 20 Court Street
Owego, NY 13827
(607)689-6102
Tompkins County 320 North Tioga Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607)216-6610
Ulster County 285 Wall Street
Kingston, NY 12401
(845)481-9375
Warren County 1340 State Route 9
Lake George, NY 12845
(518)480-6335
Washington County 383 Broadway
Fort Edward, NY 12828-1015
(518)746-2521
Wayne County Room 106, 54 Broad Street
Lyons, NY 14489
(315)946-5459
Westchester County 111 Martin Luther King Blvd.
White Plains, NY 10601
(914)824-5840
Wyoming County 147 North Main Street
Warsaw, NY 14569
(585)228-3200
Yates County 415 Liberty Street
Penn Yan, NY 14527
(315)536-5126

The five boroughs of New York City operate differently; although each borough represents a county, the courts are not organized like other county courts throughout the state.

Here are the five boroughs along with a link to their dedicated county clerk page, if applicable, or the courts general contact page:

In these boroughs and/or counties, criminal and civil matters are heard in criminal courts, civil courts, or by the state supreme court; the county clerk in each respective jurisdiction can be contacted for inquiries on criminal records or cases heard in these courts.

A screenshot of the court finder page for the New York State Unified Court System with the needed field, the dropdown menus for county and court type, and the top-left New York Government page logo.
Source: New York State Unified Court System7

The New York State Unified Court System Court Locator can help searchers find relevant courts; individuals can simply input the county and type of court they are searching for, and the results will show the addresses, phone numbers, and hours of operation for the courts in that county as well as links to the courts’ contact pages.7

Obtain Your Own Criminal Record via the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services

Anyone can request a copy of their own criminal record or “rap sheet” through the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services for a nominal fee of $13.50.8 Fingerprints must be submitted for accurate verification and records provided will include prior New York arrest records such as indictment, conviction, and sentencing information.

Three potential responses may be given after a criminal record is requested through the DCJS:

  1. A “No Record” response (indicates that the individual has no New York State criminal history record)
  2. A copy of a Suppressed Criminal Record (if requested, will not disclose any information hidden or sealed by court order)
  3. A copy of an Unsuppressed Criminal Record (if requested, will be composed of an individual’s complete criminal history including information formerly sealed or suppressed by court order such as dismissed cases or juvenile offender adjudications)

It is up to the requester to indicate whether they would like a suppressed or unsuppressed criminal record copy; if both are desired, separate requests must be made for each.

To submit a request to the DCJS, interested parties should do the following:

  1. Schedule a fingerprinting appointment by either calling 877-472-6915 or by navigating to the IdentoGo website and clicking “State History Check”9
  2. Choose either Unsuppressed or Suppressed Public Record Review from the drop down menu
  3. Schedule a fingerprinting appointment on this site by filling out the necessary information
  4. Bring to the scheduled fingerprint appointment:
    • $13.50 fee (payable by credit card, money order, or check made out to “Idemia”)
    • One valid form of identification

Once the DCJS has received a criminal record request, it will be processed and a response granted to the requester by U.S. mail within 4 weeks.

Those who are unable to cover the $13.50 processing fee for fingerprints can ask the DCJS for a criminal history record fee waiver application by either emailing RecordReview@dcjs.ny.gov or by mailing a written request to:

Records Review Unit
New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services
5th Floor, 80 South Swan Street
Albany, New York 12210

The county courts can also be contacted for questions about accessing criminal records, as can a clerk of court, the New York State Police, or local police or sheriff’s departments. Lastly, third party people finder sites can streamline the process and offer quickly compiled results to searchers for a small fee.

Find Criminal Records via the New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA)

While the DCJS only allows for individuals to request their own criminal records via three methods, obtaining statewide criminal records on oneself or others can be done through the Direct Access of the New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA) as long as the searcher knows the individual’s date of birth, full last name, and at least the first character of the first name.10

A picture of the New York State Unified Court System's criminal history record search page, highlighting the two options to register for a direct access account: "Public Account" and "Corporate Account," along with each account's benefits, including its cost per search request.
Source: New York State Unified Court System30

Criminal records can be requested via two methods:

  1. Submit a criminal history record request through the OCA’s Direct Access portal by creating an account and paying the $95 fee by e-check, credit card, or debit card (this service is available 24/7) 11
  2. Complete a Criminal History Record Search (CHRS) Application Form including all relevant search criteria for the subject of the form, include a $95 check or money order payable to the New York State Office of Court Administration and mail it to:12

NYS Unified Court System – NYC Office
Office of Court Administration
25 Beaver Street – Rm. 852
New York, NY 10004

Results of the OCA’s criminal history search will be sent via email (if the requester includes an email address on their CHRS Application Form) or by postal mail (if the requester includes a self addressed and stamped envelope). These results will be generated within one business day. Questions on this process can be directed to the OCA by email at CHRS@nycourts.gov or by phone at 212-428-2700.

Criminal history records obtained via the OCA will not include noncriminal offenses and are only granted based on exact matches of the subject’s date of birth and name(s) given, so search criteria must be completely accurate.

Another resource that provides federal criminal case information is the online service called Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER).22 To use this service, searchers must register for a free account but will be charged a nominal fee per search, page or audio file.

PACER charges are as follows:

  • $0.10 per page of documents (capped at $3 per document or the equivalent of 30 pages)
  • $2.40 per audio file (provided as an .mp3 file)
  • Varied fees per case report (no limit on costs)
  • Varied fees per transcript of court proceedings (no limit on costs)
  • Varied fees per search result depending on number of pages displayed (no limit on costs)

PACER fees are dismissed for each user who accrues less than $30 in fees per quarter.

How To Determine if Someone Is a Probationer or Parolee in New York

Searchers curious about checking someone’s probation status in New York or looking up NY parolee details may want to note that probation usually refers to release from jail, while parole describes a release from prison.

To illustrate just how many people are on probation and parole, the following image shows the combined total of probationers and parolees in New York, along with their ethnicities. Furthermore, these totals are also compared to the number of individuals on community supervision (including probation and parole) in other states across the United States.

An outline of a U.S. map with the total number of adults on probation and parole in each state highlighted—New York has 698—as well as a bar graph in the bottom right corner with categories for white, black, Hispanic, other, and unknown people; the bottom left corner also features the website's logo.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics

Since New York does not have a statewide probation search, interested members of the public should contact the local jail directly to ask about a current or former inmate’s probation details.

The New York State Department of Corrections & Community Supervision (NYSDOCCS) does, however, offer a parolee database of inmates previously held in NYSDOCCS state prisons.13 These parolees can be found via the Parole Lookup search tool, by inputting the subject’s New York State ID (NYSID) number, Departmental Identification Number (DIN), name, or birth year.14

A screenshot of the parolee lookup website for the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, showing the fields needed for the search, the NYSID and DIN, and the Parolee's complete name and birthday.
Source: Department of Corrections and Community Supervision14

Once search criteria has been entered, results matching the search will be given. Any of these can be clicked on to view further details on a parolee, including:

  • County of Conviction
  • Crime of Conviction
  • Date of Birth
  • Departmental Identification Number (DIN)
  • Felony Class
  • Name
  • Race/Ethnicity
  • Release to Parole Supervision Date
  • Parole Status
A screenshot of the parolee lookup website for the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision shows the Parolee's information, the DIN(covered), complete name, date of birth, race, parole status, and the crime of conviction at the bottom.
Source: Department Of Corrections And Community Supervision31

Historical information on parolees who were in federal prison can be found through the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ BOP inmate locator tool. However, not all individuals with listed parole information on the BOP site are currently on parole; this simply indicates that they may have been at some point.15

Interested parties can also run a personal background check on someone to try to find probation or parole details; criminal records could also be checked via county courthouses or searchers may call New York Probation Offices or Parole Offices.16,17

How To Seal a Criminal Record in New York & Expunge Marijuana-Related Crimes

New York does not offer full erasure or expungement of criminal records, except for some marijuana crimes.18

Instead, residents of the state can apply to have their New York criminal records sealed; this means that, though the record still exists, the relevant fingerprint cards, booking photos, and DNA samples will either be returned to the individual who submitted them or destroyed.

Sealed records can only be viewed by authorized agencies and local, state, and federal law enforcement.

Records or cases that are automatically sealed include:

  • Cases in which the defendant got a favorable disposition
  • Juvenile crimes and criminal records
  • Nonviolent violations and traffic infractions (partially sealed)

For those that are not automatically sealed, individuals can apply to the court for sealing of their criminal record after 10 years being crime free after the initial conviction. In addition to the 10 years, applicants must also have a maximum of a) one felony and one misdemeanor conviction or b) two misdemeanors to be eligible for sealing. Violent felonies and sexual offenses are ineligible for sealing.

To apply for sealing a record, individuals should:

  1. Ask the court for a Criminal Certificate of Disposition Request Form and complete one for each case you would like the court to seal19
  2. Return the completed request form to the court and pay the applicable fee ($5 for courts outside of NYC or $10 for courts within the boroughs of NYC)
  3. Once the court gives a Certificate of Disposition, complete the Notice of Motion and Affidavit in Support (informally called the Sealing Application), sign it in the presence of a notary public, and attach any and all relevant proof of rehabilitation, letters of recommendation, or certificates
  4. Make copies of all documents to be submitted to the court and mail or deliver the copies to the District Attorney’s Office to notify them of the application to seal
  5. Maintain another set of copies for personal records
  6. File all of the original documents (Sealing Application, Affidavit, Certificate of Disposition, and all supporting documents) with the court where the conviction was ruled upon

Note: There is no fee to file to seal a criminal record.

How To Check Who Is in a New York State or Federal Prison

Although there is not a specific felony registry, inmates in both federal and state facilities can be found through search portals, as can New York arrest records and criminal history information.

At the state level, the New York State Department of Corrections & Community Supervision (NYSDOCCS) operates correctional facilities and offers users the NYSDOCCS Inmate Lookup to find incarcerated individuals statewide.13,20

To use the inmate lookup, searchers can input either the subject’s Departmental Identification Number (DIN) or their name and birth year.

An image of the Incarcerated Lookup page for the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, displaying the three search choices available: "DIN," "Name," and "NYSID," when searching by name, required to enter the inmate's birthday, and the New York State logo is visible in the top left corner.
Source: Department Of Corrections And Community Supervision20

Once search results are collated, users will see inmates’ personal information including:

  • Age
  • Class of Crime
  • Crime Description
  • Custody Status
  • Date of Birth
  • Departmental Identification Number (DIN)
  • Facility
  • Full Name
  • Parole Information (If Applicable)

Beyond these details, sentence terms and release dates will also be shown for each incarcerated individual.

A screenshot from the results of an incarcerated lookup revealing an inmate's details, including full name, DIN(covered), race, age, custody status, county of commitment, date received, and most recent release date from the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.
Source: Department of Corrections and Community Supervision20

At the federal level, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) operates facilities which hold inmates accused or convicted of federal crimes.21 They offer a free, publicly accessible  BOP inmate locator search tool which provides criminal record details and federal inmate information on those being held throughout the United States.15

For searchers who do not know the BOP register number of the inmate in question, federal inmates can also be searched by name (along with race, age, and sex to narrow down the search).

The Federal Bureau of Prisons' search tab displays its two search options: "Find by Number" and "Find by Name" To search by name, one must provide the inmate's entire name along with their race, age, and sex; the bureau's logo is also shown in the top left corner.
Source: Federal Bureau of Prisons15

How To Perform a New York Warrant Search: See if You or Someone Else Is Wanted in NY

Though New York does not have a statewide warrant list or any comprehensive online warrant check for residents, federal warrants are issued through the WIN system and managed by the U.S. Marshals. Unfortunately, this system is unavailable for public use but individuals can check at the local level instead.

Concerned parties may check for warrants via the clerk of courts, police departments, or sheriff department offices to inquire about warrants, but those who need efficiency or prefer convenience can recruit the help of third party services or websites to assist in checking for outstanding warrants.

Furthermore, the overview of looking up warrant details on anyone wanted in New York can empower you to find the information you’re seeking.

An Overview or Summary of New York Background Checks

Background checks are used for a broad range of purposes, both personal and professional.

Personal searches can be performed on anyone without giving a reason or even asking permission from the subject being investigated, while professional background checks require permission from the subject and must adhere to certain state and federal laws regarding public information.

Background checks are often conducted for employment, licensing, residency, obtaining firearms, and countless other purposes; these checks fit into two categories depending on how they are obtained.

Level 1 background checks describe name-based searches at the local or state level. These will show prior employment and criminal information on an individual.

Level 2 background checks require official fingerprinting cards to be completed and sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). This type of search is performed at the national level and is much more accurate and reliable than Level 1 checks due to the fingerprint verification.

Such background checks will give information on the subject’s criminal, employment, educational, professional, and credit histories. They will also disclose previous addresses and any previous and pending criminal or civil cases, sex crimes, and detainment history.

While many employers and landlords can choose between Level 1 and 2 background checks, certain positions such as roles involving healthcare or working with children or the elderly necessitate Level 2 checks.

For example, the New York State Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs requires applicants to register for fingerprinting via IdentoGo, even if the individual has previously been fingerprinted for another agency or organization.23,9

The Office of Court Administration (OCA) can provide background check information via either their Direct Access portal or the Criminal History Record Search (CHRS) Application Form; this process is explained fully under the criminal records headings above; both cost $95.10,11,12

A screenshot of the form from the New York State Unified Court System demonstrates the fields that must be filled in Name/company, street address, city, state, phone number, and email address, also necessary to enter the inmate's last name, first name, suffix if any, and birthday, a note at the button instructs users to enter their email addresses at the top if they want the results emailed to them.
Source: New York State Unified Court System12

Personal background checks can be performed through any statewide criminal record search resource, court records, or through third party services which can help requesters avoid the monotony of checking with so many record custodians (often the most efficient option).

Background check laws including the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and those outlined by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) protect against discrimination regarding information obtained through professional background checks.24,25

How To Access & Search the New York Sex Offender Registry: Find Nearby Sexual Predators

The New York State Sex Offender Registry is managed by the DCJS and allows for searches to be performed by any registered offender’s last name, county, or zip code.26

A screenshot of the Division of Criminal Justice Services page showing its sex offender registry tab with its three options to search: by "Last Name," "County," or by "Zip Code," 3 checked box is placed at the bottom to exclude from search, "Incarcerated," "ICE Custody" and "In Custody"; the New York State logo is visible in the top left corner.
Source: Division of Criminal Justice Services26

Results will show an offender’s profile, personal details and demographics, current addresses, and all conviction information. These searches are limited to the state of New York alone and will not show sex offender information from other states.

A screenshot of a Division of Criminal Justice Services page displaying a sex offender search result shows the offender's details, including the offender ID, full name, DOB, designation, physical characteristics, and mugshot; the offender's address is also shown in the bottom of the page with a button to display it on a map, as well as the New York State logo in the top left corner.
Source: Division of Criminal Justice Services32

The National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) provides similar information on sex offenders but gives results nationwide instead of being restricted to just New York.27 The NSOPW is completely free to use and allows for searches by either name or location.

A screenshot of the National Sex Offender Public Website displays its national sex offender search page's two options: " Search by Name and Zip Code" and "Search by Address Radius," to perform a search by name, one must enter the offender's full name, county and city/town, on the other hand, must input the address and pick a state from the dropdown menu to search by address, a logo of The United States Department of Justice at the top left corner and the opposite of it is Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering and Tracking's logo.
Source: The United States Department of Justice33

New York Laws Pertaining to Criminal & Arrest Records

New York’s Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) provides the general public the right to access most government agencies’ records.1

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) works to ensure that employees are not subject to job discrimination.25

Another law pertaining to public records is the State of New York’s Ban the Box Law under New York Executive Law Section 296 (16)–which makes it illegal for employers to ask potential employees about their criminal history until after the offer of employment has been granted.28 New York City has its own version of “ban the box” called the Fair Chance Act.29

Additionally, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) exists to ensure fair, accurate, and efficient reporting of consumer information.23

Personal criminal record checks can be done without the subject’s consent or even knowledge, but these checks–when done for professional purposes–must follow all local, state, and federal laws, including getting permission from the individual being investigated.

In summary, New York arrest records should be accessed through local courts, police departments, sheriff’s offices, or third party people search sites. On the other hand, New York criminal records can be obtained through the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), via the New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA), or through county courts directly.8,10

Frequently Asked Questions

Does New York Have a Public Drug Offender Registry?

New York does not have a publicly accessible drug offender registry, but the New York State Department of Health’s Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement operates a private registry called the Internet System for Tracking Over-Prescribing/Prescription Monitoring Program (I-STOP/PMP).
This registry or online database is only available to authorized prescribers, dispensers, and pharmacists to monitor patients’ recently prescribed controlled substance history and ensure safety in future prescriptions.

 

What Is a Public Records Repository?

A public records repository is an agency or court system that hosts arrest and criminal records and makes them available to the general public. In New York, the records repositories or custodians are the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) where New York residents can obtain their own records, and the New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA) where one can request their own or others’ criminal records.
County courts, federal search sites, background check services, and third party people finder sites may all prove helpful for those seeking public records as well.

 

References

1New York State. (2023). Freedom of Information Law. ny.gov. Retrieved May 1, 2023, from   <https://otda.ny.gov/legal/FOIL/>

2City of New York Correction Department. (2023). New York City Department of Correction (NYCDOC). nyc.gov. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from   <https://www.nyc.gov/site/doc/index.page>

3New York City Department of Correction. (2023). NYCDOC Inmate Lookup Service. nyc.gov. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from   <https://a073-ils-web.nyc.gov/inmatelookup/pages/home/home.jsf>

4Official Website of the City of New York. (2023). Request a Record (NYC). nyc.gov. Retrieved May 15, 2023, from   <https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/request/new>

5ConnectNetwork. (2023). ConnectNetworkGTL. connectnetwork.com. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from   <https://web.connectnetwork.com>

6Dutchess County Government. (2023). Dutchess County Inmate Correspondence. dutchessny.gov. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from   <https://www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/Jail/Inmate-Correspondence.html>

7New York State Unified Court System. (2023). Court Locator. nycourts.gov. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from   <https://ww2.nycourts.gov/courtlocator>

8New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services. (2023). Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). ny.gov. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from   <https://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov>

9identoGO. (2017). identoGO. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from   <https://uenroll.identogo.com>

10New York State Unified Court System. (2023). Office of Court Administration (OCA). nycourts.gov. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from   <https://ww2.nycourts.gov/Admin/oca.shtml>

11New York State Unified Court System. (2023). Criminal History Record Search–Direct Access. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from   <https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/chrs/SignIn>

12New York State Unified Court System. (2022, October). Criminal History Record Search (CHRS) Application. nycourts.gov. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from   <https://ww2.nycourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/files/2022-10/CHRS%20Application%20Form%20Rev.%2010.2022.pdf>

13New York State Department of Corrections and Community Services. (2023). NYSDOCCS. ny.gov. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from   <https://doccs.ny.gov>

14New York State Department of Corrections and Community Services. (2023). Parolee Lookup. ny.gov. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from   <https://publicapps.doccs.ny.gov/ParoleeLookup/default>

15Federal Bureau of Prisons. (2023). BOP inmate locator tool. bop.gov. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from   <https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/>

16New York State Probation Officers Association. (2022). DIRECTORY OF NEW YORK STATE COUNTY PROBATION DEPARTMENTS. nyspoa.com. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from   <https://www.nyspoa.com/professional-info/find-a-department/>

17New York State Government. (n.d.). New York State Parole Offices Mailing Addresses. ny.gov. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from   <https://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/publications/docs/adm/08adm-3app6.pdf>

18New York Government. (2023). Marijuana Legalization and Record Expungement. ny.gov. Retrieved May 8, 2023, from   <https://ag.ny.gov/sites/default/files/publications/cannabis-expungement-english.pdf>

19New York Courts. (2021, September). Criminal Certificate of Disposition Request Form [Web]. nycourts.gov. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from   <https://www.nycourts.gov/LegacyPDFs/forms/criminal/pdfs/CoDRequestForm-fillable.pdf>

20New York State Department of Corrections and Community Services. (2023). NYSDOCCS Inmate Lookup. ny.gov. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from   <https://nysdoccslookup.doccs.ny.gov>

21Federal Bureau of Prisons. (2023). Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). bop.gov. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from   <https://www.bop.gov/inmates/>

22Public Access to Court Electronic Records. (2023). PACER. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from   <https://pacer.uscourts.gov>

23New York State Justice Center for the Protection of People With Special Needs. (2023). Criminal Background Check (CBC). ny.gov. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from   <https://www.justicecenter.ny.gov/criminal-background-check-cbc>

24Federal Trade Commission. (2023). Fair Credit Reporting Act. ftc.gov. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from   <https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/statutes/fair-credit-reporting-act>

25U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (2023). EEOC. eeoc.gov. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from   <https://www.eeoc.gov>

26New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services. (2023). New York State Sex Offender Registry. ny.gov. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from   <https://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/SomsSUBDirectory/search_index.jsp>

27United States Department of Justice. (2023). National Sex Offender Public Website. NSOPW. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from   <https://www.nsopw.gov>

28The New York State Senate. (2023, January 6). EXC Section 296: Unlawful Discriminatory Practices. nysenate.gov. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from   <https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/EXC/296>

29New York City Government. (2023). Fair Chance Act. nyc.gov. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from   <https://www.nyc.gov/site/cchr/law/fair-chance-law.page#:~:text=The%20Fair%20Chance%20Act%20makes,into%20an%20applicant%27s%20criminal%20record>

30New York State Unified Court System. (n.d.). Direct Access. Criminal History Record Search. Retrieved June 7, 2023, from   <https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/chrs/AccountInfo>

31Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. (n.d.). Parolee Information. Retrieved June 6, 2023, from   <https://publicapps.doccs.ny.gov/ParoleeLookup/Default?idx=4>

32Division of Criminal Justice Services. (n.d.). Offender Details. Sex Offender Details Page. Retrieved June 6, 2023, from   <https://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/SomsSUBDirectory/ReCaptchaServlet?offenderId=16022&g-recaptcha-response=03AL8dmw9LBG03WhuNrAyEL9wzx0KePm0Qv3lBmGt5OvYVuS9tGCk3p7AJFqc7PpbvDTiAGMu75KjxgVB4XoFUVMXpq6uJghkuymZWxo4fJedVJNH3XKCr3LrLa6EZNtkomb4fDYHM3N5a0GFmx1K>

33Department of Justice. (n.d.). NATIONAL SEX OFFENDER SEARCH. DRU SJODIN NATIONAL SEX OFFENDER PUBLIC WEBSITE. Retrieved June 6, 2023, from   <https://www.nsopw.gov/en/Search/Results>