Find a New York Arrest Record, Then Confirm the Criminal Case and Final Result
New York does not place every arrest, jail booking, police report and court outcome inside one free database. The correct search depends on whether the person is in New York City custody, a county jail, state prison, a pending criminal case or a completed court case.
This guide explains every major route, including the free custody tools, the $95 statewide court-history search, the fingerprint-based DCJS rap sheet, police-report requests, Certificates of Disposition, record corrections and the current 2026 Clean Slate timeline.
Custody, reports and court records use separate systems.
$95 for each exact name and birth-date search.
$17.50 fingerprint-processing fee in 2026.
Provide, deny or acknowledge within five business days.
Eligible automatic sealing must be implemented by Nov. 16, 2027.
Which New York record do you actually need?
Use NYC Department of Correction for a New York City jail, the applicable county sheriff or correction department outside NYC, or DOCCS for state prison.
Request the arrest report, incident report or releasable investigative documents from the police, sheriff or State Police agency that created them.
Use WebCrims for selected pending cases, the free court search where available, or request the docket and disposition from the originating court.
Use the $95 OCA CHRS for publicly reportable statewide court history. Request your own fingerprint-based DCJS rap sheet when accuracy or sealed information matters.
Free New York arrest, custody and court searches
| Tool | Coverage | Common information shown | Major limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| NYC Person in Custody Lookup | People in NYC Department of Correction custody | NYSID, Book and Case Number, charges, court information, location, bail and release data | Does not include police lockups, state prison, federal custody or county jails outside NYC. |
| County sheriff or correction lookup | One county jail or correction system | Current custody, booking date, charges, bail or release data where published | New York has no single consolidated county-jail lookup. |
| DOCCS Incarcerated Lookup | Current and certain former New York State prison records | DIN, facility, custody status, sentence and release information | Not for NYC DOC or county-jail custody. |
| DOCCS Parolee Lookup | Current and former state community-supervision information | DIN, NYSID, supervision details and status where available | Not a complete court or arrest history. |
| WebCrims | Pending criminal cases with future appearances in selected courts | Case number, court, part, next appearance and basic charge information | Not all courts or completed criminal histories are included. |
| Court calendars and clerk search | The individual criminal court | Appearance dates, docket activity and file availability | The user must know or identify the originating court. |
How to find someone arrested in New York City
The NYC Department of Correction Person in Custody Lookup is for people who have entered DOC jail custody. It is not a search of people still inside an NYPD precinct, state prison or federal facility.
Information the NYC lookup may provide
How to search a New York county jail
County jail custody is decentralized. Each sheriff or county correction department controls its own public roster, inmate locator, telephone information and release procedures.
New York State prison and parole lookup
The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision lookup covers state prison custody. DOCCS is not responsible for people housed in county jails or local police lockups.
The Department Identification Number is the most direct search method. It follows the person during the applicable state-custody term.
Name searching can return several similar people. Try partial-name variations and verify the birth information and sentence details.
The Parolee Lookup covers people currently or formerly under DOCCS community supervision.
DOCCS availability and maintenance
- The Incarcerated Lookup is generally available 24 hours a day.
- A short maintenance interruption begins at approximately 11:45 p.m. Eastern Time each night.
- A longer scheduled interruption normally runs from 11:30 p.m. Saturday until approximately 12:30 a.m. Sunday.
Who may not appear publicly
How to search without missing or misidentifying the record
What common New York arrest and court fields mean
| Field | What it identifies | What it does not establish | Next action |
|---|---|---|---|
| NYSID | A New York State criminal-justice identification number. | It does not explain the final case outcome. | Use it to distinguish same-name records. |
| DIN | A DOCCS state-prison identification number. | It is not a county-jail booking number. | Use it for DOCCS incarceration and parole searches. |
| Book and Case Number | An identifier used for an NYC Department of Correction custody episode. | It is not always identical to the court docket or indictment number. | Use it for NYC custody and service questions. |
| Docket number | The criminal court’s case identifier, often used in lower criminal courts. | One defendant can have several dockets. | Search or contact the originating court. |
| Indictment number | An identifier for a felony prosecution following indictment. | It does not by itself state the final result. | Use it to request the case file or disposition. |
| Arrest or incident number | The law-enforcement agency’s reference for the arrest or event. | It is not necessarily the court case number. | Include it in the police-record request. |
| Charge | The alleged offense or formally filed accusation. | A charge is not proof of guilt and may later change. | Compare the arrest charge with the court charging document. |
| Arraignment | The court proceeding where charges and release status are addressed. | It is not the final determination of guilt. | Check the next appearance and release order. |
| Released on recognizance | The person was released without posting monetary bail under the court’s conditions. | The criminal case remains pending unless disposed. | Confirm every next court appearance. |
| Bail | A court-set financial condition for release where legally authorized. | One bail amount may not resolve another case or hold. | Confirm the current court order before paying. |
| Remanded | The court ordered continued custody without a monetary release amount in that matter. | It does not explain the final outcome. | Review the court order and speak with counsel. |
| Disposition | The result of a charge or case. | A brief database label may not explain every count. | Obtain the judgment or Certificate of Disposition. |
No New York arrest or criminal record found?
How to search New York criminal court records
Use for criminal cases with future appearance dates in selected New York courts. Search by defendant name or case information.
Use for a paid statewide public court-history search covering reportable pending felony and misdemeanor cases and convictions.
Use for the complete file, older cases, docket clarification and certified Certificates of Disposition.
WebCrims workflow
Why a case may not appear online
New York OCA Criminal History Record Search explained
Fee for each exact statewide search.
Reportable criminal court data statewide.
Full name and date of birth must match.
Formal proof requires the originating court.
What CHRS includes
- Publicly reportable pending felony and misdemeanor criminal cases
- Publicly reportable felony and misdemeanor convictions
- Cases originating in County/Supreme, City, Town and Village criminal courts
- Electronic data reported to OCA from all 62 counties, subject to the limitations below
What CHRS does not include
Exact-match rules
| Search detail | OCA rule | Practical effect |
|---|---|---|
| First name | Full first name is required. | A nickname or different spelling may return no result. |
| Last name | Full last name is required. | Former or compound surnames may require separate searches. |
| Date of birth | The search uses the submitted DOB as an exact match. | A wrong day, month or year prevents the match. |
| Alias | Each alias is an additional search. | Each separate name requires another $95 fee. |
| Additional DOB | Each date of birth is an additional search. | Testing another DOB creates another charge. |
Important CHRS data limitations
- Town and Village Court disposition data is unavailable for May 1991 through 2002.
- Town and Village Court reporting from 2002 through 2007 is limited.
- All Town and Village Courts have reported to OCA since 2007, but historical gaps remain.
- A case with no final disposition and no activity during the previous five years may be excluded unless an open warrant remains.
- A case involving only non-fingerprintable charges may not appear.
- A single misdemeanor conviction more than 10 years old may be excluded under OCA’s Misdemeanor Redemption Policy.
- Data-transmission errors or missing court information can affect completeness.
Online Direct Access timing
Online requests reporting no result may be returned in real time.
The request is held for OCA verification, review and amendment when necessary.
Reviewed results are generally emailed during business days, Monday through Friday.
Mail-in CHRS request
Division of Technology and Court Research
25 Beaver Street, Room 940
New York, NY 10004
Include the application, the $95 payment for each search and an email address or self-addressed stamped envelope for delivery.
How to request your own New York DCJS rap sheet
DCJS maintains New York’s official fingerprint-based criminal-history records. These records are not public FOIL records and cannot ordinarily be requested for another person.
Excludes information that has been sealed or suppressed under the applicable New York sealing laws.
Service code: 15464Z
Includes all criminal-history information maintained by DCJS, including qualifying sealed or suppressed cases.
Service code: 15465F
What the unsuppressed response can include
Personal Record Review steps
Fee-waiver process
A person unable to pay the $17.50 fingerprint-processing charge may request a Record Review Fee Waiver application packet from DCJS.
RecordReview@dcjs.ny.gov
Provide a complete current mailing address. The waiver packet is sent by mail rather than email.
New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services
80 South Swan Street, 5th Floor
Albany, NY 12210
CHRS versus DCJS rap sheet versus Certificate of Disposition
| Record product | Who can request it? | Search method | Best use | Not suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OCA CHRS | General public and businesses | Exact name and DOB | Public statewide pending and conviction court history | Certified proof, sealed history, police reports or fingerprint identity confirmation |
| DCJS Personal Record Review | The individual or qualifying attorney | Fingerprints | Reviewing and correcting the individual’s official New York rap sheet | Public searches about another person |
| Certificate of Disposition | Requested from the originating court under its access rules | Known case or docket | Official court-sealed proof of one case outcome | Searching the entire state for unknown cases |
How to request a New York police or sheriff arrest report
| Arresting agency | Record holder | Correct next step |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Police | New York State Police Central Records process | Use the State Police FOIL or investigative-record request portal. |
| County sheriff | That county sheriff’s records-access officer | Submit the county’s FOIL request and identify the incident precisely. |
| City police department | That city police department | Use the city or police records-request process. |
| NYPD | New York City Police Department | Use the applicable NYPD records or FOIL process, not NYC Department of Correction. |
| Village or town police | That municipal police agency | Contact its records-access officer or municipal clerk. |
| Court disposition | The originating criminal court | Do not ask police for the final case outcome; request it from the court. |
Information that makes a report request searchable
Documents to name specifically
The primary report describing the alleged event and initial response.
The arrest-related record created by the law-enforcement agency.
A sworn or supporting statement connected with a charge where maintained and releasable.
A record of property taken, inventoried, held or released.
A later investigative or officer report connected with the incident.
Describe the date, location, officer or event precisely because review and redaction may be extensive.
Dear Records Access Officer:
Under the New York Freedom of Information Law, I request electronic copies of the releasable incident report, arrest report, supporting deposition, property receipt and releasable supplemental reports relating to [full legal name], date of birth [date if known], for the incident or arrest occurring on or about [date and time] at [location].
The known identifiers are: arrest or incident number [number], precinct/troop/unit [identifier], booking number [number], NYSID [number], docket or indictment number [number], and originating court [court].
Please provide the records electronically where possible. If fees will exceed $[amount], please provide a written estimate before processing. If any portion is withheld, please identify the legal basis and release all reasonably segregable non-exempt portions.
Response time, copy fees, redactions and appeals
Provide, deny or acknowledge a reasonably described written request.
Maximum ordinary photocopy charge for pages up to 9 × 14 inches unless another law applies.
Time to submit a written administrative appeal after a denial.
Time for the agency to determine the administrative appeal.
What the five-day response can say
Permitted reproduction costs
- Up to 25 cents per photocopy for records no larger than 9 × 14 inches, unless another statute sets a fee.
- The actual cost of a storage device or media used to provide records.
- The hourly salary of the lowest-paid employee with the required skill when at least two hours of employee time are necessary to prepare the copy.
- The actual cost of an outside professional service when the agency’s technology cannot prepare the copy.
Why law-enforcement information may be withheld
| Concern | Why information may be withheld or redacted |
|---|---|
| Active investigation | Disclosure could interfere with an investigation or judicial proceeding. |
| Fair trial | Release could affect the right to a fair trial or impartial adjudication. |
| Confidential source | The record could identify a confidential source or confidential investigative information. |
| Investigative technique | Disclosure could reveal non-routine investigative techniques or procedures. |
| Personal privacy | Victim, witness, medical, address and identifying information may be protected. |
| Safety | Disclosure could endanger the life or safety of a person. |
Appealing a denial or failure to respond
How to obtain a Certificate of Disposition
A Certificate of Disposition is an official court document bearing the court seal. It explains the charge, conviction or other disposition and sentence recorded in one criminal case.
The criminal court where the case originated or where the person was sentenced.
Generally $5 to $10 per certificate, depending on the court.
It is official proof and is more reliable than a database printout or third-party background report.
Information to prepare
Certificate versus CHRS
| Need | Use | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Search for unknown cases across New York | OCA CHRS | Searches publicly reportable court history across all 62 counties. |
| Official proof of one court outcome | Certificate of Disposition | Issued and sealed by the originating court. |
| Review your complete official state history | DCJS Personal Record Review | Fingerprint-based and designed for accuracy review. |
What to do when a New York criminal record is wrong
| Incorrect information | Responsible office | Evidence to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Police incident or arrest detail | The arresting police, sheriff or State Police agency | Report number, identification and supporting official documents. |
| Custody or booking information | NYC DOC, county correction agency or DOCCS | NYSID, DIN, booking number, dates and identity documents. |
| Court charge or disposition | The originating criminal court | Docket or indictment number, judgment, order and Certificate of Disposition. |
| Official DCJS rap sheet | DCJS Record Review Unit | Personal Record Review response, fingerprints and certified court records. |
| OCA CHRS result | OCA CHRS Unit and originating court | CHRS result, correct disposition and court-certified documentation. |
| Third-party background report | The reporting company after official correction is confirmed | Corrected rap sheet, certified disposition or sealing order. |
Correction workflow
8 a.m.–4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays.
Which arrest and conviction records can be sealed?
| Route | Records covered | Automatic or application? | Core effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPL 160.50 | Cases terminated favorably, including qualifying dismissals and acquittals | Normally automatic | Full sealing from ordinary public access. |
| CPL 160.55 | Many eligible violation and traffic-infraction dispositions | Normally automatic partial sealing | Fingerprint and photograph records are sealed; the court file may remain public. |
| CPL 720.35 | Youthful Offender adjudications | Automatic | The YO adjudication is confidential and is not a criminal conviction. |
| CPL 160.58 | Certain eligible drug and related convictions following qualifying treatment | Court application | Conditional sealing under the applicable law. |
| CPL 160.59 | Limited eligible convictions after a 10-year waiting period | Court application | Public access is restricted after judicial approval. |
| Clean Slate Act | Eligible misdemeanor and felony conviction dockets after statutory waiting periods | Automatic after statewide implementation | Records are sealed for many civil background-check purposes, with statutory exceptions. |
| Marijuana expungement | Qualifying former marijuana offenses identified by law | Automatic under the applicable statutes | Qualifying convictions are vacated, dismissed, sealed and treated as though they did not occur. |
CPL 160.59 eligibility after 10 years
CPL 160.59 application sequence
New York Clean Slate Act: what is sealed now and what is still pending?
Three years after sentencing or release from incarceration, whichever is later.
Eight years after sentencing or release from incarceration, whichever is later.
Eligible records must be processed by November 16, 2027.
Conditions that must be satisfied
Generally excluded convictions
- Sex-offense convictions
- Most non-drug Class A felony convictions
- Murder and other excluded serious offenses
Who can still access sealed Clean Slate records?
Access continues for law-enforcement agencies, prosecutors, courts and qualifying employers or licensing agencies legally authorized to conduct fingerprint-based checks. Clean Slate does not make every record invisible for every purpose.
What to do while implementation continues
How to use New York arrest information without creating a false accusation
Use the birth date, NYSID, DIN, booking number or court case number—not only the name.
Separate the initial arrest allegation from the charge actually filed in court.
Check for dismissal, acquittal, conviction, sealing or another final disposition.
Say “arrested” or “charged” unless an official conviction record supports stronger wording.
Do not republish or use records that are legally sealed, expunged or confidential.
Use a Certificate of Disposition for employment, licensing, immigration or court purposes.
Use the arrest location to identify the correct New York county
The arrest location usually determines the police agency, local jail and criminal court. Search by the city, town, village, county or New York City borough where the incident occurred.
Identify the borough, NYPD precinct, NYC DOC custody location and criminal court.
Identify the municipal police or sheriff agency, county jail and originating City, Town, Village or County Court.
Identify the troop or station, incident location and local criminal court with jurisdiction.
Primary New York sources used for this guide
CHRS prices and limitations, WebCrims, Certificates of Disposition, court sealing, Clean Slate waiting periods and court forms.
Fingerprint-based Personal Record Review, rap-sheet access restrictions, service codes, fee-waiver process and record challenges.
NYC DOC custody, DOCCS incarceration and parole searches, State Police record requests and statewide FOIL procedures.
New York arrest and criminal-record questions answered
Can I search every New York arrest for free?
No. New York custody records are divided among NYC DOC, county jails and DOCCS. Police reports are maintained by the arresting agency. The statewide OCA court-history search costs $95.
What is the fastest way to find a recent arrest?
Identify the arrest location and agency first. Check NYC DOC for NYC jail custody, the applicable county sheriff outside NYC, or call the arresting police agency when the person may still be in a local lockup.
What is the difference between CHRS and WebCrims?
CHRS is a paid statewide name-and-date-of-birth court-history search. WebCrims is a free tool for pending criminal cases with future appearances in selected courts.
Is the $95 CHRS result certified?
No. CHRS is not certified. Request a Certificate of Disposition from the court of original jurisdiction when official proof is required.
Does CHRS show sealed cases?
No. Sealed records, Youthful Offender records, Family Court removals and other confidential information are not reported.
Why did an exact CHRS search return no result?
The name or birth date may differ, the case may be sealed, the record may fall within a historical reporting gap, or the case may involve excluded noncriminal or non-fingerprintable charges.
Can I request another person’s official DCJS rap sheet?
No. The official fingerprint-based DCJS record is not generally available to the public. Anyone can request the separate public OCA court-history search.
How much is my own DCJS Personal Record Review?
The fingerprint-processing fee is $17.50 as of February 2, 2026. A fee-waiver packet may be requested from DCJS when the person cannot afford the charge.
Should I request a suppressed or unsuppressed rap sheet?
Choose suppressed when you want the version excluding sealed information. Choose unsuppressed when reviewing the complete history maintained by DCJS, including qualifying sealed or suppressed records.
How long does DCJS take to mail the response?
DCJS currently states that the Personal Record Review response is returned by U.S. mail within approximately three to four weeks after the request is received through the fingerprint process.
How quickly must police answer a FOIL request?
Within five business days, the agency must provide the record, deny the request in writing or acknowledge the request and give a reasonable estimated response date.
Can the police withhold an arrest report?
Some or all information may be withheld when disclosure would interfere with an investigation, affect a fair trial, identify a confidential source, reveal non-routine techniques, invade privacy or create a safety risk. Non-exempt portions should still be considered for release.
How much is a Certificate of Disposition?
The statewide court guidance describes a typical fee of $5 to $10, depending on the court. Confirm the exact payment method with the originating court.
Are dismissed cases automatically sealed?
Cases terminated favorably, including qualifying dismissals and acquittals, are generally automatically sealed under CPL 160.50. Errors can occur, so verify the seal when the case still appears.
Can two old convictions be sealed under CPL 160.59?
Possibly. Eligibility generally allows no more than two misdemeanors or one felony and one misdemeanor after at least 10 crime-free years, subject to excluded offenses and judicial discretion.
When will Clean Slate automatically seal eligible misdemeanors?
The waiting period is three years after sentencing or release from incarceration, whichever is later, provided the other statutory conditions are satisfied.
When will Clean Slate automatically seal eligible felonies?
The waiting period is eight years after sentencing or release from incarceration, whichever is later, subject to exclusions and the other statutory conditions.
Are all Clean Slate records already processed?
No. The Unified Court System has until November 16, 2027 to complete automatic sealing of eligible conviction records.