The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) keeps official records of criminal histories in New York.
You will get either a copy of your criminal record (called a "rap sheet") or a "no record" response saying you have no criminal history in New York.
Here's what you need to know:
- You need to submit your fingerprints when asking for your criminal history record. This allows DCJS to match your prints to their records.
- The records kept by DCJS show arrests, indictments, convictions, and sentences reported by police, courts, etc.
- These are not public records. DCJS can't release them under freedom of information laws or to background check companies.
- Background check companies get records by searching public name-based databases, not fingerprint-based records.
- A law must allow an employer or agency to require your fingerprints to get your DCJS history. They must tell you about this requirement.
- You can't request someone else's criminal history record.
- Requesting your record lets you and your lawyer review it and correct any mistakes.
- You can ask for a record with everything (unsuppressed) or without sealed/hidden cases (suppressed). You need to ask for each one separately if you want both.
- An unsuppressed record includes sealed, suppressed, and hidden cases. A suppressed record leaves those out.
Last Reviewed: July 24, 2023