Division of Criminal Justice Services

Need to review your New York State criminal history or verify that you don’t have a criminal record in the state?

Learn about the Criminal History request process »

Interested in becoming a security guard? Are you a police or peace officer who wants to enhance your skills?

Check out training schedules, requirements »

Register for alerts when
children, college students and
vulnerable adults go missing.

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New York State's
Sex Offender Registry

Learn More »
 
  • New York State Commercial Security Tax Credit: Applications Now Being Accepted

    The Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) administers the state’s Commercial Security Tax Credit Program. The program provides a tax credit to small retail businesses (50 or fewer employees) that operate a physical location or locations in the state and incur costs associated with retail theft prevention measures. Businesses may be eligible for a $3,000 credit per retail location, depending on the business size and expenses, and must submit their application by Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024.

    More information about the tax credit, including qualifying retail theft prevention measures >>

  • New York State’s Clean Slate Act

    New York State’s Clean Slate Act takes effect Nov. 16, 2024, and provides the state Office of Court Administration (OCA) up to three years to develop the required processes to automatically seal eligible conviction records. Once that work is complete, convictions that meet certain criteria will be sealed for certain civil background check purposes.

    It is important to note that until OCA implements these sealing processes, any criminal history record provided through the DCJS Records Review process will continue to include convictions that eventually will be sealed because of Clean Slate. DCJS cannot seal records until receiving an order from the court to do so.

    NOTE: Records of individuals convicted of sex crimes and non-drug Class A felonies, including murder, will not be sealed. Police departments, sheriffs’ offices, prosecutors, the courts, and any employer permitted by to perform fingerprint-based background checks on job applicants will continue to have access to all criminal records under the law.

    Additional information about the Clean Slate Act >>

  • New York State’s Firearm Laws: Resources and Information

    New York State’s Gun Safety website provides the public, gun owners and gun dealers with comprehensive information about the requirements detailed in state laws. Questions about the new law may be directed to 1-855-LAW-GUNS.

    Gun Safety in New York State >>

    Frequently Asked Questions >>

    Department of Environmental Conservation FAQs >>

    Minimum Standards for Firearm Safety Training >>