How to Request Your New York State Criminal History
An individual may request a Personal Record Review to obtain:
- A copy of his or her New York State criminal history record, commonly called a rap sheet.
- A “no record” response indicating that he or she has no New York State criminal history record.
Note: An individual cannot request a criminal history record for another person to determine if that person has a criminal history.
How to Request Verification that a Record has been Sealed
Individuals or their lawyer can use the forms that follow to receive verification from the Division of Criminal Justice Services that a court-ordered seal – as defined by state Criminal Procedure Law (CPL) 160.59, 160.55, or 160.50 – has been applied to their New York State Criminal History Record.
- CPL 160.59 Seal Verification Form – This form should be used by individuals who have applied for and received a court order seal related to a conviction that occurred more than 10 years ago.
- CPL 160.55 Seal Verification Form – This form should be used by individuals requesting verification of a seal related to a felony or misdemeanor arrest that resulted in a conviction to either a traffic infraction or violation.
- CPL 160.50 Seal Verification Form – This form should be used by individuals requesting verification of a seal related to an arrest that resulted in the termination of the criminal proceedings in their favor (for example: decline to prosecute, dismissal or acquittal).
Note: A copy of the signed court seal order must be mailed with the verification form.
Requesting Expungement and Destruction of Certain Marijuana Conviction Records (CPL 160.50[5])
State law permits individuals convicted of Penal Law sections 221.05 and 221.10 to ask the court where the conviction occurred to expunge and destroy their criminal history records related to these charges. Individuals seeking destruction of those conviction records must make a formal request through the state Office of Court Administration (OCA). Please visit the OCA website for more information about how to make this request.
Please note: Convictions of Penal Law sections 221.05 and 221.10 have been sealed. This means that all of the arrest, court, prosecution and criminal history records related to those convictions are confidential and cannot be seen except under the following circumstances:
- If an individual is applying for a job as a police or peace officer; and,
- If an individual is applying for a pistol permit.
Individuals who are satisfied with the confidentiality that record sealing already provides are not required to apply for expungement or destruction of conviction records.
Criminal History FAQs Ride-Sharing Driver Applicants Employers/Licensing Entities Suspected Identity Theft
Note: Individuals who have submitted their fingerprints as required by law for employment, licensing or other purpose (for example, adoptions) also will see that information on their Personal Record Review response.
- New York State Criminal History Record Guide (PDF): An example of a criminal history record to provide explanations and details about the type of information that can be included.
- Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Guidelines: Guidance that addresses the exclusion of job applicants with criminal records
Additional information about CPL 160.59
Individuals who have no convictions on their record for at least 10 years and have no charges pending may apply to a court to request that certain New York State convictions be sealed: