New York Statewide Criminal Background Check
Search felony and misdemeanor court records from every New York county with one order. BCS Background Screening LLC pulls results directly from the NYS Office of Court Administration (OCA).
As a result, one FCRA-compliant report covers open cases and convictions from County, Supreme, City, Town, and Village courts.
Same day when no records are found
New York Statewide Criminal Background Check at a Glance
Employers, property managers, and volunteer groups use this search to review New York criminal records fast. Below, you can compare every key detail before you order.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | $20.00 per name, plus the NY OCA fee. OCA currently charges $98.00 per search. |
| Data Source | NYS Unified Court System, Office of Court Administration, Criminal History Record Search (CHRS) |
| Courts Covered | County, Supreme, City, Town, and Village criminal courts in all 62 counties |
| Records Returned | Open or pending cases and convictions, including felonies and misdemeanors |
| Turnaround | Same day when no records are found. Record hits may take 2–3 business days for verification. |
| Search Method | Exact match of the applicant’s full name and date of birth |
| Report Details | Court, docket number, arrest date, charges, severity, disposition, disposition date, and sentence |
What a New York Criminal Records Search Includes
A county-by-county search in New York can take weeks. By contrast, the OCA statewide database consolidates criminal court data into one search.
Superior Courts
County Court and Supreme Court criminal cases, where prosecutors bring most felony charges.
City Courts
Misdemeanor and felony arraignments from city criminal courts across the state.
Town and Village Courts
Local criminal cases reported to OCA. However, some older local data has gaps.
Full Case Details
Charges, severity codes, dispositions, sentences, and last activity dates for each case.
How to Order a New York Background Check
Ordering a New York statewide criminal background check takes only minutes. Afterward, BCS Background Screening LLC handles the OCA request and delivers results to your secure portal.
- 1
Open an Account
Create a free business account and complete FCRA credentialing.
- 2
Enter Applicant Data
Submit the exact legal name and date of birth. Also, order each alias as a separate name.
- 3
OCA Searches Records
OCA matches the name and DOB statewide. Then, clerks verify any record hits.
- 4
Review Results
View the formatted report online. Next, apply your adverse action process if needed.
Sample New York Statewide Criminal Report
This sample shows how a real-time New York statewide search appears in your account. The subject, identifiers, and case numbers are fictitious.
State Criminal Search Real-Time
- Jurisdiction Searched
- New York
- Name Searched
- GRANT ELLIOT MERCER
- DOB Searched
- 11/14/****
- SSN Searched
- 087-42-****
- Search ID
- 572183
- Reference
- HUDSON
- Date Ordered
- 06/15/2026
- Date Completed
- 06/16/2026
- Status
- Record Found
- Case Number
- New York Unified Courts
- Verified By
- DOB, Name
- File Date
- 09/19/2024
- Crime
- See report below – document attached
- Type of Crime
- Felony; Misdemeanor
Unified Court System
OFFICE OF COURT ADMINISTRATION
25 Beaver Street
New York, New York 10004
CHRS@nycourts.gov
Criminal History Record Search (CHRS) Program
Criminal Disposition Information
| Bill To Information | Job No | Delivery Type | Order Date | Order Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BCS Background Screening LLC 1172 South Dixie Hwy – 257 Coral Gables, FL 33146 | 9861457 | 06/15/2026 | 10:47 AM |
All sentences for a misdemeanor with a term of incarceration of “one year” or “365 days” are, by operation of law, interpreted to mean and be applied as a sentence of 364 days. Any CHRS report that displays a sentence of one year for such misdemeanors should be read to mean a sentence of 364 days.
Example: PL 220.03.00 AM
- PL Penal Law (NYS law)
- 220.03 Section
- 00 Subsection
- AM Severity “A” Misdemeanor
- I Infraction
- V Violation
- M Misdemeanor
- F Felony
What the NY Statewide Criminal Report Does Not Include
OCA sets clear limits on its Criminal History Record Search. Therefore, review these exclusions before you rely on a clear result.
- Family, civil, and federal court cases
- Sealed records, including convictions sealed under the Clean Slate Act
- Non-criminal offenses, such as violations and infractions
- Cases where the only conviction is a single misdemeanor over ten years old
- Pending cases that qualify for youthful offender treatment
- Cases transferred or removed to Family Court
- Town and Village Court dispositions from May 1991 through 2002
- Undisposed cases with no activity for five years, unless a warrant is open
- Marijuana convictions that New York vacated and expunged
- Nationwide or FBI fingerprint records
Compliance Rules for New York Criminal Background Checks
New York adds strict rules on top of the federal FCRA. For a full breakdown, read our guide to New York background check laws for employers.
Article 23-A
Weigh eight factors before denying a job over a conviction. Correction Law Article 23-A also requires giving applicants a copy of the law.
Seven-Year Rule
GBL § 380-j limits older conviction reporting. However, the limit lifts for jobs paying $25,000 or more.
Clean Slate Act
CPL § 160.57 seals eligible misdemeanors after three years and felonies after eight years.
NYC Fair Chance Act
In New York City, run criminal checks only after a conditional offer, per the NYC Commission on Human Rights.
Why Employers Choose BCS Background Screening LLC
Our team pairs direct OCA access with the tools New York employers need to stay compliant.
Fast Results
Clear searches often return the same day.
FCRA Compliant
Built-in disclosures, consent, and adverse action tools.
Readable Reports
Every charge, disposition, and sentence appears in plain view.
Secure Accounts
All user accounts offer optional Multiple Authentication Factor (MAF).
Add More Searches to Your New York Background Check
A statewide search covers New York courts only. For that reason, many employers add these searches for a complete picture.
County Criminal Court Search
Researcher-verified county searches in other states where applicants lived.
Federal Criminal Search
Federal district court cases, which OCA does not report.
Nationwide Background Check
SSN trace, national criminal database, sex offender registry, and watchlists.
Motor Vehicle Records
Driving histories for delivery, trucking, sales, and CDL positions.
New York Statewide Criminal Background Check FAQs
How much does a New York statewide criminal background check cost?
BCS Background Screening LLC charges $20.00 per name, plus the NY OCA fee. OCA currently charges $98.00 for each Criminal History Record Search. Order each alias as a separate search.
How long does a New York statewide criminal search take?
Most clear searches return the same day. When records appear, court clerks verify them first. As a result, record hits may take two to three business days.
Which courts does the NY OCA statewide search cover?
The search covers County, Supreme, City, Town, and Village criminal courts in all 62 New York counties. However, it excludes family, civil, and federal courts.
What does the New York criminal report show?
The report lists open or pending cases and convictions. Each case shows the court, docket number, arrest date, charges, severity, disposition, disposition date, and sentence.
How far back does a New York statewide criminal search go?
Coverage start dates vary by county, and Town and Village data has gaps from May 1991 through 2002. Also, OCA omits cases where the only conviction is one misdemeanor over ten years old.
Does the search include sealed or Clean Slate records?
No. OCA does not report sealed records. Under the Clean Slate Act, eligible convictions seal automatically, so they drop out of statewide results.
Can employers use this search for hiring decisions in New York?
Yes, with FCRA disclosure and written consent. Employers must also follow Correction Law Article 23-A. In New York City, wait until after a conditional job offer.
Order a New York Statewide Criminal Background Check Today
Open a free account in minutes. Then search New York criminal records from all 62 counties for $20 plus the NY OCA fee.
Disclaimer: The sample report uses fictitious names, identifiers, and case numbers. OCA fees may change without notice. This page offers general information, not legal advice.