What information is required when conducting a criminal history record search (CHRS)?
The NYS Office of Court Administration (OCA) requires the individual's Full Name and Date of Birth.

How does OCA's Criminal History Record Search program work?
Complete the CHRS application form which can be downloaded from the NYS Courts website (www.nycourts.gov/apps/chrs.) Print the full name and date of birth of the individual(s) you want searched. Submit the application with a check or money order made out to the NYS Office of Court Administration. The search mechanism is based on finding an EXACT match of the actual name and date of birth of the individual searched. The individual's middle initial is not used as part of the search mechanism. Any variation of either the Name or DOB in the database is not considered a match and is not reported. Searches can also be requested for business entities.

How can I submit a CHRS request to OCA?
There are several ways to submit. You can download a copy of the CHRS application form used to request searches via the New York State Court's website: www.nycourts.gov/apps/chrs. The request can be mailed (include a self addressed stamped envelope if you like results mailed back), hand delivered, or submitted via OCA's on-line application called 'Direct Access.' Results can be emailed by specifying your preference and including your email address.

What is Direct Access?
Direct Access is the NYS Office of Court Administration's (OCA)on-line Criminal History Record Search (CHRS) program where the general public can request a New York Statewide criminal background search. For more information, visit our website at: www.nycourts.gov/apps/chrs.

How many counties are included in the New York Statewide search?
All of the State's 62 counties. Individual electronic county searches are not provided.

Why does OCA not provide information on violations and infractions?
As a result of a recent case filed in a New York court, the Unified Court System has reviewed its policy regarding the contents of criminal history summaries that it provides to individuals and businesses upon their request and for a fee. The review has resulted in a change of policy to the extent that the summaries provided will report only convictions on charges that New York State law regards as crimes. Crimes are defined by New York State law as including misdemeanors and felonies only. Convictions on offenses classified as violations and infractions which are not crimes as defined by New York State law will no longer be reported unless the criminal history summary includes a misdemeanor or felony conviction for the same event.

Can courts request additional fees from customers who are pursuing incomplete case information reported via the CHRS program?
Yes. The New York (OCA) Statewide CHRS program provides an 'electronic' search of the NYS Court's criminal disposition database reporting the latest information supplied by the courts. If the CHRS report is incomplete and the customer decides to contact the court for additional information, the court, observing their individual operating guidelines, may legitimately request additional fees and instruct you to submit your inquiry by mail.

How far back are cases searched in each respective county?
Refer to OCA's C.R.I.M.S (County) Data Chart

How often are cases updated?
Within New York City , cases are updated approximately every 24 hours and outside NYC an average of once a week.

Is there a website with court addresses and phone numbers?
Yes. The New York State Court's website: www.nycourts.gov/courts have information which provides court addresses and phone numbers (click Trial Courts or Town/Village Courts.)

What is the CHRS turnaround time for results?
Upon receipt, CHRS results are completed within 48 hours. Customers who use Direct Access, OCA's online application, typically receives results within three to five hours.

How are dual or hyphenated surnames processed through the CHRS program?
Names searched with a dual (e.g., Garcia Rivera, James) or hyphenated (e.g., Garcia-Rivera, James) surname will generate the following variations: with a hyphen (e.g., Garcia-Rivera), with a space (e.g., Garcia Rivera), and dual names together (e.g., Garcia Rivera) Dual surnames are not automatically reconfigured and searched in its single format (e.g., Garcia-Rivera, James searched as Garcia, James and Rivera, James.)

How are surnames appearing with an apostrophe processed through the CHRS program?
Names searched with surnames appearing with an apostrophe (e.g., O'Donahue) will generate the following variations: with an apostrophe (e.g., O'Donahue), with a space (e.g., O Donahue), and surname intact (e.g., ODonahue.)

How are names appearing with a suffix (e.g., Jr., III) processed through the CHRS program?
Names searched with a suffix will prompt the following variations: with a suffix as entered (e.g., John Smith Jr.) and without (e.g., John Smith.) However, names searched without a suffix will not generate names appearing with a suffix in the database.

Are Town and Village courts criminal disposition data included in the NYS Statewide search?
NYS Town and Village court dispositions are not available for the period May 1991 through 2002. As of April 2007, all Town and Village courts report to OCA. All City and County/Supreme courts, within the 62 counties, are required to report criminal disposition data to the NYS Office of Court Administration. Are the CHRS results provided by the Office of Court Administration certified?

Are the CHRS results provided by the Office of Court Administration certified?
No. However, you can contact the court of origination and request a Certificate of Disposition for a nominal fee. A Certificate of Disposition is an official court document affixed with the Court Seal reflecting the disposition of the case. Court Locations and phone numbers are available on the New York State Court's website: www.nycourts.gov/courts.

What days of the year is the NYS Office of Court Administration's CHRS Unit closed for business?
The holiday schedule for the NYS Office of Court Administration is available via the New York State Court's website.

REV 09/30/11