Criminal records in Albany County, New York, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the county clerk's office. AlbanyNYCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. The New York State Unified Court System, the Albany County Clerk, and local law enforcement offices also provide access to case records, background checks, and related documents.
How to Search Criminal Records in Albany
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Albany County. The method you choose depends on what information you already have and what type of record you need.
Online Search Options
- AlbanyNYCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information by name or case number.
- New York State Unified Court System (WebCriminal) — The NYS courts operate an eCourts / WebCriminal portal that allows searches of criminal case data in Supreme and County courts statewide, including Albany County.
- DOCCS Incarcerated Lookup — The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision offers an incarcerated individual lookup tool to search for people currently in state custody, including county of commitment.
- New York State Police — The Wanted and Missing page lists individuals wanted on criminal warrants.
In Person
- Visit the Albany County Clerk's Office at 16 Eagle Street, Room 128, Albany, NY 12207. Public access terminals may be available for court record searches.
- The Albany County Courthouse also provides access to case files through the clerk's criminal division.
By Mail or Written Request
- Submit a written request to the Albany County Clerk for copies of criminal court records.
- For a formal criminal history report, contact the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), which maintains the state's criminal history repository. Requests typically require fingerprinting.
- Government records held by the City of Albany can also be requested under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). Police reports in which you are the subject can be requested by emailing the Albany Police Department's report request unit.
What You Need to Start a Search
- Full legal name of the individual
- Date of birth (if known)
- Case number or docket number (if available)
- NYSID number (for criminal justice agencies only)
Search Albany Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is straightforward. In New York, criminal case numbers follow a format assigned by the court and typically include:
- County or court code — identifies the court where the case was filed (e.g., Albany County Court or Albany City Court)
- Case type indicator — a letter or abbreviation denoting the case category, such as "CR" for criminal or "FEL" for felony indictments
- Year — the two- or four-digit year the case was filed
- Sequence number — a unique number assigned in the order the case was received
For example, a case number might appear as something like 2024-1234 with a prefix identifying the court. Enter the full case number into the court's electronic search system to pull up charges, hearing dates, and disposition information. If you're unsure of the format, the clerk's office can help you locate the correct case.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Albany
Criminal case records in Albany County contain several key data points. Here's what each one means:
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The New York Penal Law section the defendant is charged under (e.g., PL 155.25 for petit larceny) |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or violation — determines the court that handles the case and potential penalties |
| Amended charges | Charges may be reduced or changed through plea negotiations or grand jury action |
Case Status
- Pending — The case is open and awaiting further proceedings
- Active — Court proceedings are ongoing
- Disposed — A final outcome has been reached (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.)
- Closed — All court activity is complete, including sentencing and any post-judgment motions
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — The defendant's first court appearance where charges are read and bail is set
- Preliminary hearing — A judge determines whether enough evidence exists to proceed (more common in felony cases)
- Pre-trial conference — Attorneys discuss case issues, potential plea deals, and trial preparation
- Sentencing — The judge imposes a sentence after a guilty plea or conviction at trial
- Review hearing — Follow-up appearances to check compliance with court orders or conditions
Court Results (Dispositions)
- Guilty — Convicted by plea or verdict
- Not guilty — Acquitted at trial
- Dismissed — Charges dropped by the court or prosecution
- Acquitted — Found not responsible after trial
- Adjourned in Contemplation of Dismissal (ACD) — Case is adjourned and will be dismissed if the defendant stays out of trouble for a specified period; this is common in New York courts
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Albany
Certified copies of criminal records carry an official court seal and are accepted for legal, employment, and licensing purposes.
Where to Request
- Albany County Clerk's Office — Handles certified copies of court documents filed in Albany County Court and Supreme Court.
- Albany City Court Clerk — For misdemeanor and violation-level cases handled in city court.
- NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) — For an official criminal history record check, which requires fingerprint submission.
How to Submit a Request
- In person: Visit the appropriate clerk's office with a valid government-issued photo ID.
- By mail: Send a written request to the clerk's office with your full name, case number (if known), date of birth, and a copy of your photo ID. Include payment for applicable fees.
- FOIL request: Certain government-held records can be requested through Open FOIL NY or directly through the City of Albany's FOIL process.
Under the New York Personal Privacy Protection Law, individuals have the right to access records about themselves maintained by state agencies and may request corrections to inaccurate information.
Albany County Clerk's Office
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Albany
Fees for criminal record copies in Albany County are set by New York State statute and local fee schedules. Below are commonly applicable costs:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Photocopy of court record (per page) | $0.65 |
| Certification of a document | $1.25 per certification |
| DCJS criminal history record check (fingerprint-based) | $75.00 |
| FOIL request copies (per page, standard) | $0.25 |
Copy fees for court records are established under New York CPLR § 8019. FOIL copy fees are set under Public Officers Law § 87. The DCJS fingerprint-based background check fee is set by DCJS policy.
Processing Times
- In-person requests: Often fulfilled the same day or within a few business days, depending on the record type.
- Mail requests: Typically 1–3 weeks, depending on the clerk's current workload.
- DCJS background checks: Usually processed within 2–4 weeks after fingerprints are submitted.
- FOIL requests: Agencies must acknowledge receipt within 5 business days and generally respond within 20 business days, though complex requests may take longer.
Payment methods vary by office. Check with the Albany County Clerk or the specific court clerk for accepted forms of payment before submitting your request.