Criminal records in Nassau County, New York, are available through several channels. NassauCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the state's official court systems, the Nassau County Sheriff's Department, and the County Clerk's office, which maintains court documents and public records.
How to Search Criminal Records in Nassau
There are several ways to search for criminal records. Start with what you know about the person or case.
What You Need to Start a Search
- Full name of the person (name in Latin script, as in court documents)
- Date of birth (if known)
- Case number (case number or index number)
- NYSID — New York State Identification number (for requests through DCJS)
Online Search
- NassauCourt.us — enter the name or case number to find publicly available data on criminal cases in Nassau County.
- New York State Courts Portal (WebCivil Supreme) — allows you to search Supreme Court cases by party name or index number. County Court criminal cases are also partially available through the state's eCourts system.
- NY DCJS — Criminal History Records — The Division of Criminal Justice Services maintains the official registry of criminal histories. New York residents can request their own criminal history through this service.
- NY Sex Offender Registry — search for level 2 and 3 individuals convicted of sex crimes.
- DOCCS Inmate Lookup — the state Department of Corrections database for finding individuals who are or have been in state custody.
In-Person Visit
Paper court cases are stored at the Nassau County Clerk's office. Supreme Court cases (paper records since 2015), as well as microfiche and microfilm, are stored at:
You can also use the court case requisition form online — after submitting your request, you will be contacted about the status.
Mail Request
A written request for a criminal history check is sent to the NY Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). This usually requires fingerprints processed through an authorized location. Official checks for employment and licensing are conducted through DCJS.
Search Nassau Criminal Cases by Case Number
In New York State, criminal case numbers have a specific format depending on the court level.
- Index Number (Supreme Court) — usually consists of the filing year and a sequential number, for example: 2024/12345. The year indicates when the case was opened.
- Docket Number / Case Number (County Court, District Court) — may include a prefix indicating the type of case (CR — criminal), year, and sequential number. The format may vary between District Court and County Court.
- Accusatory Instrument Number — used for misdemeanor and violation cases in lower courts.
If you have a case number, the search will be more precise than by name. Enter it in the appropriate field on NassauCourt.us or on the state courts portal. Note: some criminal cases have limited public access, especially sealed cases according to CPL § 160.50.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Nassau
Each criminal case contains several key elements. Here's what they mean in practice.
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific article of New York State Penal Law, e.g., PL § 155.25 (petit larceny) |
| Felony | Serious crime — classes from A (most serious) to E |
| Misdemeanor | Less serious crime — classes A and B; primarily handled in District Court |
| Violation | Offense that is not a crime (e.g., disorderly conduct) |
| Amended Charges | Charges modified by the prosecutor during proceedings — often a reduction in severity as part of a plea bargain |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, no decision has been made yet
- Active — proceedings are ongoing, hearings are scheduled
- Disposed — the case is concluded (verdict, closure, or dismissal)
- Sealed — the case is sealed by court order; public access is closed
Types of Hearings
- Arraignment — first appearance of the accused before a judge, reading of charges
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge determines if there is sufficient basis to continue the case
- Pre-trial Conference — meeting of parties before the trial
- Trial — court hearing on the merits
- Sentencing — pronouncement of sentence after a guilty plea or conviction
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty — by jury verdict or plea |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted |
| Dismissed | Case closed by prosecutor or judge |
| Acquitted | Acquitted after full trial |
| Adjourned in Contemplation of Dismissal (ACD) | Case adjourned; if the defendant does not violate conditions, it will be closed and sealed |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Nassau
Certified copies are officially authenticated documents accepted by courts and government agencies.
Where to Apply
To obtain certified copies of court documents (verdicts, decisions), contact the County Clerk's office:
For an official criminal history check at the state level, the request is submitted through DCJS. This process requires fingerprinting.
How to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the clerk's office with identification (driver's license or passport). Request a certified copy of the required document.
- Online — fill out the court case requisition form. You will be informed about the status of your request.
- By Mail — send a written request to the clerk's address, indicating the case number, party name, and type of document. Include payment (check or money order payable to Nassau County Clerk).
Required Documents
- Photo identification
- Case number or full name and date of birth of the accused
- For requests through DCJS — fingerprints processed through an authorized location (IdentoGO)
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Nassau
Fees for copies and certification are set according to New York State law (specifically, CPLR § 8019 and County Law).
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Regular copy of a court document (per page) | $0.65 |
| Document certification | $1.25 per document (in addition to the copy cost) |
| Document exemplification | $5.00 |
| Criminal history check through DCJS (for individuals) | Approximately $75.00 (includes fingerprint processing through IdentoGO) |
Processing Time
- In Person — copies are usually issued the same day if the case is available in the archive.
- Online Requisition — processing may take several business days; you will be notified of the status by email.
- Requests through DCJS — from 2 to 4 weeks depending on workload.
- Mail Requests — add delivery time; generally from 1 to 3 weeks.
Check current fees directly with the Nassau County Clerk's office, as amounts may change.