New York Warrant Search

Are Warrants Public Record in New York

Pursuant to New York State's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), codified in Public Officers Law Article 6, §§ 84-90, warrants are generally considered public records in New York State. This accessibility stems from the state's commitment to governmental transparency and the public's right to information regarding law enforcement actions and judicial proceedings. The foundational premise of this policy is that public access to such information promotes community safety, governmental accountability, and informed citizenship.

Warrant records in New York State are accessible to members of the public unless specifically sealed by court order in accordance with Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50. Sealing typically occurs when the release of warrant information could potentially compromise an ongoing investigation, violate protected privacy interests, or otherwise impede the administration of justice. The public nature of these records serves to foster transparency between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.

The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services maintains comprehensive databases of criminal justice information, including certain warrant data. Additionally, the New York State Police publishes information about individuals with outstanding warrants through their Wanted and Missing Persons database.

New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services
Alfred E. Smith Building
80 South Swan Street
Albany, NY 12210
(518) 457-8413
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

What Is Contents in Warrant Records in New York?

Warrant records maintained by New York State authorities typically contain several essential components as prescribed by Criminal Procedure Law § 120.10. These records generally include:

Subject identification information: Full legal name of the individual against whom the warrant is issued, date of birth, physical description, and, when available, fingerprint identification number (NYSID)
Issuance details: The specific date on which the warrant was authorized and executed
Jurisdictional information: The legal authority under which the warrant was issued, including the specific county, city, or township
Offense specifications: Detailed description of the alleged criminal violation, including the relevant section of the New York State Penal Law
Bail determination: If applicable, the bail amount established by the court in accordance with Criminal Procedure Law § 520.10
Judicial authorization: The name and title of the judge or magistrate who authorized the warrant
Case docket number: The unique identifier assigned to the case by the issuing court

For tax warrants, the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance maintains records that include the taxpayer's name, warrant amount, filing date, and county of filing. Similarly, child support enforcement warrants contain information regarding the obligor's identity and outstanding support obligations.

How to Check For Warrants in New York For Free

Members of the public may verify the existence of warrants in New York State without financial cost through several official channels. The most direct method involves visiting the county courthouse where the warrant may have been filed. Each of New York's 62 counties maintains a County Clerk's Office where such inquiries can be processed.

New York County Clerk's Office
60 Centre Street, Room 141B
New York, NY 10007
(646) 386-5955
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Additionally, many local law enforcement agencies provide warrant verification services at no cost. The Erie County Sheriff's Office, for example, maintains a searchable online database of active warrants within their jurisdiction.

Erie County Sheriff's Office
10 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 858-7618
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

For New York City residents, the NYC311 service provides information about accessing arrest warrant data through the Criminal Court's information line.

How to Know If You Have a Warrant in New York in 2025

To determine the existence of a warrant in New York State in 2025, individuals may utilize several official resources. The New York State Office of Court Administration maintains electronic databases that are regularly updated with warrant information from courts throughout the state.

Methods for warrant verification include:

County courthouse inquiry: Individuals may visit the clerk's office at their local county courthouse to request warrant information. Proper identification is required, and the search is conducted using the court's electronic case management system.
Law enforcement agency contact: Many police departments and sheriff's offices provide warrant verification services through their records divisions. The New York State Police maintains a Wanted and Missing Persons database that is accessible to the public.
Legal representation consultation: Licensed attorneys have access to secure court information systems and can conduct warrant searches on behalf of their clients. This method provides the additional benefit of immediate legal counsel should a warrant be discovered.

New York State Office of Court Administration
25 Beaver Street
New York, NY 10004
(800) 268-7869
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

How to Check For Outstanding Warrants in New York

Verification of outstanding warrants in New York State may be accomplished through several official channels. Pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law § 120.80, warrants remain active until executed or formally vacated by the issuing court.

Resources available for outstanding warrant verification include:

Unified Court System: The New York State Unified Court System maintains records of active warrants issued by courts throughout the state. Individuals may contact the specific court that might have issued the warrant to verify its status.
County Sheriff's Offices: Each county sheriff's office maintains records of active warrants within their jurisdiction. Many, like the Erie County Sheriff's Office, provide online search capabilities.
Municipal Police Departments: Local police departments maintain warrant databases for their jurisdictions. The New York City Police Department provides warrant information through the Criminal Court's information line.

New York State Unified Court System
Office of Court Administration
25 Beaver Street
New York, NY 10004
(800) 268-7869
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

How to Find Federal Warrant Search

Federal warrants, issued by United States District Courts pursuant to Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 4, require specific search procedures distinct from state warrant inquiries. These warrants are executed by federal law enforcement agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Marshals Service, or other federal authorities.

To conduct a federal warrant search, individuals may:

Contact U.S. District Courts: The United States District Court for the relevant federal judicial district maintains records of federal warrants issued within its jurisdiction. New York State is divided into four federal judicial districts: Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western.
Federal law enforcement inquiry: Federal agencies maintain databases of active federal warrants. The United States Marshals Service, in particular, is responsible for executing federal arrest warrants and maintains comprehensive warrant records.
Federal defender services: The Federal Defenders of New York provides legal assistance and can conduct federal warrant searches for eligible individuals.

United States District Court, Southern District of New York
Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse
500 Pearl Street
New York, NY 10007
(212) 805-0136
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM