Search Yonkers Background Check

Background check records for Yonkers flow through the Westchester County court system and state agencies. Yonkers is the fourth largest city in New York State, sitting just north of the Bronx. The Westchester County Clerk in White Plains holds Supreme and County Court records. Yonkers City Court handles misdemeanors, violations, and felony arraignments within city limits. DCJS and OCA provide state-level record access. The 9th Judicial District covers Westchester County. Several search paths exist for people who need records from this area.

Westchester County Handles Yonkers Records

Westchester County is the county that manages court records for Yonkers. The Westchester County Clerk's Office is at 110 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd in White Plains. Phone: (914) 995-3080. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. The clerk keeps Supreme and County Court records, including criminal case files, judgments, and dispositions. In-person record inspection is free during business hours. Copy fees are $0.65 per page. Certified copies cost $8 to $10.

Yonkers City Court processes misdemeanor criminal cases, violations, traffic infractions, and felony arraignments for the city. Felonies move to Westchester County Supreme Court after arraignment. The court is part of the 9th Judicial District. Public access terminals are available at the courthouse. For certified court documents, contact the clerk of the court where the case was filed. Dispositions from city court are separate from county court records, though the OCA statewide search covers both.

Background Check Search Methods for Yonkers

The OCA Criminal History Record Search covers all courts across New York State. It costs $95 per name. Each alias or alternate date of birth is a separate search with its own fee. Results include open cases and convictions from county, supreme, city, town, and village courts in all 62 counties. An exact name and date of birth match is needed. Sealed records are excluded. Submit online through Direct Access or mail to 25 Beaver Street, Room 940, New York, NY 10004.

The DCJS record review uses fingerprints for the most accurate match. Under Executive Law Article 35, DCJS holds the central criminal history repository. A personal review costs $62 to $65. Fingerprints go through IdentoGO. Rap sheets cover arrests, convictions, and sentences from agencies across the state. Two response types exist: suppressed and unsuppressed. Suppressed responses leave out sealed records. Unsuppressed responses include records sealed under CPL 160.50, 160.55, 160.58, 160.59, and 720.35.

At the county level, the Westchester County Clerk offers name searches for $5 to $15. Copies are $0.65 per page. A two-year search certificate is $10.

Yonkers Law Enforcement Records

The Yonkers Police Department handles law enforcement in the city. Arrest records and incident reports are kept by the department. Records requests go through FOIL. Any person can request records under Public Officers Law Sections 84 through 90. The agency must respond within five business days. Copies cost 25 cents per page. DCJS criminal history records are not available through FOIL.

The Westchester County Department of Correction runs the county jail. Jail records are available through the department. The Westchester County District Attorney prosecutes criminal cases in the county. Records requests to the DA go through FOIL as well. For state prison records, the DOCCS lookup covers current inmates and parolees. The Sex Offender Registry covers Westchester County. Level 2 and Level 3 offenders are in the online directory. Call 800-262-3257 for Level 1 inquiries.

A FOIL request must be in writing. Describe the records you need as clearly as you can. Include names, dates, and case numbers if you have them. The agency has five business days to respond. That response can grant access, deny it with a reason, or set a date when the records will be ready. If extra time is needed, the agency gets up to 20 business days. You can appeal a denial within 30 days. The appeals officer must respond within 10 business days. If the appeal fails, you can start an Article 78 proceeding in Supreme Court. FOIL covers records in any form, including digital files, emails, photos, and paper documents. Non-residents can file requests too.

Record Sealing and the Clean Slate Act

New York's Clean Slate Act took effect November 16, 2024. Eligible misdemeanor convictions can be sealed three years after the sentence is done. Felonies take eight years. The person must have no new convictions or pending charges. Sex offenses under SORA and non-drug Class A felonies are excluded. OCA has up to three years to build the automated process. Until it is running, DCJS background check results may still show convictions that will eventually be sealed.

People with convictions not covered by automatic sealing can petition under CPL 160.59. Certificates of Relief from Disabilities apply to one felony or any number of misdemeanors. Certificates of Good Conduct cover two or more felonies. Neither seals the record. They provide a legal presumption of rehabilitation. No filing fee is charged. Apply in the court where your last conviction was entered. For out-of-state convictions, apply in the county where you live now.

Driving Records and Additional Searches

A driving record abstract from the DMV is often part of a background check. Standard abstracts are $7 through MyDMV. DWI convictions appear for 15 years. DWAI stays 10 years. Vehicular homicide is permanent. A certified copy by mail costs $10 using Form MV-15. You can also visit a DMV office in person with Form MV-15C and a photo ID.

Nearby Cities

Other cities in the lower Hudson Valley and Westchester County area.