Syracuse Criminal History Records
Syracuse criminal history records come from several sources across the city and Onondaga County. The Syracuse Police Department handles requests for local arrest and incident records through an online portal. The Onondaga County Sheriff runs the county jail and keeps a separate records unit for background checks and incident reports. Cases filed in city court and county court are searchable online through the state's eCourts system. This guide covers the main ways to search and get criminal history records in Syracuse, New York, and points you to the offices that handle each type of request.
Syracuse Overview
Syracuse Police Department Records
The Syracuse Police Department uses an online FOIL portal to manage public records requests. You can submit a request, check its status, and receive documents all through the same system. This is the main way to get arrest records, incident reports, and other law enforcement documents held by the city.
The Syracuse Police Department Records Portal at syr.justfoia.com lets you submit and track FOIL requests online. The portal covers police reports, arrest records, and use-of-force incidents. You will need to create a free account to use it. Requests go to the department's records unit and are processed under New York's Freedom of Information Law. Agencies must acknowledge your request within 5 business days.
This portal is the fastest way to request police records in Syracuse without visiting in person. Most document requests are fulfilled electronically.
The department's main address is the Syracuse Public Safety Building. For questions about a specific case or report, call the records unit directly. Open cases and active investigations are not available through FOIL until authorized by law.
| Syracuse Police Department | 511 South State Street, Syracuse, NY 13202 Phone: (315) 442-5111 |
|---|---|
| Records Portal | syr.justfoia.com |
| Syracuse City Clerk | 233 E. Washington Street, Syracuse, NY 13202 Phone: (315) 448-8210 |
Syracuse City Court Criminal Records
The Syracuse City Court Criminal Division handles misdemeanor cases and city code violations that start in Syracuse. The court is part of the 5th Judicial District. It processes criminal court proceedings, appeals, fine payments, bail matters, and related filings.
You can search pending city court cases online through the state's WebCrims system, which shows upcoming court dates and defendant information for active cases.
Pending criminal case records in Onondaga County are searchable through eCourts. The WebCriminal tool shows active cases with future court dates. You can search by defendant name or case number. The system is free to use and does not require an account. For sealed or older records, you need to contact the court clerk directly.
Felony cases are handled by the Onondaga County Court, not City Court. If you are looking for a felony conviction or a case that was indicted to the grand jury, start with the County Clerk's Office at the Onondaga County Courthouse, 401 Montgomery Street, Syracuse.
Onondaga County Sheriff Records Unit
The Onondaga County Sheriff's Office Records Unit is located at 407 South State Street in Syracuse. The unit handles personal criminal background checks, accident and incident reports, and alarm permits. This office is separate from the Syracuse Police Department and serves the wider county area.
You can request records from the Sheriff's Records Unit by mail or in person. Mail requests must include the DR number or case number, a copy of a valid photo ID, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and the applicable fee. Open cases cannot be released until authorized. The Records Unit phone number is (315) 435-3044. The Records Access Officer can be reached at (315) 435-3010. More details are on the Onondaga County Sheriff Records Unit page.
The Sheriff also runs the Onondaga County Justice Center, which holds people in pre-trial custody and those serving shorter sentences. Current inmate status can be checked online through the county's inmate lookup tool.
Note: Background checks held by DCJS are separate from local police records and require a formal fingerprint-based review process that cannot be initiated through the county sheriff or city police.
Statewide Criminal History Search Options
Several state-level tools cover criminal history beyond just Syracuse. Each has different scope and cost.
The OCA Criminal History Record Search costs $95 and checks court records from all 62 New York counties. It searches by name across all courts in the state. This is a name-based search and does not use fingerprints. Results show court dispositions, not arrest records that did not lead to charges. The Office of Court Administration runs this service.
The Division of Criminal Justice Services holds the state's fingerprint-based criminal record database. This is the most complete source of criminal history in New York. However, DCJS records are not public. A person can review their own record through IdentoGo for about $60.75. Out-of-state requesters pay $44.25. These records cannot be obtained through FOIL.
For people currently in state custody, the DOCCS Incarcerated Lookup is a free tool. It covers inmates from 1982 forward and shows conviction charges, sentence length, and release status. Search by name or Department Identification Number.
The state's Sex Offender Registry at criminaljustice.ny.gov/nsor lets you search Level 2 and Level 3 registrants by name or location. Level 1 registrants are not online but can be looked up by calling 800-262-3257.
Record Sealing Laws in Syracuse
New York has several laws that seal criminal records in certain situations. Under CPL 160.50, a case that ends in dismissal, acquittal, or an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal is fully sealed. This means law enforcement and courts keep internal access, but the record is not public. CPL 160.55 provides partial sealing when a charge is reduced to a violation level.
The Clean Slate Act, which took effect November 16, 2024, will automatically seal eligible convictions after a waiting period. Misdemeanors become eligible after three years and felonies after eight years, both measured from release or sentencing. Sex offenses and non-drug Class A felonies are excluded. The Office of Court Administration has up to three years to build the system. Until then, DCJS records still reflect convictions that may later qualify.
People in Syracuse with questions about sealing can reach out to legal aid services. The Legal Services of Central New York office can be a starting point. You can also contact the Onondaga County Public Defender at (315) 435-5770 for guidance on whether your record may qualify.
CPL 720.35 seals youthful offender records for people charged with crimes committed between ages 16 and 18. These records are not accessible to the public and do not show up in most searches.
FOIL Requests for Syracuse Records
New York's Freedom of Information Law, found in Public Officers Law Article 6, gives the public the right to request most government records. This includes police reports, court records, and related documents held by city and county agencies.
For Syracuse city agencies, use the online FOIL portal. For county-level records, contact the relevant county office directly. Agencies must acknowledge your request within 5 business days. They then have 20 business days to provide the records or explain any delay in writing. Copies typically cost $0.25 per page. Electronic delivery is free when available.
Note that DCJS criminal history records and records sealed under CPL 160.50 are not subject to FOIL. If you need those, you must go through the proper review process.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Syracuse. Each has its own page with local criminal history record information.