Certificate of Disposition

What is a Certificate of Disposition?

A Certificate of Disposition is a New York Court document that has the status of a criminal case or its final disposition (or outcome). In other words, it is a certified record of what happened in a particular criminal case.

Why do I need a Certificate of Disposition?

You will need a Certificate of Disposition if you have ever been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense. You may be asked to supply it if you are applying for a job, renting an apartment, applying for U.S. citizenship, applying for a license, or are being charged with a new criminal case. The Certificate of Disposition can be used to show that you have a clean criminal record since that particular occurrence, and that you have been staying out of trouble since that particular case. It will show what the crime was and what was the outcome. A Certificate of Disposition can also give you an opportunity to explain the specific circumstances of the crime.

Where can I get a Certificate of Disposition?

A Certificate of Disposition can be obtained from the office of the Court Clerk in either the Criminal Court or the Supreme Court in the county where you were arrested. You will need the docket number, the defendant's full name and date of birth, the date of arrest, a photo ID, and $10 (exact change only). Only the defendant, their representation, or a person with notarized permission of the defendant can access the record. If the defendant has a sealed case, you must attach a notarized letter from the defendant giving you specific permission to release the disposition on behalf of the defendant.