Background Check New York: The Ultimate Guide For 2023

If you're searching for information on performing a background check New York search online, you're in luck. You've found the most all-inclusive guide on conducting a New York background check available online.

Our comprehensive guide to New York background checks will not only provide you with all the necessary details but also recommend the most efficient New York background check services. However, it's important to note that obtaining public records in New York may not be a straightforward process.

Despite being accessible to the public, it can be extremely difficult to locate specific background information on an individual amidst a vast amount of documents and data. Therefore, we suggest utilizing New York background check services as they provide the quickest and most precise results.

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7 Best Background Check New York Services

BeenVerified – Best Overall for Background Check New York

PeopleLooker – Best for Fast & Accurate Results

TruthFinder – Best Background check New York Service for Value

Intelius – Best York Service for Accuracy

Instant Checkmate – Best Service for Speed

Spokeo – Best Service for Reverse Email Lookup

US Search – Best Background check New York Service for API Integration

What Is A Background Check New York?

When conducting a New York background check, all available information about an individual is thoroughly examined in state and federal public records.

This evaluation can be conducted by using various identification details such as their name, phone number, or email to access public records and gather more details.

When conducting a New York background check, all available information about an individual is thoroughly examined in state and federal public records.

This evaluation can be conducted by using various identification details such as their name, phone number, or email to access public records and gather more details.

If you decide to search through public records yourself, it's unlikely that you'll uncover all the necessary information. Your chances of obtaining precise background information on a person are higher if you utilize New York's background check services .

When you avail of the services of New York background checks, they use the identification details provided by you to search through their vast database of federal and public records in New York to obtain pertinent information.

This information is then collated into a well-structured report that can be easily comprehended and shared with others.

A typical report for a background check New York may contain:

Aliases
Professional licenses
Criminal and arrest records
Educational background
Bankruptcies
Photographs
Liens
Age and date of birth
Employment history
Weapons permits
Social media profiles
Financial assets
A full name
Civil court records

How To Run A Background Check New York?

When it comes to conducting a New York background check, there are two methods: a challenging one and a simpler one. The challenging way involves manually contacting the relevant public offices to obtain public records and submitting a request to search for the necessary information.

To perform a New York background check, one can use a people search service like BeenVerified which offers a convenient option.

By simply entering the name and city or phone number of the target individual, a background check can be easily run. Additionally, reverse email lookup tools can be used to search for someone using their email address.

You can input the essential details you know about an individual, and the New York background check provider will search through its records. Although it may require a few minutes, if it takes longer, it implies that the information provided is genuine and accurate.

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How Can I Access Public Records In New York?

The state of New York allows access to public records under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). A written request to the concerned government agency or department is required to obtain the desired information.

When requesting public records, it’s important to provide a detailed explanation of the records you’re seeking, as well as your contact information.

The agency or department in charge of the records will have up to five business days to respond to your request. If the records are not easily accessible, they may require up to 20 business days to provide them. It’s possible that there may be charges involved in obtaining public records.

Certain records can be accessed through the internet, but there are others that need a formal request. In case of a request, it can be sent to the relevant department via mail, email, or phone.

When requesting records from multiple departments, it’s important to note that rules may vary across each department. The method of request, whether it be via email, mail or phone, will depend on the specific department in question.

Typically, when making a request for public records, it’s important to include:

Your name
A deadline by which you'd want the documents to be delivered
Contact details
Specifics about the paper
The document's title
Delivery of documents through email or post

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Background Check New York Laws

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and the New York State Labor Law govern New York background check regulations in New York. According to the FCRA, employers must obtain written consent from job seekers before carrying out a New York background check.

Additionally, if the results of the New York background check influence an unfavorable employment decision, the employer must provide the applicant with a copy of the report.

The New York background checks for employment are regulated by State Labor Law. This law forbids employers from asking about an applicant's previous arrests, criminal allegations, or convictions that have been erased or sealed by a court.

Furthermore, employers cannot inquire about an applicant's prior criminal convictions until they have made a conditional offer of employment.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that specific sectors like healthcare and education may have extra regulations for background checks, and there may be federal laws that are also applicable. In New York, there are various laws that govern New York background checks which include:

NY Corrections Law: According to the NY Corrections Law, it’s not allowed to discriminate against job applicants who have criminal records, except for specific cases. Employers must perform an individualized evaluation, considering aspects such as the candidate's rehabilitation and how much time has passed since the criminal offense, before denying employment based on their criminal record, as stated in Article 23-A.
NY Human Rights Law: Employers are not allowed to inquire or refuse to hire candidates based on specific arrests or criminal convictions that have been dismissed or sealed, according to the NY Human Rights Law.
NY Labor Law: According to the New York Labor Law, employers cannot inquire about a job candidate's past salary. As of October 2021, Section 201-D of the same law has been amended by the MRTA, which now prohibits employers from discriminating against job applicants previously convicted of possessing or using marijuana.
NY General Business Code: Under the NY General Business Code, credit reporting agencies are not allowed to report or keep some information in a consumer's file. This includes details about arrests or criminal charges that did not lead to a conviction.

How Far Back Does A Background Check New York Go?

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) in New York sets a limit of seven years for reporting criminal convictions, although there are some exceptions to this rule. Additionally, the state has specific regulations that dictate how employers can examine an applicant's criminal background check New York.

As per the NY General Business Code § 380-J, credit reporting agencies are not allowed to report or keep records of any arrest or criminal charges unless the charges are pending or have resulted in a criminal conviction.

This implies that if an arrest did not lead to a conviction, it should not be recorded by a credit reporting agency.

The NY General Business Code § 380-J has a provision that bars credit reporting agencies from reporting certain information that’s more than 7 or 14 years old.

This information includes bankruptcies, drug or alcohol addictions, judgments, paid tax liens, confinement in a mental institution, or any other adverse information. However, this exception does not apply to jobs that pay an annual salary of $25,000 or more.

Additionally, according to NY HUMAN RIGHTS LAW § 296.16, it’s illegal for public and private employers in New York State to request information about an arrest that has been dismissed, sealed, expired, or resulted in a youthful offender adjudication, and they cannot refuse employment based on this information.

It’s crucial to understand that specific fields like healthcare and education may have extra rules regarding background checks, and there may be federal laws that are applicable as well. It’s essential to keep this in mind.

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What Can You Find With A Background Check New York?

It may come as a shock to you, but a New York background check can reveal a lot of information about a person. By obtaining a background check report from a reliable people search service, such as BeenVerified or PeopleLooker , you can access a wide range of details about an individual.

Personal Information

Every report on a New York background check commences by presenting personal data that assists in confirming the identity of the individual in question. Such data may incorporate their name, age, date of birth, any other names they have been known by, and images.

Jobs And Education

The next level of details that you could discover is education and employment data that reveals their schooling, college, and previous work history.

But, bear in mind that unless the New York background check service you’re utilizing complies with FCRA(Fair Credit Reporting Act) regulations, you cannot use this information for screening prospective employees or renters.

Possible Relatives And Associates

In this section, you can discover individuals who are related to the person you're searching for, including their family members, friends, and coworkers. It’s possible to come across your own New York background check report if you seek information about a family member.

NY Contact Information

If you're conducting New York background checks for business purposes, the background check report can provide you with phone numbers and email addresses, which can help generate leads. It's important not to overlook this section of the report.

NY Criminal Records

When conducting a New York background check, it’s essential to include criminal and arrest history information obtained from public records of New York police and court.

The relevant data that can be retrieved from these NY background check sources include the type, date, and place of the offense, as well as the court name and case number if the case was brought to trial.

NY Property Information

In case you need to assess someone's financial status, this particular part can be extremely helpful. It contains various details such as current properties owned, property tax information, sale amount, land value, mortgages, vehicles possessed, vehicle identification numbers, and additional relevant data.

How Long Does A Background Check New York Take?

The amount of time it takes to conduct a New York background check is dependent on the method you choose. If you utilize a reliable people search service such as BeenVerified, a complete background check report can be generated in a matter of minutes.

This enables you to conduct multiple checks and obtain extensive findings without any difficulty.

If you choose to do a New York background check, it could take up to 1-3 business days, particularly for employee and tenant screening checks.

7 Best Services For Background Check New York

After realizing the simplicity of performing a New York background check utilizing background check services, it's important to explore the top five services in greater detail. By briefly examining each service, we can determine what distinguishes them from one another.

When it comes to conducting a New York background check, it’s possible to determine the most suitable people search site for a specific purpose.

BeenVerified – Best Overall For Background Check New York

BeenVerified

BeenVerified , a leading provider of New York background checks, offers an extensive range of searches that includes criminal records, court records, public records, and other related information.

The company's services provide a comprehensive overview of a person's background. With access to billions of New York public records and dependable sources of information, BeenVerified ensures the precision of their reports.

BeenVerified has a user-friendly platform that has several advantages. The platform is easy to use, and users can conduct searches quickly without any hassle. The interface is straightforward and easy to navigate, and the instructions provided are clear.

Their pricing options are affordable and include monthly subscriptions and pay-per-search options that can be beneficial for people or businesses that are on a tight budget.

Furthermore, customers using BeenVerified for New York background checks are provided with customer support services to address any queries or concerns arising during the process.

A team of skilled professionals is available to offer guidance on making the most of the platform and understanding the data presented in the reports.

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PeopleLooker – Best Background Check New York Service For Fast & Accurate Results

PeopleLooker

PeopleLooker is an online public records NY background check search provider based in New York, which enables its users to search for personal information about individuals, including their past criminal records and contact details.

If you need to perform a background check New York search, PeopleLooker could prove to be a valuable resource.

According to their claims, PeopleLooker can obtain various public records in New York, such as court and criminal records, among others. This suggests that their background checks may offer a more thorough overview than similar services.

The platform is designed so that anyone can use it without any difficulty, even if they don't have prior knowledge about conducting NY background checks. This feature can prove to be beneficial for those individuals or companies who require background checks but are unfamiliar with the procedure.

The pricing of the background check New York service varies according to the number of background checks required to be conducted. It’s generally affordable and can be advantageous for individuals or businesses that have limited financial resources.

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TruthFinder – Best Background Check New York Service For Value

TruthFinder

When it comes to conducting a background check New York search, TruthFinder is a top choice. Their website is designed to be user-friendly, making it easy to perform searches using various criteria such as names, phone numbers, or email addresses.

With access to a vast database of New York public records, TruthFinder can provide a significant amount of precise information on an individual.

TruthFinder's background check New York services, in conjunction with its tool for monitoring the dark web, offer exclusive access to information that’s not available anywhere else on the internet. A 2-month subscription to TruthFinder costs $46 or $28.05 per month.

Check out our comprehensive review of TruthFinder to learn why it’s the top choice for conducting a background check New York search online.

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Intelius – Best Background Check New York Service For Accuracy

Intelius

When it comes to conducting a background check New York search, Intelius is just as effective as TruthFinder. This people search service operates similarly to TruthFinder and is recognized for its exceptionally precise outcomes.

With over 20 billion public records contained in its database, Intelius provides a vast pool of data on any individual in New York. No information is left out when it comes to this comprehensive nationwide service.

If you're looking for a budget-friendly option for background checks, Intelius is a slightly cheaper alternative to TruthFinder. Their monthly plan costs $24.86 and opting for the 2-month plan will cost you $42.25.

While the service is similar to TruthFinder, it doesn't offer dark web monitoring, which accounts for the slightly lower price. If you're interested in using Intelius for conducting background checks in New York, make sure to read our review first.

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Instant Checkmate – Best Background Check New York Service For Speed

Instant Checkmate

Instant Checkmate is a top contender for those seeking fast results for NY background checks. The service is highly convenient, allowing users to access lightning-fast results via a mobile app.

This feature is unique to Instant Checkmate compared to other background check New York services available in New York.

With a monthly plan costing $34.78 , Instant Checkmate utilizes an extensive government database to provide precise background information. It does not offer a 2-month plan but replaces it with a 3-month package for $83.47.

In addition to its quick service, Instant Checkmate boasts of its strict security measures to protect your personal information. For additional information, refer to our comprehensive Instant Checkmate review.

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Spokeo – Best Background Check New York Service For Reverse Email Lookup

Spokeo

If you want to run a background check New York search on someone using their email address, you can use the reverse email lookup feature. The best service for this type of NY background check is Spokeo , which is particularly useful if you need to conduct business research and generate leads in New York.

It's a reliable solution for email lookup.

Spokeo provides more than just email lookup, as it also offers the ability to search for names, phone numbers, and physical addresses. This feature makes it a top contender for conducting a NY background check.

Additionally, Spokeo has one of the most affordable monthly subscription fees, starting at $19.99.

For those who want to save even more money, the 3-month package is available for only $44.85, which makes Spokeo one of the most cost-effective options for conducting a proper background check New York search.

If you require more details, you can read our Spokeo review.

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US Search – Best Service For API Integration

US Search

If you're looking for an easy way to conduct a background check New York search online, US Search offers a quick start wizard that simplifies the process. Unlike many other services, they have a refund policy in place if the service doesn't meet your expectations.

While their web interface may be more basic than other options, it could still be a suitable choice for conducting basic background checks in New York.

For $3 per search, US Search enables individuals to conduct a background check New York search online. For those seeking multiple searches or extended usage, US Search offers a reasonably priced monthly plan of $19.86 .

If you require additional details about US Search, it’s recommended that you read its review.

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New York Criminal Records

In the state of New York criminal records are available and accessible. However, obtaining them in New York City may differ from the process in other parts of the state. It’s crucial to have access to criminal records for various reasons.

The main factor behind the need for a NY background check is employment, as the majority of employers make it mandatory. Other motives for obtaining a NY background check may include fulfilling a business agreement, volunteering, or pursuing adoption.

In the state of New York, criminal records are kept by the Department of Criminal Justice Services.

What’s On A New York Criminal Record?

Information about a person's interactions with law enforcement and the outcomes of their court cases are included in criminal history records. These records are compiled from sources such as local police departments, criminal courts, and state prisons.

To be more precise, details such as a person's criminal history or a thorough investigation of their background can reveal the following information:

Driver license number
Date of birth
Current and past addresses
Current and past warrants
Former arrest records
Fingerprints
Photograph/mugshot

Where Can I Find New York Criminal Records?

For a set fee of $95, the Office of Court Administration in New York State offers a comprehensive criminal history search that covers the entire state. You can either apply online or by sending a physical application through the mail.

To conduct a NY background check search, the name and birth date must match precisely according to strict search criteria.

Participating companies can submit requests through the program, and search results will include information on criminal cases, including open and pending cases and convictions, across all 62 counties in New York.

Certain information from smaller communities may be restricted, and sealed records are not included.

There are additional constraints that need to be taken into consideration, which are:

Cases in which the prosecution has been transferred or relocated to family court are not included
Not a place where juvenile offenders are tried
Neither civil nor traffic violations are included
There are no domestic, state, or federal cases featured

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New York Inmate Records

More than 51,000 people are locked up in prisons throughout New York State. There are a variety of scenarios in which a requester can want prisoner details such as:

In some circumstances, this individual is a lawyer evaluating a case, while in others, they’re a representative of a non-profit organization that works with prisoners
Someone who wants to know an inmate's status can be a witness or victim in a case
This individual is an employer who is curious about the applicant's military background

The DCJS, Department of Criminal Justice Services, of New York State is responsible for keeping track of all incarcerated individuals throughout the state

What’s On A New York Inmate Record?

Regarding what may be found in criminal history, New York is on par with other states. When someone requests an inmate's file, they will have access to the following details:

Predetermined spot
Posing for the obligatory booking shot
DOC ID
Identification and nicknames
Specifics about your stature and frame
Typical Birth Date
Word-for-word synopsis of a sentence

Where Can I Find New York Inmate Records?

New York's state prison database is available online via the Department of Prisons and Community Supervision. Requesters have the option of using only the name or the name with the requested birth year.

The Department ID of New York State may also be used. If you do use one of them, however, please don't personalize it by adding a name or a year of birth; they're designed to stand on their own.

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New York Court Records

Since they include so much useful information on a case, court records from the state of New York may be useful in certain circumstances.

Sometimes, businesses need to dig more into a specific situation involving an employee or candidate. The details may be useful for future instances involving the same suspect. As part of their family tree research, some individuals choose to investigate prior court cases involving their parents or other relatives.

What’s On A New York Court Record?

Documents included in a court case are usually numerous and extensive.

These are the papers that individuals regard to be the most useful:

Documentation from juries
Documents related to cases
Proof from Eyewitnesses
Reports from the court
Legislative mandates
Official judicial decisions
Dockets
Details of a Case
Reports of Judgments

In New York, court documents are exempt from the FOIL.

According to the Judiciary Law, Section 255, court documents may be made public.

Where Can I Find New York Court Records?

In New York, anybody looking for court records must submit a request to the relevant Clerk of Court or County Clerk. In New York, you'll be dealing with a massive and convoluted court system.

So, interested parties in New York must make direct contact with New York's Clerk of Court Administration in the county in which the matter was heard. The county clerk's office is where most cases are filed in New York, including those from the state's highest court as well as the county court.

If the arrest occurred in New York City, the NYPD may keep records of the police investigation or prosecution. The local district attorney's office that brought the charges may also back them. Such organizations are the proper ones to receive such requests.

Court clerks are authorized by statute to collect "fees at the amount given to the county clerk for identical work." This includes time spent looking for records and making copies.

New York Vital Records

New York City houses the vital records for the jurisdiction. New York State is responsible for maintaining all state vital records.

Included in New York's vital records are:

Death Certificates
Divorce Decrees
Marriage Licenses
Birth Certificates

Requesting a copy of a vital record in New York may be more or less complicated depending on the kind of record you're looking for and the agency you're approaching.

What Information Do I Need To Request A New York State Birth Certificate?

In order to get a copy of a birth certificate, you will need to answer a number of questions on the Application for the Copy a of Birth Certificate which are:

Locus of delivery; city or town
Previous surnames of both sets of parents
Birth Date
Identification number from the birth certificate
Whole legal name as it appears on the birth certificate
The Hospital's Name

Where Can I Find A New York State Birth Certificate?

New York residents may make a request for a copy of their birth certificate by mail or in person by filling out and submitting an Application for a Copy of the Birth Certificate. New York state charges $30 for a certified copy of a birth certificate.

What Information Do I Need For A Death Certificate In New York?

When requesting a death certificate through the mail, you'll need to answer a few particular questions on the Application for Copy of the Death Certificate form.

Previous surnames of both sets of parents
Details about the decedent's complete name
Date of passing
Identification number of the dead as determined by the Social Security Administration
Final age
Birth Date

What Information Do I Need To Request A Marriage Certificate In New York?

The City Clerk's Office is responsible for keeping New York City's marriage records. This entails a variety of shape variations.

What Information Do I Need To Request A Divorce Certificate In New York?

New York's marriage records are kept by individual counties.

The paperwork, costs, and business hours required to get a marriage license from the county clerk will be different from one county to the next.

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New York Property Records

Public property records in New York State are kept by the City Register's office.

You may look through details like these from property records:

Titles
Property tax assessment records
Probate
Land records
Zoning information
Liens
Property deeds
Mortgages

Inquire about public access to data, parcel, and tax maps by contacting the Geographic Information System(GIS).

What Information Do I Need To Request Property Records In New York?

To see a New York public property record, you'll need to provide several fundamental pieces of information. The County Register's Office has its own set of forms, fees, and business hours.

New York Public Records Search - Frequently Asked Questions

Read on for answers to some of the most common inquiries we've had concerning New York background checks. If you have any more inquiries, you should be able to find the answers to them here.

Can I Get A Free Background Check New York Service?

A thorough NY background check means sifting through mountains of data, and reputable, cost-free background check New York report providers are hard to find. We would strongly encourage you to exercise extra caution while choosing a provider for your free background check New York service.

The reality is that New York's free NY background checks aren't worth your time. You'll have a tough time replicating the thoroughness of a paid background check New York service like BeenVerified without spending some money. For additional facts, look into the top free background check sites.

How Much Is A Background Check New York?

BeenVerified and PeopleLooker will charge you $24-$28 monthly for a NY background check. With this one-month subscription, you may do as many NY background checks as possible. The fee for a background check in New York is $3 with US Search.

What Background Check New York Service Is Best For New York?

BeenVerified is the best background check service because of its huge phone as well as email search capabilities, public records database, and dark web surveillance.

When compared to other background check New York services, Intelius comes in second because of its great user interface and very inexpensive fee.

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Bottom Line On Background Check New York

Services like those we've discussed above make it simple to discover reliable data, whether you need it for professional purposes, personal reasons, or to clear someone's name.

Doing NY background checks is not a simple operation, particularly because you must contact many governmental agencies and file a request for public records with each of them.

You still have some work to perform beyond just paying the requested sum, however. To discover what you need in the papers you get, you will still need to scan them.

Thankfully, doing any of those things in New York is a breeze with the help of reliable NY background check services.

The person's search tool will quickly and easily produce a thorough NY background check report for you once you've entered the name, mobile number, email address, or physical address of the person you're looking into.

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DISCLAIMER: You may not use the non-FCRA approved services mentioned in this article or the information they provide to make decisions about consumer credit, employment, insurance, tenant screening, or any other purpose that would require FCRA compliance. These services don’t provide consumer reports and are not consumer reporting agencies. (These terms have special meanings under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 USC 1681 et seq., (“FCRA”), which are incorporated herein by reference.)

The information available on our website may not be 100% accurate, complete, or up to date, so do not use it as a substitute for your own due diligence, especially if you have concerns about a person’s criminal history. The services we mention do not make any representation or warranty about the accuracy of the information available through our website or about the character or integrity of the person about whom you inquire. For more information, please review each service’s Terms of Use.