New York

Learn the basics (1)+

• Certificates of Relief, Good Conduct, and Disposition

  One-page info sheet on applying for Certificates, with process for each borough on NYC. Content Detail

Certificates that show rehabilitation (3)+

• Certificates of Relief, Good Conduct, and Disposition

  One-page info sheet on applying for Certificates, with process for each borough on NYC. Content Detail

• Lowering Criminal Record Barriers: Certificates of Relief/Good Conduct and Record Sealing

  This booklet explains which cases are eligible to be sealed and how to seal them. It also explains who is eligible for a Certificate of Relief from Disabilities or a Certificate of Good Conduct and how to apply for them. These certificates can improve your chances of getting a job or housing. Content Detail

  By:

  Legal Action Center of the City of New York, Inc. (LAC)

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Certificates that Promote Rehabilitation: Why They are So Important and How to Get Them

  Guide that details why certificates are so important, what each one does, eligibility, how to obtain a certificate, and helpful tips. Also includes a chart on automatic disqualifications for public housing. Content Detail

  By:

  The Bronx Defenders' Civil Action Project

Can I get an employment license? (1)+

• Getting to work with a criminal record

  This guide explains the process for obtaining licenses in 25 occupations and professions for people who have conviction records. Content Detail

  By:

  Institute for Justice and Opportunity

I want to file a complaint (6)+

• Clinton County Human Rights Commission

  If you believe that you have been discriminated against within the County of Clinton you may file a complaint with the Clinton County Human Rights Commission. Content Detail

• Orange County Human Rights Commission

  You may file a complaint with the Orange County Human Rights Commission staff if you are a resident of Orange County or are employed in Orange County and believe that you have been the victim of discrimination either in your employment, housing or a public accommodation because of your race or color, national origin, creed, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, military status, domestic violence victim status, arrest and/or conviction record or your genetic predisposition or carrier status. Content Detail

• Suffolk County Human Rights Commission (SCHRC)

  The Suffolk County Human Rights Commission (SCHRC) is a county agency that enforces the various laws against discrimination. Content Detail

• Sullivan County Human Rights Commission

  The Human Rights Commission was created to foster good relationships among communities and groups of people in Sullivan County. You can file discrimination complaints with this agency. Content Detail

• Tompkins County Human Rights Commission

  The Tompkins County Office of Human Rights offers telephone or in-office consultation regarding questions of rights, disputes, alleged violation of anti-discrimination laws which provide protection in the areas of employment, housing, credit, places of public accommodations, volunteer firefighting, and non-sectarian educational institutions, based on age, creed, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, domestic violence victim status, disability, military status, arrest record, conviction record, predisposing genetic characteristics, familial status (in housing only) and domestic workers (in employment only).The Office of Human Rights attempts to conciliate disputes on the local level and to assist complainants filing formal complaints with state or federal agencies. Confidentiality is protected. Any individual who resides or works in Tompkins County may use these services without a fee. Content Detail

• Ulster County Human Rights Commission

  The Human Relations Commission exists to foster respect for the rights of all citizens and to explore opportunities for improving relations among all people of Ulster County. Services include: - Telephone consultation with individuals who believe that their human rights have been violated in any of the following areas: employment, housing, public accommodation, education, credit - Assistance in preparing and filing a complaint with the NYS Division of Human Rights for individuals who believe that they have been discriminated against because of their race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital or familial status, or arrest/conviction record. Content Detail

Getting important documents (1)+

• How to Apply for a Birth Certificate in New York

  If you were born outside of NYC, this website provides info on how to obtain a copy of your birth certificate. Content Detail

  By:

  New York State Department of Health

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

I am a former inmate and I need assistance (3)+

• Reentry Resource Center of New York

  Reentry.net maintains the Reentry Resource Center for New York which is a support network and information clearinghouse on prison, reentry, and the consequences of criminal proceedings. Content Detail

  By:

  Reentry.net

• Services for formerly incarcerated people

  A guide for persons incarcerated, persons formerly incarcerated, and others similarly in need, to assist their re-entry back into society. Content Detail

  By:

  Westchester Council on Crime and Delinquency, Inc.

• Getting your rights back

  Read about ways to get your rights back with a Certificate of Relief from Disabilities and a Certificate of Good Conduct. Content Detail

  By:

  New York State Unified Court System

Discrimination because of a criminal record (9)+

• How to File a Complaint with the New York City Commission on Human Rights

  Information on how to file a complaint with the City if you are a victim of employment discrimination. Content Detail

  By:

  New York City Commission on Human Rights

• How to File a Complaint with the New York State Division of Human Rights

  Information on how to file a complaint with the State Division of Human Rights if you believe that you have been the victim of discrimination. Content Detail

  By:

  New York State Division of Human Rights

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

  Russian / Pусский

  Chinese (Traditional) / 中文

• Clinton County Human Rights Commission

  If you believe that you have been discriminated against within the County of Clinton you may file a complaint with the Clinton County Human Rights Commission. Content Detail

• Orange County Human Rights Commission

  You may file a complaint with the Orange County Human Rights Commission staff if you are a resident of Orange County or are employed in Orange County and believe that you have been the victim of discrimination either in your employment, housing or a public accommodation because of your race or color, national origin, creed, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, military status, domestic violence victim status, arrest and/or conviction record or your genetic predisposition or carrier status. Content Detail

• Suffolk County Human Rights Commission (SCHRC)

  The Suffolk County Human Rights Commission (SCHRC) is a county agency that enforces the various laws against discrimination. Content Detail

• Sullivan County Human Rights Commission

  The Human Rights Commission was created to foster good relationships among communities and groups of people in Sullivan County. You can file discrimination complaints with this agency. Content Detail

• Tompkins County Human Rights Commission

  The Tompkins County Office of Human Rights offers telephone or in-office consultation regarding questions of rights, disputes, alleged violation of anti-discrimination laws which provide protection in the areas of employment, housing, credit, places of public accommodations, volunteer firefighting, and non-sectarian educational institutions, based on age, creed, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, domestic violence victim status, disability, military status, arrest record, conviction record, predisposing genetic characteristics, familial status (in housing only) and domestic workers (in employment only).The Office of Human Rights attempts to conciliate disputes on the local level and to assist complainants filing formal complaints with state or federal agencies. Confidentiality is protected. Any individual who resides or works in Tompkins County may use these services without a fee. Content Detail

• Ulster County Human Rights Commission

  The Human Relations Commission exists to foster respect for the rights of all citizens and to explore opportunities for improving relations among all people of Ulster County. Services include: - Telephone consultation with individuals who believe that their human rights have been violated in any of the following areas: employment, housing, public accommodation, education, credit - Assistance in preparing and filing a complaint with the NYS Division of Human Rights for individuals who believe that they have been discriminated against because of their race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital or familial status, or arrest/conviction record. Content Detail

• How to recognize and address discrimination

  This booklet is for people with HIV, AIDS, a substance use disorder and/or a criminal record who want to know their rights to be free of discrimination. The section on criminal records applies mainly in New York, but the other sections have useful information for people throughout the United States. Content Detail

  By:

  Legal Action Center of the City of New York, Inc. (LAC)

Starting a business (1)+

• Small Business Toolkit

  If you have a criminal record this toolkit will help you learn about how you can start a business or find a job. The toolkit starts with an explanation of the laws that prohibit employment discrimination based on criminal records and provides tips for getting necessary identification documents and applying for certificates of rehabilitation. It then sets out steps for planning and starting a business, and for applying for necessary licenses. Content Detail

  By:

  City Bar Justice Center

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

Employment rights (4)+

• Know Your Rights: Understanding Juvenile and Criminal Records and their Impact on Employment

  This booklet was written to educate young people who have been involved in the criminal justice system on the challenges they might face when seeking employment, and explain what can be done to improve the chances of being hired despite your criminal record. Content Detail

  By:

  National Hire Network and Legal Action Center

• United States Navy and Marine Corps Criminal History Disqualification's

  Overview of the impact of criminal history and records on eligibility for the Navy and Marine Corps. Content Detail

  By:

  Legal Action Center

• Your New York State Rap Sheet: A Guide to Getting, Understanding, and Correcting Your Criminal Record

  This guide by the Legal Actions Center provides instructions on getting a copy of your criminal record (RAP Sheet) and correcting any mistakes in it. The guide also explains how and what type of information employers get about your record and when they can get it. Content Detail

  By:

  Legal Action Center of the City of New York, Inc. (LAC)

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• NYS Work for Success Program and Your Rights

  Read this quick guide about New York's new Work for Success program to help the formerly incarcerated find employment. Content Detail

  By:

  New York State Department of Labor

I want to apply for a job (4)+

• The Prime Objective: A Guide to Preparing the Job Seeking Ex-Offender

  Resource booklet designed to help ex-offenders with the job search and with reintegration into society. Includes information about obtaining important documents, certificates from the parole board, your rap sheet and your credit reports, and other important steps job seekers should take. Content Detail

  By:

  New York State Department of Labor

• Chart of legal protections you have when applying for a job while having a criminal record

  This chart explains the legal protections for people with criminal records who are applying for jobs in New York. Content Detail

  By:

  Legal Action Center of the City of New York, Inc. (LAC)

• Crafting a personal statement

  This document explains how individuals with criminal records can craft a personal statement to increase their chances of employment and other opportunities. Content Detail

  By:

  Legal Action Center of the City of New York, Inc. (LAC)

• Reference letter template

  This resource helps individuals craft an effective letter of reference for an individual with a conviction record. Content Detail

  By:

  Legal Action Center of the City of New York, Inc. (LAC)