Certificate of Good Behavior

The Certificate of Good Conduct restores certain rights that a convicted felon loses by showing they have been rehabilitated. The Certificate of Good Conduct will allow them to apply to be a notary public or run for public office, and it removes bars from certain types of employment.

If someone has two or more separate felonies, they may apply for a Certificate of Good Conduct with the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. If the participant has one felony or only misdemeanors, they should apply for a Certificate for Relief from Disabilities. In cases in which the most serious conviction is a misdemeanor, there must be at least one year of satisfactory community adjustment before a Certificate of Good Conduct can be considered. In cases in which the most serious conviction is a C, D or E felony, you must wait at least three years. In cases in which the most serious conviction is an A or B felony, you must wait at least five years.

The link to the application form is here: http://www.doccs.ny.gov/pdf/DOCCS-CRD-Application_Instructions.pdf

For more information, contact:

• • the Legal Action Center at 212-243-1313

  • Neighborhood Defender Services at 212-876-5500

  • Community Service Society at 212-614-5441

The DOCCS's Certificate Review Unit can be reached at 518-485-8953.

The application and other materials should be mailed to:

State of New York

Department of Corrections and Community Supervision

Attn: Certificate Review Unit

The Harriman Campus --Building 2

1220 Washington Avenue

Albany, NY 12226-2050