You can file a police report online in NYC at nypdonline.org, but only for four non-emergency incidents: lost property, petit larceny, minor criminal mischief, and graffiti. The report has to involve an unknown suspect, no injuries, and an incident that already ended somewhere in the five boroughs. If it qualifies, you’ll get an official complaint number by email within about five business days, and it carries the same weight as a report filed at a precinct.1NYPD Online. What Are the Steps to File a Report Online
Which Incidents Qualify
The portal is limited to incidents where nobody was hurt, no crime is currently happening, and you don’t know who did it.2NYPD Online. What Is Required to File an Online Report The incident also has to have occurred within Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, or Staten Island. Four categories are eligible:3NYPD Online. What Types of Reports Can Be Filed Online
- Lost property. Something you accidentally left somewhere and can no longer find, like a phone in a taxi or a bag on the subway. This is not theft.
- Petit larceny. Someone took your property without permission, the total value is $1,000 or less, and it wasn’t taken by force or off your person.
- Criminal mischief. Someone intentionally damaged your property and the damage is $250 or less. A broken car window is a common example.
- Graffiti. Someone drew, scratched, or spray-painted on property. You’ll need to upload a clear photo before the portal lets you submit.2NYPD Online. What Is Required to File an Online Report
What the Portal Won’t Accept
A few things look like they should fit but don’t. Stolen cell phones and lost or stolen vehicle license plates are explicitly excluded, even though they resemble petit larceny cases. For those, go to your local precinct.2NYPD Online. What Is Required to File an Online Report
Vehicle accidents don’t go through the NYPD portal. New York requires a separate motorist crash report filed with the DMV when someone is injured, someone is killed, or property damage tops $1,000.4NY DMV. File a Motorist Crash (Accident) Report If anyone was hurt, you’re also legally required to notify police right away.
Sensitive crimes have their own channels. Victims of sexual violence should call the NYPD Special Victims Division 24-hour hotline at 646-610-7272 rather than using the online portal.5NYC.gov. How to Report a Crime – NYPD Domestic violence, hate crimes, and any incident where you know the person responsible all require in-person reporting or a phone call.
What to Have Ready Before You Start
Gather the details before opening the form. You’ll want:
- The date, time, and specific location. An intersection or address beats a neighborhood name.
- A plain description of what happened. The portal asks for a written narrative.
- Property details. Serial numbers, model numbers, brand names, and estimated values for anything lost, stolen, or damaged. More identifiers means better odds if property turns up.
- A valid email address. That’s how your complaint number is delivered.
- A clear photo of the graffiti, if that’s what you’re reporting.2NYPD Online. What Is Required to File an Online Report
If you’re filing to support an insurance claim, your insurer will almost certainly ask for the complaint number. Getting descriptions right the first time avoids amending later.
Filing Steps
Go to nypdonline.org. Before the form loads, you’ll acknowledge that intentionally filing a false report is a criminal offense. Then you’ll pick one of the four incident types. The portal walks you through short screens covering when and where the incident occurred, what happened, and any property involved.
You’ll get a review screen before submission. Check it carefully. Typos in serial numbers or dates cause problems later, especially with insurance. When it looks right, submit.1NYPD Online. What Are the Steps to File a Report Online
After You Submit
A confirmation email arrives right away with a temporary reference number. That’s not your official complaint number. The NYPD reviews the submission, and if everything checks out, the official complaint number arrives by email in about five business days. If the reviewer needs more information, an NYPD member will contact you.1NYPD Online. What Are the Steps to File a Report Online
Save that complaint number. Insurance companies, landlords, and anyone else who wants proof you reported the incident will ask for it.
Getting a Copy of Your Report
Two options exist once the report is processed, and they serve different purposes.
Verification of a Complaint Report
A Verification of a Complaint Report is a free summary of your report intended for insurance companies, employers, or similar entities. You can request it through nypdonline.org or by mail to the NYPD Criminal Records Unit at One Police Plaza, New York, NY 10038, using the form on the site with a stamped self-addressed envelope. Reports come back by mail or email only, not in person. Questions can go to the Criminal Records Unit at (718) 610-8457, weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.6NYPD Online. Obtain Your Report
Full Complaint Report via FOIL
If you need the entire complaint report rather than the summary, file a Freedom of Information Law request through NYC OpenRecords at nyc.gov/openrecords and select the NYPD from the agency menu. Include the complaint number, date of incident, and precinct so the record can be located. FOIL requests take longer than verification requests, and copying fees may apply.7NYC.gov. Document Production/FOIL Requests
When to Call 911 or 311 Instead
If someone is in danger, a crime is happening now, or anyone is injured, call 911. That applies even when the underlying incident would otherwise fit an online category. Someone smashing your car window while you watch is a crime in progress, not an online report.5NYC.gov. How to Report a Crime – NYPD
For non-emergency situations that don’t fit the portal’s four categories, call 311. The operator can direct you to the right precinct or unit. You can also walk into any NYPD precinct and file in person without an appointment.8NYC.gov / NYPD. 911 Emergency Calls
Penalties for Filing a False Report
The warning screen matters. Under New York law, knowingly reporting a fake crime or giving false information about a real one is falsely reporting an incident in the third degree, a Class A misdemeanor.9NY Courts. Falsely Reporting an Incident in the Third Degree A conviction carries up to 364 days in jail.10New York State Senate. New York Penal Law 70.15 – Sentences of Imprisonment for Misdemeanors and Violation More serious false reports, such as fabricated bomb threats or emergencies that trigger a large-scale response, can be charged as felonies.