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State restoration routes

What your state's own remedy is, who decides it, how long it takes, what it costs, and what it does — and does not — do about the separate federal bar. One row for each jurisdiction that we have checked, with its statute and the day we checked it.
3. Date (today or later)

NEW-YORK · The state's own restoration route · on Oct 9, 2026

A route exists

In short
Clean Slate sealing under CPL § 160.57 is firearm-irrelevant by an express carve-out. Whether either certificate counts as "civil rights restored" under 18 U.S.C. 921(a)(20) turns on federal case law we did not settle.
Route
Certificate of Relief from Disabilities; Certificate of Good Conduct
Who decides
Certificate of Relief: the sentencing court, only if it did not send you to state prison (Correction Law § 702(1)); otherwise DOCCS (§ 703). Certificate of Good Conduct: DOCCS.
Waiting period
Certificate of Relief: none. Certificate of Good Conduct (DOCCS): "five years if the most serious felony on your criminal record is an A or B; three years if the most serious felony on your criminal record is a C, D or E felony; or one year if you only have misdemeanors on your criminal record".
Fee
None stated — not confirmed
What it restores
It removes the automatic bar to a § 400.00 licence, except for a class A-I felony or a violent felony, where the bar stays. The licensing officer may still rely on the conviction in its "discretionary power to suspend, revoke, refuse to issue or refuse to renew any license" (Correction Law § 701(3)).
Without this route, does the state firearm bar stay?
Yes. Even with a certificate, the § 400.00 bar stays for a class A-I felony or a violent felony (see "What it restores").
Effective
—
Next scheduled change
None scheduled in the sources checked
Statute / rule
N.Y. Correct. Law §§ 701, 702, 703-a, 703-b; N.Y. Penal Law § 400.00 · New York State DOCCS — certificates of relief and good conduct
Checked
Verified Sep 19, 2026
What changed →

State law, with its statute and check date. We do not tell you whether your state's remedy cures your federal bar — that turns on your own facts and on federal case law, and it is the question to take to an attorney. Information only, not legal advice.

Sources

  1. 18 U.S.C. 921(a)(20) — official text — checked Oct 8, 2026
  2. 27 CFR 478.11 — definitions — checked Oct 8, 2026
  3. DOJ — 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(4) and mental health — checked Oct 8, 2026
  4. DOJ — Frequently asked questions — checked Oct 8, 2026