Penal Law § 175.40

Issuing a false certificate  ·  as in force on May 31, 2026

§ 175.40 Issuing a false certificate.

A person is guilty of issuing a false certificate when, being a public servant authorized by law to make or issue official certificates or other official written instruments, and with intent to defraud, deceive or injure another person, he issues such an instrument, or makes the same with intent that it be issued, knowing that it contains a false statement or false information.

Issuing a false certificate is a class E felony.

Official sourcehttps://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/175.40

In plain English

A public servant authorized to make official certificates or writings commits issuing a false certificate by issuing one—or making it to be issued—knowing it contains false information, with intent to defraud, deceive, or injure someone. ★ It is a class E felony.

Marked in the text: penalties, time limits, sums of money. Editorial emphasis added by this edition; it does not appear in the statute as enacted.

In print

This provision appears in Volume 4 — The Court Clerk: Penal Law; Volume 1 — The Court Officer in Plain English; Volume 3 — The Court Officer: Penal Law; Volume 3 — Your Career: Penal Law in Plain English.