Certificate of Correction
A Certificate of Correction is an official document that shows a city agency that you corrected a violation according to its notice.
After a notice of violation is issued by such agencies as the DOB*, HPD*, Fire Department, or environmental, the homeowner usually needs to take steps to resolve the problem. This typically means gathering proof (photos, contractor documents, permits, etc.) and submitting them through the city’s online system.
Do not ignore a violation!
Filing a Certificate of Correction is one of the key steps for staying compliant, reducing the risk of ongoing penalties, and helping the property avoid new violations or enforcement actions.
For homeowners, this means:
- Fixing the cited issue according to the violation notice, as instructed by the city agency.
- Collecting the documents the agency requests, showing the work is complete and compliant.
- Submitting the required information in DOB NOW: Safety, with supporting documents attached as requested.
- If the correction is accepted, penalties may be reduced or dismissed, depending on the rules that apply to your case.
- If you do not complete the process, you may face daily fines and further enforcement actions from the city.
How the Process Works
When DOB issues a Summons, the property owner or respondent (the person named on the summons) is generally responsible for the following steps:
- Correct the violating conditions at the property.
- Inform the Department of Buildings that the work was completed.
- This must be done by submitting a COC, in DOB NOW: Safety, to the Administrative Enforcement Unit (AEU).
- Summonses remain open (active) on the property’s public profile until they have either been Dismissed at an OATH hearing or Resolved through the COC review process.
- If AEU approves the COC submission, the process is complete, and the OATH Summons is resolved.
- However, if the initial COC submission is disapproved, the Submitter may choose to Resubmit the COC or Dispute AEU’s decision.
NEXT STEP
The official DOB* procedures, rules and guidance of Certificate of Correction
Good to know
This page is for general education only and is based on public New York City sources when available. Some technical and legal terms are simplified into plain English to help homeowners and ESL readers. It is not legal advice, and it does not replace guidance from a licensed professional. NYC construction and safety rules change often, and your project may have extra DOB*, OSHA*, or local requirements. Before you start work, always check current rules with a licensed design professional or directly with the NYC Department of Buildings.
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If you see any capital letter abbreviations on this page or in an official letter you received from the city and you do not understand them, you can try to look them up on our NYC Violation Codes HUB page with the search tool.
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