Falsifying COVID-19 vaccination records, including vaccination cards, is officially a crime in New York State, effective December 22, 2021.

The new law amends §170.00 of the Penal Law to include vaccination cards as a written instrument. For a false vaccination card to be considered a written instrument the card must include either a government logo or something suggesting it was created by a government entity; it must suggest that the card was provided to a person by a vaccine provider; and must includes a date the person received the vaccine, the type of vaccine, and a lot number.

If someone violates the new law, they can be criminally charged with tampering with public records, offering a false instrument for filing, and issuing a false certificate. In addition, when someone intentionally alters, in any manner, or destroys computer material indicating that a person did or did not receive a vaccination against COVID-19, it shall be considered the crime of computer tampering.

With the new vaccination mandates in New York City now in effect, will the criminalization of falsifying vaccination cards deter people from obtaining fake vaccination cards. Comment below and let us know.

The New York State Legislature passed Bill S4516C, which criminalizes falsifying COVID-19 vaccination records including cards, and the bill awaits the Governor's signature to become effective, as law, immediately when signed. 

The Bill amends the Penal Law to include vaccination cards as a written instrument. For a false vaccination card to be considered a written instrument the card must include either a government logo or something suggesting it was created by a government entity; it must suggest that the card was provided to a person by a vaccine provider; and must includes a date the person received the vaccine, the type of vaccine, and a lot number.

The Bill also amends the Penal Law to include that when someone intentionally alters, in any manner, or destroys computer material indicating that a person did or did not receive a vaccination against COVID-19, it shall be considered the crime of computer tampering in the third degree.

The penalties for violating this new law are class A misdemeanor for tampering with public records in the second degree; class D felony for tampering with public records in the first degree; class A misdemeanor for offering a false instrument for filing in the second degree; class E felony for offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree; class E felony for issuing a false certificate; and class E felony for computer tampering in the third degree.