Westchester County Clerk

High Quality Image of Document Will Be Available for Public View

WHITE PLAINS, NY: Thursday, November 1^st is the 330^th Anniversary of Westchester County, which is among New York’s ten original counties created by the Colonial Assembly. “To commemorate this anniversary, I have commissioned from the New York State Archives, a high quality image of the original document designating Westchester a county in 1683,” stated Westchester County Clerk Timothy C. Idoni. The image is of Chapter 4 of the 15 statutes, referred to as “Dongan’s Laws”, the act which created the original Albany, Dutchess, Kings, New York, Orange, Queens, Richmond, Suffolk, Ulster, and Westchester counties. The counties also included Cornwall and Dukes, which are no longer part of New York State. The County Clerk’s Office is the oldest elected office in the county, coinciding with the law in 1683.

In noting how much Westchester County has changed and evolved over the last 330 years, Idoni remarked, “This statute is a fascinating and important historical document of our county, which once included parts of the Bronx and Manhattan.” A copy of the image is attached.

The document will go on display in the Legal Division of the Westchester County Clerk’s Office in the coming weeks.   For more information on arranging for a visit for your school or group, please call (914)995-3082. The office, which is located at 110 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. in White Plains, is open from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. Information will also be available on the County Clerk website at www.westchesterclerk.com.

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October 7, 2013

Westchester County Sees Highest Number of 3^rd Quarter Filings Since 2009

“The number of foreclosure filings in the third quarter of 2013 has increased by fifty-three percent (53%) from the third quarter of 2012,” reported Westchester County Clerk Timothy C. Idoni, who serves as Clerk of the Westchester County Supreme Court where foreclosure actions are heard. “We continue to see dramatic growth in the number of actions being started, with 2,046 actions being started in the first three quarters of this year,” said Idoni. The 2013 third quarter total exceeds full year totals of 1,812 in 2012 and 1,655 in 2011.

Foreclosure judgments continued their climb as well to 233 after nine months exceeding full year totals of 208 in 2012 and 177 in 2011. County Clerk Timothy C. Idoni warned anyone who faces foreclosure to get legal assistance immediately. “There are ways to avoid or resolve foreclosure if you start early enough,” said Idoni. “But please be sure to use safe, affordable avenues to save your home.”

Westchester Residential Opportunities (WRO), a non-profit housing agency with offices in White Plains and Mount Vernon, conducts Mortgage Default Orientation sessions most Tuesdays in their White Plains Office.  Trained counselors are available to help at (914) 428-4507 or by visiting www.wroinc.org.   For more information on the Office of the Westchester County Clerk, please visit www.WestchesterClerk.com or call (914)995-3080.

October 22, 2013

County Clerk’s Naturalization Ceremonies culmination of process for newest U.S. Citizens

WHITE PLAINS, NY: Two friends from Jamaica who completed their journey for U.S. citizenship together and an active PTA mom from Israel were just three of the 127 new citizens naturalized on October 9th in a ceremony conducted by the Office of the Westchester County Clerk.  “Citizenship is one of the most coveted gifts that our government can bestow,” stated County Clerk Timothy C. Idoni, who twice a month proudly administers the Oath of Citizenship to new citizens at the Richard J. Daronco Courthouse in White Plains.  “What makes these naturalization ceremonies we conduct so special is the jubilant smiles on the faces of each participant as they realize they have achieved their American dream,” said Idoni.

Naturalization is the process by which United States citizenship is conferred upon a foreign citizen or national after he or she fulfills the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). These requirements include a period of residency within the United States, the ability to read, write and speak English, and an understanding of United States history. In addition, all naturalization applicants must demonstrate good moral character.

Keeshawn Natrice Thorne and Radcliff Rayon Dalling, friends who both hail from Kingston, Jamaica, are great examples of how perseverance and dedication can make dreams come true, “I came here to the United States seeking a better life for myself and my children who I hope one day to bring to America.  I realized this dream for my two sons and they were excited when I told them I was becoming a U.S. citizen today,” stated Thorne, who is a home health aide residing in Mount Vernon.  Dalling, a real estate agent from Mount Vernon echoed his friend’s excitement, “I came here fourteen years ago from Kingston, working hard toward my number one goal of becoming a citizen.  I also hope that what I have achieved today will encourage my mother to come to America and one day she too will become a U.S. citizen like me.”

For Ayelet Sella Blaustein of Harrison, who came to the U.S. from Israel ten years ago, today is an achievement of an important milestone.  “This is an amazing country and I am so proud to support and honor the United States Constitution, which will allow me all the rights and privileges of citizenship.  I can now register to vote and participate in voting in local and school board elections,” stated a beaming Blaustein.  “This is important for me and my family as now I can say I am a citizen following my husband who recently became a citizen along with my father-in law.   I have three children and they are also very happy for me.”

For information on applying for citizenship, please visit the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services' website http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis or call (800)375-5283. For information about the naturalization ceremonies conducted by County Clerk’s office visit www.WestchesterClerk.com and click on the Services tab or call (914)995-3082.

October 1, 2013

WHITE PLAINS, NY: The Office of the Westchester County Clerk will continue to accept U.S. Passport applications during the federal government shutdown. “If you need to apply for a U.S. Passport, the State Department will not be impacted by the government shutdown and will continue processing U.S. applications for passports, as fees are collected to finance those services,” stated Westchester County Clerk Timothy C. Idoni, whose office is a designated regional passport acceptance facility.

The County Clerk’s Mobile Passport Office will go ahead with a scheduled visit today at Buchanan Village Hall, 236 Tate Avenue, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Applications can be submitted in person at the Office of the Westchester County Clerk, located at 110 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in White Plains. The office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. Please arrive by 4:30 p.m. to allow enough time to complete your application. To learn what you need to apply for a U.S. Passport or to find out when the mobile office is coming to your community this fall, call (914)995-3086 or visit www.westchesterclerk.com.

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