Westchester County Clerk’s Office is currently Open and taking Appointments
Court Filings and Land Records and other matters Accepted Electronically or by USPS, UPS, or FedEx, or documents may be delivered to the County Clerk Dropbox in the lobby of the courthouse
Naturalizations remain on hold
IMPORTANT NOTICE
With the restrictions to access to public buildings during the Covid-19 pandemic, the County Clerk’s Office is happy to announce the addition of Drop Box Service for the delivery of documents. The drop box is located on the first floor of the Courthouse, 111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in White Plains. Not for Passport applications or renweals.
The Drop Box will be serviced three times daily from this point on. The Clerk’s Office will continue to operate each day except holidays.
Naturalization Ceremonies Suspended
UPDATE: Due to the continued spread of COVID-19, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced the naturalization services held at the Westchester County Courthouse have been suspended until further notice.
The Clerk's Office understands this inconvenience, as many have been waiting for this extraordinary day to be sworn in as an American citizen, but public safety is far too important at this time.
"The best way to combat the Coronavirus is to stop it from spreading by practicing social distancing," stated Westchester County Clerk Timothy C. Idoni. "Between new citizens, their families, and staff, the Naturalization Ceremonies are attended by almost 300 people, and at present, it is just too much of a risk."
The United States Immigration & Naturalization Service Citizenship Branch located in Manhattan schedules the dates for the Naturalization ceremonies and, to date, has not informed the Clerk's office on when the Naturalization Ceremonies will resume.
You may call the USCIS office for information on the date of your Naturalization ceremony. The phone number is 1-800-870-3676.
Beware: New Scam With Unemployment Benefits.
The Westchester County Clerk's Office has been receiving inquiries regarding scams using New Yorkers' personal information to file fraudulent claims for unemployment benefits.
Luckily the New York State Attorney General Letitia James has issued a fraud alert.
"We must remain vigilant about potential scams and ensure residents remain alert," Attorney General James said. "During these uncertain times, unemployment benefits are a safety net for many individuals and families who have lost their jobs. To exploit the use of these funds and overload
a system that is already processing unprecedented numbers of claims per day is as shameful as it is illegal. My office remains committed to holding accountable anyone who violates the law, and I continue to encourage the public to report suspected scams to my office."
Please follow this link for the full statement.
Westchester County to Hold Virtual Job Fair for Playland Park Positions
(Ardsley, NY) – Awaiting guidance from New York State on amusement park operations, the Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation is hopeful Playland Park in Rye will reopen this summer and is preparing to staff up with a virtual job fair.
County Executive George Latimer said: “Although we do not know definitively that we will be opening Playland Park this summer, we want to be prepared. This virtual job fair is an innovative way for us to get ready for the summer.”
Playland Park is seeking qualified candidates to fill cashier, ride operator, lifeguard, EMT, painter, carpenter, operations supervisor, clerical/intern, custodial and maintenance roles. Wages start at $14/hour.
Commissioner of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation Kathy O’Connor said: “Typically, we hold this event in person at the County Center in White Plains. As the site remains vital for vaccine distribution, we are proud to present this event in a new form for those looking for summer employment.”
Candidates will have the opportunity to view video descriptions and job specs. They will then be able to apply to their top three job choices. Qualified candidates will be contacted to schedule virtual interviews.
The job board can be accessed at https://playlandpark.org/work_at_playland/. The first round of interviews will be held on Saturday, February 20, and Sunday, February 21.
Commission to Reimagine the Future of New York’s
Courts Issues Recommendations to Expand E-Filing,
Enhance Remote Court Operations
NEW YORK – The Commission to Reimagine the Future of New York’s Courts today released two separate reports, one that includes recommendations for expanding the use of e-filing and a second report containing proposals for enhancing remote court operations amid the COVID pandemic and beyond. The Commission, led by former New York State Bar Association President Henry M. Greenberg, was appointed last year by Chief Judge Janet DiFiore to examine regulatory, technological, structural and other innovations and propose practical short- and long-range reforms.
The Commission comprises six working groups: trials, appellate practice; online courts; regulatory innovations; structural innovations; and technology. Today’s reports were produced, respectively, by the Commission’s Structural Innovations Working Group, chaired by New York Court of Appeals Associate Judge Leslie E. Stein and Westchester County Clerk Timothy C. Idoni; and its Technology Working Group, led by Mark A. Berman, a partner at Ganfer Shore Leeds & Zauderer LLP, and Sharon M. Porcellio, a member of Bond, Schoeneck & Kings, PLLC.
Click here to read the full press release.
To: Attorneys, professional staff & interested parties
ATTEND FREE SUPREME COURT
E-FILING TRAINING*
February 17, 2021 @ 10:30am-12:30pm
March 17, 2021 @ 10:30am-12:30pm
April 14, 2021 @ 10:30am-12:30pm
Where: Virtual - on-line via Microsoft Teams
Attend the free e-filing training in which the NYSCEF Resource Center staff will guide you through your first Supreme Court filing, review court rules, and provide helpful tips to avoid pitfalls and achieve success. Attorneys can receive 2 (free) CLE credits.
PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
To register go to www.nycourts.gov/efile and click on the register for training link.
December 7, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
December 7 is Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. President Roosevelt famously called December 7, 1941 "a date which will live in infamy." That prediction has certainly become a reality, as there is no doubt the attack on Pearl Harbor changed the course of world history.
So today we pay tribute to those 2,335 Americans who lost their lives. Please take a moment to reflect on this tragic event and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Thank you.
Westchester County Offering Housing Assistance
Many have faced economic difficulties due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, and as a result, might be having trouble paying rent or other bills. Westchester County recognizes its citizens need help and has enacted the Community Build-Back program to assist the county's residents.
More information is provided at https://homes.westchestergov.com/housing-help
The four parts of the program are:
- Small Business Landlord Rent Assistance - The program will expire on December 30, 2020. The application deadline is December 8, 2020.
- Foreclosure Assistance – The program's expiration date is December 30, 2020. The application deadline is December 8, 2020.
- Tenant Housing Stabilization - Must be within 21 days of eviction to qualify, but please apply before the 21 days.
- 12-Month Rental Assistance - Qualified applicants may get up to 12 months of rental assistance
To see if you qualify for any of the programs and to apply, please visit https://homes.westchestergov.com/housing-help
September 11th, 2020
Nineteen years ago, we experienced a morning none of us will ever forget. Here in Westchester, our proximity to the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center made us a part of it. We lost family, friends and neighbors. They might be gone, but they are always in our thoughts.
At the time, I was Mayor of New Rochelle and I will always remember getting the call asking to send our city's firefighters down to help at ground zero. Of course, they went without hesitation because that is the brave people they are. I also remember seeing ordinary citizens coming together and rallying around each other. It was a horrible tragedy, but it brought out the best in us.
As we continue to fight the daily tragedy that is COVID-19, we must show the best of ourselves once again. Find the spirit to overcome tragedy and the will to build back just like we did nineteen years ago.
Never Forget.
Veterans: Don’t Miss Out to File For Free!
DD-214’s Filing Safeguards One of Your Most Important Documents
Veterans, did you know you the Office of the Westchester County Clerk has been sanctioned to serve as a safe and local depository for your military records?
The Clerk's office encourages all U. S. Military Veterans living in Westchester to file a copy of their discharge papers with our office. If you file a copy here and ever have the unfortunate scenario of losing or damaging your discharge papers, the Clerk's office will provide a copy free of charge.
"Anyone who has served in the military knows how important their discharge papers are." Said Westchester County Clerk Timothy C. Idoni. "From receiving benefits to being given a proper military funeral, having a backup copy for safekeeping is invaluable."
"You served your country, now let us serve you." Said Idoni.
Please note that only the veteran, parent, spouse, dependent or child of the veteran, a representative of the estate of a deceased veteran, or a public official acting within the scope of their employment may obtain a copy of any filed DD-214. All military records are kept sealed for privacy protection purposes.
For more information, please visit https://www.westchesterclerk.com/services/veterans.
NYS ARCHIVES ANNOUNCES NEW RECORDS RETENTION AND DISPOSITION SCHEDULE - THE LGS-1
The State Archives is revising and consolidating its local government records retention and disposition schedules and issuing a single, comprehensive retention schedule for all types of local governments on August 1, 2020.
The new schedule, Retention and Disposition Schedule for New York Local Government Records or LGS-1, will supersede and replace:
- CO-2 Schedule for use by counties (2006)
- MU-1 Schedule for use by cities, towns, villages, and fire districts (2003)
- MI-1 Schedule for use by miscellaneous local governments (2006), and
- ED-1 Schedule for use by school districts, BOCES, County Vocational Education and Extension Boards, and Teacher Resource and Computer Training Centers (2004)
Local governments must adopt LGS-1 prior to utilizing it, even if they adopted and have been using the CO-2, MU-1, MI-1, or ED-1 Schedules. Governing boards of local governments will have a five-month period – between August 1, 2020 when LGS-1 is issued and January 1, 2021 when the four existing schedules expire – to adopt the Schedule by resolution. If you need a copy, there is a model resolution in the introduction of each of the existing retention schedules. A new model resolution will soon be available on the State Archives’ website.
Local government records may not be legally destroyed after the end of 2020 unless the LGS-1 is formally adopted. There is no need to notify the State Archives of LGS-1 adoptions, but local governments should keep a record of the date of adoption and maintain the resolution permanently.
The organization and formatting of the LGS-1 is similar to the existing four schedules. Section heading names have been retained. Because of the consolidation, the LGS-1 contains more sections. Local government can ignore those that are not applicable. As with previous schedules, items that are new or significantly revised have been indicated. Each schedule item has been assigned a new, unique number; however, the unique numbers of the four existing schedules have been provided allowing cross referencing. In addition, each schedule item contains the record series title and description, retention period, and any notes.
A copy of the LGS-1 will be available on the State Archives website on August 1, 2020. Additional online resources will include a list of the major revisions to the schedule and a webinar series to introduce the LGS-1. Local governments are encouraged to check the State Archives website periodically for LGS-1 news and updates. By consolidating multiple, disparate retention schedules, the LGS-1 helps to ensure consistent retention and disposition guidance for records that are common to various local governments. It also makes it easier to apply revisions necessitated by changes to laws, regulations or other mandates that affect retention. For more information please contact your Regional Advisory Officer (RAO) for assistance.
NOTICE OF ADDITIONAL RECORDING FEE EFFECTIVE MARCH 11, 2020
Effective 3/11/2020: There is a $10 additional recording fee for all residential deed recordings.
On December 12, 2019, NYS Real Property Law Section 291 was amended, effective March 11, 2020. The amended legislation requires the County Clerk, upon the recording of a conveyance of residential real property, to “mail a written notice of such conveyance to the owner of record.” The law also provides that the County Clerk is “entitled to charge a reasonable fee to cover the cost of mailing” and the “party seeking to record such conveyance shall bear the cost of such written notice.”
Amendment to NYS Tax Law Affects Recording of Deeds for LLCs
Section 1409(a) of the New York Tax Law has been amended, effective September 13, 2019, in relation to real property transfer tax returns of limited liability companies (LLC). The amended legislation “requires the real property transfer tax return relating to residential property sold or purchased by a limited liability company to include information on the ownership of such company.” S1730 Sponsor Memo
REPLACING VALUABLE DOCUMENTS
REPLACING VALUABLE DOCUMENTS
In the event of loss, the following offices and agencies can be contacted for the replacement of government issued documents. Fees may apply.
County Clerk: (914) 995-3080 All land documents (deeds, mortgages, discharges) Court filings, including Judgments of Divorce & Separation Agreements, Certificates of Incorporation, DBAs, filed Survey Maps, Liens, Military Discharges, Notary Information, Naturalization records and Pistol Permit records
Family Court: (914) 824-5500 Child custody documents, adoption records
Surrogate Court: (914) 824-5656 Wills, probate records
Town and City Clerks: Marriage Certificates, Birth, Death, Burial Permits
County Health Department: (914) 813-5000 Medical files, Immunization records, Public Health Emergencies
County Environmental Facilities: (914) 813-5400 Septic tank locations, Sewers, and Recycling
County Tax Commission: (914) 995-4325 Property tax rates other tax resources.
County Department of Finance: (914) 995-2757 Certificate of residence, FOIL requests, Property tax refunds
US Social Security Administration: 1-800-772-1213 Benefit information, Lost Social Security Cards
Dog Licenses: Town or City Clerk where you live
Handicap Permits: Town or City Clerk where you live
Timothy C. Idoni, Westchester County Clerk
110 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd , White Plains, NY 10601
Beware of Grandson Scam
Scammer Using Westchester Clerk’s Office in Ripoff Attempt
WHITE PLAINS, NY: The Grandson Scam, this time using the Westchester County Clerk’s Office as the “collection agency”, has hit again in Minnesota. This scam, in which potential victims are called by a man pretending to be a grandson who has gotten into trouble with the law, claimed $ 9,000 was due in the Clerk's office for bail. The person posing as the grandson requested bail payment in the forms of thousands of dollars in gift cards or to have the money wired from the grandparent. Once the gift cards are sent, or the money is wired, it is nearly impossible to get it back. The potential victim did not fall for it because his grandson had never been to Westchester but did report it to Clerk Legal Division chief Joseph Castellano.
In Memoriam
Former County Clerk Leonard N. Spano
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of our friend and dedicated public servant Leonard N. Spano on February 10, 2019. Len was 88 at his passing.
Westchester County Clerk Initiates Program To Alert Municipalities to Foreclosures
Idoni Seeks to Avoid Zombie Homes and Other Nuisances
County Clerk Tim Idoni has initiated a program to alert Westchester municipalities that a foreclosure proceeding has been commenced by a lending institution against a local property owner. Foreclosed properties are quite often abandoned or kept in disrepair during the process, harming the local neighborhood, or ignored by the bank or financial institution filing the foreclosure.
Tutorials Available on County Clerk's YouTube Channel
Westchester County Clerk's YouTube Channel Features Tutorials on Using Our WRO and PREP Systems
The Westchester County Clerk’s YouTube Channel features eight tutorial videos on using Westchester Records Online (WRO) to search for land and legal records and using the Property Records Electronic Portal (PREP) to record land records in Westchester County.
Tutorials for WRO and PREP include:
Search Documents on Westchester Records Online
Search thousands of Westchester County Clerk records right from your home or office through our online portal, Westchester Records Online (WRO), by clicking the "Records Online" button on the left. You can find records ranging from 18th century deeds to judgments entered in our Legal Division last week to subdivision maps and atlases spanning the entire history of Westchester County. There is a fee to view images of documents (to offset the cost of scanning these documents), but quite a bit of data about a document is available free of charge. Click on "Records Online" and follow the instructions on the screen to get started. Sensitive documents such as matrimonial judgments or other sealed documents are not available online and require you to visit our office in White Plains and show proper identification. For more information, call 914-995-3080.
read more about searching court records...
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Corona Virus Concerns Spark Changes in Services
County Clerk Idoni Announces Hours and Services Changes
URGENT: County Clerk Timothy C. Idoni announced today that due to the coronavirus pandemic his office will be making some major changes in service delivery in order to protect the general public and his staff from the dangers. Effective Tuesday, March 17th, he has reduced his staffing by fifty percent (50%) each day, while the normal 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. office hours have been reduced to 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Idoni said, “We will be providing almost all the regular services with a few exceptions, while lowering the amount of traffic in and out of the office, as per the Governor’s expectations during the emergency.”
Idoni asks the public to limit their submissions to the office to essential and time sensitive business if at all possible in the short term. Additionally, it is requested that most legal documents be e-filed (courts), e-recorded (land records), or submitted by mail.
In addition the issuance of passport and personal identification cards have been suspended due to their need to be done in person. Naturalization services have been postponed until at least mid-May.
Idoni also wishes to notify the public that while pistol licenses will continue to be processed, due to the closure of some of the courts in Westchester, the approval of some licenses may be delayed in the short term.
The clerk concluded by saying the office will continue to answer all telephone inquiries and e-mails during this time period. The office wishes to maintain most of its services while also insuring that personnel and the general public have been carefully protected.
Should one have any questions, please contact the Clerk’s office at (914) 995-3080.
Naturalization Ceremonies Postponed
UPDATE: Due to the continued spread of COVID-19, the Westchester County Clerk's Office, in coordination with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service USCIS), is postponing the next two Naturalization ceremonies, scheduled to take place on Thursday, March 19th, and Thursday, April 2nd. The Clerk's Office understands this an inconvenience, as many have been waiting for this extraordinary day to be sworn in as an American citizen, but public safety is far too important at this time.
"The best way to combat the Coronavirus is to stop it from spreading by practicing social distancing." stated Westchester County Clerk Timothy C. Idoni. "Between new citizens, their families, and staff, the Naturalization Ceremonies are attended by almost 300 people, and as Westchester finds itself the epicenter of the outbreak, it is just too much of a risk."
The Clerk's office will reschedule both dates as soon as possible, and make sure all new citizens will have their day to be sworn in. Those expecting to be sworn in on March 19th should contact USCIS for any updates. In the meantime, the Westchester County Clerk urges the public to please follow the CDC guidelines and listen to local leaders for the best practices to help protect you and your loved ones.
Notice of Additional Deed Recording Fee Effective March 11, 2020
Effective 3/11/2020: There is a $10 additional recording fee for all residential deed recordings.
On December 12, 2019, NYS Real Property Law Section 291 was amended, effective March 11, 2020. The amended legislation requires the County Clerk, upon the recording of a conveyance of residential real property, to “mail a written notice of such conveyance to the owner of record.” The law also provides that the County Clerk is “entitled to charge a reasonable fee to cover the cost of mailing” and the “party seeking to record such conveyance shall bear the cost of such written notice.”
The NYS Association of County Clerks, in order to provide uniformity throughout New York, has determined that $10 is a reasonable fee per document.
The fee will apply to property class codes 200-299, 411-C and 411-D on the RP 5217 form.
In Westchester County, this fee will apply to all residential deed documents executed on or after March 11, 2020 and to all residential deed documents submitted in Westchester County’s Property Records Electronic Portal (PREP) system or through a third party electronic recording facilitator on or after March 11, 2020, regardless of the document date.
Notice Regarding Changes to TP-584
Old Version of Form May Be Used Until February 28, 2020
The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance (“DOTF”) has recently updated form TP-584 to accommodate the recent amendment to Section 1409(a) of the New York Tax Law. The amendment to the Tax Law requires the real property transfer tax return to include the membership of any and all LLC’s that are a party to the transfer of a one to four family dwelling unit.
The new version of the TP-584 now includes the party type “Multi-member LLC” and the property type “Four-family dwelling,” and requires an addendum listing the LLC members if one of the parties is a multi-member LLC and the property is a one to three family dwelling or a four-family dwelling. The newly revised TP-584 has been integrated into the Westchester County Clerk’s PREP System and is required for any transactions created in PREP since the implementation of the change on January 3, 2020.
As this change to the system has been newly implemented, and the tax forms for a property transfer are often prepared in advance of the closing, documents submitted on the old version of the form will be accepted by this office through February 28, 2020. Any submissions using the old form, however, must still comply with the new requirements for multi-member LLCs by including the membership of the LLC(s) on an addendum as the last page of the TP-584.
Additional information and guidance can be found in the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance's Technical Memorandum, TSB-M-19(2)R.
Translator
Visiting Our Office?
Enter through the courthouse and proceed to the third floor.
Richard J. Daronco Courthouse
111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
White Plains, NY 10601
Hours:
9am - 5pm
Monday - Friday
By Appointment
Closed on official holidays.