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 renewals.

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.

 A 100-year-old World War II Veteran and resident of Westchester County was unable to get his COVID-19 vaccine at a local drug store chain due to documentation issues in verifying his identity as a New York State resident. This gentleman and his daughter came to the County Clerk's Office looking for assistance through the Court system. Upon learning the issues and the need for immediate action, our staff reached out to the Court and to the County Department of Emergency Services for assistance. With the assistance of the County Department of Emergency Services and the County and NYS Departments of Health, the gentleman was vaccinated at the County Center site.

 The Court went to work on solving his identification issue caused by name variations in his proof documents.

 The New York State National Guard at the Westchester County Center expedited the process and its members were thrilled to assist a veteran. After the gentleman received his vaccination, his daughter then sent the Clerk's staff a note stating, “Thank you many times over....Dad was treated like royalty," and sent us the picture attached to this post.

 Here at the Westchester County Clerk's Office, we were honored that our office could play a small part in helping this 100-year-old World War II Veteran get his Covid-19 Vaccine. Special thanks to the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services, County and State Departments of Health, the New York State National Guard and Administrative Judge Kathie Davidson’s staff who expedited the process.

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.”

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