I own a home in New York
STAR relief, property taxes, assessments, deeds, and exemptions.
NEW YORK GUIDE
Life in New York comes
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From STAR relief and property taxes to Surrogate's Court, winter storms, and starting a business, CountyOffices gives you clear New York-specific guidance for the things that matter.
Reviewed against official New York government sources • Updated as laws and requirements change
What brings you here today?
I own a home in New York
New York's STAR (School Tax Relief) program is the state's main homeowner benefit, and it works in two forms with a genuine choice between them. Basic STAR is available to any owner-occupied primary residence with combined household income up to $500,000 for the STAR credit (a check from the state) or $250,000 for the STAR exemption (a direct reduction on your school tax bill) - and importantly, STAR credit savings can grow up to 2% annually while exemption savings stay flat, so switching from exemption to credit is often the better long-term move. Enhanced STAR, for homeowners 65+ with combined income under roughly $110,750, offers a substantially bigger benefit; as of 2026, if you already have Basic STAR and turn 65, the state now automatically reviews and switches you to Enhanced STAR without a separate application. STAR applies only to school taxes, not your full property tax bill, and you must register directly with the NYS Dept. of Taxation and Finance for the credit, not your local Assessor. Deeds are recorded with the county Clerk, who outside New York City often also runs your local DMV office.
Sources: New York State Dept. of Taxation and Finance, county Clerk and Assessor offices
I'm buying or selling property
Closings, title searches, transfer taxes, deeds, and property records.
I'm buying or selling property
New York closings typically go through a title company or attorney (attorneys are effectively required for closings in much of the state, including all of the New York City area). Deeds are recorded with the county Clerk, who outside New York City also frequently runs the local DMV office alongside land records. New York charges a Real Estate Transfer Tax at recording, and homes selling above $1 million in New York City and certain other high-value sales face an additional "mansion tax" on top of the standard transfer tax. A title search through the county Clerk's records confirms there are no outstanding liens before closing. Once you buy and move in, register for STAR (School Tax Relief) directly with the NYS Dept. of Taxation and Finance, not your local Assessor - this is a common early misstep for new New York homeowners, since STAR isn't automatic and doesn't transfer from the previous owner. Assessments are set locally by your town or city Assessor, and if you believe your new assessment is off, Grievance Day gives you a specific annual window to formally challenge it.
Sources: county Clerk offices, New York State Dept. of Taxation and Finance
I'm renting my home
Security deposits, tenant protections, eviction notices, and local rent rules.
I'm renting my home
New York is one of the most tenant-protective states in the country, following the 2019 Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act (HSTPA). Security deposits are capped statewide at one month's rent - landlords can't charge more regardless of what they call the extra charge (pet deposits, move-in fees, and "last month's rent" prepayment all count toward that one-month cap). Landlords must return your deposit within 14 days of move-out with an itemized statement of any deductions; missing that deadline means they forfeit the right to keep any of it, automatically, without you needing to prove bad faith. Late fees are capped at the lesser of $50 or 5% of monthly rent, and only after rent is 5 days late. Application fees are capped at $20. Since 2024, the Good Cause Eviction Law adds further protection in cities that have adopted it (including New York City and a growing list of others), making it harder to evict without a specific legal reason and presumptively unreasonable to raise rent by more than roughly 8-10% annually for covered tenancies. If your landlord withholds your deposit improperly or violates these rules, you can pursue the overcharge in small claims or housing court, or file a complaint with the NY Attorney General's office.
Sources: New York Attorney General, HSTPA (2019), General Obligations Law §7-108
Someone passed away
Surrogate's Court, wills, estates, and county filing steps.
Someone passed away
Probate in New York is handled by each county's Surrogate's Court, a dedicated court specifically for estates, wills, and guardianships - separate from Supreme Court, County Court, or any other trial-level court. New York offers a simplified small estate ("voluntary administration") process for personal property estates under a statutory value threshold, letting heirs settle without opening full probate. Whether a full probate proceeding is needed depends on the estate's size, whether there's a will, and whether the heirs agree. If the deceased was receiving STAR school tax relief on their home, it doesn't transfer automatically to heirs - whoever inherits and occupies the home needs to independently register with the NYS Dept. of Taxation and Finance. New York does impose its own estate tax (separate from and in addition to any federal estate tax) with a state-specific exemption threshold that's lower than the federal one, so a New York estate that owes no federal estate tax may still owe state estate tax - worth confirming with an estate attorney. Property records for real estate in the estate are held by the county Clerk, separate from the Surrogate's Court handling the case.
Sources: New York State Unified Court System, New York State Dept. of Taxation and Finance, SCPA (Surrogate's Court Procedure Act)
I'm getting married or divorced
Marriage licenses, divorce filing, name changes, and official records.
I'm getting married or divorced
Marriage licenses in New York come from any Town or City Clerk - apply regardless of residency, then wait a mandatory 24 hours before the ceremony can take place. Once issued, the license is valid for 60 days (180 days for active-duty military) and works anywhere in the state. Divorce is filed in Supreme Court, and New York offers several residency paths rather than one fixed rule: either spouse having lived in New York for 2 years satisfies it outright, or 1 year if the couple married in New York, lived there as spouses, or the grounds arose there. New York imposes no mandatory waiting period after filing, but a divorce won't be finalized until every issue - custody, property, support - is resolved, so most New York divorces still take several months even when uncontested. New York recognizes a no-fault ground (irretrievable breakdown for at least 6 months) alongside fault-based grounds, and courts divide marital property under an equitable distribution standard, not automatically 50/50. There's no waiting period to remarry once a New York divorce judgment is final.
Sources: New York State Unified Court System, Town and City Clerk offices, NY Domestic Relations Law §230
I'm caring for an aging parent
Senior services, benefits, property issues, and estate planning information.
I'm caring for an aging parent
If your parent is 65 or older, confirm they've registered for Enhanced STAR - the significantly larger version of New York's school tax relief program, requiring combined household income under roughly $110,750. As of 2026, if your parent already has Basic STAR and turns 65, the state now automatically reviews and switches them to Enhanced STAR without a separate application - a genuine convenience improvement from past years, though the state may still request documentation if your parent doesn't file a tax return. This only covers school taxes, not the full property tax bill, so it's one piece of relief, not comprehensive coverage. If your parent needs help managing property or finances, a durable power of attorney can avoid the need for court-supervised guardianship in many situations; guardianship itself, when necessary, goes through Supreme Court or Surrogate's Court depending on the specifics. If you're planning ahead for an eventual estate, be aware New York has its own state estate tax with a lower exemption threshold than the federal one, so even an estate that owes no federal tax could still owe New York state estate tax.
Sources: New York State Dept. of Taxation and Finance, New York State Office for the Aging
I need an official record
Birth, death, marriage, court, property, and business records.
I need an official record
Birth and death certificates for most of the state come from the New York State Dept. of Health's Vital Records office, though New York City has its own separate Office of Vital Records (part of the NYC Dept. of Health) with its own request process. Marriage records are held by whichever Town or City Clerk issued the license. Property records - deeds, mortgages, liens - are recorded and searchable through the county Clerk, generally free to search in person with a fee for certified copies. Estate and probate records come from the county Surrogate's Court, separate from other civil and criminal court records held by Supreme Court or County Court. Business entity records are filed with the New York Department of State, searchable statewide. Outside New York City, vehicle registration and even driver's license services are often handled by the county Clerk as well, since many county Clerks operate local DMV offices directly. New York City residents should note that most local government functions there run through the city government rather than borough (county)-level offices.
Sources: New York State Dept. of Health, county Clerk and Surrogate's Court offices, New York Dept. of State
I'm starting or running a business
DBA filings, licenses, permits, EIN, sales tax, and local requirements.
I'm starting or running a business
Registering a business in New York starts with the Department of State, where you file to form an LLC or corporation; sole proprietors and partnerships using a trade name typically file a DBA (Certificate of Assumed Name) with their county Clerk instead. Most businesses register with the state Dept. of Taxation and Finance for a Certificate of Authority to collect sales tax if they'll sell taxable goods or services, and get an EIN from the IRS if they're not a sole proprietor with no employees. Local business licenses and zoning approval vary considerably by town, city, and county, so check all applicable levels for your specific location - New York City in particular layers substantial additional business licensing requirements beyond the state minimum. If you'll own commercial vehicles, remember that outside New York City, your county Clerk may handle vehicle registration directly, since many operate local DMV offices. Business real estate is assessed at the local level by your town or city Assessor, with any dispute going through the annual Grievance Day process rather than a rolling appeal window.
Sources: New York Dept. of State, New York State Dept. of Taxation and Finance, county Clerk offices, IRS
How-To Guides for New York
Genealogy
Read guide →How do I access court records?
Read guide →How do I appeal my property tax assessment?
Read guide →How do I find an inmate or search a jail roster?
Read guide →How do I find and access senior services?
Read guide →How do I get a business license?
Read guide →How do I get a copy of a birth certificate?
Read guide →How do I get a copy of a death certificate?
Read guide →How do I get a marriage license?
Read guide →How do I pay my property taxes?
Read guide →How do I register to vote or check my registration?
Read guide →New York Statewide Probate Guide
Read guide →Open Records
Read guide →New York works differently. Here's what to know.
Towns, Villages & Cities
New York layers towns, villages, and cities under each county, and services depend on which one you live in.
Towns, Villages & Cities
Outside New York City, New York layers local government in a way that trips up many newcomers: every county contains multiple towns, and many towns in turn contain one or more villages, with each layer potentially providing overlapping or distinct services. You could live in a specific village, within a specific town, within a specific county, and each level might handle a different piece of local government - the village might run its own police force and water system while the town handles zoning for unincorporated areas and the county handles courts and larger infrastructure. Cities, meanwhile, are legally distinct from towns and villages and typically operate with more self-contained services, similar in independence to how New York City's boroughs function relative to the five counties they occupy. This layering means "who do I contact" genuinely depends on your specific address down to the village or town level, not just your county - two residents a few blocks apart, one inside a village and one just outside it, can have meaningfully different local government contacts for the same kind of question.
Sources: New York State Dept. of State, New York Association of Counties
County Clerks Run the DMV
Outside New York City, many DMV offices are operated by your County Clerk.
County Clerks Run the DMV
Outside New York City, a significant number of county Clerks operate the local DMV office directly, under an agreement with the state Dept. of Motor Vehicles - driver's license transactions, vehicle registration, and title work happen at your county Clerk's office rather than a separate, standalone state-run facility. This is a genuine combination most states don't offer: the same office recording your property deed might also be where you renew your license plates. Not every county Clerk runs a full DMV office this way, and services can differ from one county Clerk's office to another, so confirm what your specific county Clerk handles before assuming a full range of DMV services is available there. Within New York City, DMV services run through the state's own offices rather than the borough (county) Clerks, since city government structures work differently there. If you've just moved to New York outside the five boroughs, your county Clerk's office is a reasonable first call for both property and vehicle-related needs.
Sources: New York State Dept. of Motor Vehicles, county Clerk offices
Surrogate's Court Handles Estates
Wills, estates, and probate matters go through each county's Surrogate's Court.
Surrogate's Court Handles Estates
New York runs a dedicated court exclusively for estates, wills, guardianships, and probate matters in each county: the Surrogate's Court, distinct from Supreme Court, County Court, or Family Court. This specialized structure means probate has its own judge (the Surrogate) and its own procedural rules under the Surrogate's Court Procedure Act, rather than being folded into a general civil court's docket. New York offers a simplified "voluntary administration" process for smaller estates under a statutory value threshold, avoiding full probate for modest, uncomplicated estates. If you're settling a New York estate, the Surrogate's Court in the county where the deceased lived is your starting point - not Supreme Court, which handles other major civil litigation, and not County Court, which in most of New York handles felony criminal matters. New York City residents file in the Surrogate's Court for their specific borough (which functions as the county for this purpose), since each of the five boroughs maintains its own Surrogate's Court.
Sources: New York State Unified Court System, Surrogate's Court Procedure Act
STAR School Tax Relief
The STAR credit or exemption may lower the school taxes on your primary home.
STAR School Tax Relief
New York's STAR (School Tax Relief) program reduces school tax specifically, not your full property tax bill, and comes in two tiers with a genuinely important structural choice. Basic STAR is available to any owner-occupied primary residence, income permitting ($500,000 combined income limit for the STAR credit check, or $250,000 for the older STAR exemption applied directly to your bill). Enhanced STAR, for homeowners 65+ with combined income under roughly $110,750, offers a substantially larger reduction. The genuinely important part: STAR credit savings (delivered as a check from the state) can grow up to 2% annually, while STAR exemption savings (a direct reduction on your school tax bill, administered locally) stay flat year to year - so many longtime STAR exemption recipients are financially better off switching to the credit, even though it means registering directly with the state instead of your local Assessor. You must actively register for STAR; it is never automatic, doesn't transfer with a home sale, and as of 2026 only automatically upgrades existing Basic STAR recipients to Enhanced STAR once they turn 65, without needing a separate application for that specific transition.
Sources: New York State Dept. of Taxation and Finance
Five Boroughs, Five Counties
New York City's boroughs are counties, but most services run through the city government.
Five Boroughs, Five Counties
New York City's five boroughs - Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island - are also, legally, five separate counties: New York, Kings, Queens, Bronx, and Richmond County respectively. But this legal county status mostly matters for a narrow set of functions like Surrogate's Court and certain court filings, since most actual government services in New York City run through the consolidated city government rather than borough-level offices the way county government works in the rest of the state. There's no separate borough Assessor, Treasurer, or county-style Clerk running property records the way an upstate county Clerk would - the city government (through agencies like the Dept. of Finance for property matters) handles most of what a county would elsewhere. The practical upshot: if you're in New York City, "county" mostly matters for legal filings and formal jurisdiction (a Surrogate's Court case cites your specific borough-county), but for most day-to-day government business, you're dealing with the city, not a county office the way someone in Erie or Suffolk County would.
Sources: New York City government, New York State Dept. of State
Assessments Happen Locally
Town and city assessors set property values, and Grievance Day is your chance to challenge them.
Assessments Happen Locally
Unlike states where a county Assessor sets property values uniformly, New York property assessments happen at the town or city level - each of New York's hundreds of towns and cities has its own local Assessor setting values within that jurisdiction, resulting in real variation in assessment practices and reassessment schedules even between neighboring towns in the same county. If you disagree with your assessment, there's a specific, narrow annual opportunity to challenge it: Grievance Day, typically held in May (the exact date is set locally and varies by municipality), when you can formally file a grievance with your local Board of Assessment Review before that year's assessment becomes final. Missing Grievance Day generally means waiting until the following year's cycle - there's no rolling, anytime appeal process for a standard assessment dispute. Because assessment practices and schedules genuinely differ by municipality, confirm your specific town or city's Grievance Day date directly rather than assuming it matches a neighboring jurisdiction, and gather comparable sales evidence well before that date if you plan to challenge your value.
Sources: New York State Dept. of Taxation and Finance, local Assessor and Board of Assessment Review offices
The questions New York residents actually ask
The New York county records research approach starts with the specific county's County Clerk website. Most New York counties offer some online record search through their county websites. New York operates the eCourts system for many court records statewide. Real estate records in New York City are accessible through the ACRIS system for four boroughs and the Staten Island County Clerk for Staten Island. The New York State Association of Counties provides links to county websites for New York county records access.
New York is the only state where one major city (New York City) administers its own vital records separately from the state vital records office. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene handles all birth and death certificates for events within the five boroughs. The New York State Department of Health Vital Records handles events in the rest of the state. New York county records on births and deaths require going to the appropriate jurisdiction depending on where the event occurred.
Surrogate's Court is the specialized New York court that handles probate, administration of estates without wills, adoption, guardianship, and related matters. Each New York county has its own Surrogate's Court. New York is one of the few states with a court specialized in these matters. New York Surrogate's Court probate generally requires more procedural steps than probate in states with general jurisdiction trial courts handling probate. The New York probate guide covers Surrogate's Court procedures.
New York property tax due dates vary by jurisdiction. School taxes typically come due in September. County and town taxes come due in January or February. City taxes vary by city. New York City property taxes have specific due dates set by the city. Many jurisdictions allow payment in installments. Some jurisdictions offer discounts for early payment. New York county records on property tax payments are maintained by the local tax collector (often at the town or city level rather than county level). The variation in New York county records procedures for tax payments makes it important to verify deadlines with your specific local tax collector.
Apply at the City or Town Clerk's office where you live or where you plan to marry. In New York City, apply at the City Clerk's office. Both applicants must appear together. Required documents include government-issued photo ID and proof of age. License fees range from $30 to $40 depending on locality. New York has a 24-hour waiting period between license issuance and the marriage ceremony, with limited exceptions. New York county records on marriage are maintained by the local clerk that issued the license. Licenses are valid for 60 days.
For events outside New York City, order through the New York State Department of Health Vital Records office. For events within the five boroughs of New York City, order through the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. New York county records on births within New York City go through the city office regardless of borough. Required information includes the full name on the certificate, date of birth, place of birth, parents' names, and proof of your identity. State fees are approximately $30 per certified copy.
New York divorce filing requires meeting the New York residency requirement (which has multiple paths, generally 1-2 years), completing the Summons and Complaint, and filing with the Supreme Court in the county of residence. Filing fees include approximately $210 for the Index Number plus additional fees. New York allows no-fault divorce (irretrievable breakdown for at least six months) added in 2010, plus several fault-based grounds. New York county records on divorce decrees are maintained by the Supreme Court Clerk in the county where the divorce was granted. New York equitable distribution rules apply to property division.
The New York Board of Assessment Review (BAR) is the local body that hears property tax assessment grievances. Property owners who believe their assessment is too high can file a grievance with the BAR by Grievance Day (typically the fourth Tuesday of May in most localities, though dates vary). The BAR conducts hearings and issues decisions. If unsuccessful, owners can pursue Small Claims Assessment Review (SCAR) or Article 7 court proceedings. The New York property tax guide covers the process.
File Articles of Organization with the New York Department of State. The filing fee is $200. New York LLC formation typically processes within 7-10 business days for standard filing or sooner with expedited service. After formation, New York requires the LLC to publish notice in two newspapers in the county of formation for six consecutive weeks, then file a Certificate of Publication ($50 fee). The publication requirement is unique to New York and can cost $1,000 to $2,500 in New York City counties. New York county records on LLC publications are filed with the county clerk, making the county clerk's office an important step in the New York county records system for new businesses.
Register through the New York State Board of Elections or your county Board of Elections. New York allows online voter registration. Registration deadline is 10 days before each election in most cases. New York added no-excuse absentee voting in 2020 (constitutionally protected in 2022). New York requires limited identification at the polls in some circumstances but does not require photo ID. New York county records on voter registration are maintained by each county Board of Elections.
The New York county records maintained by the County Clerk vary somewhat by county but typically include real property records (deeds, mortgages, liens), judgments, court records for Supreme Court civil cases, military discharge papers, and notary commissions. In New York City, real estate records for Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens are handled by the City Register; Staten Island uses its County Clerk. The New York State Association of County Clerks provides additional information.
New York does not allow expungement of most convictions. New York allows sealing of certain convictions under Criminal Procedure Law section 160.59 after ten years from sentencing for one felony plus up to one misdemeanor. Recent legislation (CLEAN Slate Act, 2023) creates automatic sealing for many convictions after specified periods. New York also allows sealing under section 160.55 for marijuana-related convictions and certain other offenses. Sealed New York county records on criminal matters remain available to law enforcement and certain employers but are not generally accessible to the public. The New York court records guide covers sealing procedures in detail.
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Important Deadlines in New York
New York's assessment calendar runs on a genuinely fixed sequence in most towns and cities (New York City follows its own separate calendar): March 1 is both the Taxable Status Date (your property's condition and ownership as of that date determine the year's assessment) and, state-mandated with no exceptions, the deadline to file property tax exemptions - including STAR, senior, and veteran exemptions - with your local Assessor.
Important Deadlines in New York
New York's assessment calendar runs on a genuinely fixed sequence in most towns and cities (New York City follows its own separate calendar): March 1 is both the Taxable Status Date (your property's condition and ownership as of that date determine the year's assessment) and, state-mandated with no exceptions, the deadline to file property tax exemptions - including STAR, senior, and veteran exemptions - with your local Assessor. Basic and Enhanced STAR now generally run through direct registration with the NY State Dept. of Taxation and Finance rather than your local Assessor's office, and Enhanced STAR recipients must reverify eligibility annually. The Tentative Assessment Roll, showing proposed values, is filed May 1, and Grievance Day - your formal opportunity to challenge your assessment before the Board of Assessment Review - typically falls the fourth Tuesday in May, though individual towns can adopt local laws shifting this date, so confirm your specific municipality's actual date rather than assuming the standard. The Final Assessment Roll locks in July 1, and no valuation changes happen after Grievance Day until the following taxable status year. Property tax bills generally split into school taxes (billed around September) and county/town taxes (billed around January), though exact schedules vary locally.
Sources: New York State Dept. of Taxation and Finance, town/city Assessor offices, NY Real Property Tax Law §302 and §512
Assessment Grievances in New York
If you disagree with your property's assessed value, New York's process centers on Grievance Day - typically the fourth Tuesday in May in most towns and cities, though individual municipalities can adopt local laws shifting this date, so confirm your specific town or city's actual date rather than assuming the standard.
Assessment Grievances in New York
If you disagree with your property's assessed value, New York's process centers on Grievance Day - typically the fourth Tuesday in May in most towns and cities, though individual municipalities can adopt local laws shifting this date, so confirm your specific town or city's actual date rather than assuming the standard. This is the one formal day each year the Board of Assessment Review (a citizen panel distinct from the Assessor's office) hears assessment challenges. Review the Tentative Assessment Roll, filed May 1, before Grievance Day arrives - it's your first look at the year's proposed values and your basis for deciding whether to challenge. Bring genuine supporting evidence: comparable sales, an independent appraisal, or documentation of a factual error in your property's characteristics. No valuation changes can happen after Grievance Day until the following taxable status year, making this genuinely a use-it-or-lose-it annual window. If the Board of Assessment Review's decision doesn't resolve things in your favor, further appeal to Small Claims Assessment Review (SCAR, available for owner-occupied residential property, with its own deadline shortly after the Final Assessment Roll) or to Supreme Court via an Article 7 proceeding remains available. New York City runs an entirely separate assessment and appeal process through its own Tax Commission, distinct from the town/city system used elsewhere in the state.
Read the full property tax appeal guide →
Sources: New York State Dept. of Taxation and Finance Office of Real Property Tax Services, town/city Board of Assessment Review offices, NY Real Property Tax Law §512 and §730
Public Records Access in New York
The New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) presumes that records held by state and local government agencies are open to public inspection, and like most states' open-records laws, you generally don't need to explain your reason for a request or demonstrate a personal interest in the records.
Public Records Access in New York
The New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) presumes that records held by state and local government agencies are open to public inspection, and like most states' open-records laws, you generally don't need to explain your reason for a request or demonstrate a personal interest in the records. Agencies must respond within 5 business days, and cite a specific statutory exemption if a request is denied - common exemptions include certain law enforcement investigative records, personnel and medical information, and other categories the legislature has carved out. Real estate records - deeds, mortgages, liens - are recorded and searchable through the county Clerk, an office that outside New York City also often operates local DMV functions, a genuinely distinctive combination worth knowing when you need either service. Estate and probate matters run through each county's Surrogate's Court, one per county. Business entity records, including DBA filings, are handled partly at the county Clerk level (assumed/trade names) and partly through the New York Secretary of State (corporations, LLCs). Property assessment and exemption records go through your specific town, city, or village Assessor, since New York property assessment is genuinely a local function layered under each county. New York City's five boroughs are technically counties (New York, Kings, Queens, Bronx, Richmond) but run through the unified city government for most services rather than separate county offices. If a FOIL request is denied, disputes can be appealed within the agency and then to state court.
Read the full open records guide →
Sources: New York Committee on Open Government, New York Public Officers Law §84 et seq. (FOIL), county Clerk and Surrogate's Court offices
Storm & Winter Help in New York
New York's winter storm season genuinely runs November through April, bringing real risk from lake-effect snow (particularly intense in western New York near Lake Erie and Lake Ontario), nor'easters, and ice storms across the state, with upstate and Adirondack regions facing especially severe conditions.
Storm & Winter Help in New York
New York's winter storm season genuinely runs November through April, bringing real risk from lake-effect snow (particularly intense in western New York near Lake Erie and Lake Ontario), nor'easters, and ice storms across the state, with upstate and Adirondack regions facing especially severe conditions. Know your city or town's snow emergency and parking-ban rules before winter arrives - many New York municipalities, and especially large cities, restrict overnight street parking during and after significant snowfall, with towing a real, immediate consequence. Lake-effect snow bands can produce genuinely extreme, hyper-local snowfall totals in western New York that catch even longtime residents off guard, so pay attention to specific lake-effect advisories in addition to general winter storm warnings if you're downwind of one of the Great Lakes. Heating assistance is a genuinely practical concern given New York's cold winters - the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps income-eligible households with heating costs, administered through local Departments of Social Services. After a storm causes damage, your local Assessor can adjust your property's valuation, and if a federal disaster is declared, FEMA assistance becomes available for individuals and municipalities. Insurance claims should be filed promptly with documentation (photos, a written inventory). Building permits for storm repairs go through your local building department.
Sources: New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, HEAP, FEMA, local Assessor and Social Services offices
New to New York?
As a new New York resident, check with the Dept. of Motor Vehicles for the current specific window to transfer your out-of-state driver's license and register your vehicle - outside New York City, many DMV functions are genuinely operated through your county Clerk's office rather than a separate state facility, so start there.
New to New York?
As a new New York resident, check with the Dept. of Motor Vehicles for the current specific window to transfer your out-of-state driver's license and register your vehicle - outside New York City, many DMV functions are genuinely operated through your county Clerk's office rather than a separate state facility, so start there. If you've purchased a home, register for STAR (School Tax Relief) directly with the NY State Dept. of Taxation and Finance rather than your local Assessor, and file any other exemptions (senior, veteran) with your town or city Assessor by March 1. Register to vote through your county Board of Elections. Remember New York genuinely layers government: towns, villages, and cities sit under each county, and which services you get - and from where - depends on which of these you live in, so don't assume your neighbor's experience matches yours if they're in a different municipality nearby. If you're in New York City, know that the five boroughs are technically counties (New York, Kings, Queens, Bronx, Richmond) but nearly everything runs through unified city government rather than separate county offices. Property deeds are recorded with the county Clerk, and estate matters go through each county's Surrogate's Court. Mark May's Grievance Day on your calendar if you ever want to challenge your property assessment.
Sources: New York State Dept. of Motor Vehicles, New York State Dept. of Taxation and Finance, county Clerk and Board of Elections offices
Find the services available in your county
New York laws apply statewide, but offices, services, procedures and local requirements can vary by county. Select your county for verified local offices, services and official resources.
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Sources and References
- NY.gov
- New York Department of State Division of Corporations
- New York State Department of Health Vital Records
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
- New York Unified Court System
- New York eCourts case search
- New York Surrogate's Court
- New York Committee on Open Government
- New York State Association of Counties
- New York State Department of Taxation and Finance
- New York State Board of Elections
62COUNTIES COVEREDAcross New York
19M+RESIDENTS REPRESENTEDNew York population covered
1,000+TOPICS & GUIDESAnswers for real life
VerifiedSOURCED TO OFFICIAL RESOURCESEvery guide links to primary government sources