County Clerk
Putnam County
Make an Appointment
Please be advised that the Putnam County Clerk’s Office is open to Customers by Appointment only.
845-808-1142
Welcome Message
The County Clerk is the County Registrar and Clerk of the Supreme and County Courts, in addition to other responsibilities.
Office hours are Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm. Summer hours (mid-June through mid-September) are 8am to 4pm. His office is where you will find: maps, papers in actions and special proceedings of both civil and criminal courts, judgment and lien dockets, and other books and documents related to these matters.)
Contact the County Clerk's Office
County Clerk
County Clerk
County Clerk
First Deputy County Clerk
Quick Links
Services Offered
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Business Certification (D/B/A)
Instructions for filing for a Business Certificate or a Discontinuance of Business.
Learn More
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Court Document Filing (Paper/Electronic)
An "uncontested" divorce is where both you and the person you want to divorce agree to divorce and there is an agreement about what will happen to your finances and property after the divorce
Learn More
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Domestic Partnership Registry
This page will give you the necessary information you will need to have a Domestic Partnership in Putnam County New York.
Learn More
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FAVOR Program / Veterans
Return the F.A.V.O.R Program – In Putnam County we love to help our veterans. With the F.A.V.O.R . Program you will see a list of local businesses that have special services and deals just for our veterans.
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Fraud Alert
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Land Records
For information on Land Records & Record Searching, please go to
(revised 2/16/21)
Learn More
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LLC Publication – Putnam County New York Newspapers
You will find Putnam County New York Newspapers here so that you can get your articles published for you business.
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Naturalization
Want to be an American Citizen? We can help you.
Learn More
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Passport Application / Photo
The US State Department has downloadable passport application forms available on its Web site.
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Pistol Permit Application
Pistol permit applications and information needed in order to obtain a permit can be found here.
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Records Request
Use the online form to access public records and transmit your request electronically. Your request will be processed electronically and your records may be provided in electronic format or “hard copy” format.
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SCAR Petitions
SCAR stands for “Small Claims Assessment Review” and refers to the process which allows owner-occupants of residential property to file a court case to challenge a tax assessment. The information provided here will show you how to file a Small Claims Assessment Review Petition
Learn More
Business Certification
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Business Certificate for Sole Proprietor
INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILING A BUSINESS CERTIFICATE FOR A SOLE PROPRIETOR
- This certificate is required for registering a business name for an individual.
- Download this certificate
- Contact this office, via correspondence, in person, or telephone to check availability of the desired business name.
- Complete the form. Please note that the business must be physically located in Putnam County to qualify for filing in this office. P.O. boxes are not acceptable to determine business location
(DO NOT SIGN THE CERTIFICATE UNLESS IN THE PRESENCE OF A NOTARY PUBLIC!!).
- Sign the certificate before a notary public. Please note that notary publics are available at the Putnam County Clerk’s Office (bring proper photo identification with you to ensure proper execution of the certificate).
- Bring or mail your certificate to the Putnam County Clerk’s Office at 40 Gleneida Avenue, Room 100, Carmel, New York 10512 for filing.
- The fee for filing is $25.00 for each certificate and $4.00 for each certified copy issued (it is advisable to request 2 certified copies; one for display at the place of business and one to be presented to a bank for a business banking account).
- Any questions or concerns should be directed to the licensing division at 845-808-1142 ext. 49307.
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Business Certificate for Partners
INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILING A BUSINESS CERTIFICATE FOR PARTNERS
- This certificate is required for registering a business name for partners.
- Download this certificate
- Contact this office, via correspondence, in person, or telephone to check availability of the desired business name.
- Complete the form. Please note that the business must be physically located in Putnam County to qualify for filing in this office. P.O. boxes are not acceptable to determine business location
(DO NOT SIGN THE CERTIFICATE UNLESS IN THE PRESENCE OF A NOTARY PUBLIC!!).
- Each partner must sign the certificate before a notary public. Please note that notary publics are available at the Putnam County Clerk’s Office (bring proper photo identification with you to ensure proper execution of the certificate).
- Bring or mail your certificate to the Putnam County Clerk’s Office at 40 Gleneida Avenue, Room 100, Carmel, New York 10512 for filing.
- The fee for filing is $25.00 for each certificate and $4.00 for each certified copy issued (it is advisable to request 2 certified copies; one for display at the place of business and one to be presented to a bank for a business banking account).
- Any questions or concerns should be directed to the licensing division at 845-808-1142 ext. 49307.
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Discontinuance of Business
INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILING A CERTIFICATE OF DISCONTINUANCE OF BUSINESS
- This certificate is required for discontinuing a business filed in the Putnam County Clerk’s Office.
- Download this certificate
- Complete the certificate (DO NOT SIGN THE CERTIFICATE UNLESS IN THE PRESENCE OF A NOTARY PUBLIC!!).
- Sign the certificate before a notary public. Please note that notary publics are available at the Putnam County Clerk’s Office (bring proper photo identification with you to ensure proper execution of the certificate).
- Bring or mail your certificate to the Putnam County Clerk’s Office at 40 Gleneida Avenue, Room 100, Carmel, New York 10512 for filing.
- There is no fee for filing the discontinuance certificate. However, there is a $4.00 for each certified copy issued (it is advisable to request 2 certified copies; one your records and one to be presented to a bank for proper closure of the business banking account).
- Any questions or concerns should be directed to the licensing division at 845-808-1142 ext. 49307.
Domestic Partnership Registry
This page will give you the necessary information you will need to have a Domestic Partnership in Putnam County New York.
Fraud Alert
Land Records
For information on Land Records & Record Searching, please go to
(revised 2/16/21)
Records Request (F.O.I.L.)
Online Application for Public Access to Records
The office of the Putnam County Clerk, in addition to many other duties, serves as the Public Information Officer in and for the County of Putnam. The Public has the right to request certain information from various agencies within Putnam County Government by making an official written request to the office of the Putnam County Clerk using one of the available options listed below. The request for information will be processed by this office and forwarded to the appropriate Putnam County Agency for response. To Learn more about your rights as a citizen with respect to public records please visit the website administered by the New York State Department of State’s Committee on Open Government
If you have any questions regarding the procedure for requesting information from Putnam County Government please contact this office via the e-mail or postal address listed below or by telephone at 845-808-1142 Ext. 49301.
Making a formal request for public records:
- Before you submit a FOIL request, be sure to check our Public Access Portal. Some records are already available for review without submitting any paperwork! Currently any existing records for well and septic systems within Putnam County are online with more categories becoming available.
- Use the online form to access public records and transmit your request electronically. Your request will be process electronically and your records may be provided in electronic format or “hard copy” format ELECTRONIC F.O.I.L. FORM
- SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOIL REQUEST CLICK HERE
- Download the Putnam County Application for Public Access to Records form. You may fill out this form and deliver it to the office of the County Clerk via mail, hand delivery or facsimile at 845-228-0231. You still have the option to request that your records be provided in electronic format or “hard copy” format
- Compose a request for public records in your own words. You may then deliver the request to the office of the County Clerk via conventional mail, e-mail, hand delivery or facsimile at 845-228-0231. You still have the option to request that your records be provided in electronic format or “hard copy” format
Passport Application / Photo
Pistol Permit Application
Small Claims Assessment Review (SCAR)
Electronic Filing of Small Claims Assessment Review (SCAR) Petitions is Now Mandatory.
How do I file a Small Claims Assessment Review (SCAR) Petition?
SCAR stands for “Small Claims Assessment Review” and refers to the process which allows owner-occupants of residential property to file a court case to challenge a tax assessment. This can only be done after a property tax assessment grievance has been turned down by the local Board of Assessment review. If you have not already filed with a local Board of Assessment Review, please check with your local tax assessor to learn the dates by which your grievance must be filed on the local level.
The SCAR process is an alternative appeal process for residential property to a formal Tax Certiorari proceeding and provides for review before a Hearing Officer in an informal setting. Your SCAR petition must be filed within 30 days of the filing of the final assessment roll in your community. Each community may have a different assessment roll date, so please be sure to confirm the date with the municipality in which the property is located. If the petition is filed more than 30 days after the filing of the assessment roll, your petition may be dismissed.
If you are a homeowner filing on your own behalf
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Complete and sign a Small Claims Assessment Review (SCAR) Petition
Complete the online application and then log into NYSCEF using your User ID and Password.
In NYSCEF, go to “Multi-PDF Upload”
• Select “Putnam County Supreme Court” as the court.
• Select “Other Real Property-SCAR” as the case type.
• Input party names. The homeowner is the Plaintiff/Petitioner. The municipality in which the taxes are being grieved is the Defendant/Respondent, which will be typed into the “Business/Organization Name” field. Please click here for a complete list of each municipality and how they should entered in this field.
• Select “SCAR Petition” as the commencement document and attach the pdf of the petition that you have filled out and signed.
• You will pay your $30.00 filing fee online via credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express).
Apply
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After filing your Petition in NYSCEF
- County Clerk staff will review your Petition to ensure that it is complete and assign your Petition an Index Number. You will receive an e-mail notification that your Index Number has been assigned (generally within a few hours after submission during business hours) and you will be able to access a File Stamped copy of your SCAR Petition immediately in NYSCEF.
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What to do next
Within ten days after filing your Petition in the NYSCEF website, you must serve stamped copies of your SCAR petition on:
(1) The Clerk of the school district where the property is located (by regular mail). Please click here for a complete list of each school district;
(2) The Commissioner of Finance at 40 Gleneida Avenue in Carmel, New York 10512 (by regular mail) PLEASE NOTE-IF YOU ARE ELECTRONICALLY FILING YOUR SCAR PETITION THIS STEP IS NOT NECESSARY!!;
(3) The Village Clerk if the property is situated in a Village (by regular mail) and;
(4) The Assessor or the Board of Assessment of the municipality in which the property is located (by certified mail, return receipt requested or by personal delivery). Please click here for a complete list of each municipality. PLEASE NOTE-IF YOU ARE ELECTRONICALLY FILING YOUR SCAR PETITION AND THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED IN THE TOWN OF CARMEL, THIS STEP IS NOT NECESSARY!!
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Please Note
If you wish to opt-out of e-filing you must deliver your Small Claims Assessment (SCAR) Petition to the County Clerk’s Office in hardcopy, in quadruplicate, with the required $30.00 fee. Upon return of a stamped hard copy you will follow the service instructions above.
If you are an Authorized Agent filing on behalf of multiple homeowners
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First Steps
Ensure that you have a complete and fully executed Small Claims Assessment Review (SCAR) Petition for each homeowner/property.
Complete the application for your NYSCEF Filing Agent user ID
You may fax your completed form to the E-filing resource center at (212) 401-9146. You may also e-mail your completed application to the E-filing resource center at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Once the application process is complete and you have obtained your NYSCEF Filing Agent ID you may proceed to file the petitions. There may be a 24-48 hour processing period.
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In NYSCEF, go to “Multi-PDF Upload”
- Select “Putnam County Supreme Court” as the court.
- Select “Other Real Property-SCAR” as the case type.
- Input party names. The homeowner is the Plaintiff/Petitioner. The municipality in which the taxes are being grieved is the Defendant/Respondent, which will be typed into the “Business/Organization Name” field. Please click here for a complete list of each municipality and how they should be entered in this field.
- Select “SCAR Petition” as the commencement document and attach the pdf of the petition that you have filled out and signed.
- You have the option to enter multiple actions by using this method.
- You will pay your $30.00 filing fee online via credit card for each petition filed (Visa, Mastercard, American Express).
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After filing your Petition in NYSCEF
- County Clerk staff will review your Petition(s) to ensure that they are complete and assign your Petitions Index Numbers. You will receive an e-mail notification that your Index Number has been assigned (generally within a few hours after submission during business hours) and you will be able to access a File Stamped copy of your SCAR Petition immediately in NYSCEF.
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What to do next
Within ten days after filing your Petition in the NYSCEF website, you must serve stamped copies of your SCAR petition on:
(1) The Clerk of the school district where the property is located (by regular mail). Please click here for a complete list of each school district;
(2) The Commissioner of Finance at 40 Gleneida Avenue in Carmel, New York 10512 (by regular mail) PLEASE NOTE-IF YOU ARE ELECTRONICALLY FILING YOUR SCAR PETITION THIS STEP IS NOT NECESSARY!!;
(3) The Village Clerk if the property is situated in a Village (by regular mail) and;
(4) The Assessor or the Board of Assessment of the municipality in which the property is located (by certified mail, return receipt requested or by personal delivery). Please click here for a complete list of each municipality. PLEASE NOTE-IF YOU ARE ELECTRONICALLY FILING YOUR SCAR PETITION AND THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED IN THE TOWN OF CARMEL, THIS STEP IS NOT NECESSARY!!
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Please Note
If you are eligible to opt-out of e-filing pursuant to Section 202.5-bb of the Uniform Rules for the Trial Courts, please complete the Notice of opt out form as well as the Notice of Hard Copy Submission and deliver your Small Claims Assessment (SCAR) Petition to the County Clerk’s Office in hardcopy, in quadruplicate, with the required $30.00 fee. Upon return of a stamped hard copy you will follow the service instructions above.
LLC Publications
Putnam County New York Newspapers (Updated 2024)
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The Journal News
Daily Publication
One Gannett Drive | White Plains, NY 10604
Phone (855) 288-3272 |
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Putnam County Press
Weekly Publication
P.O. Box 608 | Mahopac, NY 10541
Phone: (845) 628-8400
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Putnam County Courier
Weekly Publication
P.O. Box 185 | Cold Spring, NY 10516
Phone: (845) 265-2468 | Fax: (845) 265-2144
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Putnam County News & Recorder
Weekly Publication
P.O. Box 185 | Cold Spring, NY 10516
Phone: (845) 265-2468 | Fax: (845) 265-2144
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Naturalization
Want to be an American Citizen? We can help you.
Naturalization is the process by which U.S. citizenship is granted to a foreign citizen or national after he or she fulfills the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act
How to Apply for Naturalization
You May Qualify for Naturalization if:
- You have been a permanent resident for at least 5 years and meet all other eligibility requirements, please visit our Path to Citizenship page for more information.
- You have been a permanent resident for 3 years or more and meet all eligibility requirements to file as a spouse of a U.S. citizen, please visit our Naturalization for Spouses of U.S. Citizens page for more information.
- You have qualifying service in the U.S. armed forces and meet all other eligibility requirements. Visit the Military section of our website.
- Your child may qualify for naturalization if you are a U.S. citizen, the child was born outside the U.S., the child is currently residing outside the U.S., and all other eligibility requirements are met. Visit our Citizenship Through Parents page for more information.
You may qualify through other paths to naturalization if you do not qualify through the paths described in the links to the left. See also the USCIS Policy Manual Citizenship and Naturalization Guidance and our A Guide to Naturalization guide. Chapter 4 of the guide discusses who is eligible for naturalization.
Note: You may already be a U.S. citizen and not need to apply for naturalization if your biological or adoptive parent(s) became a U.S. citizen before you reached the age of 18. For more information, visit our Citizenship Through Parents page.
Return the F.A.V.O.R
Welcome to “RETURN THE F.A.V.O.R.” Discount Program! I am pleased to sponsor a program that honors our Putnam County Veterans as well as benefits our local merchants.
Participating Veterans will file their DD214s at the Putnam County Clerk’s Office and be issued a Putnam County Veteran ID card (both services provided free of charge) enabling them to take advantage of discounts offered by local merchants. They will also receive a List of Program Rules & Conditions together with a Discount List detailing discounts available.
Participating Merchants will file a Merchant’s Discount Application with the County Clerk’s Office indicating their discount offered to Participating Veterans and will receive a participation poster for display at their place of business. See below links for further information.
Veteran Service Agency Director Karl Rhode and I look forward to your participation in this most worthwhile program.
Please do not hesitate to contact me at (845) 808-1142 x 49301 if I can be of assistance.
Sincerely,
Michael C. Bartolotti
Putnam County Clerk
News
Schedule Your Appointment
Please Read the Following Information
All customers must abide by the procedures below.
Customers MUST have all forms completed prior to arriving for their appointment. All forms are available above.
If you have any questions or need assistance with scheduling or do not see the type of service that you need from our office, please contact us at:
Putnam County Clerks Office: 40 Gleneida Avenue, Carmel, New York 10512, (845) 808-1142
Please utilize the dropbox outside the County Office Building for the following and make sure to include all required paperwork:
- Pistol Permit Amendments
- Land Recordings (please consider e-recording land documents through one of the e-recording partners)
- Non-Emergency Court Filings (paper cases only)
When utilizing the dropbox, please make sure to leave your name and contact information.
All appointments are ONE PER PERSON
By clicking any of the links below, I affirm that I have read, understand, and will comply with the instructions set forth.
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Passport Saturday
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Business Certification (D/B/A)
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Domestic Partnership Registry
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Veterans DD-214 / F.A.V.O.R Card
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Land Recording
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First Time Passport Application / Photo DS-11 Form
Please note: Only ONE Applicant per time slot
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Renewal Passport Application / Photo DS-82 Form
Please note: Only ONE Applicant per time slot
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Subdivision Map Filing
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New Pistol Permit Application
(includes notary and photo services)
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Pistol Permit Transaction - Other
(Amendment, Duplicate, Co-Register)
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Court Document
(Paper/Electronic)
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Fine Payment
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Judgement and/or Lien Transaction
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Notary Transaction
(Service, Renewal, Authentication)
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Photo Services
Please note: Only ONE Applicant per time slot
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Record Room Research
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Copy of Land Record
(Deed, Map, Mortgage Satisfaction, etc.)
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Court Record Requests
