Niagara County Clerk Joseph Jastrzemski provides update on services; DMV closed

UPDATE: On March 21, Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order temporarily closing the Department of Motor Vehicles for all in-office visits. Online transactions, including for license renewals, are still be available. License and permit expirations will be extended.

Niagara County Clerk Joseph Jastrzemski on Tuesday announced a series of closing and service curtailments as his office complies with Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s mandate to reduce staff reporting to government offices by 50% to promote social distance and curtail the spread of COVID-19.

The following is in place for minimally the next two weeks dependent on further direction from the governor:

•The county’s three Department of Motor Vehicle Offices in Lockport, North Tonawanda and Niagara Falls are closed. Automobile dealers will be contacted by the deputy clerks to coordinate a reduced schedule for continuation of services. The general public is encouraged to use alternative methods for vehicle registrations and license renewals, including U.S. mail and online.

•The Veteran’s Service Agency, Pistol Permit Office and Historian’s Office are closed until further notice.

•The clerk’s office will not be processing veteran’s cards, notary requests or passports.

•The Clerk’s Office will continue to accept real estate transactions in the following manner:

• U.S. mail
• E-Record – visit www.niagaracounty.com/Departments/County-Clerk for instructions
• In-person by appointment. Call 716-439-7062 to schedule.

•The clerk’s office will not be permitting in-office real estate closings.

Copy requests for land and court documents should be made via telephone at 716-439-7022, email at [email protected], or via U.S. mail.

•Certificates of authentication, notarial certificates and notary renewals will be done only via U.S. mail.

A press release stated, “We understand people may have some concerns about meeting expiration deadlines. As the governor has rightly put these mandates in place to protect public health, we are seeking clarification from state DMV Commission Mark Schroeder if the state will consider extending deadlines for registrations and licenses for 60 days. Additionally, the state should also ask the federal government to delay implementation for REAL ID requirements for domestic flights by six months.”