Reviews of New York County Clerk (Notary Public)

Beatrice D'Arpini

Don't waste your time calling them: they will not answer you at any time or day.

Michael Tonsor

I normally don't like leaving bad reviews, but please request a different individual at the notary office if you find yourself with Nikita. She operates under a conflict of interest to support her local notary near the County Clerk Office. There is a high likelihood she will reject your notarized document if the signature of your New York Notary is not an "exact match" and give you her preferred notary on 265 Canal Street -- "Try my more local notary instead". Along with her rejection, she has print out cards to give to you with the address and their services. See attached photos of what she will give you.

JEFF FARMER

They don't answer the phone calls.

LK Alterman

There is no way to reach an actual person and the information online is insufficient. I spent an entire afternoon trying to find out how to get a birth certificate with letter of exemplification certified by the county clerk via mail since I don't live in NY. Called dozens of numbers with no luck. Even 311 couldn't figure it out.

Max Papadantonakis

Excellent service

Bee

Arrived at 12:30 to notarize documents didn't wait in line even 5 minutes. Room 141B located in the basement the natarization fee is $3 dollars they accept all kinds of payment methods I paid ca$h.

Natan Alalu

Good service

Vic Voroshilov

(Translated) The inside is very beautiful! May I come in. There is a queue. Search. With large cameras will not be allowed. They will have to be deposited. But the phone is not seized. (Original) Внутри очень красиво! Можно зайти. Имеется очередь. Досмотр. С большими фотоаппаратами не пустят. Их придется сдать на хранение. Но телефон не изымают.

Judit Nagy

Their automated system says it will connect you and then hangs up on you. And once you reach a clerk (IF you manage to reach a clerk) so do they.

Yoav Perry

While I usually find it easy to complain about public service in a county that has been redesigned to serve billionaires and their help I must say that this place actually works well. I had some complex documentation that needed certification for international apostille and I received detailed, knowledgeable and resourceful answers in extremely polite and prompt manner over the phone from Ken in the authentications department. He even gave me the addresses and times for all 3rd party agencies I needed to go to first. In person, getting business certificates in the past have always been easy and quick too.

Chris Zelig

Was in and out in less than 10 minutes. People were friendly. Richard was awesome.

Tiesha M

It's a nightmare trying to reach anyone. No matter what time of the day you call. I'm out of state and I've been unsuccessful to get the documents that I desperately need.

Albert Pro

trying to reach someone in the Manhattan county clerk but it`s impossible

Andy

Places like these reminds me how much I hate paying taxes. Money going to making roads and building school, all for it. Money going to feed these lazy stupid idontgiveashit workers? Not so sure

Binbin Li

The nation should be proud of how this facility works. Staffs were friendly and diligent. The process to authenticate a diploma was smoooth and efficient.

Bassam Albaqawi

It's ok. Get your thing done and leave.

Ted Cirko

I needed a notarized document authenticated and from the time I walked in and walked out, it was all of about 10 minutes. The clerk was a pleasure to speak to.

Manuel Colon

Their automated voice system doesn't work. It says for Notary press 3; when I press 3, it says "please try again" and starts me over at option #1. Also' I've been calling here now my third business day in a row and no one picks up the phone. Over 45 minutes waiting and nothing. I press the other extensions like Jury Duty and still no one pick up the phones.

Paul Santo

This is the Supreme Court, right near the Brooklyn Bridge and Foley Square. All Court Building's here but worth a look. You'll notice the Supreme Courts Staircase from Law & Order the TV show. Sometimes you catch them filming.....

jaq velez

I had a most pleasant experience here. I had to pick up some records and they were all rather helpful and pleasant. I was actually surprised. Come first thing in the morning and maybe avoid the afternoon exhausted attitudes.

Grace Lee

The Notary Public office is CLOSED ON WEDNESDAYS. Plan accordingly.

Becca Cloyd

Do not bother calling for any information. Called to ask if we need an appointment to get a document authenticated, and the woman on the other end of the line was rude and angry from the first sentence I spoke. She just kept repeating what hours the office is open and would not respond to my question, which was just "Do we need to schedule a specific appointment or do we just walk with without prior arrangement?" From her non-answer I am assuming you just walk in and wait in line, which is fine, but who knows. She put me on hold at one point and got back on the phone to tell me the address of the building. I thanked her for the information and said "To confirm, it sounds like we just walk in during the hours that you guys are open and wait?" She said I could keep asking the same question over and over and I would get the same answer every time. I hung up.

Dewayne Alicia Jackson

I cover crime, courts news so I used to spend a lot of time at the court.

Lisa Serradilla

Choose any option on the phone system and it will ring 4 times and then tell you that the extension you have selected doesn't subscribe to the voice mail system. I went there in person twice. First time I was told the form I was sent to get didn't exist. Second time, they found the form, but the person who had handled my file, "was very particular" about the cases he had processed, and since he wasn't in that day, I should come back some other time. My case is only 17 years old and I should expect such things. PUBLIC SERVICE does not enter into the conscience of people who work there.

Jonathan Noriega

During a time like Covid-19 phone calls are at a higher demand because it saves the travel and prevents the spread of any germs. That’s why answering a phone is imperative during these times. Why I call from the moment they open and the phone will ring to well past the time they close, and not a single person answers is beyond my comprehension. I understand that Covid has drastically dropped the amount of workers at a given time, but to call every single weekday for weeks straight, for hours not have a single person answer the phone is absolutely appalling. Even before Covid began, a majority of the workers had very bad attitudes, didn’t want to perform their jobs, or didn’t feel that what you were asking fit their job description and therefore excused them from helping you. The county clerk system is broken; no one is held accountable. No matter how many times you call, you can never get a hold of someone, especially during Covid. If we take Covid out of the equation, you are still on hold for hours. Nothing gets done.

J.D. McIntosh

I gave it 4 stars because when you can get inside which is everyday except Wednesdays. They are great. The people and officers are very helpful. They will help you find where you need to go etc. They are not the best organized but after being there for awhile your get what you came for.

B Selman

I saw the previous reviews and was worried... I called to check on my jury duty selection and it was very easy to change it. The lady who helped me was very friendly and helpful. Maybe my experience was unique, but it was a pleasure to speak to them.

Francis Colon

Quick service!

Elian A

(Translated) Terrible attention (Original) Pésima atención

Violeta Padilla

Trying to get through is a nightmare. I’ve been calling and emailing for 3 weeks. No luck as of yet!!!

Afonso Sanz

It is literately impossible to obtain any information from the county clerk web site . The phone system is all screwd up, no answer what so ever and no directions to get what you need. Completely uselessl !!

Wan Wu

No need to say. Experiences are mixed.

Jeffrey Calderon

Rude, they never pick up the phones. When they do, they tell you they don't allow access to PUBLIC RECORDS. Bolox.

Huang landi

5955 no good 5939

Shryll Whittaker

Do you need to get something notarized and/or authenticated here? Yeah, good luck with that. They will deny your request and tell you to come back with new, different documentation over and over again. Do you have documentation, but it's issued a couple of counties over or, heaven forbid, out of state? Too bad, you're especially out of luck.

Virgo1111

NO ONE ANSWERS THE PHONE & YOU CANNOT EMAIL THEM (get error msg). I've been trying to contact them for months. Why are employees paid if they are not doing their job? Helpdesk doesn't respond either. I would give NEGATIVE 10 rating if I could. THEY HAVE TO IMPROVE.

Kelsea O'Malley

BEWARE THE HELP DESK (room 116) The notary people were fine enough, not able to help me with my problem but that’s alright, the problem started when they sent me to the help desk at room 116 to see if they could give some advice with my issue. Hands down this was the rudest lady I have ever spoken to in my life, I wanna give her the benefit of the doubt that she had a bad day but my god. I had to explain my situation multiple times to her before she even remotely understood, kept cutting me off in the middle of explaining too, and on top of that she gave me the wrong legal advice! She said without a doubt I would have to go thru this whole process, and when I said that didn’t sound right and if there was any other way to get around it, she said dismissively to go to civil court. I ended up going there and they were wonderful, told me she was absolutely wrong and then gave me the correct information. But if I hadn’t pushed her for an alternative I would have had to do an arm and a leg worth of completely unnecessary work. I’m not saying don’t ask them legal advice, but please take it with a grain of salt and GET SECOND OPINIONS.

Brain

called because they wouldn't let my messenger go in to deliver documents - as per their instructions. when i asked what was i supposed to do, the woman on phone said "get on the subway and bring it yourself!" and hung up phone on me. my tax dollars at work! go figure.

J.M. Rogan

Hey these jobs suck and the wages suck also. I have had several experiences with the county clerk and they have all been great. Don't bring your negative expectations with you, unless you want them to be filled.

Gannon Hall

Surprisingly well run municipal institution. Great if your doing your own divorce.

Jonathan Rego

No one answers the phone. Voicemail doesn't work. I'm out of state getting a birth certificate authenticated and I have no idea whats going on on their end. Complete black hole. Sorry excuse for an already low standard for a government office.

A. Natier

Perfect

Richard

Can't reach anyone by phone. System sends to voicemail that's not set up or says "please try again"

Maria M Guerrero

I am trying to call for a couple of hours and nobody answers the phone. This is ridiculous.

Global RS Services

I also called the Authentication office/NYC County Clerk's office and the lady Karen was rude and disrespectful. Yelling and interrupting me every time I was answering her question. I asked to speak to someone else. She said I'm the only one that handles this. Continued talking and talking over me like shes on her personal phone talking to a man she hooked up with. I then asked for her name and her supervisors name. She said a supervisor is not available when I didnt ask to speak to one yet. I ask for the name. She put me on hold and continued to ignore my request to go talk to a supervisor that she said is not available. Gets back on the phone after a 8 mins to ask me for my last name so her supervisor can call me back. Still refusing to give me the name of her supervisor. She kept demanding my last and ignoring my request for a supervisors name and then hung up the phone on me. Karen is a public servant and needs to be reminded who she works for. She needs to be fired for being unprofessional and refusing to provide the name of her supervisor after her misconduct. I pretty sure this is not the first time of her conduct and it won't be the last. Look at the other reviews on New York County Clerk.

marcell Cabrera

Wasn't bad ,was expecting worst with all the negative reviews

Chris Lee

rude, useless and incompetent are just a few words that come to mind.. I was transferred 3 times to a dead line and didn't get any answers. words can't describe how horrible this place is run!!

Susana V

I've been calling here for two weeks, TWO WEEKS. Multiple times a day might I add! About a Jury Duty summons received 2 weeks ago. I have sent emails, and left voicemails about not being able to attend. Hopefully I don't get a warrant out for an arrest!

Ohh Coco

Went to get a passport. The employees are extremely rude. Will never go there for help.

Denise Cooper

Worst customer service ever. If they ever answer the phone you end up getting the nastiest people I have ever encountered in my whole life. Horrible attitudes and they speak over you while you ask the simplest of questions. They are not friendly or helpful and practically scream at you down the phone. They shouldn't have jobs. The major should look into why the service is the way it is. Nobody deserves to be treated like this when we pay such high taxes. These nasty people's wages are getting paid by us. How dare they act so high and mighty. Nasty nasty NASTY. Shame on our city for allowing people like this is be employed.

Eric

Typical state employee office. Sent to voicemail an hour before they close, randomly closed Wednesday for no reason, every single employee takes lunch at 1 so they have to close from 1-2, instead of stacking lunch so they can stay open all day, and arbitrary restrictions on function due to Covid that have no relation to Covid (i.e. limit on number of requests). Once you're there, the employees are very nice and helpful, however.

Lea Freid

this office encourages everyone t stand in line with incomplete applications & documentation Noise checking before those with incomplete apps get on line so that those of us with complete applications have to wait longer & then to top it off - the folks who didn't have right forms, fees, pictures get to return to head of line ???? How inefficient can you get . It's perplexing How about a big sign on wall with requirements & translated into a few languages ...

Annie B

Very helping and pleasant staff and security officers.

Sally Detroit

Go in person. They DO NOT save you the trip...

S Cohen

I've tried divorcing my abusive husband since 2014. We have no assets together and we have no children together. We have a prenup. My husband has threatened to kill me several of times. The only thing I want is a divorce. Last time I was here at the New York Country Clerk I asked the woman handling my case WHY and HOW this can happen in 2018 in USA? She seemed extremely frustrated & bothered by my question, she looked nervously around at the few people waiting in the waiting area who could hear me say out loud: "Why won't you give me my divorce? Why are you forcing me to stay married to a man who wants to kill me?" She was rude & nasty & basically turned around & left. She looked guilty & she looked like a shameful dog who put its tail between their legs. Again, I ONLY am asking for a divorce, I want NO money from my ex husband I want NOTHING, I only am BEGGING FOR MY FREEDOM. But seems like the system in the USA is extremely infected and corrupt unfortunately. How can it take over 4 years to be free from your potential murderer?!?! Can anyone at the New York City "justice" system please answer my question? If my case is made public I think anyone who reads it will be SHOCKED...

Rama Balthier

They don't answer the phones. Do these people work?

Roberta Krehbiel

I have contact with many county clerks' offices around the country. I spoke with two different clerks at the New York County Clerk's office via phone about some complications I had regarding notary signature for apostilles and received the most helpful and courteous service of any clerk's office ever. Thank you.

Dov Shtauber

Only accepts cash, I don't understand why they do this in 2021 and there's no place to get change over there

Leigh Mozes

Most incompetent and nasty people in the world. Don't waste your time with them. New York State should be ashamed to employ such horrible people.

lili baskin

A Frightening, frustrating, demeaning place where the "help" expects you to know the law, and to know specific protocols that they are paid to help you to understand. Questions are tolerated at best, but usually met with contempt if you are pro se. Answers given are often worded for people with some law background or experience in the field. Conversely, I've seen the opposite when a person who has legal knowledge is treated...its a complete transformation! I've never left there with a feeling that my issues were fully adressed....I have left there feeling that these people don't want to be there, that they may be running out a temporary string of job committment that requires them to put in time in this office. Its a dark, gloomy place,and I certainly understand that a good deal of pro se people have no clue what they're doing and are not organized.The toll that takes on these people is clearly made evident by the demeanor I've encountered going there....but that's no excuse for blanket poor treatment.

Jeanne Myers

(Translated) Good place to visit when you need certain papers notarized and verified for the courts or other situations. For: Vivianaborja, He only met his message and wondered very little Spanish, but was able to understand what he said in his message here. (Original) Good place to visit when you need certain papers notarized and verified for the courts or other situations. For: Vivianaborja, Solo se encontro con su mensaje y se preguntaba muy poco espanol, pero fue capaz de entender lo que dijo en su mensaje aqui.

Andrew Knotko

Fast, professional, neat. Good service, up to the point. No more, but not less.

Ronald Franco

Worst customer service ever. I have called a couple of times to see if I could get help from another person since I told the lady who I was speaking with to put on somebody else that could really help me and she didn't want too. But it is always the same lady who responds. And she is very rude. I tried to tell her to be nicer with the customers since that is what she is there for, to help us. And started laughing and repeating their schedule and talking like in slow motion or something. Never had this bad of an experience. Who ever is in charge needs to see the reviews and do something about it.

dinora reyes

It is so disappointing to see the lack of customer service this office is providing . I considered NYC to be top notch when in comes to customer service and they have proof me WRONG. I live out of state and I have not been able to reach anyone in this office for the past 2 months. Every time I call I either spend over an half an hour on the phone to end up in the same place. I have not been able to obtain an important document that they can only provide. I hope someone gets to read all the bad reviews they have and take some action.

Elise D

Their phones do not work. I have a certificate that I sent them for a seal a month ago and I cannot get ahold of anyone there. The phone rang for FIFTEEN MINUTES without anyone picking up. Voicemail doesn't work either. What an awful excuse for a government office.

Francesca Bova

They are quick and efficient. Never spent more than 15 min there!

Ana Pires

Fast and accurate

Kate Taylor

Worst customer service! I wish there was an option for no stars. The woman in the authentication records office was rude and mean! She talked over me when I was asking questions. She raised her voice and told me the hours of service several times and that wasn't one of my questions. She yelled and told me that she already answered my questions and I'm making this harder than it needs to be. I am shocked that someone that unprofessional and down right rude can work in an office where people need answers and guidance. It's obvious she could care less about helping people. I had to contact the county clerk in 3 other states about the same questions. All 3 of the other states county clerk offices were helpful and the phone call was easy. There was no reason for that kind of interaction with the NY county clerk office.

Jermaine Clark

Today I called to follow up on my certificate of publication and I received very bad customer service. I was interrupted multiple times by the operator who did not understand I had already completed many of the required steps - so I let her finish not listening and instructed her that I'm simply calling to get an indication, for planning purposes, of how long the process takes she abruptly forwarded my call to another area. Immediately, I was greeted with more customer service, cutting me off rather than listening for the answers that I was providing. After giving my information - the worker says "we don't turn things around in 24 hours here!" - to which I replied, I'm simply trying to understand the process so I can plan, will it be a week? "No, it won't be a week - we will contact you when we get to you, we have other things to do here besides this". I asked for her name and the name of the initial operator, she refused. If you dislike your job - you should probably find a new one rather than be a detriment to the reputation of your organization.

Dorothy Samel

My notary license expires in two weeks. They were supposed to mail the renewal papers three months ago. Needless to say, they never arrived in the mail. I tried e-mailing two different addresses, with no response from either office, and I've tried calling repeatedly, only to have the phone ring for a solid minute with no one picking up. The one time the call was picked up, it was by an answering machine that "transferred" me to an unknown extension, where it rang and rang and rang, once again with no answer by a live person (or even another machine). I don't understand why renewals of notary licenses can't be done online -- this is beyond ridiculous, and the time I've wasted in my office is nothing compared to what I'd waste by going to Centre Street, if the other comments are true (and there's no apparent reason to doubt them).