Month: January 2024

2025 Action Guide to Obtain NYC Marriage License for Apostille.

The step-by-step-step guide to obtaining an exemplified marriage license with authentication ready for apostille.

Looking to save a few dollars? You can obtain your own marriage license copy with the required authentication ready for apostille. Here are the step-by-step instructions from apostille expeditor, Harry Otto:

First, make an appointment with the New York City Marriage Bureau, located at 140 Worth Street, here:

https://clerkscheduler.cityofnewyork.us/s/RecordRoom

Second, if you’re driving, download the ParkWhiz App:

ParkWhiz App

and book discounted parking here:

101 Worth Street “Foley Street Garage” for the discounted rate of $35 for 3 hours vs $55. This will generate a QR code that gets you in-and-out quick.

2025 UPDATE: If you’re looking for the best parking deal for “in and out” authentication of your marriage certificate at the County Clerk at 60 Centre Street, use the back entrance and park at 180 Worth Street with their $20 30-minute special.

Third, don’t forget your ID because you’ll need to show it to gain entry and get rid of your belt and metal objects before the metal detectors. Make sure you walk in with this form filled out:

NYC MARRIAGE LICENSE COPY REQUEST FORM

https://www.cityclerk.nyc.gov/assets/cityclerk/downloads/pdf/mail_in_request_form%20final.pdf

Fourth, after you obtain your long-form marriage docs with exemplification, head back out the doors and make a left to the City Clerk at 60 Centre Street. Don’t go through the front entrance. Walk along the left side of the building to the back.

This what the back entrance looks like:

60 entre Street back entrance is always quickest.

They don’t take credit cards or checks. It’s $3 for the authentication “tag” and DO NOT go on Wednesday (no authentication). And don’t go between 12:30 and 2PM (lunch).

And this is what the line looks like at 2PM:

The lines after the 12:30 to 2PM lunch break can be avoided if you know beforehand.

Fifth, if you have a few extra minutes make a right when you leave because you’re 2 blocks from Chinatown and a 4 minute walk from Canal Street ($45 Lois Vuitton).

That’s it. 

Want to just let us handle everything? The application process starts here: apostilleapply.com and you can call/text/WhatsApp anytime at (914)441-2444.

Want to see exactly what your apostille will cost and exactly when you’ll have it back in your hands? Use our dynamic apostille calculator! After you see your results, print them to an instant PDF quote and shop around!

Westchester Leases for Removal of Squatters

White Plains Apostille and Mobile Notary

If you own property in Westchester County or White Plains and have had your home or building occupied by squatters, you know how difficult it can be to remove them legally. As the New York Post reported, “Homeowners who go on vacation or a business trip, even for just a week, are returning to find their houses overtaken by trespassers who fraudulently claim a right to be there.”

Squatters in New York can actually gain legal rights to remain on a property through the principle of adverse possession if certain requirements are met over time. The Post explains: “In New York state, a homeowner faced with a trespasser can expect eviction to take two years. Meanwhile, the owner is barred from turning off utilities, removing belongings or doing anything else to get the invaders out.”

At White Plains Apostille & Mobile Notary, we understand the urgency of these situations for property owners. That’s why we charge minimum travel fees of $350 and usually slightly higher to notarize new lease agreements as part of the legal process for landlords to reclaim their properties from squatters. Here’s why our fee is higher than a standard $99 to $199 travel fees for notarization:

  1. Likelihood of Court Appearance
    Once squatters establish tenancy rights after 30 days in NYC or 10 years elsewhere, landlords must go through formal housing court evictions, which are severely backlogged. Our notaries may have to validate the notarized lease during these proceedings.
  2. Thorough Screening and Vetting
    To ensure the lease’s validity cannot be challenged, we carefully screen all parties, verify identities, confirm the landlord’s ownership, and ensure the new tenant will actively take possession and pay rent.
  3. Prioritization and Rapid Response
    Our premium fee guarantees prioritized scheduling so a notary can swiftly notarize the lease before adverse possession rights fully take hold, which the Post warns is a growing danger: “Criminals from south of the border are coming in droves to plunder the far wealthier United States.”
  4. Stringent Document Handling
    We treat these leases similar to our loan signing agent services for banks like JPMorgan Chase and Citibank. Our notaries ensure proper printing, scanning, and execution of all documents to stringent standards, so their validity is defect-free and can withstand any court challenges.
  5. Assisting Mortgage Lenders
    In addition to working with property owners, our mobile notaries have collaborated with major mortgage lenders and banks to assist them in removing squatters from foreclosed properties they need to take possession of. We understand the unique requirements when dealing with these types of properties.

The premium fee accounts for these critical factors missing from a simple $99 travel fee for notarization. It reflects the urgency required once squatters gain tenancy rights, which can happen in as little as 30 days in NYC based on laws like this in the NYC Administrative Code:

“Any person who…holds over and continues in possession of any premises after being duly notified to quit the same shall be liable to pay double the monthly value of the premises so detained for so long as the same shall be detained.”

In Westchester County, the laws are similarly strict in the Westchester County Laws & Codes Ordinances:

“A person is guilty of criminal trespass when he knowingly enters or remains unlawfully upon premises. Criminal trespass is a violation.”

While our fee of $350+ is a premium rate, for notary travel fees (remember we are not attorneys – we work with your attorney), it provides landlords and mortgage lenders a completely valid, legally binding lease that allows them to efficiently regain control and remove squatters through proper court filings. This avoids costly legal battles like those the Post warns against: “Favoring intruders over owners are ‘takings’ that violate the Fifth Amendment.”

We urge any property owners or mortgage lenders dealing with squatters to act quickly before adverse possession rights permanently take hold. Contact us today to get a notary mobilized and start the process to reclaim your property through an airtight lease agreement that will withstand any court challenges.