The Suffolk County Clerk's Office plays a critical, albeit indirect, role in the electoral process. Although not directly involved in conducting elections, the Office sets the ballot by transmitting the elected positions for the upcoming general election to the local Board of Elections, as per the New York State Election Law, explains Suffolk County Clerk Vincent Puleo.
With its interface ranging from the federal government to local villages, the Clerk's Office processes a staggering number of documents daily. Annual statistics show roughly 150,000 land records recorded, over 45,000 court judgments filed, around 30,000 new Supreme Court lawsuits initiated, and in excess of 30,000 requests for copies of filed records handled. Timely processing of these requests and making records publicly available pose significant challenges, which have been mitigated through the effective implementation of technology.
Puleo elaborates on the transformative impact technology has had on the operations of the Clerk's Office. "Technology has allowed us to expedite document reception, processing, and retrieval. We now accept electronic filing of documents, enabling 24/7 submission. We're also working tirelessly on remote record searching, eliminating the need for in-person visits to our Office in Riverhead."
Public access to government records is paramount for the Clerk's Office. Nearly all their records are public, available for viewing or copying, and the Office is striving to make these records accessible online soon.
The Clerk's Office also plays a crucial role in supporting local businesses and community economic development. "We work daily with local title companies, attorneys, banks, notaries, and budding entrepreneurs. Our goal is to facilitate their operations efficiently," says Puleo, highlighting that almost every county resident or business will interact directly or indirectly with the County Clerk's Office.
In addition to its administrative duties, the Clerk's Office has the onus of preserving the county's historical records. Being one of the oldest public offices in New York State, it holds land and court records dating back several centuries, some predating the formation of the United States. The Office houses a historical documents library with a trained archivist and maintains a separate facility in Westhampton for over 60,000 boxes of inactive county records.
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As for residents needing to interact with the Clerk's Office, Puleo advises, "We've tried to make it as easy as possible to find information and interact with our office." With the geographical expanse of Suffolk County, he understands that traveling to Riverhead may be challenging for many. Thus, they have added comprehensive information to their website, accommodate queries via email or telephone, and are also happy to assist in person at their Riverhead office.
The Suffolk County Clerk's Office exemplifies how traditional government operations can effectively embrace technology to enhance their efficiency and public service.
For inquiries or further information, you can reach out to the Suffolk County Clerk's Office, located at 310 Center Drive, Riverhead, NY 11901. You can contact them via telephone at (631) 852-2000, or through email at countyclerk@suffolkcountyny.gov. Additional information can be obtained from their official website: www.suffolkcountyny.gov/clerk.