We Are Here to Help!

A public office prescribed for by the New York State Constitution, County Clerks can historically trace their roots back all the way to 13th century England, King John and Magna Carta. In Monroe County, our first County Clerk was none other than Nathaniel Rochester.

Today, the Monroe County Clerk is one of four county-wide elected officials and acts as an agent for both the state and federal governments, as well. The duties and responsibilities of the County Clerk are broad, and this office interacts with nearly everyone in our community on a routine basis.

• Need a copy of the deed to your home?
• Does your signature on a legal document require notarization?
• Have a question about court records?
• How about your driver’s license, does it need to be renewed?
• Traveling outside the United States any time soon?
• Starting your own business?
• Registering a handgun?
• Want to go fishing or hunting?
• Researching family history?

If your answer to any of the questions posed above is yes, then we can help ... right here in the Monroe County Clerk’s Office!

About Our County Clerk

Cheryl Dinolfo is the current Monroe County Clerk. She is the 37th person to hold this office. The first Monroe County Clerk was Nathaniel Rochester, who took office following the creation of the County of Monroe in 1821.

The office of Monroe County Clerk is a position that is elected on a countywide basis. The County Clerk is one of four elected administrative offices in Monroe County: County Clerk, County Executive, County Sheriff and District Attorney. County Clerks are Constitutional Officers, as their office is prescribed for in the Constitution of the State of New York. The term of office for County Clerk is four years.

Important Numbers
County Clerk Information: 585 753-1600
Auto License Bureau Hotline: 585 753-1604
Pistol Permit Information: 585 753-1642

The County Clerk oversees the operation of the Monroe County Clerk’s Office, which is a $90 million per year enterprise, and is responsible for the following duties:

• County Registrar
  The County Clerk is the official registrar of deeds, mortgages, assignments of mortgages, satisfactions of mortgages, judgments and liens. The Clerk has the duty of indexing and preserving these documents;
• Clerk of Court
  The County Clerk is the Clerk of the Supreme and County Courts and is responsible for maintaining the court files for civil and criminal matters;
• Chief Notary
  The County Clerk is the Chief Notary of Monroe County and provides for the general public’s use of a notary. The Clerk also records individual notary renewals in Monroe County and may verify a notary’s signature is on file;
• Passport Acceptance Agent
  The County Clerk acts as an agent for the United States government and accepts applications for U.S. Passports in Monroe County;
• Pistol Permit Acceptance Agent
  In Monroe County, the County Clerk is responsible for accepting pistol permit applications and maintaining the files of pistol permit holders. The Judges of the Monroe County Court act as issuing officers and determine approval, revocation and suspension of permits;
• Registrar of Assumed Business Names
  In accordance with New York State General Business Law (Section 130), the County Clerk accepts and files certificates of persons conducting business under an assumed business name, commonly referred to as DBA (Doing Business As) filings;
• Naturalization Registrar
  Each month the County Clerk administers the Oath of Allegiance to new Citizens of the United States at a Naturalization Ceremony organized by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service. The County Clerk also maintains Naturalization records from 1821–present for Naturalizations which took place in Monroe County;
• Sporting License Agent
  The Monroe County Clerk’s Office sells New York State fishing licenses and all other sporting licenses, such as small and big game hunting, bow hunting and turkey permits;
• Motor Vehicle Agent
  Acting as an agent for the State of New York, the County Clerk provides DMV services (driver licenses, vehicle registrations, etc.) at three Auto License Bureaus and three mobile services.