Turkish-Speaking Immigration Attorney in Long Island, NY

1. Choose the card type. There are three: Standard, REAL ID and Enhanced. A standard card is marked "NOT FOR FEDERAL PURPOSES" and, since May 7, 2025, is not accepted for domestic flights. A REAL ID costs the same as a standard card. An Enhanced card costs $30 more and can replace a passport when you return by land or sea from Canada, Mexico and some Caribbean countries.
2. Gather documents. A standard license needs a combination of documents proving your name, date of birth and New York residency. The accepted documents are listed on the DMV's Green Light Law page. If you have never had an SSN, you sign a form saying so.
3. Pass the knowledge test. It has 20 questions; you need at least 14 right, including at least 2 of the 4 road-sign questions. It is offered in 20 languages, including Turkish. Passing gets you a learner permit.
4. Take the 5-hour course. It is required before you book a road test. If you are 18 or older and hold a valid learner permit, you can take it online.
5. Take the road test. The application fee covers two road tests. If you fail both, two more cost $10.

Which DMV office can I use on Long Island?

Nassau and Suffolk have no county or town DMV; the state runs seven offices. All are open weekdays 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and closed on weekends. All will be closed on Monday, October 12, 2026, for Columbus Day.

• Reservations: the DMV strongly encourages them. When an office has long waits, only people with a reservation are let in. Book from the office's page on dmv.ny.gov ("Make A Reservation").
• Port Jefferson is closed: the Suffolk office in Port Jefferson closed on August 25, 2023, though old maps may still show it. There is no state DMV office in Patchogue, Babylon or Southampton either.
• Which one is close: on the map, Medford is the nearest office for East Patchogue and Terryville (Port Jefferson Station), and Massapequa or Hauppauge for West Babylon. Check the drive yourself.
• AAA offices: the AAA branches in East Meadow, Farmingdale, Garden City and Smithtown appear in the DMV list but serve AAA members only.

Nassau and Suffolk are in the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District (MCTD) with New York City. Residents pay $1 extra for every 6 months the card is valid, so the same license costs more on Long Island than in Albany or Buffalo. Family members who will not drive can get a non-driver ID in the same three types; you cannot hold a license and a non-driver ID at the same time.

New York's only license exchange agreements are with Canadian provinces. A 2023 state law allows the DMV to sign agreements with other countries, but the DMV's pages list no other country, including Türkiye. Drivers with a Turkish license follow the first-license steps above.

• Translation: if your license is not in English, the road test requires an International Driving Permit or a certified translation. The translation must show your name, date of birth, the expiration date and the vehicle classes you may drive, and it must be certified by a consulate, the U.S. Department of State or another official body.
• After you move: you must get a New York license within 30 days of becoming a resident. The DMV treats living in the state for 90 days as strong evidence of residency.
• From another U.S. state: a photo license from a U.S. state or Canada that is valid, or expired less than 24 months ago, and was issued at least 6 months ago can be exchanged with only a vision test. No knowledge or road test; the new license is valid for up to 5 years.
• Students: out-of-state students are generally not considered New York residents and do not have to exchange.

1. Buy New York insurance. The DMV will not register a car without an active New York policy and an insurance ID card (FS-20). The minimums are in the table below.
2. Title and register at the DMV. Plates and registrations are handled at all seven state offices above; book a reservation first. Steps and documents are on the DMV's registration page.
3. Get it inspected. Every registered vehicle is inspected at least every 12 months, before the sticker expires. The emissions check happens at the same visit as the safety inspection, with one sticker. Vehicles less than 2 model years old or more than 25 model years old are exempt from the emissions test.

The inspection fee cap depends on the region; check the current rules on the state's inspection program page.

• How to get one: online at e-zpassny.com, or buy a ready pack at a partner store and register it later. Tags ordered online usually arrive in 5 to 7 days.
• Link your plate: the car's current plate must be on your E-ZPass account to get the lower rate. If it is not linked, you may be charged a higher rate even with a tag.
• Manhattan congestion toll: if you drive into Manhattan at or below 60th Street, you pay $9 at peak times with E-ZPass, once a day, on top of bridge and tunnel tolls. Details are in our New York City guide.

Tolls into New York City

Rates took effect January 4, 2026, and are for two-axle passenger vehicles. The Queens Midtown Tunnel is the usual crossing from the Long Island Expressway into Manhattan.

The parkway ban on commercial vehicles

The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) bans commercial vehicles and tractor trailers from state parkways such as the Northern State and Southern State. Some of the old stone bridges on these roads are as low as 6 feet 11 inches. If you are driving a rental moving truck, a box van or a vehicle with commercial plates, plan your route on expressways such as the Long Island Expressway.

LIRR fares

• Find your zone: every station is assigned a fare zone. For example, Mineola and Port Washington are in zone 4, Hicksville and Wantagh in zone 7, Babylon and Lindenhurst in zone 9, Ronkonkoma, Patchogue and Port Jefferson in zone 10, and Riverhead and Montauk in zone 14. Check your station on the MTA's LIRR fares page or in the fare chart effective January 4, 2026.
• Peak hours: weekday trains that arrive at New York City terminals between 6 and 10 a.m. or leave them between 4 and 8 p.m. For trips only within zones 4 to 14, peak and off-peak fares are the same.
• Buy before you board: at a station machine or in the MTA's TrainTime app. As the table shows, tickets bought from the conductor cost much more.
• Monthly tickets: on sale from the 25th of the previous month through the 11th of the current month.

NICE bus (Nassau)

• Fares: $3.00 per ride. Seniors 65 and older and riders with disabilities pay $1.50; elementary and high school students pay $2.25. Children under 3 feet 9 inches ride free.
• Paying: NICE accepts OMNY. Paying with the same card or phone gives you one free transfer within 2 hours across NICE and MTA services. The fare box takes coins only, not dollar bills.
• Not accepted: New York City's Fair Fares OMNY card, student cards and CUNY cards do not work on NICE.
• Contact: customer service 516-336-6600, weekdays 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Suffolk County Transit

In Suffolk, buses are run by the county's own system, Suffolk County Transit. It is separate from NICE and the MTA and sets its own fares. Check current fares and routes on the county's transportation page. Transferring from a Suffolk bus to NICE costs $0.25.

Getting to the airports

• JFK: take the LIRR to Jamaica and change to AirTrain JFK. The AirTrain costs $8.75, paid separately from the LIRR ticket; unlimited passes do not cover it, and children under 5 ride free.
• Long Island MacArthur (ISP): the airport in Ronkonkoma is close to the Ronkonkoma LIRR station, and the airport's site describes taxi and bus links from the station. It has domestic flights only; flights to Istanbul leave from JFK and Newark.

1. Open a PSEG Long Island account. On the move-in page, choose "Start Service" and then "New Customer". Customer service is 1-800-490-0025; the Spanish line is 1-800-490-0085. Report outages 24/7 at 1-800-490-0075.
2. Know your rate. Time-of-Day (TOD) is the standard rate for all new residential accounts. On this rate, the price of electricity depends on the time of day.
3. Start gas separately. Start gas with National Grid online or at 1-800-930-5003 (weekdays 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.). The company asks for 5 to 7 days' notice so a crew member can visit and turn the service on.

• Deposits: according to PSEG Long Island's customer rights page, it usually does not ask new residential customers for a deposit. The exceptions are short-term or seasonal customers and people with an overdue balance on a previous PSEG Long Island account. A deposit, if taken, is held for one year and refunded with interest if you pay on time.
• Shared meters: a tenant does not have to pay for electricity used outside their own unit. If common areas such as a hallway or basement are on your meter, raise it with the landlord.
• Extreme weather: service is not shut off for nonpayment during extreme cold or heat.

Water

• SCWA (Suffolk): apply on the moving-in page as an Owner Occupant or a Lease Tenant. You upload one photo ID (driver's license, state ID or passport); SCWA asks you to black out the ID numbers. The initiation fee is $30 and the residential tenant deposit is $50, and both are waived in some districts. The applicant pays usage charges until the account is formally closed. Phone (631) 698-9500.
• Local suppliers: some Suffolk villages and districts run their own water supply. Ask your landlord or town who will bill you.
• Nassau: according to the state Health Department's list, Nassau has about 46 separate water suppliers: water districts, villages and private companies. Find yours with the Long Island Water Conference's water provider finder.
• Liberty Utilities: in parts of Nassau (the Lynbrook, Merrick and Sea Cliff service areas, including places such as Baldwin, Bellmore, Wantagh, Seaford and Massapequa), water comes from Liberty Utilities, which took over from New York American Water in 2022.

Trash and recycling

• Brookhaven: recycling alternates between plastic and metal and paper and cardboard weeks, with no plastic bags. Put bins out by 6 a.m. or the night before. Yard waste goes out on select Sundays listed in the recycling calendar. Find your days on the town's address map.
• Babylon: use standard 33-gallon pails with lids, each under 50 pounds, and do not put them out before 1 p.m. the day before pickup. Find your zone on the town's map.
• Hempstead: put trash out before 5 a.m., but not earlier than 7 p.m. the night before. Containers can hold up to 45 gallons and 75 pounds. Incorporated villages (other than Hempstead and Freeport) and Sanitation District 1 have separate collection.
• Other towns: in North Hempstead, each garbage district or village arranges its own collection. In Oyster Bay, Huntington, Islip, Smithtown and the East End towns, check your town's website.

Who does what?

• County: Nassau and Suffolk. Property assessment (in Nassau), social services and the County Clerk sit at the county level.
• Town: Hempstead, North Hempstead and Oyster Bay in Nassau; towns such as Brookhaven, Babylon, Islip, Huntington and Smithtown in Suffolk. Trash, marriage licenses, birth and death records and property tax collection are usually handled by the town.
• Village and city: villages such as Patchogue and Babylon, and the cities of Glen Cove and Long Beach in Nassau, can run their own services. If your address is inside a village, ask the village first about trash and water.
• Hamlet: places such as East Patchogue, West Babylon and Terryville have no government of their own and use the services of their town.

Library cards

Long Island has no single library system; your card comes from the library of the school district or village where you live. In Nassau, you apply at the library of the district where you live or own property, and the card works at every Nassau Library System member library. Patchogue-Medford Library, which serves East Patchogue and Medford, asks for ID and proof that you live in the Patchogue-Medford School District and does not accept a P.O. box. ID rules vary by library, so ask before you go.

• Upfront payments: the same law bars landlords from collecting first and last month's rent together on top of the deposit.
• Move-in and move-out inspection: the law created an inspection procedure when you move in and move out. Photograph the unit and keep the dated photos.
• Rent stabilization (ETPA): according to the state's Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), outside New York City the Emergency Tenant Protection Act applies in the City of Kingston and in Nassau, Westchester and Rockland counties, in municipalities that opted in. It covers only buildings with 6 or more units built before January 1, 1974. No Suffolk municipality is listed. You can ask HCR whether your unit is covered.
• Broker fees: the FARE Act, which stops a landlord's broker from charging the tenant, is a New York City law and does not apply on Long Island. Agree in writing on who pays the broker before you sign. The city rule is in our New York City guide.
• Shared meters: you do not have to pay for electricity used outside your own unit (see electricity).

• Nassau: the county's Department of Assessment sets values. Bills come from the Receivers of Taxes of the Towns of Hempstead, North Hempstead and Oyster Bay and the Cities of Long Beach and Glen Cove. The school tax bill, based on the April 2026 assessment, is mailed October 1, 2026; the general tax bill is mailed January 4, 2027.
• Appealing a Nassau assessment: appeals go to the Assessment Review Commission (ARC). The filing window for the 2027/28 roll ran January 2 to March 2, 2026, and is closed. The next window opens in January 2027; follow the dates on the ARC calendar.
• Suffolk: taxes are generally paid to the town Receiver of Taxes in two halves: the first by January 10 and the second by May 31. Check the exact dates and payment options on your bill and your town's website.
• STAR credit: owners who had the old STAR exemption before 2015 can keep it in the same home; new homeowners can only register for the credit. For Basic STAR, the combined income of the owners and their spouses must not exceed $500,000. Enhanced STAR, for owners 65 and older, has an income limit of $110,750 for 2026 and $113,550 for 2027. The 2026 credit is based on 2024 income tax returns.
• Primary residence: the home must be your primary residence. The Tax Department looks at how much of the year you spend there and at the address on your vehicle registration and ID. Check eligibility on the Tax Department's STAR page.

1. Find your district. Check your address in the district's own lookup tool; Patchogue-Medford has a SchoolSearch tool. District lines do not follow town or ZIP code lines. The Patchogue-Medford district, for example, generally covers all of the Village of Patchogue and parts of Medford, East Patchogue, North Patchogue and Holtsville.
2. Gather documents. Proof of the child's age (birth certificate or passport), immunization records and the latest report card if you have them, plus the proofs of address the district asks for. Each district uses its own list and forms.
3. Go to the registration office. The school must enroll your child right away, even before proof of residency is complete; missing proof can follow within 3 days.
4. Complete the language survey. Every family fills out a Home Language Questionnaire. If a language other than English is spoken at home, the school assesses the child's English and places the child with your involvement.

Patchogue-Medford: central registration

In the Patchogue-Medford district, which covers part of East Patchogue, enrollment happens at Central Registration: 121 Saxton Street (behind Saxton Middle School), Patchogue, NY 11772, phone (631) 687-6430. During the school year it is open Monday and Wednesday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Tuesday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Walk-ins are seen first come, first served, or you can book an appointment online.

• Proof of residency: one primary and two secondary documents. For renters, the primary document is a signed lease or a notarized residency affidavit. Secondary documents include a utility or cell phone bill from the last 30 days, a cable statement, a fuel delivery statement, a bank statement or pay stub, a voter registration card or a USPS change-of-address confirmation.
• Living with someone else: families staying with a tenant or landlord can use the district's Landlord Affidavit / Master Tenant form.
• Forms: the K-12 registration packet, the Universal Pre-K packet and the immunization requirements are on the site in English and Spanish. The district also runs a Dual Language program.
• Temporary housing: students living in shelters or motels, or doubled up with relatives because of hardship, can enroll immediately under McKinney-Vento and get free transportation and meals. The district liaison is at 631-687-6440.

Terryville and West Babylon

• Terryville (Port Jefferson Station): mostly in the Comsewogue district, but some addresses fall in the Mount Sinai, Middle Country or Three Village districts. Terryville Road Elementary is a Comsewogue school. On Comsewogue's central registration page, homeowners bring a Town of Brookhaven tax bill, deed or current mortgage statement; renters bring a notarized statement from the landlord or the resident they share the home with, plus the lease if there is one. A foreign passport is accepted as proof of age if there is no birth certificate. Central registration is listed at 290 Norwood Avenue, Port Jefferson Station, (631) 474-8105; confirm the address and hours by phone before you go.
• West Babylon: the West Babylon district's central registration is in its administration building; the number listed is (631) 376-7401. Check it, and the document list, on the district's website before you go.
• Anywhere else: in Suffolk, the county's open-data school district map shows which district your address is in. In Nassau, ask the district or your town.

• Ages: everyone aged 5 to 21 in New York has the right to a free public education, and school is compulsory to age 16. Newcomers past that age can still enroll full time in high school.
• No immunization records: students in temporary housing are enrolled without them; the first dose is due within 14 days of starting school.

For clinic visits, also see our free and low-cost clinic directory.

• NY State of Health: apply here for Medicaid, the Essential Plan, Child Health Plus and private plans, online or at 855-355-5777.
• Essential Plan: a $0-premium, no-deductible plan for ages 19 to 64. Since July 1, 2026, immigrants qualify only if they are green card holders, refugees or asylees; DACA recipients lost eligibility on June 30, 2026. The income limit for a single person is about $31,920 a year.
• Medicaid: undocumented immigrants of any age can get emergency Medicaid, and those 65 and older or pregnant can get full Medicaid if they meet the other rules. Applicants who are 65 or older or have a disability are generally referred outside New York City to the county Department of Social Services (Nassau or Suffolk).
• Child Health Plus: every child in New York can enroll, regardless of immigration status or income.
• Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC): Nassau's public hospital at 2201 Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow, phone (516) 572-0123. It runs an income-based financial assistance program for uninsured patients (see below).
• 988: the suicide and crisis line, 24/7, with interpreters.

Free care

Stony Brook HOME (Health Outreach and Medical Education) · East Patchogue

A clinic run by students of Stony Brook University's Renaissance School of Medicine under the supervision of a licensed Stony Brook physician. It says it provides comprehensive primary care to uninsured adults at no cost, and that all services in the clinic are completely free for all patients. To be seen you must be over 18, uninsured and not have seen a doctor for over a year. Its FAQ says people who are not U.S. citizens or legal residents are seen if they meet those conditions. A social worker is part of the visit, refills need an appointment, and patients are referred to free or low-cost clinics for follow-up. A Spanish interpreter is always available, and an interpreter line covers other languages.

The clinic is open only on certain days, and the two schedules on its site do not match: one page lists Sundays for October to December 2026, while the home page lists other dates. Always call before you go.

Address: Brookhaven Professional Park, 285 Sills Rd., Building 12, Suite C, East Patchogue, NY 11772.
(631) 533-2969 (leave a voicemail) · Email for appointments · Stony Brook HOME · FAQ

Sliding fees and financial assistance

Sun River Health · several centers in Suffolk

A federally qualified health center (FQHC) network. It says it welcomes everyone regardless of insurance status or ability to pay and uses a sliding fee scale based on family size and income for patients without insurance: the higher your income, the more you pay. That does not make care free; lab or supply fees can apply. Bring proof of income. Staff also help with NY State of Health enrollment. Appointments and information: 844-400-1975.

There are also centers in Copiague, Wyandanch, Riverhead and Huntington. Hours vary by center; check the center finder. Fee and billing details are on a separate page.

NuHealth: Nassau University Medical Center and family health centers · Nassau

Nassau's public hospital, NUMC (2201 Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow), and its family health centers (Elmont, Hempstead, Roosevelt, Westbury and others) offer a financial assistance program that reduces your bill based on income and household size. This is a discount, not free care. You must not be eligible for other coverage such as Medicaid, Medicare or Child Health Plus, and you apply with proof of income, household size and residence. Apply within 90 days of treatment or discharge and complete the paperwork within 30 days after that. A passport is accepted as ID.

Where to apply: Patient Financial Services on the hospital's first floor, or a family health center.
(516) 572-6669 · Hospital: (516) 572-0123 · NUMC financial assistance · Family health centers

Ask before you book

• Are you taking new patients? Do you have age, income, insurance or residency requirements?
• Are the visit, lab work, medications, dental care and outside referrals billed separately?
• Which documents should I bring? Is a Turkish interpreter available?

For more options, use the HRSA health center finder; not every center listed there is free. For coverage programs and emergency care, see the health care section.

• Brookhaven documents: for each of you, an original or certified birth certificate (or a sealed baptismal certificate) and a valid photo ID: driver's license, passport, DMV non-driver ID, military ID or green card. If either of you was married before, bring the divorce judgment or the late spouse's death certificate. See Brookhaven's marriage page.
• Babylon documents: ID can be a U.S. driver's license or DMV non-driver ID, a passport, a military ID, a green card or an employment authorization card (EAD); proof of age is an original or certified birth certificate or a naturalization certificate. Divorce judgments and death certificates from any country are accepted for a prior marriage. Laminated, torn, taped or expired documents are rejected. See Babylon's document list.
• Turkish documents: Babylon requires an official word-for-word translation of any document not in English, on letterhead and notarized, presented with the original. If you are bringing a Turkish civil registry extract (nüfus kayıt örneği) or a Turkish divorce decree, get the translation done in advance. Before going to another town, call and ask whether it has the same rule.
• Other towns: Hempstead's marriage department is at 516-812-3014 (One Washington St, Hempstead). You can apply at any town clerk in New York; you do not have to live in that town.
• Rules: no blood test, and no one under 18 may marry. For active-duty military the license is valid for 180 days. The Certificate of Marriage Registration arrives by mail within 15 days after the officiant returns the license. If you change your name, update your Social Security record for free.

• Town of Babylon: $10 per copy for births in the town. Who may apply: the person named (18 or older), a parent named on the certificate, or a lawful representative. ID: a copy of your driver's license or DMV non-driver ID. Monday and Wednesday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; 200 E Sunrise Hwy, Lindenhurst, (631) 957-3007. Births at Brunswick Hospital are recorded by the Village of Amityville (631-264-6000).
• Town of Brookhaven: the Town Clerk is also the Registrar of Vital Statistics for births, deaths and marriages. Weekdays 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mondays until 7:00 p.m. Check fees and ID rules on the Town Clerk's page.
• Town of Hempstead: the registrar is at 516-812-3142.
• NYS DOH (state): mail to NYS DOH, Vital Records Certification Unit, P.O. Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602. Credit cards work only for online orders; by mail, send a check or money order drawn on a U.S. bank. Call center (855) 322-1022. Check the required ID on application form DOH-4380.
• Ask for a certified copy: a U.S. passport application and Turkish civil registration usually need a certified full copy of the birth certificate.
• Divorce records: these are kept not by the town but by the County Clerk of the county where the divorce was filed (Suffolk County Clerk 631-852-2000).

• Which office: according to SSA's New York page, the four Social Security Card Centers serve residents of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx only. On Long Island, find the office for your ZIP code with the SSA office locator, and confirm the address there before you go.
• What to bring: current immigration documents (green card, I-94 or EAD) with a valid passport, and a birth certificate if you have it. No photocopies or notarized copies. SSA suggests waiting 10 days after arrival so DHS records can be verified.
• F-1 and J-1: an SSN is available only once you are authorized to work (on-campus job, CPT, OPT), not just for enrolling in school.
• Phone: SSA's national line is 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Replacement cards are free and can usually be started online.
• After marriage: if you change your name, update your record at any Social Security office, free of charge. See marriage licenses.

According to SSA, you do not need an SSN for a driver's license, school registration or private health insurance. New York's standard license does not require one either; applicants without an SSN sign an affidavit instead (see driver's licenses).

• Two layers: federal tax goes to the IRS and state tax to the New York Department of Taxation and Finance. The city income tax applies only to New York City residents.
• 2026 brackets: as of September 25, 2026, the newest table on New York's tax tables page was for 2025. The rates above are approximate; check the 2026 table once it is posted.
• Property tax is separate: homeowners get property tax bills from their town's Receiver of Taxes. See property tax.

How do I get an ITIN?

1. Complete Form W-7 and attach it to your federal return unless an exception applies.
2. Get documents verified. Mail originals to the IRS in Austin, use a Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA), or book a document review at an IRS office that offers ITIN review. With a CAA or IRS office, your passport does not go in the mail; documents are returned at the end of the appointment.
3. Wait. Processing takes about 7 weeks, or 9 to 11 weeks during tax season (January 15 to April 30).

• IRS offices on Long Island: the IRS in-person ITIN document review list includes two Long Island offices: Bethpage (Nassau) and Hauppauge (Suffolk). Both work by appointment only: 844-545-5640. Confirm the address when you book or with the IRS office locator.
• Expiration: an ITIN not used on a federal return for three years in a row expires.

1. Articles of Organization: filed with the New York Department of State. The $200 fee can be paid by cash, check, money order or credit card.
2. Registered agent: unlike Texas, you do not need to hire one. The Secretary of State is automatically the LLC's agent for service of process; you give an address where documents can be forwarded.
3. Operating Agreement: members should adopt a written agreement within 90 days of filing. It stays with the company and is not filed with the state.
4. Publication: within 120 days, one daily and one weekly newspaper, both designated by the clerk of the county where the LLC is located (Nassau or Suffolk), run the notice for six consecutive weeks. Then you file the Certificate of Publication with both papers' affidavits and a $50 fee. Skip it and the LLC loses its authority to do business. Costs range from a few hundred dollars to over $1,000 depending on the county; get quotes from the papers.

Where do I file a DBA (business certificate)?

• The form: both counties require it to be notarized. Suffolk asks for black ink.
• Paying in Suffolk: by mail, a certified bank check, money order or attorney check; cash only in person. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you mail it.
• More than one county: if you do business in both Nassau and Suffolk (or in New York City), file in each county.
• LLCs and corporations file an assumed name with the Department of State (Certificate of Assumed Name), not the county.
• Not a license: the Nassau County Clerk notes that it is not a licensing agency. Depending on your trade, you may need a separate town, village or state license.

• Where to apply: your county's Department of Social Services. Suffolk DSS explains the options on its Medicaid page. Every noncitizen applicant's status is checked at the first application and at each recertification. Some categories face a new 5-year bar.
• U.S.-citizen children in the household may still receive SNAP and Medicaid in their own right, even when a parent does not qualify.
• Health programs: since July 1, 2026, the Essential Plan is limited to U.S. citizens, green card holders, refugees and asylees. Child Health Plus is open to all children regardless of status. See health care.
• The new public charge rule: for green card applications filed on or after September 18, 2026, officers may consider any means-tested benefit (SNAP, Medicaid, the Essential Plan, housing assistance and others) received on or after that date. Benefits received earlier count only if they were cash assistance or long-term institutional care. Benefits received by family members are generally not counted.
• Who is exempt: humanitarian categories such as asylees and refugees, T and U visa holders, VAWA self-petitioners and TPS. Family-based, most employment-based and diversity visa applicants are subject to it.
• Litigation: on September 14, 2026, two suits were filed: one by a coalition of more than 20 states that includes New York, and one by cities and counties led by New York City. As of September 25, 2026, no court has blocked the rule.

1. Log in to your USCIS account and open Change of Address. Reporting online satisfies the legal requirement; no paper AR-11 is needed.
2. Enter the receipt number of every pending case. Otherwise notices may still go to the old address.
3. Tell USPS separately. A post office change of address does not update USCIS, and USPS does not forward USCIS mail.
4. If you are in court proceedings, file Form EOIR-33/IC within 5 days. The court changes your address only through this form.
5. If you have ICE reporting obligations (for example, regular check-ins), update ICE too through the ICE Portal. ICE's page asks for updates within 5 business days of moving.

A and G visa holders and Visa Waiver visitors are exempt from the USCIS requirement.

• You may be sent elsewhere: USCIS says a notice may come from a field office other than the one nearest you. If you are called to an office in New York City, go to the address on your notice.
• No walk-ins: field offices require an appointment. Weapons are not allowed, and phone and camera use is restricted.
• Biometrics: the center is assigned on your I-797C notice; you do not choose it. Bring the notice and a valid photo ID. To reschedule, use your USCIS online account or call 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833) at least 12 hours ahead. Our biometrics guide covers what to bring.
• Old addresses: the Hauppauge center has moved in the past, so older guides may list a different address. The address on your notice is the one that counts.
• Processing times: on the USCIS processing times page, pick the form, category and the field office handling your case. Times update monthly.
• Your attorney at the interview: since May 18, 2026, attorneys may no longer join field-office interviews remotely, except in limited circumstances. Your attorney has to attend in person.

• Getting to Manhattan: take the LIRR to Penn Station or Grand Central and switch to the subway. Leave early in case of train delays.
• Security: there is security screening, and cameras and recording devices are not allowed in courtrooms.
• Online lookup: ACIS needs only your A-number (A + 8 or 9 digits). Your hearing notice is still the official source; the system may show new dates late.
• ICE: ICE ERO New York is at 26 Federal Plaza, 9th Floor, Suite 9-110, (212) 436-9315. Check-ins are scheduled through ICE's online system. If you have a check-in, talk to your attorney before you go.

Where do I find my I-94, and how do I fix an error?

Download your most recent I-94 from CBP's website. Errors made at entry (wrong visa class, name or admit-until date) are corrected by CBP Deferred Inspection. The JFK unit is in JetBlue's Terminal 5, first-floor arrivals area, Room 1i-110, open Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., (718) 553-3683. Call to confirm the hours before you go. You can use any international airport's deferred inspection office, whichever airport you entered through; they fix only mistakes made at the time of entry.

• Who can register: U.S. citizens who are 18 by Election Day (pre-registration is possible at 16 and 17) and have lived in the state and county for at least 30 days before the election.
• A license is not a vote: the standard driver's license that noncitizens can get under the Green Light Law does not affect voter eligibility. Do not claim to be a U.S. citizen at the DMV or on any other form; USCIS may treat it as a false claim of citizenship.
• Consequences: registering or voting as a noncitizen is a federal crime (18 U.S.C. 611 and 1015(f)). In immigration law it can mean permanent inadmissibility, deportability and denial of naturalization.
• Old news: a 2022 New York City law that would have let noncitizens vote in city elections was struck down by the state's highest court in March 2025. It never applied on Long Island.
• Do not fill out voter registration forms handed out door to door or at events.
• Jury duty: jurors in New York courts must be U.S. citizens, but noncitizens can still receive a Juror Qualification Questionnaire. Answer "no" to the citizenship question and send a copy of the requested document (visa, passport, green card or EAD), or appear in person and show your passport. Ignoring a summons can bring penalties. In Nassau, the Commissioner of Jurors is at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, 516-493-3750.
• Scams: courts do not call or email asking for your SSN, and they do not demand fines by phone.

Recently naturalized? You can register at ny.gov. Online registration needs a New York DMV license, permit or non-driver ID, the ZIP code on file with the DMV, and your SSN. The Nassau Board of Elections can be reached at (516) 571-8683.

• Paying: the passport fee is paid only by check or money order to "U.S. Department of State"; no cash or cards. The facility collects its acceptance fee separately.
• What to bring: your original naturalization certificate and your ID.
• Children: a passport book for a child under 16 costs $100 plus the $35 acceptance fee.
• Urgent travel: New York Passport Agency, Greater New York Federal Building, 376 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014, weekdays 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointment only, with proof of travel within 14 days (or a foreign visa needed within 28 days), plus the $60 expedite fee. Book online or at 877-487-2778. Appointments are free; third parties charging for them are scams.
• Online renewal: for eligible adults, only at opr.travel.state.gov.

If you plan to visit state parks often, look at the Empire Pass: an $80 annual pass that covers the daily vehicle fee at most state parks.

Free

• William Floyd Estate: the national park grounds in Mastic Beach are free all year, with picnic tables and restrooms near the parking area.
• Sagamore Hill: the grounds in Oyster Bay are free every day. The house is by reservation only.
• Jones Beach: boardwalk biking is free year-round, and the central mall and Zach's Bay playground are open sunrise to sunset. If you drive, the vehicle fee is $8 from September 14 to November 8.

Discounts

• Long Island Children's Museum: $5 per person for families with a SNAP EBT card, up to 4 tickets. Free sensory-friendly hours every month. One active or retired service member (or spouse) plus one child get in free, except at special events. The museum also lists library museum passes; ask your library.
• Empire Pass: an $80 annual pass that covers the daily vehicle fee at most state parks.

With kids

• Long Island Children's Museum: in Garden City. October brings Skeleton Sock Skating (October 17 and 18) and Spooky Science on October 24, noon to 2 p.m.; see the museum calendar.
• Jones Beach: Zach's Bay playground, plus weekend mini golf through November 8.
• Belmont Lake State Park: separate playgrounds for ages 2 to 5 and 5 to 12, biking and boat rentals.
• Old Westbury Gardens: the Scarecrow Garden exhibit through October and a storybook stroll on Saturday, October 3, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
• Harbes Family Farm: apple and pumpkin picking and a corn maze through November 1.
• Vanderbilt Museum: the planetarium, and a Halloween story stroll for preschoolers on Friday, October 30, 10 to 11 a.m. (paid, registration required).

To book: konsolosluk.gov.tr → Randevu Al → Türk Vatandaşları İçin Konsolosluk İşlemleri → New York. The 24/7 Consular Call Center: 1-888-566-76-56. After-hours emergency line: +1 646 204 0011. Email: [email protected]. The consulate's English site is newyork-cg.mfa.gov.tr.

Fees can differ between consulates and change during the year. Check the current amounts and mail-in conditions on the consulate's site before you book.

Getting there by train

• LIRR: the Long Island Rail Road runs to both Penn Station and Grand Central (Grand Central Madison).
• Fares by zone: under the LIRR fare chart in effect since January 4, 2026, a one-way ticket to Manhattan from Hicksville (zone 7) is $15.25 peak and $11.25 off-peak; from Ronkonkoma (zone 10) it is $21.50 and $16.00. Check your own station's zone with the MTA.
• Peak hours: weekday trains arriving in New York 6 to 10 a.m. or leaving New York 4 to 8 p.m. A morning appointment usually means a peak fare.
• Buy before you board: at a machine or in the TrainTime app. Tickets bought on the train cost much more.

Tips for your visit

• Bring every document: a missing paper means a new appointment and another train trip.
• Timing: services run in a morning and an afternoon block. Be at the building before your slot.
• Birth registration: you need the U.S. birth certificate first (see birth certificates); use a certified long-form copy.
• Military service (askerlik): men born in 2007 must complete their registration (yoklama) by December 31, 2026, at the consulate or on e-Devlet. The paid military service option (dövizle askerlik) for July to December 2026 is the foreign-currency equivalent of 472,653.60 TL, collected in New York in U.S. dollars at the Turkish central bank rate of the payment day, plus a transfer fee (ask the consulate for the current amount); the amount changes on January 1, 2027. It requires a U.S. residence or work permit, 3 years (1,095 days) of work abroad, the MSB online training and residence in the consulate's district, which includes Nassau and Suffolk. Dual citizens born in the U.S. or who came before 18 can defer until the end of age 35 after registering their U.S. citizenship. F-1 students defer through the Education Attaché (+1 212 687 8395, [email protected]).
• Attachés (same complex, 821 First Avenue): Education +1 212 687 8395, Commercial +1 212 687 1530.

1. Check the document type. Birth, death and marriage certificates issued by a local official (town, village or city clerk or registrar) must first be certified by the County Clerk of the county where they were issued. Certificates issued directly by the New York State Department of Health skip this step.
2. Notarized documents: need certification from the County Clerk of the county where the notary is qualified.
3. Apostille: New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services, Apostille and Authentication Unit, $10 per document.

• Same-day limit: walk-in offices handle up to 10 documents per customer.
• By mail: New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services, Apostille and Authentication Unit, PO Box 22001, Albany, NY 12201-2001. Express couriers: 1 Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Avenue, 6th Floor, Albany, NY 12231.
• Questions: (518) 474-4429, weekdays 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Nassau County Clerk holidays: closed October 12, November 3, November 11, November 26 and 27, and December 25, 2026.
• Federal documents: FBI background checks and naturalization certificates go to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications, Form DS-4194, $20 per document.

• U.S. clock changes: daylight saving time starts on the second Sunday of March and ends on the first Sunday of November: November 1, 2026 and March 14, 2027. At 9 a.m. on Long Island, it is 4 p.m. in Istanbul in summer and 5 p.m. in winter.
• JFK to Istanbul: Turkish Airlines flies almost daily, with an average flight time of 9 hours 45 minutes. Check current times on turkishairlines.com.
• Newark to Istanbul: Newark Liberty is in New Jersey. Turkish Airlines flies this route almost every day too; see the Newark schedule.
• JFK by train: take the LIRR to Jamaica and switch to AirTrain JFK. AirTrain costs $8.75, paid separately from your LIRR ticket, and unlimited passes are not accepted. Children under 5 ride free.
• MacArthur (ISP): the Town of Islip's airport page lists only domestic carriers (Avelo, Breeze, Cape Air, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest). There is no nonstop to Istanbul from here.