Turkish-Speaking Immigration Attorney in New York City

1. Pick your card. There are three: Standard, REAL ID and Enhanced. A standard card that is not REAL ID says "NOT FOR FEDERAL PURPOSES" and has not been accepted for domestic flights since May 7, 2025. REAL ID costs the same as a standard card. Enhanced costs $30 more and can replace a passport when you return to the U.S. by land or sea from Canada, Mexico and some Caribbean countries.
2. Gather documents. For a standard license you need a combination of documents that proves your name, date of birth and New York State residency. The accepted documents are listed in the document guide linked from DMV's Green Light Law page. You do not need a Social Security card; if you were never issued an SSN, you sign an affidavit saying so. REAL ID and Enhanced have their own document rules, so check before you apply.
3. Take the knowledge test. It has 20 questions. You need at least 14 right, including at least 2 of the 4 road-sign questions. The test is offered in 20 languages, including Turkish, on a touch screen or on paper. Passing it gets you a learner permit.
4. Finish the 5-hour course. A 5-hour pre-licensing course is required before you can schedule your first road test. Drivers 18 and older with a valid learner permit can take it online. The price depends on the provider.
5. Take the road test. The fee you paid covers two road-test attempts. If you fail both, $10 buys two more. Knowledge and road tests require an appointment.

Which DMV office can I use in New York City?

Every borough has DMV offices. Manhattan has two full-service offices: Midtown Manhattan (366 West 31st St, New York 10001) and Harlem (5 West 125th St, New York 10027). Both are open weekdays 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed weekends, and closed on October 12, 2026 for Columbus Day. Brooklyn has the Atlantic Center and Coney Island offices, and Queens has College Point. The long-time Fordham Road office in the Bronx reportedly closed in September 2025 and was replaced by a new office at 610 Exterior St (Bronx Terminal Market); older maps may still show the old address.

Check the address and hours on the DMV office list before you go, and book through the "Make A Reservation" button on the office's own page. On busy days, walk-ins may be turned away.

Family members who will not drive can get a non-driver ID in the same three tiers, under the same document rules. You cannot hold a license and a non-driver ID at the same time. The City's free municipal ID, IDNYC, is a separate card (see below).

• Visitors and newcomers: you do not need a New York license unless you become a New York resident.
• Translation: if your license is not in English, you need an International Driving Permit or a certified translation for the road test. The translation must be certified by a consulate, the U.S. Department of State or an official government agency, and show your name, date of birth, the expiration date and the vehicle classes allowed.
• After you move: get a New York license within 30 days of becoming a resident. DMV treats 90 days of living in the state as evidence of residency.
• Reciprocity: New York's only confirmed foreign reciprocity is with Canadian provinces. A 2023 state law lets DMV sign agreements with other countries, but as of September 25, 2026 no other country appears on DMV's pages.
• Moving from another U.S. state: a photo license that is valid or expired less than 24 months, 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 up to 5 years.

Coming from Türkiye? Turkish licenses are not on any exchange list, so the first-license steps above apply. The upside: New York offers the knowledge test in Turkish, so you can study in your own language.

1. Buy New York insurance. Three coverages are required: liability ($25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident, $10,000 property damage; $50,000 and $100,000 if the accident causes death), $50,000 per person of no-fault (PIP) coverage, and uninsured-motorist coverage. Your insurer issues the FS-20 insurance ID card.
2. Title and register at DMV. Vehicle registration is handled at DMV offices, the same as licenses, so book ahead. Steps and documents are on DMV's registration page. The registration fee depends on the vehicle's weight and covers a two-year period.
3. Get it inspected. Every registered vehicle must be inspected at least every 12 months, before the sticker expires. The emissions check is done together with the safety inspection, on one sticker. Vehicles under 2 model years old or over 25 model years old are exempt from the emissions part.

Only residents of the five boroughs and of Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam and Rockland counties pay the MCTD fee, so the same registration costs less in Buffalo or Albany.

• How to get one: order online at e-zpassny.com, or buy a prepackaged tag at a participating retailer and register it. Tags ordered online usually arrive in 5 to 7 days. The tag is $30 in New York City and Long Island, $25 in the rest of the state.
• Link your plate: the lower rate and any crossing credit apply only when your current plate is on your E-ZPass account. Without that link you pay the Tolls by Mail rate, even if you have a tag.
• The Thruway: the 426-mile highway from New York City to Buffalo has been cashless since 2020. Without a tag you pay about 30% more, plus a $2 administrative fee.

Bridge and tunnel tolls

Rates in effect since January 4, 2026, for two-axle passenger vehicles.

Congestion pricing (the Congestion Relief Zone)

• The zone: local streets and avenues in Manhattan at or below 60th Street. The FDR Drive, the West Side Highway (Route 9A) and the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel's connections to West Street are excluded; vehicles that stay only on those roads are not charged. Almost any stop inside the zone triggers the toll.
• The rate: with E-ZPass, $9 at peak times (5 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekends) and $2.25 overnight. It is charged once per day, however many times you enter. Vehicles without a tag, or with a plate not linked to the account, pay the higher Tolls by Mail rate.
• Taxis and ride-hailing: yellow and green cabs add $0.75 per trip into the zone; Uber and Lyft-type vehicles add $1.50.
• Crossing credit: E-ZPass customers who already paid a toll at certain tunnels into Manhattan get a credit. On a New York E-ZPass account the toll posts in about 3 days and the credit about a day later.
• Discounts: there is a low-income discount and a disability exemption plan (IDEP). Details are on the MTA's pages.
• Increases: the toll is scheduled to rise to $12 in 2028 and $15 in 2031.

OMNY: pay with a contactless card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or an OMNY Card. MetroCard still works during the transition. To reach the weekly cap, use the same card or the same phone for every ride; $35 equals 12 paid rides.

Fair Fares NYC: half-price rides

Fair Fares NYC gives lower-income New Yorkers 50% off subway, local bus and Access-A-Ride fares. It is available regardless of immigration status to city residents aged 18 to 64. Apply online through ACCESS HRA or at a Fair Fares office, with proof of identity, age, residency and income.

Add $8,250 for each additional person. A wider income limit was announced in June 2026, but on September 25, 2026 the official table still showed the figures above. Check the current table before you apply.

From the airports

• JFK: AirTrain connects all terminals. It costs $8.75 (under 5 free) and cannot be paid with an unlimited pass. The cheapest route is the A, E or J train to Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av-JFK, or the A train to Howard Beach-JFK, then AirTrain: $11.75 in total. Faster: LIRR from Penn Station, Grand Central or Brooklyn's Atlantic Terminal to Jamaica, then AirTrain, about $14 to $16.
• LaGuardia: the Q70 LaGuardia Link bus is free. It runs nonstop from the terminals to the E, M and R trains in Jackson Heights, about every 8 to 10 minutes. Your only cost is the $3 subway fare.
• Newark (EWR): the airport is in New Jersey and runs on the Port Authority and NJ Transit, not the MTA. AirTrain Newark is $8.25. NJ Transit to New York Penn Station takes about 30 minutes and costs $17.25 including AirTrain. For the Financial District, take NJ Transit to Newark Penn and continue on PATH.

1. Find your companies. Electricity is Con Edison in every borough. Gas is Con Edison in Manhattan and the Bronx and National Grid in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island. Check which company serves your new address before you apply.
2. Open a Con Edison account. Apply online on Con Edison's start-service page; the move-in date must be within 30 days of the request. Without a valid ID, a deposit is charged. Customer service is 1-800-752-6633; the move line is 1-877-779-6943.
3. Start gas separately. In Brooklyn, Queens or Staten Island, open your gas account with National Grid. In Manhattan and the Bronx, Con Edison supplies gas too.
4. Choose a supplier (optional). The wires, pipes, meters and bill always stay with Con Edison or National Grid, but you can buy the energy from an ESCO licensed by the Public Service Commission (PSC). Before comparing offers, look up your utility's "12-Month Trailing Average" price. If you do nothing, you stay on the utility's own supply.

Deposits: a Con Edison deposit is generally about two months of estimated bills. For homes it is held for about a year and refunded with interest if you pay on time. New customers can sometimes pay it in installments (half up front, the rest over two months).

Be careful with ESCOs: on April 16, 2026, the PSC approved a $71 million settlement with nine NRG-affiliated ESCOs. They were found to have mishandled contract transitions and, in some cases, served low-income customers they should not have. Read the price and renewal terms before you sign with an ESCO.

• Water bills: DEP customer service is (718) 595-7000, and accounts are managed in the "My DEP Account" portal. A landlord can pass water costs to a tenant only if the lease says so, and rent-stabilized tenants generally cannot be billed separately for water.
• The NYC Bin rule: since June 1, 2026, buildings with 1 to 9 residential units (and some larger buildings) must put trash out only in official NYC Bins. The warning period ended on September 7, 2026, and fines have been issued since September 8, 2026.
• Where to buy a bin: bins come in several sizes; the common one is about $50. Pick one up at any Home Depot in New York City or get it delivered through DoorDash, Instacart or Uber Eats. Current sellers are listed on DSNY's NYC Bins page.
• Your pickup days: trash and recycling days depend on your address. Look them up on the DSNY site or ask 311.
• Two agencies: DEP handles water; the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) handles trash and recycling. There is no trash fee on the water bill.

311: use the 311 portal, the NYC311 app or text for non-emergency complaints and questions. Interpreters are available in many languages. You can also call 311 to find your zoned school or to request an emergency birth certificate. For emergencies, always call 911.

How to get IDNYC

• Who: any New York City resident aged 10 or older. The card is free.
• Documents: IDNYC uses points. You need 3 points of identity documents and 1 point of residency documents, plus a document showing your date of birth. A U.S. or foreign passport, a U.S. or foreign driver's license and consular ID cards from many countries count as identity documents. A utility bill, current lease or bank statement works for residency. Bring originals or certified copies; photocopies are not accepted.
• Appointments: one enrollment center per borough takes walk-ins on set days; the others need an appointment. New slots open every Friday for the following week. There are no mail-in applications.
• Where it helps: in New York City, IDNYC is accepted as proof of address for school enrollment, as primary ID for birth certificates and as ID for a marriage license.

Library cards

The New York Public Library (NYPL) serves Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island. Its card is free for anyone who lives, works, attends school or pays property taxes in New York State. Apply online for an instant digital card if your location can be verified, then bring ID and proof of address to any NYPL branch for a physical card. Children 12 and under need a parent's signature; teens 13 to 17 verifying online do not have to show ID. Visitors from outside New York can get a 3-month Visitor Card. Brooklyn and Queens run their own systems (Brooklyn Public Library and Queens Public Library), so check their card rules on their own sites.

• FARE Act details: listings must disclose every fee a tenant would pay. Before you sign, the landlord gives you an itemized written fee disclosure, you sign it, and the landlord keeps it for 3 years. Background and credit check fees are still allowed. If you choose to hire your own broker, you pay that broker.
• Complaints: the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) issues violations, heard at OATH. Penalties include fines and refunds of fees charged illegally, and tenants can also sue in civil court.
• Deposits: the one-month cap comes from the 2019 Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act (HSTPA) and applies statewide. The same law bars collecting first and last month's rent up front on top of the deposit, and set up move-in and move-out inspections.
• Rent stabilization: about a million New York City apartments are rent-stabilized. For them, the City's Rent Guidelines Board sets the maximum yearly increase: for leases starting October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027, 0% to 2% on a one-year lease and 0% to 4% on a two-year lease. Stabilized tenants also have extra renewal protections.
• SCRIE and DRIE: City programs that freeze rent increases for qualifying lower-income seniors and people with disabilities in rent-regulated apartments.

• STAR credit: it lowers the school-tax part of your bill. Owners who had the older STAR exemption before 2015 can keep it for the same home; new owners can only register for the credit. Check eligibility on the Tax Department's STAR page.
• Income limits: Basic STAR $500,000. Enhanced STAR $110,750 for 2026 and $113,550 for 2027; only one resident owner needs to be 65 by December 31. The 2026 benefit is based on your 2024 income tax return.
• Primary residence: the Tax Department looks at how much of the year you spend at the home and at the address on your vehicle and ID records.
• NYC tax classes: the City has four property classes. One- to three-family homes are Class 1 and are taxed on about 6% of market value. Co-ops, condos and rental buildings with 4 or more units are Class 2, taxed on about 45%. Assessment increases are capped at 6% a year and 20% over 5 years for Class 1, and 8% a year and 30% over 5 years for Class 2 buildings with 10 or fewer units.
• Paying: pay online with NYC CitiPay. The Department of Finance (DOF) takes applications for exemptions and abatements on its own site.

1. Find your zoned school. Your address decides it. Enter it in School Search or call 311. If you have a zoned school, contact the school directly; you do not need a Family Welcome Center.
2. Use a Family Welcome Center if needed. Families without a zoned school, transfers and unenrolled high-school-age students are served at 9 Family Welcome Centers across the five boroughs, open Monday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, but an appointment is recommended. Online booking has been temporarily disabled since August 2026, so call 718-935-3500. Bring a government-issued ID to enter the building.
3. Gather documents. Proof of the child's age (birth certificate, passport or baptism record), immunization records and the latest report card if available, plus two proofs of address from the approved list: a lease or deed, an electric or cable bill from the last 60 days, a water bill from the last 90 days, a property tax bill, a New York license or state ID, IDNYC and others. Forms do not need to be notarized, and the child does not have to be present. The full document list is on the enrollment support site.
4. Complete the language survey. At enrollment you fill out a home language survey. If another language is spoken at home, the child's English is assessed and placement is decided with your involvement. NYC Public Schools has programs for multilingual learners and a Bill of Rights for their parents.
5. Open a NYC Schools Account. Use MySchools and the NYC Schools Account to apply to schools from 3-K through 12th grade and follow your child's progress. Only parents or legal guardians can create one.

• Grace periods: the school must enroll the student right away; missing proof of residency can follow within 3 days. Students in temporary housing are enrolled even without immunization records, with the first dose due within 14 days.
• 3-K and Pre-K for All: free for 3- and 4-year-olds living in the city. For 2026-27, 3-K is for children born in 2023 and Pre-K for children born in 2022. The main application round ran January 14 to February 27, 2026, and most offers went out in May. Families arriving during the year can get help with applications and waitlists at a Family Welcome Center.
• Ages: for kindergarten, the child turns 5 during the enrollment year. Middle school usually covers grades 6 to 8, and high school starts after 8th grade. School is compulsory to age 16 in New York, but everyone aged 5 to 21 has the right to a free public education.

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

• NYC Care: not insurance, but an access program run by NYC Health + Hospitals for city residents without employer coverage who do not qualify for, or cannot afford, a state health plan. The first appointment comes within two weeks. It covers primary and preventive care, mental health, low-cost prescriptions, vaccines and cancer screenings. There is no membership fee or premium; fees are on a sliding scale from $0. Call 646-NYC-CARE (646-692-2273) or visit an NYC Health + Hospitals site. You are asked for ID, residency, income and household size, and a counselor can help even if documents are missing.
• NYC Health + Hospitals financial assistance: for uninsured patients. The system states that it keeps your immigration status private. Financial counselors: 1-844-692-4692, option 3.
• Medicaid: undocumented people of any age can get emergency Medicaid, and undocumented people 65 and older or pregnant can get full Medicaid if they meet the other rules. Apply through NY State of Health (855-355-5777) or ACCESS HRA.
• Child Health Plus: every child in New York can enroll, regardless of immigration status or income.
• Essential Plan: a $0-premium plan with no deductible for ages 19 to 64. Since July 1, 2026, it is open only to U.S. citizens, green card holders, refugees and asylees; DACA recipients lost eligibility on June 30, 2026. The income limit for one person is about $31,920. Apply any time through NY State of Health or via 311.
• 988: the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline answers 24/7, with interpreters.

Free care options

EHHOP (East Harlem Health Outreach Partnership) · East Harlem, Manhattan

A student-run, physician-supervised free clinic of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. It serves uninsured adults and says care is completely free and confidential. Besides primary care, it runs clinics in ob/gyn, eye care, physical medicine and rehab, podiatry, gastroenterology, mental health and cardiology. Its official page does not list clinic days, so call for the current schedule.

Address: The Center for Advanced Medicine, 17 East 102nd Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10029.
877-372-4161 · Email the clinic · Mount Sinai: EHHOP page

Weill Cornell Community Clinic (WCCC) · Manhattan

This Weill Cornell Medicine student-run clinic offers uninsured New Yorkers primary and preventive care, chronic condition management, mental health, gynecology, endocrine and eye care, plus referrals. Its home page calls it a free clinic, but its About page says care is at little or no cost, so ask about the cost of the service you need. In-person visits are on select Saturday mornings; telemedicine is on Tuesday evenings.

Address: 505 E. 70th St, New York, NY 10065.
(646) 962-9222 · WCCC home page · About the clinic

Zucker School of Medicine Free Clinic · Rego Park, Queens

A student-run clinic from the Hofstra/Northwell partnership that covers the basic primary care needs of the uninsured: annual physicals, sick visits, vaccines, blood work, EKGs and referrals. The school says services are offered at low or no cost, so do not assume every service is free. It is open Monday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m., except holidays. To schedule, call on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Address: 95-25 Queens Boulevard, 2nd floor, Rego Park, NY 11374.
Appointments: 516-441-7926 · Clinic page

Centers with income-based fees

Callen-Lorde Community Health Center · Chelsea, Brooklyn and the Bronx

An LGBTQ+-focused community health center that is open to the general public. Patients who are uninsured or have limited insurance may qualify for four sliding-scale bands: $20, $40, $60 or $80 per visit in 2026, based on income and family size. Bring proof of income, or sign an income attestation form if you have none. No one is denied services for being unable to pay, and accounts are not sent to collections, but care is not free.

Addresses: Chelsea: 356 W 18th St, Manhattan · Brooklyn: 40 Flatbush Ave Ext · Bronx: 3144 3rd Ave.
Chelsea: 212-271-7200 · Fee bands and FAQ

Ryan Health · Multiple Manhattan locations

A federally qualified health center (FQHC) network. What you pay depends on your family size and income; you apply for the sliding fee discount with a Ryan Health staff member, and insured patients may also get discounts on deductibles and co-pays. Patients are welcome regardless of ability to pay, which means no one is turned away, not that care is free. New patients booking online need insurance information, proof of income and ID.

Locations: several sites in Manhattan.
212-749-1820 · Becoming a patient and the discount program

Charles B. Wang Community Health Center · Chinatown and Flushing

An FQHC serving the Chinese and Asian immigrant community, which says it serves everyone regardless of ability to pay or language spoken. The sliding fee discount is based on household income and family size; insured patients at or below 200% of the federal poverty guideline may also qualify. For proof of income, bring your latest Form 1040, or a month of pay stubs, an employer letter or a benefit letter; a signed self-declaration is the last resort. Without proof you may be charged the highest visit fee at first, adjusted if you bring documents within two weeks.

Addresses: Manhattan: 268 Canal St. and 125 Walker St. · Flushing, Queens: 131-72 40th Rd., 136-26 37th Ave. and 137-43 45th Ave.
Manhattan: (212) 966-0461 · Queens: (718) 587-1111 · Fee discounts and documents · All locations

Questions to ask before booking

• Are you accepting new patients? Are there age, income, insurance or residency requirements?
• Are visits, lab tests, medications, dental care and outside referrals charged separately?
• Which documents should I bring, and is an interpreter available?

For more options, use the HRSA health center finder; not every listed center is free. See health care without insurance for NYC Care and emergency care. To enroll in NYC Care, call 1-646-692-2273 directly.

• Appointments: license and ceremony appointments are both booked through Project Cupid. The Marriage Bureau sees visitors by appointment only, and slots fill up, so look weeks ahead. Questions: (212) NEW-YORK.
• ID: a driver's license, green card, IDNYC, non-driver ID, military ID, naturalization certificate or passport. No representative or power of attorney can apply for you; both of you must appear in person.
• Waiting period and validity: the ceremony cannot take place until 24 hours after the license is issued. A New York Supreme Court justice or the county judge of either party's county of residence can waive the wait. The license is valid for 60 days, or 180 days if one of you is on active military duty.
• Other rules: no blood test or premarital exam. No one under 18 can marry. A New York license can be used only within New York State.
• Outside New York City: in the rest of the state, any town or city clerk issues licenses for $40. There, the Certificate of Marriage Registration is mailed within 15 days after the officiant returns the license.
• Name change: neither spouse has to change their name. If you do, update your Social Security record at any SSA office, free of charge.

• Office: 125 Worth Street (CN-4, Room 119), New York 10013. Weekdays 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., by appointment only. Birth records from 1920 on are issued the same day. Chat support runs weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Fees: $15 per certified copy. Processing adds $9.30 online, $7.50 by mail and $2.75 in person. UPS express shipping is $21.
• By mail: send the fee and a copy of a current photo ID to the Worth Street address. Orders are not accepted by email.
• ID: one primary document is enough: a driver's license or non-driver ID, a U.S. or foreign passport, IDNYC or a naturalization certificate, unexpired and with photo and signature. Without one, bring two documents from the last 60 days showing your name and address (a utility bill, government mail, a lease or rent letter).
• Emergencies: for urgent needs such as travel, health coverage or a job, email [email protected] or call 311 without an appointment, with photo ID and proof of the emergency.
• Unauthorized vendors: DOHMH warns against sites other than VitalChek that charge high fees.
• Corrections: a $40 application fee plus $15 per copy, about 12 weeks.
• Born outside the five boroughs: babies born in places such as Westchester, Nassau or Suffolk get their certificate from the New York State Department of Health in Albany: $30 per copy, 10 to 12 weeks by mail. Phone (855) 322-1022.
• SSN: if you request it during hospital birth registration, the card arrives by mail and no SSA visit is needed.

• Why these centers: according to SSA's New York page, they are the only offices where residents of these four boroughs can apply for an original SSN or a replacement card. The rule is the same for citizens and noncitizens.
• Staten Island: find the office that serves your ZIP code with the SSA office locator.
• 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).
• After marriage: the New York State Department of Health tells newlyweds who change their name to update their 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).

• State tax: nine brackets, with rates of roughly 3.9% to 10.9%. As of September 25, 2026, the state had not yet posted its 2026 tables; check the exact brackets on New York's tax tables page.
• City tax: residents of the five boroughs (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island) pay a city income tax of roughly 3.078% to 3.876% on top of the state tax. There is no separate borough income tax. Outside New York City, residents pay only federal and state tax.
• Moving from Texas? Factor both taxes into any salary offer.

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 free document review at an IRS office. 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).

• Appointments: IRS offices work by appointment only: 844-545-5640. There may be other offices in the city; find the closest one with the IRS office locator.
• ITIN document review: offices that offer it are on the IRS in-person ITIN document review list. Make sure the office you pick is on it before you book.
• Expiration: an ITIN not used on a federal return for three years in a row expires.

• Formation: Articles of Organization are filed with the New York Department of State. The $200 fee can be paid by cash, check, money order or credit card.
• 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.
• Publication: one daily and one weekly newspaper, both designated by the clerk of the county where the LLC is located. The notice runs for six consecutive weeks. Then you file the Certificate of Publication with both papers' affidavits and a $50 fee.
• Cost: it varies a lot by county, from a few hundred dollars in some counties to over $1,000 in Manhattan (New York County). Budget for it.
• 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.
• DBA for sole proprietors and partnerships: file a business certificate (assumed name) with the County Clerk of every county where you do business. For this purpose, New York City's five boroughs are five counties: Manhattan is New York County, Brooklyn is Kings County, Queens is Queens County, the Bronx is Bronx County and Staten Island is Richmond County. Each county sets its own fee.
• LLCs and corporations file an assumed name with the Department of State (Certificate of Assumed Name), not the county.

• Who still qualifies for SNAP: under New York's 2026 guidance (OTDA 26DC019), the only noncitizens who can generally get SNAP are green card holders, Cuban/Haitian entrants and COFA citizens. Some categories face a new 5-year bar. HRA screens every noncitizen applicant's status at the first application and at each recertification.
• U.S.-citizen children in the household may still receive SNAP and Medicaid in their own right, even when a parent does not qualify.
• 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, 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.
• Health programs: NYC Care, the Essential Plan and Child Health Plus follow different rules. See health care.
• 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, check-ins set when you were released), 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.

• Other support centers: there are also ASCs in Brooklyn, Long Island City (Queens) and Hauppauge (Long Island). Use the address on your I-797C notice.
• Floor and room: USCIS, the immigration court and ICE share 26 Federal Plaza, and published sources sometimes give different floors for the same office. The floor and room on your notice are the ones that count.
• Appointments and questions: USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833), or book online. Appointments are free.
• Processing times: on the USCIS processing times page, pick the form, category and the field office handling your case. Times update monthly.
• Biometrics: the center is assigned on your I-797C notice; you do not choose it. You can reschedule for good cause. Our biometrics guide covers what to bring.
• 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.

• Security: there is security screening, and cameras and recording devices are not allowed in courtrooms. Arrive early.
• 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 ERO New York: ICE's page lists the office at 26 Federal Plaza, 9th Floor, Suite 9-110, (212) 436-9315. Check-ins are scheduled at checkin.ice.gov. 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. CBP's list places the JFK unit 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: Local Law 11 took effect in January 2022, was blocked by a court that year and was struck down for good in March 2025. Do not register based on it.
• 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. Juror records are confidential under New York law.
• 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.

• Find an acceptance facility: enter your ZIP code in the passport facility locator. These locations accept new applications (DS-11) only.
• 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. The appointment line, 877-487-2778, is open weekdays 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and weekends 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern. Appointments are free; third parties charging for them are scams.
• Online renewal: for eligible adults, only at opr.travel.state.gov.

Always free

• Central Park and Prospect Park: no admission at either. Central Park is open daily 6 a.m. to 1 a.m.
• The Brooklyn Bridge and the High Line: public walkways with no tickets at all.
• Staten Island Ferry: a free city service that runs 24/7, every 15 minutes at weekday rush hours and every 30 minutes otherwise.
• 9/11 Memorial: the outdoor plaza is free daily 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The museum releases a limited number of free tickets for Monday evenings; check the times on its site.
• MoMA PS1: the contemporary art space in Queens is always free for everyone.
• New York Public Library: every branch is free to enter, including the flagship on Fifth Avenue.

Pay what you wish with ID, or free on certain days

• The Met and AMNH: New York State residents pay what they wish for general admission every day the museums are open. The Met accepts a New York driver's license or ID, IDNYC, a bill with a New York address or a New York library card.
• MoMA: free for New York State residents on Friday evenings, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.; reserve ahead.
• Bronx Zoo: every Wednesday, a pay-what-you-wish Limited Admission ticket (a few paid attractions excluded). Tickets go online at 5 p.m. the Monday before and sell out; do not come without one.
• Queens Museum: pay what you wish for everyone; free for children 12 and under and IDNYC holders.
• Brooklyn Botanic Garden: children under 12 are always free; pay what you wish Tuesday to Friday from December to February; IDNYC can also waive the fee.

IDNYC, the city's free municipal ID, is open to New York City residents 10 and older. It gets you in free at places like the Queens Museum and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and the Met accepts it as proof that you live in New York.

With kids

• AMNH: dinosaur halls, the Hayden Planetarium and the Butterfly Vivarium.
• Bronx Zoo: 265 acres. Winter hours start November 1 (10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.); last entry 45 minutes before closing.
• Central Park: playgrounds, the Central Park Zoo and the carousel. The zoo and carousel are ticketed.
• Staten Island Ferry: about 25 minutes each way, free, with views built in.
• Queens Museum: kids can hunt for their own neighborhood on the Panorama model.

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 (+90 312 292 29 29 from outside the U.S.). 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 on the consulate's site before you pay.

Tips for your visit

• The building: Türkevi is a 36-floor building that opened in 2021. The attaché offices are in the same complex, listed at 821 First Avenue.
• Timing: services run in a morning and an afternoon block. Be at the building before your slot.
• Holidays: check the consulate's site for closure days before you book.
• New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware: residents of these states also use the New York consulate for passports, civil registry and military service matters.
• Birth registration: you need the U.S. birth certificate first. For babies born in New York City it comes from the city health department (see birth certificates).
• 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, paid 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. 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: Education +1 212 687 8395, Commercial +1 212 687 1530.

• In person: the New York City office serves walk-ins weekdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Albany is open 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.; Binghamton, Buffalo and Utica 9 a.m. to noon and 12:45 to 4 p.m. Same-day service, up to 10 documents per customer. Check the current address on the Department of State page.
• 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.
• County Clerk first: birth, death and marriage certificates issued by local officials 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.
• New York City records: births in the five boroughs are recorded by the city health department (DOHMH) and marriage licenses by the City Clerk. Before you mail anything, ask the apostille unit which office pre-certifies these: (518) 474-4429, weekdays 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Notarized documents: need certification from the County Clerk of the county where the notary is qualified.
• 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.
• JFK to Istanbul: Turkish Airlines' fare calendar shows a departure every day from September 25 through late October, and the route page gives 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 transit: take the A, E or J train to Sutphin Blvd or the A train to Howard Beach, then the AirTrain. AirTrain costs $8.75, or $11.75 with the subway fare. Children under 5 ride AirTrain free.
• Newark by transit: the airport is not on the MTA system. From Penn Station in Manhattan, take NJ Transit and AirTrain Newark.