- Do I need a certificate for each school I attend?
Yes. Certificates are specific to each school. - I am a Westchester County resident attending Westchester Community College, do I need a certificate?
No. As a resident of Westchester County, you automatically qualify for the resident tuition rate (in-state tuition). - How long is my certificate valid?
If your certificate was issued for the Fall semester, it is valid until the following Fall (one year). If your certificate was issued for Winter, Spring, or Summer, you must apply for another certificate in the Fall. - I moved out of Westchester County 6 months ago, do I qualify for a certificate from Westchester County?
No. Your certificate will be issued by the county in which you have been a resident for the past 6 months. - I moved out of Westchester County within the past 6 months, do I qualify for a certificate from Westchester County?
You will be issued a partial certificate to cover the period, within the past 6 months that you were a resident of Westchester County. - What documents are acceptable to prove residence?
New York State issued photo ID; bank statement; utility bill, voter registration card; car insurance ID card, high school report card; credit card statement; property tax bill; letter from your school; etc. - I don’t have any proof of residence in my name, what do I do?
Have a parent or guardian fill out the parent/guardian form and submit the proof of address documents in their name. The student application is still required, as are copies of the student photo ID, and social security card.
Each year a notice of names of persons appearing as owners of certain unclaimed property held by the Commissioner of Finance of Westchester County is published in local newspapers for funds held by the county for over (3) three years without action. The latest notices below were published in newspapers on March 2017.
The notice is given pursuant to Section 601 of the Abandoned Property Law of the State of New York. The notice states that the Commissioner of Finance of the County of Westchester has on deposit or in custody certain monies or property paid or deposited in actions or proceedings in the several courts in the county and that during the month of April of that year the funds will be sent to the New York State Comptroller in Albany, NY.
The persons whose names are set forth from the records of the said Commissioner of Finance may be entitled to such property in the amount of $50 or more.
Any claims towards the abandoned property should be directed to:
Westchester County Finance Department
148 Martine Ave.
White Plains, NY 10601
Suite 724- Unclaimed Property
(914) 995-4708
January 2018 Notice: Properties deposited prior to Jan 1 2015
March 2017 Notice: Properties deposited Prior to Jan 1, 2014
February 2016 Notice for Prior to 2013 Funds
March 2015 Notice for Prior to 2012 funds
February 2015 Notice for Prior to 2011 funds
Purchase Order Invoices:
Invoices for delivered items on Westchester County purchase orders must be mailed to the following address.
The purchase order number MUST be referenced on all invoices.
Westchester County Finance Department
148 Martine Avenue, Room 728
White Plains, NY 10601
Attn: Accounts Payable
Legal Aid Claims:
Invoices for legal aid services must be submitted to:
The Legal Aid Society of Westchester
One North Broadway, 9th Floor
White Plains, NY 10601
Contract Invoices:
Invoices for work and services performed per a Westchester County contract must be mailed to the originating county department.
The contract number MUST be referenced on all invoices.
If a check issued by the County of Westchester is lost, stolen or held beyond ninety days, it must be reissued. Contact the issuing office directly to report a check problem.
Checks issued by the County Finance Department
Contact County Payroll at (914) 995-4715 for a county employee paycheck.
Contact County Accounts Payable at (914) 995-4706 for payment to a vendor, contractor, or consultant.
Checks issued by the Department of Social Services
Contact the Bureau of Case Review at (914) 813-6620 and (914) 813-6648 for public assistance checks.
All checks older than six months will require research prior to replacement and may be delayed for a period of one to three months depending on backlog. The Finance Department will verify that the check has not been cashed or previously replaced before a check will be reissued.
No Fee Direct Deposit and Electronic Funds Transfer
Avoid losing checks. Westchester County, in its endeavor to pay all employees, vendors, contractors, and consultants in a prompt and timely manner, offers no fee direct deposit and electronic funds transfer to savings and checking accounts. This secure and reliable alternative to paper checks is the Finance Department’s contribution to the county’s green initiative; it is cost effective and secure.
Pursuant to Section 2601 of the New York Civil Practice Laws and Rules, all funds and securities paid into court are delivered to the custody of the Commissioner of Finance of Westchester County. This includes funds and securities paid to the County Court, Surrogate Court and Supreme Court. The Department of Finance holds cash deposits for civil cases, appeals, surplus funds, and municipalities when cases are transferred to the County Court. A court order directs the finance department to hold the funds until another court order is received instructing the department to release the funds - plus interest, less fees.
Required documents for deposit of funds
The above court ordered payments must be accompanied by the following documentation:
- An original certified* order signed by the court directing the Finance Commissioner to deposit the funds until such time as directed by the court to release the funds, plus interest, less fees. If a foreclosure judgment, a copy of an original certified* Referee’s Report of Sale and original certified* Surplus Monies Form are also required.
- An original signed W-9 from one of the parties involved. The most recent W-9 form must be provided. The top left corner of the forms must indicate "Rev. March 2024." There are no exceptions.
- A check made out to the Commissioner of Finance, Westchester County for the amount ordered by the court.
*Order, Referee’s Report of Sale, and Surplus Monies Form must be certified by the Westchester County Clerk
Required documents for return of funds
Prior to release of court held funds, the following documents must be received by the Commissioner of Finance:
- An original certified* order signed by the court ordering the Commissioner of Finance of Westchester County to release the funds, plus interest, less fees.
- An original signed W-9 form from the party who will receive the funds. The most recent W-9 form must be provided. The top left corner of the forms must indicate "Rev. March 2024." There are no exceptions.
- A cover letter stating whether the funds are to be picked up or mailed and all applicable addresses.
*Order must be certified by the Westchester County Clerk
These documents may be mailed or delivered to:
Commissioner of Finance
Westchester County
148 Martine Ave., Room 720
White Plains, NY 10601
Attn: Court & Trust Funds
Faxed or e-mailed documents are not accepted.
Certificate of Money on Deposit
This is a document provided by the Westchester County Finance Department that summarizes an updated total of money currently held for the Court and Trust. The certificate shows the exact sum of money, including interest, currently in the claimant’s account.
As part of a legal action for withdrawal, a claimant or claimant’s attorney may request a Certificate of Money on Deposit with the Commissioner of Finance. The Certificate of Money on Deposit may be presented to the court as part of the withdrawal process.
A written request for the certificate is required, addressed to the Commissioner of Finance of Westchester County stating the title of the case, the Index Number, the name and address of the person requesting the certificate, and a check or money order for $1.00, payable to the "Commissioner of Finance of Westchester County."
Send the request to:
Westchester County Finance Department
148 Martine Ave., Room 720
White Plains, New York 10601
Attn: Court & Trust Funds
Also specify whether the certificate is to be mailed or will be picked up by the claimant or claimant’s attorney. Faxed or e-mails documents are not accepted.