County Information
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where can I find copies of documents relating to real property?
Answer: The Niagara County Clerks office records original deeds(showing ownership of a parcel of land in Niagara County) and mortgages. The Clerks office returns the original documents to the attorney or the individual. After recording you may obtain a certified copy of the document at the Clerks office located at the Niagara County Courthouse, 175 Hawley Street, Lockport, NY or contact us by phone: 716-439-7022. The Clerks office does not record or file surveys or abstracts of title therefore we can not supply you with copies of surveys or abstracts of title.
2. Where can I get a copy of vital records (marriage, birth or death record)?
Answer: Vital records are filed with the local municipality in which the event occurred. For example: (A) If you purchase a marriage license in Lockport, NY but the ceremony is performed in Niagara Falls, NY you would obtain a copy of the marriage certificate from the Lockport City Clerk where the original is purchased. (B) If an individual lives in North Tonawanda, NY but expires while hospitalized in Buffalo, NY the death certificate will be filed with the Buffalo City Clerk and you would contact them for copies of the certificate. To obtain a copy of your birth certificate, the record would be with the registrar in the municipality where the hospital is located.
3. Where is/How do I get to the Courthouse?
Answer: Many people who don't live in or near Lockport need directions, and this website is the best source! Click on "County Information", then "Buildings", then select the "Map" of the building to which you need directions.
4. Where can I obtain a copy of the Niagara County Emergency Management Plan ?
Answer: A hard copy may be obtained at your local library or at the Emergency Management Office, 5526 Niagara Street Ext, Lockport, NY 14095. Or, a online copy is available - County Emergency Management Plan
5. How do I get in touch with a department?
Answer: Since there is no central phone number for the county, many people call the Legislature office in an effort to find the department they're looking for. All county offices are listed in the phone book under the general heading, "Niagara County", but if you do call the Legislature office, we can transfer your call to another department. The area code for Niagara County is 716.
6. I am remodeling my house and have construction debris. What do I do with this material ?
Answer: Niagara County Landfill & Recycling is a Construction & Demolition debris landfill. For a complete list of material, please see our web site at www.niagaracounty.com/landfill.
7. What hours are Falls open for viewing?
Answer: Niagara Falls is open for viewing 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, from Prospect Point, located in Niagara Falls State Park. There are fireworks over the Falls on Fridays and Sundays during the summer. The Falls are also illuminated every night of year.
8. What form of identification do I need to cross into Canada and back into the USA?
Answer: US Citizens need to bring their original birth certificate, or a certified copy. You will also need a government issued photo ID. Current passports are also accepted. Non US citizens need to phone both the Canadian Consulate (716-858-9501) and the US Immigrations office (716-282-3141) to find out what type of documentation is needed. These regulations are frequently changing. To get the latest - visit the INS web site.
INS Website Entry into Canada & USA
9. What are the requirements for a veteran's or widow's pension?
Answer: A veteran must meet the period of hostilities and discharge requirements as well as be considered 100% disabled as the result of a nonservice-connected condition. If the veteran is 65 years old or older, the medical requirement is waived. There is an income cap that cannot be exceeded and that changes each year at the same rate that social security increases.
10. Who is my legislator/When are the meetings?
Answer: All 19 Niagara County Legislators names and phone numbers are listed on this website. The meetings are held the first and third Tuesday of each month, however there are exceptions, so it's best to check this website or call the Legislature office at 439-7000 for details.
11. Do I have to send my drivers license renewal or registration to the State or can I still do it at my local DMV?
Answer: Even though the enclosed literature with your renewal indicates that you should mail it to a mail center staffed by the State DMV you may still bring or mail those documents to your local DMV located in Lockport, Niagara Falls and North Tonawanda. There is a drop box located at these locations for your convenience. By completing your transactions in Niagara County a portion of the renewal fee is retained and becomes a revenue for Niagara County.
12. Where can I get rid of tires ?
Answer: If your local trash hauler does not pick them up and there is no tire program in your municipality, tires may be brought to the Niagara County Landfill and Recycling. Regular tires without rims: 2.00 each Regular tires with rims: 5.00 each Extra large tires .10 per pound No limit on the quantity of tires you may bring.
13. Who is eligible for NYS Veterans' Alternative Property Tax Exemption?
Answer: Anyone who served on active duty(other than active duty for training)in the Armed Forces of the United States during a period of designated hostilities and was honorably discharged from that service.
14. When is the roster book available?
Answer: The Roster of Officials booklet is printed every year and includes a complete listing of all county, city, town and village officials, plus area representatives in both federal and state government. The 2002 roster book should be available in May and copies can be picked up at the Legislature Office, County Courthouse, 175 Hawley Street, Lockport. Additionally, this information can be found on this website under the headings, "County Information", "Departments", and "Legislature".
15. I have old paint cans. What should I do with them ?
Answer: Paint cans that are empty or have dried up paint in them may be thrown in the trash with the tops off. If you have water based latex paint in the originally labeled, non rusted container, that contains a minimum of ½ can of usable paint, you may bring it to Niagara County Landfill & Recycling’s PAINT EXCHANGE PRRGRAM. The Paint Exchange Program was designed to allow people to bring in usable paint for free, so that other’s in need of paint, may take it for use, at NO CHARGE ! Paint cans with less that ½ can of paint can be dried out by leaving the lid off and then put in your regular trash OR your may mix kitty litter in with the paint to form a solidified mixture, so that the paint dies not leak out of the garbage truck as it goes down the road, and them put it in with your regular trash. Go to our web site for more information: www.niagaracounty.com/landfill
16. What is tare weight and why should I know about it ?
Answer: Commodities sold by weight must be sold by net weight. This means the weight of contents only. A deduction for the weight of the packaging must be computed by the retailer. Tare weight refers to the weight of the packaging or container. Niagara COunty Weights & Measures officials test commodities on a regular basis at establishments where they are offered for sale.
17. How tall are the Falls?
Answer: The American Falls are 184 feet tall, and 1060 feet wide. About 10% of the Niagara River Flows over the American Falls. The Horseshoe Falls are 176 feet tall, and 2200 feet wide. About 90% of the Niagara River flows over the Horseshoe Falls.
18. What type of establishments does Weights & Measures inspect ?
Answer: Supermarkets, corner stores, butcher & fish shops, hardware stores, drug stores, gas stations, feed mills, taxi cabs... The list goes on and on. Where ever commodities are sold by measure.
19. How do I know if gasoline pump or store scale has been inspected and what type of tolerances are used?
Answer: Look for the official seal, it will show the month and the year that it was last inspected and tested. Tolerances vary depending upon application, but generally one-half of one percent is the margin for accuracy that Niagara County Weights & Measures requires of devices.
20. How can I obtain an application for a waiver for indoor smoking ?
Answer: Clean Indoor Air Act Waiver Application
