C h a n g e  o f  A d d r e s s USPS Online Address Change     G e o g r a p h y New York, in the Northeast, is one of the Mid-Atlantic states. The state is roughly triangular in shape, with Long Island extending out into the Atlantic Ocean from its southeastern point. To the east are Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut; to the south, New Jersey and Pennsylvania; and along the northwest, Canada, separated from New York by Lakes Erie and Ontario, and the Niagara and St. Lawrence Rivers. Terrain of the state's 49,576 square-mile total area is highly diversified with many lakes, forested hills, mountains and fertile valleys. The eastern section of the state is generally hilly and mountainous. Mountains in this region are part of the Appalachian system and include the Adirondack, Catskill and Taconic ranges. Long Island is an extension of the flat, low-lying Atlantic Coastal Plain. From east to west across the Island extends a sandy ridge which at some points reaches a height of about 200 feet. The Allegheny Plateau covers most of the southern part of the state. The area contains numerous southward-flowing streams, some of which have formed deep and narrow valleys. In the west, a narrow band of fertile plains skirt Lakes Erie and Ontario. Major rivers are the Hudson in the east; the Mohawk, flowing from west to east through central New York and entering the Hudson north of Albany; the Delaware between New York and northeastern Pennsylvania; the Niagara between northwestern New York and Canada; and the St. Lawrence between northeastern New York and Canada.   C l i m a t e The Atlantic Ocean and Lakes Erie and Ontario temper summer heat and winter weather. The southeastern region temperatures range from 26°F to 85°F; the farther north and west, the cooler the climate. Temperatures range from 17°F to 79°F in the vicinity of Lakes Erie and Ontario and from 15°F to 70°F in the Adirondacks. Annual precipitation follows a similar pattern, with the highest average (40 inches) occurring near the Atlantic coast and lowest (31 inches) in the north and west. Much of the precipitation in the north and est occurs as snowfall, with some areas in the Adirondacks receiving more than 200 inches per year. P o p u l a t i o n New York has a population of 18,184,800. The five largest cities in the state are: Albany - 104,828 Buffalo - 312,965 New York - 7,333,253 Syracuse - 158,895 Yonkers - 183,490 G o v e r n m e n t Albany, on the west bank of the Hudson River in east-central New York, is the state capital. For general information about state government services and policies, contact: Office of the Governor New York State Capitol Albany 12224 (518) 474-8390 - General Information New York has 62 counties; five of these make up New York City. County governments are headquartered in the county courthouse where information about county government services and policies is available. VOTING To vote in New York a person must be a citizen of the U.S.; a resident of the state, county and city (or village) for 30 days prior to the election; and at least 18 years old by election day. The deadline for voter registration is 25 days prior to any election. An individual can obtain a mail-in voter registration form by calling toll-free: 1-800-FOR-VOTE (367-8683). This service includes the telephone number and address of all the county boards of elections. For additional information, contact: State Board of Elections 6 Empire State Plaza, Suite 201 Albany 12223-1650 (518) 474-6220   T a x e s Income For tax year 1998, the New York personal income tax rates range from 4% to 6.85% of taxable income. New York City levies a personal income tax and a surcharge on city residents; the combined rates ranging from 3.08% to 4.46% of taxable income. Yonkers imposes a personal income tax on Yonkers residents equal to 15% of the net state tax. Property Real property taxes are levied by local jurisdictions and rates are determined by budgetary needs of the district. Tangible and intangible personal property are not taxed. Sales New York State's sales and use applies to most sales and services of property. However, the tax does not apply to sales of groceries, medicine, prosthetic devices, newspapers, periodicals or real property. The tax does not apply to most personal services. The current statewide tax rate equals 4%. Many cities and most counties impose an additional tax rate of 3% for a combined state and local rate of 7%. In a few taxing jurisdictions, the combined rate exceeds 7%. In New York City, the combined tax, including the metropolitan commuter transportation district tax equals 8¼%. The combined rate on parking in New York City is 18¼% in Manhattan and 10¼% elsewhere in the city. Military personnel living in New York (whether on or off base) are required to pay the combined state and local sales tax in effect in their locality of residence. Additional information concerning New York taxes may be obtained from: New York State Department of Taxation & Finance Taxpayer Assistance Bureau W. A. Harriman Campus Albany 12227 800-225-5829 - Within US and Canada (518) 485-6800 - Outside US and Canada   L i c e n s e s Auto and Driver Newcomers to the state must register their vehicles and obtain New York driver's licenses within 30 days after establishment of residence. Information may be obtained from: State Department of Motor Vehicles Swan Street Building Empire State Plaza Albany 12228 (518) 473-5595 Driver licenses are classified according to type of vehicle: Classes A, B and C for operation of commercial motor vehicles, including buses, large trucks and tractor trailers; Class E for taxis; Classes D and DJ (junior operator) for passenger cars and light trucks; and Classes M and MJ (junior operator) for motorcycles. Application fee, learner's permit and license fee collected when you first apply. Total will not exceed $46.50 for Class D, DJ, M or MJ. License is valid for five years. Renewal fee is $28 for Class D, DJ, M and MJ. Written, driving, sign and vision tests and photo are required for original license. Vision test only when out-of-state license exchanged. Minimum age for regular (auto and motorcycle) license, 18; 17 if approved Driver Education Course has been completed. The minimum age for a junior license is 16 with consent of parent or guardian. Junior class operators, however, have significant restrictions in all counties and a total prohibition in New York City. Out-of-state licensees under 16 are not permitted to drive in New York State, no matter what type of licenses they hold. Motor vehicle registration fees are based on weight of the vehicle. Fee for passenger cars: $.86 per hundredweight up to 3,500 lbs.; $1.29 per each additional hundredweight. Minimum fee for six or more cylinders, $17.25; less than six cylinders, $13.80. Reflectorized plates are an additional $5.50. Handicapped license plates are available upon application to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Doctor's statement attesting to disability must accompany application. Application for registration must be made to a Motor Vehicle District Office or county clerk's office Proof of vehicle ownership is required. Fees for certificate of title, required on all 1973 and newer model vehicles, are $5-original, $5-transfer, $10-duplicate and $5-lien recording. Proof of insurance coverage is required for all motor vehicle transactions except renewals and duplicates. Annual vehicle inspection is also required; fee, $10. Inspection fee $25 in New York City and the counties of Nassau, Rockland, Suffolk and Westchester where emission inspections are required. Seat Belt/Child Restraint Laws Seat belts are required for driver, front seat passengers and back seat passengers under ten and over the age of four. Child restraints are required for children under four. There is a $25 minimum and $100 maximum fine for noncompliance Radar Detectors Radar detectors are permitted in noncommercial vehicles. Passenger Car Trailers Annual registration required; fee, $4.31 for each 500 lbs. or fraction thereof based on the maximum gross weight (unladen weight plus carrying capacity). Minimum fee, $11.50. Compliance with light, brake, hitch, mirror and size limits required. Motor Vehicle Insurance Compulsory liability insurance law. Minimum limits: $50,000/100,000 death, $25,000/50,000 bodily injury, and $10,000 property damage and uninsured motorists coverage. Proof of insurance coverage for New York-registered vehicles required. Insurance ID card must be kept with the vehicle to which it applies and it must be produced upon request to any police officer or to any person with whom an accident has occurred. Failure to produce an ID card when required can result in a charge of uninsured operation and revocation of license and registration privileges. Motorcycles Class M or MJ license required for operation. See "Auto and Driver" section for drivers license fee information. Annual registration required; fee, $11.50. Plate fee, $4.25. Required equipment includes goggles or face shield, reflectorized helmet, one rear view mirror and one rear reflector. Handlebars should not exceed 15 inches above seat. Operator is required to carry minimum liability insurance. Mopeds Annual registration required; fee, $5. Class M or MJ license required for Class A mopeds. Any valid license required for Class B and Class C mopeds. Moped must be equipped with brake action on both wheels, horn, headlamp, stop lamp, tail lamp, number plate lamp, tires with at least 2/32 inch tread, one red rear reflector, muffler and a rear view mirror. Operator must wear approved protective helmet and eye protection. Minimum age for operation, 16. Operator is required to carry minimum liability insurance. Watercraft All mechanically-propelled vessels, including sailboats which use auxiliary power, either inboard or outboard, must be registered and numbered. The registration certificate (not a photocopy) must be on board whenever the vessel is in operation and must be available for inspection. Registration fees vary according to length of boat. Information concerning the registration of watercraft can be obtained by calling one of the following numbers: Upstate New York - 800-CALL DMV Downstate New York - 800-DIAL DMV Out of State - (518) 473-5595 Restrictions apply to the minimum age of operators and the use of life jackets. Information concerning the safe operation of all watercraft can be obtained from marine dealers, marina operators and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation at (518) 474-0445. Fishing and Hunting Information about New York's fishing and hunting regulations may be obtained from: State Environmental Conservation Department Division of Fish, Wildlife & Marine Resources 50 Wolf Road Albany 12233-4790 (518) 457-3521 Snowmobiles Annual registration required unless the snowmobile is used exclusively on the owner's property Registration is through the Department of Motor Vehicles. Minimum ages for operation are: 16; ten to 16 with completion of safety training course conducted through the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation; less than age 10, operated only on land owned by parent or guardian. Information about the registration and operation of snowmobiles may be obtained from snowmobile dealers or through any Department of Motor Vehicles Office. Firearms The state does not require registration or licensing of rifles or shotguns, however, some local jurisdictions have licensing laws. New York state forbids the possession of handguns without a pistol license. Newcomers must first establish residency and then apply for a license through the county court where they reside. The application process could take up to six months, so owners must leave any handguns behind until they receive the required license. Some metropolitan areas are in the process of creating local laws to ban or severely limit so-called "assault weapons". New York City and Rochester already have laws in place and other incorporated areas are in the process of creating them. For more information, contact the New York State Police; (518) 457-0550 or the local police department in the city of residence. Plants At the present time, New York places no restrictions on houseplants brought in by individuals. Pets All pets taken into New York State require an interstate health certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian. Dogs and cats three months of age or older require a current rabies vaccination. Horses six months of age or older must have a negative Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) test completed within 12 months prior to entry. There are also additional requirements governing the importation of other animals. For additional information, contact: New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets Division of Animal Industry 1 Winner's Circle Albany 12235 (518) 457-3971 Alcoholic Beverages Liquor and wine are sold by the package in liquor stores; beer is sold by the package in grocery stores. Alcoholic beverages are sold by the drink in licensed establishments. No package sales of liquor and wine are permitted on Sunday. Legal age, 21. There is no interstate import limit on alcoholic beverages transported in a personal vehicle by an individual for personal consumption.   E c o n o m y   &   E m p l o y m e n t The state's economy is based primarily on services, manufacturing, tourism, agriculture, printing, publishing and information and media services. New York is the world center of the banking, securities, insurance and real estate services industries. New York is also one of the leading manufacturing states in the country. A few of the many important products are apparel, instruments and related products, chemicals, food products, transportation equipment, fabricated metal products, electrical and electronic equipment, photographic equipment, glass products, silverware and leather goods. Leading agricultural products include dairy products, ornamental plants, vegetables, fruits, poultry and eggs, cattle, hogs, hay, corn and maple syrup. New York's tourist attractions provide fun for all including the beaches of Long Island, wineries of the Finger Lakes and the Adirondack Mountains, the world famous sites of New York City, the Revolutionary War sites of the Hudson River Valley, the fury and power of Niagara Falls, the peace and tranquillity of Lake Placid, the Olympic Village, the baseball and soccer halls of fame, the best in professional sports of our day and more. For current information about employment opportunities in New York, contact: New York Department of Labor Community Services Division State Campus Albany 12222 (518) 457-3584 website address: http://www.labor.state.ny.us   E d u c a t i o n In 1784, the New York Legislature established the University of the State of New York. The University of the State of New York is not a university in the usual sense. This agency supervises and controls the New York educational system. The Board of Regents of The University is its governing body. The Board has powers over all education in the state including elementary, secondary and higher education - private and public. The Board sets educational standards, distributes public funds, awards scholarships and charters colleges and universities, licenses and disciplines individuals in 38 professions, certifies teachers and librarians and has numerous other roles and responsibilities. The State Education Department is the University's administrative body. Information concerning the New York school system may be obtained from: New York State Education Department State Education Building 89 Washington Avenue Albany 12234 (518) 474-3852 Elementary and Secondary/Public Subject to provisions of The University, district boards of education exercise control over local schools. Financing is through local sources (55%), and state (40%) and federal (5%) funds. The state supports a special school for the blind in Batavia and a school for the deaf in Rome as well as several schools in various locations for severely handicapped children. In addition, all school districts are required to furnish educational programs for children with special educational needs. Textbooks are selected by local boards of education and loaned free to all public and non-public school students. Free transportation is provided for all children in grades kindergarten through eighth grade residing up to a distance of 15 miles. However, many school districts provide transportation to students living less than two or three miles away. City school districts may adopt their own mileage guidelines for transporting students. School bus transportation is also provided for all handicapped pupils. Each school district determines the minimum age for enrollment in kindergarten; however, a common requirement is that a child must be five years of age by December 1 of the current school term to attend kindergarten or six by then to attend the first grade. Enrollment requirements include legal proof of age (preferably a birth certificate), physical and dental examinations, a tuberculin test, and immunizations for measles, smallpox, polio and DPT. Intermediate examinations are required for students entering grades 1, 3, 7 and 10. Transfer students should register at the school district office in the district of residence. A withdrawal slip from the school previously attended is required. School authorities will send for transcripts of the student's academic and health records. Many high schools offer adult and continuing education courses, vocational-technical courses, driver education and other special courses in addition to basic studies required for graduation. A diploma is awarded to students who pass a series of competency tests in reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies and who complete an approved four-year course of study. A minimum of 18½ units of credit is required for graduation. Required courses include English, social studies, mathematics, science, health education, physical education, art and/or music. Students interested in earning a Regents diploma are also required to take three years of a foreign language. A Regents diploma may be earned by passing a series of Regents Examinations in required subjects, in addition to completing required courses. Specific information about the schools of a particular district may be obtained from the local superintendent of schools. Colleges/Universities Public The State University of New York (SUNY) is a state-wide, 64-campus public university system of two- and four-year colleges and universities, including four university centers, 13 university colleges, five specialized colleges, five colleges of technology, 30 community colleges, two Health Science Centers, a college of veterinary medicine and a college of optometry. SUNY also operates eight educational opportunity centers. About 390,000 students are enrolled across the state. For additional information about SUNY, contact: State University of New York (SUNY) Office of School/College Relations State University Plaza Albany 12246 (518) 443-5475 The City University of New York (CUNY) includes a graduate center, a law school, 11 senior colleges and six community colleges. More than 213,000 students are enrolled at campuses throughout the five boroughs of the city of New York. For information, contact: City University of New York (CUNY) 535 East 80th Street New York 10021 (212) 947-4800 Also in New York are the federally-sponsored United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point and the United States Military Academy at West Point. Private New York State has 166 degree-granting private colleges and universities. They include 138 independent, not-for-profit two- and four-year colleges and universities including research universities, liberal arts colleges, technical institutes and specialized schools, and 28 specialized proprietary, for-profit colleges. About 400,000 students attend the independent colleges and about 26,000 attend the proprietary colleges. For a free guide to independent colleges and universities in New York State, including concise profiles with application requirements and deadlines, contact: Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities 17 Elk Street P.O. Box 7289 Albany 12224 (518) 436-4781 (518) 436-0417 (fax) cicu@aol.com (e-mail) Proprietary For information about proprietary colleges, contact: Association of Proprietary Colleges 1259 Central Avenue Albany 12205 (518) 437-1867   R e c r e a t i o n New York, with its thousands of lakes and rivers, the seashore and the mountains, is one of the most popular vacationlands in the United States. Among the many tourist attractions and recreational areas are: the Thousand Islands vacation area on the St. Lawrence River, Niagara Falls in northwest New York, the Adirondack Mountain Region with Lake Placid and Saranac Lake in the northeast, The Catskills in southeastern New York, the Finger Lakes Region in the central section of the state, Fire Island National Seashore off the south shore of Long Island and the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. A few of the many annual events include the New York State Fair in Syracuse (late August through Labor Day), the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament in New York City (August and September), the Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City (November) and A Festival of Lights in Niagara Falls. For additional information about New York attractions, contact: State Department of Economic Development Division of Tourism P.O. Box 2603 Albany 12220-0603 800-225-5697 - U.S., U.S. Territories & Canada (518) 474-4116 - All Other Areas New York Convention & Visitors Bureau 2 Columbus Circle New York 10019-1823 (212) 397-8222 Most of New York's cities and towns maintain parks and recreation departments and sponsor a variety of activities for residents. Information about scheduled programs and activities can usually be obtained at the local city hall. For information about New York state recreational facilities, contact: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 50 Wolf Road Albany 12205 (518) 474-2121 New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation Agency Building #1 Empire State Plaza Albany 12238 (518) 474-0456