Dutchess County Clerk Brad Kendall

As National Donate Life Month continues, the team at the Dutchess County DMV are proud to celebrate Green & Blue Day today in honor of the incredible gift of life that organ, eye, and tissue donors make possible. One donor can save up to eight lives and improve many more.

If you’ve ever thought about becoming a donor, it’s easier than you might think. You can sign up to be an organ donor right at the DMV when you renew or update your license. A simple “yes” can change someone’s entire future.

Be a hero. Give the gift of life.

Important information about the upcoming closure of DMV offices.

🚨 ATTENTION DUTCHESS COUNTY DMV CUSTOMERS – STATEWIDE DMV CLOSURE STARTS FRIDAY AT 2PM

Please be advised that the New York State DMV will be updating its technology system. 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝟮𝗽𝗺 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗙𝗲𝗯. 𝟭𝟯𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗙𝗲𝗯. 𝟭𝟳𝘁𝗵:
📌 All DMV offices across New York State will be CLOSED
📌 Online transactions and phone services will be UNAVAILABLE
✅ All services are expected to resume at the start of business on Wednesday, Feb. 18th. For more information, visit dmv.ny.gov.

PLEASE NOTE - ALL County offices are CLOSED Thursday, Feb. 12, for Lincoln's Birthday and Monday, Feb. 16, for Presidents' Day holidays.

Congratulations to the 41 new citizens from 25 countries that were administered their oath of allegiance by County Clerk Brad Kendall today at the Family Partnership Center. Thank you to all who attended and participated. Truly the best part of the job!

County Clerk and DMV Offices in Dutchess will be closed on 1/26. Scheduled DMV appointments will be honored same time, same place on 1/27.

State of Emergency with Travel Ban will be in effect from 5am Sunday 1/25 until 5pm Monday 1/26. Dutchess County is under a Winter Storm Warning with a forecast that is calling for 12" to 24" of snow Sunday and Monday. To keep everyone safe and help our highway crews clear the roads, County Executive Sue Serino has declared a State of Emergency which includes a Travel Ban on all roadways in Dutchess County that will be in effect from 5 a.m. Sunday through 5 p.m. Monday. Read the full news release with all the specifics here: https://www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/County-Executive/Dutchess-County-Brases-Winter-Storm-January-2026.htm

Other important storm updates:

• Dutchess County Public Transit service will be cancelled on Sunday and Monday.

• Dutchess County Parks will be closed Sunday and Monday, as Parks employees will be assisting with snow removal operations.

• Dutchess County Government offices, including Office for the Aging Friendship Centers will be closed Monday, Jan. 26th.

As the storm develops, we'll share additional updates on our website at DutchessNY.gov/StormUpdates and follow Dutchess County Government here on Facebook.

Please see important information regarding the temporary relocation of the County Clerk's Record Room starting January 15.

Beginning Jan. 15th, the County Clerk’s Record Room and Requisition Desk will move temporarily to the third floor of the County Office Building at 22 Market Street in Poughkeepsie. During this relocation, the regular record room will be closed, but the public can still access research services and files at the new temporary office or online at https://www.dutchessny.gov/Document-Search-Applications.htm.

Learn more: https://www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/County-Executive/County-Clerk-Record-Room-to-be-Temporarily-Relocated-Starting-January-15th.htm

Now, More Than Ever we need Local Naturalization Ceremonies

Since becoming Dutchess County Clerk in December of 2006, I have hosted more than 100 local Naturalization Ceremonies and administered the Oath of Allegiance to more than than 6000 new citizens.

Each ceremony is deeply moving. Every new citizen has their own story, their own journey. One in particular stands out.

Last year, I was honored to administer the Oath of Allegiance to an older gentleman. It was not the first oath he had taken. The first was as an Army private in the Vietnam War. As a permanent resident of the United States, he had enlisted to defend America. Now, more than 50 years later, he was once again pledging “to support and defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”

When I asked him, “Why now?”, his answer was simple: “For my grandchildren!” who were in the audience.

That is the power of local ceremonies. We gather as families, friends and communities to witness and celebrate a person’s commitment to our country and its ideals. Some have been in America for a minimum of 5 years. Some have been here for more than 50 years. But all are united as Americans.

Now, there is a misguided effort by the US Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS) to eliminate local ceremonies in favor of administrative office proceedings. It seemingly is based on a misinterpretation of the jurisdiction of New York Courts. Since colonial times County Clerks in New York State have been naturalizing new citizens, first as subjects of the crown, and since 1790, as United States citizens.

It seems particularly ironic that this effort occurs now, when Usha Vance, wife of the vice president, is the daughter of immigrants and Melania Trump, wife of the president is a naturalized citizen.

Through civil wars, world wars, and pandemics, County Clerks have welcomed our newest citizens. We hope to continue a long and productive partnership with USCIS that honors our new citizens and honors our communities.

Together, let us continue our local Naturalization Ceremonies.

Brad Kendall
Dutchess County Clerk
11-20-25

The Wappinger Falls DMV office is closed today, Monday, November 3rd due to a power outage. All appointments will be honored at any of our other offices - Poughkeepsie, Beacon or Millbrook.

UPDATE - Wappinger DMV is CLOSED for the day. Appointments for today will be honored at Beacon, Millbrook or Poughkeepsie DMV offices.

The Wappinger DMV office is currently CLOSED due to a power outage. Appointments will be honored at either the Poughkeepsie or Beacon offices. Central Hudson currently estimates restoration by 11am, but be sure to check the outage map for updates at www.outagemap.cenhud.com.

Today, County Clerk Brad Kendall administered the Oath of Allegiance to 45 new citizens at a naturalization ceremony at Dover High School. It was presided over by Judge Edward T. McLoughlin and both Dr. David Fine, Superintendent of the Dover Union Free School District and Rich Yeno, Supervisor of the Town of Dover provided welcoming remarks. NYS Assemblyman Anil Beephan, Jr. was our keynote speaker. We appreciate Dover for hosting us and all of our guests. Congratulations to all the new Americans! 🇺🇸 🇺🇸

All Dutchess County DMV Offices will be closed on June 19th. Happy Juneteenth!

Today was a great day for a naturalization ceremony! Twenty-four individuals from twenty countries were sworn in as new citizens. We are grateful to the DC Agricultural Society for hosting the ceremony in their beautiful welcome center at the fairgrounds. The new citizens were welcomed by County Clerk Brad Kendall, County Executive Sue Serino, Ag Society CEO Andrew Imperati, Commissioner of Jurors Susan McCormack, County Comptroller Dan Aymar-Blair as well as other officials and guests.

County Historian William P. Tatum, III served as the guest speaker while the Hon. Tracy MacKenzie, ASCJ, presided over the ceremony. We encourage everyone to attend a naturalization ceremony at least once in your lifetime to witness the enthusiasm and joy on the faces of the newest U.S. Citizens! 🇺🇸