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The NY Department of State provides many essential services to New Yorkers – Professional and Business Licensing, Incorporation, Consumer Protection and Local Government Services. 

Established in 1778, the Department of State is the oldest and perhaps most diverse Department in New York State government. Long known as the keeper of records, it continues today to serve as the official compiler of state agency rules and regulations and publisher of information on the State Constitution, the Great Seal of New York and other official state documents. But, today, the Department has been re-imagined as a vehicle to help reinvigorate the States economy and make our communities more livable.


To promote New York agriculture and its high-quality and diverse products, foster agricultural environmental stewardship, and safeguard the State's food supply, land and livestock.

Core duties include:
- Promoting New York’s agricultural producers and products and the State’s food and beverage companies
- Connecting the State’s farmers to new markets to grow the agricultural economy
- Improving access to fresh, local foods to consumers across the State through farmers’ markets
- Helping to protect and enhance New York State’s natural resources and working landscapes
- Promoting sustainable animal production agriculture, the safety of the animal origin food supply, and inspecting companion animal shelters
- Maintaining the safety of the food supply in New York State from the producer to the consumer through inspection and testing


The State’s principal human resources provider for the Executive Branch of Government. The agency also provides technical services to the State’s municipal civil service agencies that are responsible for administration for local governments. The agency also adopts and modifies rules governing a wide range of State civil service matters, and hears and determines appeals on such issues as examination qualifications, pay grade determinations, and disciplinary actions.


Regulates New York’s financial service industry to guard against financial crises and to protect consumers and markets from fraud. DFS is the primary regulator for all state-licensed and state-chartered banks, credit unions, and mortgage bankers and brokers. All mortgage loan servicers doing business in New York State must be registered or licensed by DFS. 

The division also oversees all of the insurance companies operating in New York, licenses all of the budget planners, finance agencies, check cashers, money transmitters, and virtual currency businesses operating in New York, and investigates and prosecutes insurance and financial fraud, working with law enforcement and regulatory agencies at the federal, state, county, and local levels.


To protect workers, assist the unemployed and connect job seekers to jobs. We help coach and train job seekers, help connect workers to businesses and partner with businesses to help them compete in today's global economy.

The agency also assists the unemployed, with a special focus on the long-term unemployed. And we provide specialized services for veterans, youth and the formerly incarcerated. We vigorously enforce state labor laws to ensure a fair wage for all, a level playing field for businesses and the safety and health of workers and the public.


To efficiently collect tax revenues in support of State services and programs while acting with integrity and fairness in the administration of the tax laws of New York State.

A key department focus is the balance of efforts to promote voluntary compliance - the cornerstone of New York State's system of taxation - with the duty to enforce New York's tax laws. More than 96 percent of the taxes collected are remitted voluntarily by taxpayers. The remaining 4 percent is a result of the department's enforcement programs - audit, collections, and criminal investigations.


The mission of the Division of Consumer Protection is to protect, educate and represent consumers in an ever changing economy. From educating the public on marketplace scams prevention to advocating consumers interest before legislative and regulatory bodies, the Division of Consumer Protection protects the interest of New York State consumers. The Division also resolves thousands of consumer complaints through voluntary mediation between the public and businesses.


The Dormitory Authority is NYS’s public finance and construction authority. DASNY is authorized to finance, design, construct or rehabilitate facilities for certain public and private not-for-profit entities. More specifically, as a New York State public-benefit corporation, DASNY provides services for public and non-proprietary private universities in New York State, for not-for-profit healthcare facilities in the State, and for other New York State-related institutions/purposes such as State court facilities and State pension bonds.


The mission of Empire State Development is to promote a vigorous and growing state economy, encourage business investment and job creation, and support diverse, prosperous local economies across New York State through the efficient use of loans, grants, tax credits, real estate development, marketing and other forms of assistance.

The ESD aims to:
- Provide grants, loans and tax credits to bring new businesses to the state and to support the growth of existing NYS firms.
- Develop state real estate assets and use special regulatory powers and public/private partnerships to advance major economic development projects.
- Provide technical assistance and access to capital to help small businesses meet their goals.
- Manage marketing initiatives to attract investment in NYS, including tourism development and special events.
- Support film, television, new media and post production.
- Attract foreign investment and provide export assistance to NYS firms. 
- Support innovation, technology development, tech transfer and infrastructure.


The New York State Gaming Commission's mission is to ensure that all lawful gaming and horse racing activity conducted in this State is of the highest integrity, credibility and quality. Operating in the most efficient and transparent manner, the Commission conducts the New York Lottery and serves the best interests of the public by providing responsive and effective state gaming regulation.

The Commission is responsible for:
- Licensing and regulation of all legal gaming in New York state
- Operation and promotion of the New York Lottery
- Racehorse health and safety
- Promoting responsible gaming


If your business deals with the importation, manufacture, distribution or sale of alcohol in NY, you need a liquor license. The State Liquor Authority has two main functions: issuing licenses and permits, and ensuring compliance with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law.

The Authority's licensing activities focus on the timely processing of permits and licenses. The Authority's enforcement activities focus on the protection of the public by working with local law enforcement agencies and local communities to bring administrative actions against licensees who violate the law.