While visiting the Bowling Green Park, I noticed the US Custom House was nearby! The U.S. Custom House is located in the Financial District in New York City. It was originally constructed between 1902 and 1907! The building originally served as the headquarters for the U.S. Customs Service. The building is massive! It includes granite facade, and a columned entrance! The building's exterior has designs based on continents and symbols of maritime commerce! After the U.S. Customs service relocated in the 1970s, the building is now the National Museum of the American Indian! You can visit and explore the rotunda, murals, and the monumental staircases. read more

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I was very grateful to see accessible Global Entry appointments being offered in the city to avoid going to the airport for an appointment. You are essentially approved on the day of your Global Entry interview and can use your assigned number right away. The process of making an appointment online was easy through your portal, but it can be essentially up to a month long wait for availability. I only needed my passport for the appointment, but in the appointment confirmation they ask you to bring additional ID, your conditional acceptance letter, and proof of residency. On the appointment day, look for the Bankruptcy Dept entrance and make a right turn, there will be another entrance around the corner with security inspection. The entrance was hard to find because there is scaffolding all around the building and no clear signage. There was one sign that said to enter through the museum entrance, which was closed at 8am. There were armed NYPD officers with automatic weapons standing in front of the building, which really set the tone for the experience, though they didn't know anything about Global Entry appointments when I asked them where the right entrance was. Upon entering, the security was incredibly rude for no reason. I greeted the security officer and he pointed to the open bins, then spoke to me in a demeaning way when I put my items into the bin because he wanted me to wait for him to tell me when to put my items in despite there being no one in front or behind me. He made me take my things out and berated me, and then had me put my things back into the same bin a moment later. I was really shocked by how rude the interaction was. After security, you wait in a seating area and an agent comes down with a clipboard asking for people with appointment slots. You go up with people to the fourth floor into another small, crowded waiting room until your name is called by a person behind a counter. They take the no cellphone, tablet, or headphone policy very seriously, so be sure to put things away before going upstairs. Once you're called, they take a quick photo of you and I was told that I'd receive my Global Entry card within 2-3 weeks. Overall, everything took about 10 mins in and out, but just know you will probably face some sort of aggressive behavior at some point, so wait to be instructed for everything. The whole experience felt so tense and hostile despite being straightforward. read more

The whole process for Global entry at the Bowling Green location was pretty quick, so that's good. Now why the three stars? Well, the security who escorted us to the 4th floor, walking ahead of us, a group of 8-9 people, leading us to the 4th floor, giving us instructions while he was walking, oblivious to the fact that the people who were walking behind him, at least the ones who were far behind isn't hearing him clearly. So as is the case, I had no idea what he said. Next, at the interview, I sat on a chair in front of a glass screen for my finger print and photo. The officer was nice in his demeanor. After verifying my my personal info (address, email, etc.) he went on to ask me if I was arrested. I said "yes," and stated that the charge was dismissed. (I stated this in the initial application I filled out online, and also brought the piece of paper that reflected the dismissed charge). Around the same time, another global entry candidate was called on the window next to mine and she was asked the same question by the other officer: Have you been arrested? Not one interviewing officer was mindful to our privacy. So what happened to our sense of privacy and dignity? You would expect them to have common sense as well as training on interview skills, which adheres to fundamental human rights to privacy, dignity, and respect about our personal info. And that's not just about whether a person had been arrested but the entire compass of personal info: address, birth date, email and so on. And it becomes even more important for a Bangladeshi woman, a woman of color, like me due to the endless sorts of intersecting issues that tries to nullify our sense of dignity. Under no circumstances should these fundamental rights to privacy be violated for anyone of any race, color, ethnicity, ability or disability. Rights to privacy is an unequivocal right. I was told that I would receive the card in about two weeks. I asked if I may go now. He said that I would need to go back to that waiting room. Not sure why. I suspect that's what the security was telling us---something to do with waiting in this room. I started wondering if I would be called back for something or if the process is finished. This specific confusion could have been avoided by a security who was aware of the fact that his instructions are coming off muffled to the people who are walking behind him. I still have no idea whether whatever instruction he gave us has any connection to the whole process or not. But the three stars is for the ill-regard of basic human dignity which was not given to me. I'll not recommend this place for that reason. read more

If you have hives on the arches of your feet (ew) then you have Archives. Well not ew if you're Barbie or Summer Brielle or Aletta Ocean or something. But anyway. While it has nothing on the massive version of this in Washington DC, it is still a pretty cool building in the financial downtown of Manhattan and well worth a visit. I like it more than a lot of other grand buildings in NYC, so I give it 4. read more

US Custom House - It's not my arch enemy. It's my arch ives. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - New York, New York

Alexander Hamilton US Custom House. Designed by the same man who designed the Woolworth Building, Cass Gilbert. It is magnificent, a Beaux Arts masterpiece. I know, when you visit New York, time is short, and there are a million things clamoring for your attention, but please take the time to look at this architectural treasure. Your soul with be rewarded. Five Stars. read more

Awesome experience! Came here for global entry and wasn't too sure how long it would take. I came in at 2pm for a 2:15pm appointment. My group had 2 other people, we waited 5 minutes in the seating area before we were taken upstairs. We go upstairs and we're placed in another seating area, where we have to wait until our names are called and we go to the desk. I really didn't have to wait too long in the waiting room, I was called up and answered the questions the gentleman had for me. Confirmed my address, name and job occupation, and finger prints. My group completed the process very quickly, we were out of there by 2:12pm The entire process literally took 10-15 minutes. read more

This is the only Global Entry interview location in the city, and we waited 4+months for interview spots due to popular location I guess, and I have absolutely no desire to go to JFK just for the "interview". Security was fast and staff was nice. We had 8:15am appointments but arrived around 8am. We were called right away after passing security. An officer took us upstairs to the actual office, showed us a short video on Global Entry kiosks, then took our photos and fingers. We were out of door by 8:20am. This was the best experience I've had dealing with any government office. read more

Despite being called the Alexander Hamilton Customs House, there are no rapping founding fathers to be found here. Rather, there is a massive tribute and history to the way that the original 13 colonies used to raise money - tariffs and duties on inbound merchandise. Within the main rotunda, an ocular lens lets sunlight shine into the exhibit below, which outlines how the cargo would be tracked, dutied and paid for upon reaching the shores of the USA. Additionally, the Custom House also houses the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian - a free museum, which is can't miss!! As a stand alone stop, there's not much here to see, but if you're downtown to see the bull or Wall Street, be sure to stop in! Oh, there's also a processing facilities for Global Entry here on the weekday. read more

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Came here for my global access interview and the employees kept asking me if I had ever been arrested ((seize (someone) by legal authority and take into custody.)) And I told them no I never have and he kept repeating himself. One of the employees even mentions to me that i shouldn't lie to a federal employee! You'd think you'd remember if you got arrested in your life, yet they insisted that I had. Literally told him "NO I've never been arrested"! Was completely baffled by their accusations and they told me to complete the application they need me to contact the court house. Made a call to the court house of my supposed arrests and they said there's no record of me being arrested. Extremely frustrating process and demoralizing accusations by a bunch of fools clicking a few buttons behind a computer screen. read more

Came here for my Global Entry interview. I got the last appointment of the day and there were 3 other people. A security guard collected our passports and then led up into a office with a long counter. Sat and watched some videos about what not to bring across the border and stuff. After 10 minutes, we got called up to the counter. There was 4 agents working so none of us had to wait. They asked 1-2 questions (is everything your application true? do you still live at this address on your application) and then took your picture right then and there. One amusing thing was the webcam looking camera the agents used to take our photo for the ID card. That was held up in the air by the agent using one hand while he/she clicks the mouse with the other to take the picture. It just seemed do ad-hoc but hey, it works haha Overall, was a very fast and relaxed process. There was no "interrogating" type of questioning or anything like that. All the hard stuff was already taken care behind the scene when you submitted your application. read more

I was there many years ago to get data from a customs broker for my father's business. I believe Cass Gilbert was the architect for the building, built in 1902. There is a huge rotunda inside. Very impressive place! read more

The Global Entry office is located INSIDE the Museum of American Indian at 1 Bowling Green. It doesn't have its own stand-alone office so please pay attention to the directions. My waiting period after online application took more than 5 months. Yes, it's going to be a looong wait for the scheduled interview. However - don't hesitate to just stop into the office to see if anyone cancelled his/her appointment. Who knows? You might be able to skip the wait and just interview on the spot with your documents in hand. Check other forums for advice if you're in need to get your GE approved. My interview process was very efficient and quick. That's not the impression I usually get when it comes down to government applications. So I'm impressed by my short amount of time there. The custom officers were very nice and polite. Hahaha - nothing like what I watched on television. One gentleman took my fingerprints and then asked me some basic information. I was out of the office within 10 minutes. Global Entry is worth it! read more

The Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House is a 105 year old Beaux-Arts facility designed by the renown architect Cass Gilbert (Woolworth Building). It is one of the most beautiful buildings in Manhattan, and I was fortunate to have an office which overlooked it for two years. Most New Yorkers don't realize that this was the site of Fort Amsterdam from 1625 until being torn down shortly after the Revolution. Adjacent Bowling Green Park, the city's oldest park, was a military parade and training ground through the Revolutionary Era. The building's rotunda has some magnificent historically-inspired artwork, and the building and its grounds are adorned with sculpture from some of the leading names of the early 20th century. My favorite feature of this building are the different profiles carved into the building between the upper row of windows. These faces, each different, became silent friends during long working days-- I miss them. Overflow from the Smitsonian's Washington Museum of the American Indian has been brought to this building in recent years, and there is some discussion indicating that similar National Archives materials will be introduced in the coming year. read more

Went here for my global entry application. Both the security and the officers are kind and pleasant, which is rarely the case in such environment. My appointment was at 8 am. I'm probably called at 8.05 and left at 8.19. Very simple process-only 2 answers were asked. Saw some bad reviews but luckily it was not the case. read more

I'm guessing you're here for Global Entry. Here are some quick tips: 1) Appointments at this location are hard to come by (unless you're 4-5 months out). However, keep an eye out on the calendar because there will likely be cancellations. 2) Enter through the Museum of the American Indian (right-most door). Go through security, and they'll send you to the 3rd floor. There are a few benches clearly labeled for Global Entry applicants. Wait for the guard to come down, check your names, collect your passports/driver's licenses, and then bring you upstairs. 3) If you're early for your appointment, it doesn't really matter. As long as they have room, they'll squeeze you in. I was an hour and a half early for mine. 4) You go upstairs, watch a 5 minute video on how to use the Global Entry kiosk, and then they'll call you over. They ask you some super basic questions (criminal history, etc.), scan all your fingerprints, and then issue you your known traveler number. 5) Your Global Entry/TSA Precheck is effective immediately and lasts 5 years. Easy peasy. The whole thing took less than 20 minutes. read more

**YOU CANNOT GO TO THIS LOCATION WITHOUT AN APPOINTMENT, EVEN IF IT'S JUST FOR A NAME CHANGE** No matter what you are told online or on the phone, do not go to this location without an appointment! Despite what you may have been told, you cannot come here without one. The officers by the entrance won't even let you through security unless you are on their appointment list. They were nice enough, but this would have been good to know before I trekked down there. One additional thing to note, the entrance you should use to get to the GOES office is the one to the right of the main staircase entry to the museum. read more

Very bureaucratic approach not being service oriented at all. Very good in providing contradicting information.

Global entry interview. Process was fast. Passport, a few simple questions, fingerprint scan, photo. Maybe 30 minutes.

This is actually just the name for the entire building, and even security was clueless during OHNY, where the Collections Room was quite nice. but not worth a detour read more

Had a 1:30 appointment for Global Entry and still waiting, with 6 other people, 15 minutes later. No one has checked us in or even acknowledged our existence. I am not sure how others are in and out read more

This beautiful building holds the National Museum of the American Indian. it stands at number 1 Bowling green, opposite quite a pretty round park with a fountain (erm, Bowling Green presumably). It's near the Statue of Liberty ferry departure point and the Staten Island Ferry terminal. The big bonus to this particular place is that it is free to admire it from the street. It's right at the end of Broadway and the views of the building are pretty much unrestricted. Better still you can go in for free and visit the American Indian museum for free too. Can't beat that! The museum itself is worth a visit in itself. It's not too big. HAs regularly changing exhibitions aswell as an interesting core exhibition (lovely papooses, clothing, pottery). Free films aswell - often geared to kids if you're coming with chidren needing a big screen fix. read more

Went for OHNY weekend tour. The tour guide worked on integrating the Native American museum within a historical building, explained the challenges they faced and the ideas that made it happen. It was very insightful. Beautiful building with cool history. read more

Very fast and accommodating office. Gina Lempert was so helpful! I needed to get an interview and she reached out to the office close to me, just to ask if they could accommodate me. They were very happy to oblige. That "ask", some would say was small, but it was so huge and appreciated. Its not a lot of ppl in govt agencies who would even care to assist. When i went to the office, I went early due to my work schedule, they were kind enough to take me earlier, the officers were very kind and pleasant and the entire group was in/out in minutes. A little goes a long way! Thank you! read more