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Prepared and filed by St Ives Burrups
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<p align="right"><font face="serif" size="2">Registration Statement No. 333-</font></p>

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<p align="center"><font face="serif" size="2">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<br>
  </font><font face="serif" size="2">Washington, D.C. 20549</font></p>
<p align="center"><font face="serif" size="2">FORM S&#150;8<br>
  </font><font face="serif" size="2">REGISTRATION STATEMENT<br>
  </font><font face="serif" size="2">Under<br>
  </font><font face="serif" size="2">THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</font></p>
<p align="center"><font face="serif" size="2">VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC.<br>
  </font><font face="serif" size="2">(Exact name of registrant as specified
  in its charter)</font></p>
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    <td align="center" width="50%"><font size="2" face="serif">Delaware</font></td>
    <td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">23-2259884</font></td>
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    <td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">(State or other jurisdiction of</font><br>
      <font size="2" face="serif">incorporation or organization)</font></td>
    <td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif"> (I.R.S. Employer Identification
      No.)</font></td>
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<p align="center"><font face="serif" size="2">1095 Avenue of the Americas<br>
New York, NY 10036<br>
(212) 395&#150;2121<br>
 (Address of Principal Executive Offices)</font></p>
<p align="center"><font face="serif" size="2">VERIZON SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN
  FOR NEW YORK AND NEW ENGLAND ASSOCIATES<br>
  </font><font face="serif" size="2">(Full title of the plan)</font></p>
<p align="center"><font face="serif" size="2">WILLIAM F. HEITMANN<br>
  </font><font face="serif" size="2">Senior Vice President and Treasurer<br>
  </font><font face="serif" size="2">Verizon Communications Inc.<br>
  </font><font face="serif" size="2">1095 Avenue of the Americas<br>
  </font><font face="serif" size="2">New York, NY 10036<br>
  </font><font face="serif" size="2">(Name and address of agent for service)</font></p>
<p align="center"><font face="serif" size="2">(212) 395&#150;2121<br>
  </font><font face="serif" size="2">(Telephone number, including area code, of
  agent for service)</font></p>
<p align="center"><font face="serif" size="2">Copy to:<br>
  </font><font face="serif" size="2">David S. Kauffman, Esq.<br>
  </font><font face="serif" size="2">Vice President and Associate General Counsel<br>
  </font><font face="serif" size="2">Verizon Communications Inc.<br>
  </font><font face="serif" size="2">1095 Avenue of the Americas<br>
  </font><font face="serif" size="2">New York, NY 10036<br>
  </font><font face="serif" size="2">(212) 395&#150;6174</font></p>
<p align="center"><font face="serif" size="2"><b>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</b></font></p>
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  <tr valign="top">
<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Title of Securities to be registered</font></td>
<td align="left" width="2%">&nbsp;</td>
<td width="1%" align="right">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="17%" align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Amount to be<br>
      registered (1)</font></td>
<td width="2%" align="left">&nbsp;</td>
<td width="1%" align="right">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="17%" align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Proposed<br>
      maximum offering<br>
      price per share (2)</font></td>
<td width="2%" align="left">&nbsp;</td>
<td width="1%" align="right">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="17%" align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Proposed <br>
      maximum<br>
      aggregate offering<br>
      price</font></td>
<td width="2%" align="left">&nbsp;</td>
<td width="1%" align="right">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="17%" align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Amount of <br>
      registration fee</font></td>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Common Stock, par value $.10 per share</font></td>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">10,000,000</font></td>
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<td align="right">&nbsp;</td>
<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">$35.725</font></td>
<td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
<td align="right">&nbsp;</td>
<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">$357,250,000</font></td>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">$28,901.53</font></td>
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<p><font size="2" face="serif">(1) This registration
  statement also relates to an indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock
  that may be issued upon stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions
  in accordance with Rule 416.</font></p>
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<p><a href="#contents"><font size="2">Back to Contents</font></a></p><p><font size="2" face="serif">(2)  Estimated
  pursuant to paragraph (h) of Rule 457 solely for the purpose of calculating
  the registration fee, based upon the average of the reported high and low sales
  prices for a share of Common Stock on May 20, 2003, as reported on the New York
  Stock Exchange.</font><br>
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<p align="center"><font face="serif" size="2">PART II</font></p>
<p align="center"><font face="serif" size="2">INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION
  STATEMENT</font></p>
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.</font></p>
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">The following documents, as filed
  by the registrant with the Securities and Exchange Commission (File No. 1&#150;8606),
  are incorporated by reference in this registration statement and made a part
  hereof:</font></p>
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    <td width="4%" align="left" valign="top"><font size="2" face="serif">(a)</font></td>
    <td align="left" valign="middle"><font size="2" face="serif">the registrant's
      Annual Report on Form 10&#150;K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002;</font></td>
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    <td align="left" valign="top"><font size="2" face="serif">(b)</font></td>
    <td align="left" valign="middle"><font size="2" face="serif"> the registrant's
      Quarterly Report on Form 10&#150;Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2003;</font></td>
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    <td align="left" valign="top"><font size="2" face="serif">(c)</font></td>
    <td align="left" valign="middle"><font size="2" face="serif"> the registrant&#8217;s
      Current Report on Form 8&#150;K filed January 16, 2003; and </font></td>
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    <td align="left" valign="top"><font size="2" face="serif">(d)</font></td>
    <td align="left" valign="middle"><font size="2" face="serif">The description
      of the registrant's Common Stock contained in the registration statement
      on Form 10 filed under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
      as amended (the &#8220;Exchange Act&#8221;), and any amendments or reports
      filed for the purpose of updating that description.</font></td>
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<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">All reports and other documents subsequently filed by the registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post&#150;effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in any document, all or a portion of which is incorporated by reference herein, shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a statement contained or incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration statement.</font></p>
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Copies of the above documents (excluding exhibits) may be obtained without charge upon written request directed to Investor Relations, Verizon Communications Inc., 1095 Avenue of the Americas, 36th Floor, New York, NY 10036.</font></p>
<p><font face="serif" size="2"><b><font face="serif" size="2">Experts</font></b></font></p>
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">The consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule of the registrant as of December 31, 2002 and 2001 and for the three years in the period ended December 31, 2002, included in the registrant&#8217;s Annual Report on Form 10&#150;K filed on March 14, 2003, and incorporated by reference in this registration statement, have been audited by Ernst &amp; Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their report which is also included therein and incorporated by reference herein.  Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated by reference herein in reliance on such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.</font></p>
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<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.</font></p>
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Not applicable.</font></p>
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.</font></p>
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">The validity of the shares of Verizon Communications Inc. (&#8220;Verizon&#8221;) Common Stock to be issued in connection with this registration statement will be passed upon for Verizon by William P. Barr, its Executive Vice President and General Counsel. As of April 30, 2003, Mr. Barr was the beneficial owner of approximately 12,359 shares of Verizon Common Stock and had options to purchase an aggregate of 694,399 shares of Verizon Common Stock within the next 60 days.</font></p>
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS
  AND OFFICERS.</font></p>
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Section 145 of the Delaware General
  Corporation Law (&#147;DGCL&#148;) permits a corporation to indemnify any of
  its directors or officers who was or is a party or is threatened to be made
  a party to any third party proceeding by reason of the fact that such person
  is or was a director or officer of the corporation, against expenses (including
  attorney&#8217;s fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually
  and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action or proceeding,
  if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed
  to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with
  respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reason to believe that
  such person&#8217;s conduct was unlawful. In a derivative action, i.e., one
  by or in the right of the corporation, the corporation is permitted to indemnify
  directors and officers against expenses (including attorney&#8217;s fees) actually
  and reasonably incurred by them in connection with the defense or settlement
  of an action or suit if they acted in good faith and in a manner that they reasonably
  believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except
  that no indemnification shall be made if such person shall have been adjudged
  liable to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the court in which
  the action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that the defendant
  directors or officers are fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such
  expenses despite such adjudication of liability.</font></p>
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Article 7 of the Verizon Restated Certificate of Incorporation makes mandatory the indemnification expressly authorized under the DGCL, except that the Restated Certificate of Incorporation only provides for indemnification in derivative actions, suits or proceedings by a director or officer if the initiation of such action, suit or proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors.</font></p>
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Pursuant to Section 7.8 of the Amended
  and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger (the &#147;NYNEX Merger Agreement&#148;),
  dated as of April 21, 1996 by and between NYNEX Corporation (&#147;NYNEX&#148;)
  and Bell Atlantic Corporation (&#147;Bell Atlantic&#148;), a predecessor of
  Verizon, Bell Atlantic agreed for a period of six years following the Effective
  Time (as defined in the NYNEX Merger Agreement) to (a) cause NYNEX to maintain
  in effect the provisions regarding indemnification of officers and directors
  contained in the NYNEX Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and the certificates
  of incorporation and bylaws of each of its subsidiaries or in director, officer
  or employee indemnification agreements of NYNEX and its subsidiaries, (b) maintain
  in effect and cause NYNEX to maintain in effect current policies of directors&#146;
  and officers&#146; liability insurance and fiduciary liability insurance with respect
  to claims arising prior to the Effective Time, and (c) indemnify, and cause
  NYNEX to indemnify, the directors and officers of Bell Atlantic and NYNEX respectively,
  to the fullest extent permitted under their respective certificates of incorporation
  and bylaws and applicable law. In addition, Bell Atlantic agreed to unconditionally
  and irrevocably guarantee for the benefit of such directors, officers and employees
  the obligations of NYNEX under its indemnification arrangements.</font></p>
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Pursuant to Section 7.8 of the Agreement
  and Plan of Merger (the &#147;GTE Merger Agreement&#148;), dated as of July
  27, 1998, between Bell Atlantic and GTE Corporation (&#147;GTE&#148;), Bell Atlantic
  agreed for a period of six years following the Effective Time (as defined in
  the GTE Merger Agreement) to (a) cause GTE to maintain in effect the provisions
  regarding indemnification of officers and directors contained in the GTE Certificate
  of Incorporation and Bylaws and the certificates of incorporation and bylaws
  of each of its subsidiaries or in director, officer or employee indemnification
  agreements of GTE and its subsidiaries, (b) maintain in effect and cause GTE
  to maintain in effect current policies of directors&#146; and officers&#146; liability
  insurance and fiduciary liability insurance with respect to claims arising prior
  to the Effective Time, and (c) indemnify, and cause GTE to indemnify, the directors
  and officers of</font></p>
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  to the fullest extent permitted under their respective certificates of incorporation
  and bylaws and applicable law. In addition, Bell Atlantic agreed to unconditionally
  and irrevocably guarantee for the benefit of such directors, officers and employees
  the obligations of GTE under its indemnification arrangements.</font></p>
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">The Verizon Restated Certificate of Incorporation limits the personal liability of directors to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL.</font></p>
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">The directors and officers of Verizon are insured against certain liabilities, including certain liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#8220;Act&#8221;), which might be incurred by them in such capacities and against which they cannot be indemnified by Verizon.</font></p>
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">ITEM 7.  EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.</font></p>
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Not applicable.</font></p>
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">ITEM 8.  EXHIBITS.</font></p>
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">The following is a list of exhibits filed as part of this registration statement.</font></p>
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif"><b>Exhibit Number</b></font></p>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">5</font></td>
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<td width="1%" align="right">&nbsp;</td>
<td width="89%" align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Opinion of William P. Barr, Esq., Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Verizon Communications Inc.</font></td>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">23.1</font></td>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Consent of  Ernst &amp; Young LLP.</font></td>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">23.2</font></td>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Consent of William P. Barr (Included in Exhibit 5).</font></td>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">24</font></td>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Powers of Attorney.</font></td>
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</tr></table><p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">ITEM 9.  UNDERTAKINGS</font></p>
<div style="margin-left:3%"><p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">(a)  The undersigned registrant
hereby undertakes:</font></p></div>
<div style="margin-left:6%"><p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post&#150;effective amendment to this registration statement:</font></p></div>
<div style="margin-left:9%"><p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3)
of the Act;</font></p></div>
<div style="margin-left:9%">
  <p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">(ii) To reflect in the prospectus
    any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement
    (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually
    or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set
    forth in the registration statement; and</font></p>
</div>
<div style="margin-left:9%"><p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">(iii) To include any material information with respect to
the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material
change to such information in the registration statement;</font></p></div>
<div style="margin-left:6%"><font size="2" face="serif">Provided, however, that
  paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) of this section do not apply if the information
  required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is
  contained in periodic reports filed by the registrant pursuant to Section 13
  or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the
  registration statement.</font></div>
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<div style="margin-left:6%"><p>
  <p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">(2) That, for the purpose of determining
    any liability under the Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
    to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein,
    and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
    initial bona fide offering thereof.</font></p>
</div>
<div style="margin-left:6%">
  <p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">(3) To remove from registration
    by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered
    that remain unsold at the termination of the offering.</font></p>
</div>
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Act, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.</font></p>
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.</font></p>
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<p align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">SIGNATURES</font></p>
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">THE REGISTRANT. Pursuant to the requirements
  of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has reasonable grounds
  to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and
  has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the
  undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in The City of New York, State of New
  York on May 23, 2003.</font></p>
<div style="margin-left: 40%"><p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC.<br><br>

By:<u> /s/ William F. Heitmann</u><br>
William F. Heitmann<br>
Senior Vice President and Treasurer</font></p>
</div>
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.</font></p>
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    <td align="left" width="33%"><font size="2" face="serif">SIGNATURE </font></td>
    <td align="left" width="2%">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left" width="33%"><font size="2" face="serif">TITLE</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">DATE</font></td>
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    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
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    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
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    <td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">*</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
  </tr>
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    <td align="left"><hr noshade size="1">
      </td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Director</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">May 23, 2003</font></td>
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    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">James R. Barker</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">*</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="left"><hr noshade size="1"></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Director</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">May 23, 2003</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Richard L. Carrion</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">*</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="left"><hr noshade size="1"></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Director</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">May 23, 2003</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Charles R. Lee</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="left"><hr noshade size="1"></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Director</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">May 23, 2003</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Sandra O. Moose</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="left"><hr noshade size="1"></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Director</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">May 23, 2003</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Joseph Neubauer</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="left"><hr noshade size="1"></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Director</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">May 23, 2003</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Thomas H. O'Brien</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="left"><hr noshade size="1"></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Director</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">May 23, 2003</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Russell E. Palmer</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="left"><hr noshade size="1"></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Director</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">May 23, 2003</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Hugh B. Price</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
  </tr>
</table>
<p align="center"><font face="serif" size="2">4</font></p>
<hr noshade align="center" width="100%" size="2">

<div style="page-break-before:always"><a name="p?"></a></div>
<page>
<p><a href="#contents"><font size="2">Back to Contents</font></a></p>
<br><br>
<table border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="left" width="33%"><font size="2" face="serif">SIGNATURE</font></td>
    <td align="left" width="2%">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left" width="33%"><font size="2" face="serif">TITLE</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">DATE</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">*</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="left"><hr noshade size="1"></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Director, President and</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">May 23, 2003</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Ivan G. Seidenberg</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Chief Executive Officer</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">(principal executive officer)&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">*</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="left"><hr noshade size="1"></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Director</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">May 23, 2003</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Walter V. Shipley</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">*</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="left"><hr noshade size="1"></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Director</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">May 23, 2003</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">John R. Stafford</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">*</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="left"><hr noshade size="1"></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Director</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">May 23, 2003</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Robert D. Storey</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">*</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="left"><hr noshade size="1"></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Executive Vice President and
      Chief</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">May 23, 2003</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Doreen A. Toben</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Financial Officer (principal
      financial officer)</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">*</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="left"><hr noshade size="1"></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Senior Vice President and Controller</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">May 23, 2003</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">John F. Killian</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif"> (principal accounting officer)</font></td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
  </tr>
</table>
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">*By:<u> /s/ William F. Heitmann</u><br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;William F. Heitmann<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(as attorney&#150;in&#150;fact)</font></p>
<p align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">5</font></p>
<hr noshade align="center" width="100%" size="2">

<div style="page-break-before:always"><a name="p?"></a></div>
<page>
<p><a href="#contents"><font size="2">Back to Contents</font></a></p>
<p align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">EXHIBIT INDEX</font></p>
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif"><u>Exhibit No.</u></font></p>
<table border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center">
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">5</font></td>
    <td align="left" width="2%">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="90%" align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Opinion of William
      P. Barr, Esq., Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Verizon Communications
      Inc.</font></td>
    <td width="2%" align="left">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">23.1</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Consent of Ernst &amp; Young
      LLP</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">23.2</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Consent of William P. Barr (Included
      in Exhibit 5).</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">24</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Powers of Attorney.</font></td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
</table>
<p align="center"><font face="serif" size="2">6</font></p>
<hr noshade align="center" width="100%" size="2">

</body>
</html>
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "b325054_s8.htm", "description": "REGISTRATION STATEMENT", "secsgml_size_bytes": 42343}]
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Prepared and filed by St Ives Burrups
Registration Statement No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S–8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Under
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified
  in its charter)
Delaware
23-2259884
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification
      No.)
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
(212) 395–2121
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
VERIZON SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN
  FOR NEW YORK AND NEW ENGLAND ASSOCIATES
(Full title of the plan)
WILLIAM F. HEITMANN
Senior Vice President and Treasurer
Verizon Communications Inc.
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
(Name and address of agent for service)
(212) 395–2121
(Telephone number, including area code, of
  agent for service)
Copy to:
David S. Kauffman, Esq.
Vice President and Associate General Counsel
Verizon Communications Inc.
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
(212) 395–6174
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Securities to be registered
Amount to be
registered (1)
Proposed
maximum offering
price per share (2)
Proposed
maximum
aggregate offering
price
Amount of
registration fee
Common Stock, par value $.10 per share
10,000,000
$35.725
$357,250,000
$28,901.53
(1) This registration
  statement also relates to an indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock
  that may be issued upon stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions
  in accordance with Rule 416.
Back to Contents
(2)  Estimated
  pursuant to paragraph (h) of Rule 457 solely for the purpose of calculating
  the registration fee, based upon the average of the reported high and low sales
  prices for a share of Common Stock on May 20, 2003, as reported on the New York
  Stock Exchange.
Back to Contents
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION
  STATEMENT
ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.
The following documents, as filed
  by the registrant with the Securities and Exchange Commission (File No. 1–8606),
  are incorporated by reference in this registration statement and made a part
  hereof:
(a)
the registrant's
      Annual Report on Form 10–K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002;
(b)
the registrant's
      Quarterly Report on Form 10–Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2003;
(c)
the registrant's
      Current Report on Form 8–K filed January 16, 2003; and
(d)
The description
      of the registrant's Common Stock contained in the registration statement
      on Form 10 filed under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
      as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and any amendments or reports
      filed for the purpose of updating that description.
All reports and other documents subsequently filed by the registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post–effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in any document, all or a portion of which is incorporated by reference herein, shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a statement contained or incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration statement.
Copies of the above documents (excluding exhibits) may be obtained without charge upon written request directed to Investor Relations, Verizon Communications Inc., 1095 Avenue of the Americas, 36th Floor, New York, NY 10036.
Experts
The consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule of the registrant as of December 31, 2002 and 2001 and for the three years in the period ended December 31, 2002, included in the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10–K filed on March 14, 2003, and incorporated by reference in this registration statement, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their report which is also included therein and incorporated by reference herein.  Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated by reference herein in reliance on such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
Back to Contents
ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.
The validity of the shares of Verizon Communications Inc. ("Verizon") Common Stock to be issued in connection with this registration statement will be passed upon for Verizon by William P. Barr, its Executive Vice President and General Counsel. As of April 30, 2003, Mr. Barr was the beneficial owner of approximately 12,359 shares of Verizon Common Stock and had options to purchase an aggregate of 694,399 shares of Verizon Common Stock within the next 60 days.
ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS
  AND OFFICERS.
Section 145 of the Delaware General
  Corporation Law ("DGCL") permits a corporation to indemnify any of
  its directors or officers who was or is a party or is threatened to be made
  a party to any third party proceeding by reason of the fact that such person
  is or was a director or officer of the corporation, against expenses (including
  attorney's fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually
  and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action or proceeding,
  if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed
  to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with
  respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reason to believe that
  such person's conduct was unlawful. In a derivative action, i.e., one
  by or in the right of the corporation, the corporation is permitted to indemnify
  directors and officers against expenses (including attorney's fees) actually
  and reasonably incurred by them in connection with the defense or settlement
  of an action or suit if they acted in good faith and in a manner that they reasonably
  believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except
  that no indemnification shall be made if such person shall have been adjudged
  liable to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the court in which
  the action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that the defendant
  directors or officers are fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such
  expenses despite such adjudication of liability.
Article 7 of the Verizon Restated Certificate of Incorporation makes mandatory the indemnification expressly authorized under the DGCL, except that the Restated Certificate of Incorporation only provides for indemnification in derivative actions, suits or proceedings by a director or officer if the initiation of such action, suit or proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors.
Pursuant to Section 7.8 of the Amended
  and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "NYNEX Merger Agreement"),
  dated as of April 21, 1996 by and between NYNEX Corporation ("NYNEX")
  and Bell Atlantic Corporation ("Bell Atlantic"), a predecessor of
  Verizon, Bell Atlantic agreed for a period of six years following the Effective
  Time (as defined in the NYNEX Merger Agreement) to (a) cause NYNEX to maintain
  in effect the provisions regarding indemnification of officers and directors
  contained in the NYNEX Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and the certificates
  of incorporation and bylaws of each of its subsidiaries or in director, officer
  or employee indemnification agreements of NYNEX and its subsidiaries, (b) maintain
  in effect and cause NYNEX to maintain in effect current policies of directors'
  and officers' liability insurance and fiduciary liability insurance with respect
  to claims arising prior to the Effective Time, and (c) indemnify, and cause
  NYNEX to indemnify, the directors and officers of Bell Atlantic and NYNEX respectively,
  to the fullest extent permitted under their respective certificates of incorporation
  and bylaws and applicable law. In addition, Bell Atlantic agreed to unconditionally
  and irrevocably guarantee for the benefit of such directors, officers and employees
  the obligations of NYNEX under its indemnification arrangements.
Pursuant to Section 7.8 of the Agreement
  and Plan of Merger (the "GTE Merger Agreement"), dated as of July
  27, 1998, between Bell Atlantic and GTE Corporation ("GTE"), Bell Atlantic
  agreed for a period of six years following the Effective Time (as defined in
  the GTE Merger Agreement) to (a) cause GTE to maintain in effect the provisions
  regarding indemnification of officers and directors contained in the GTE Certificate
  of Incorporation and Bylaws and the certificates of incorporation and bylaws
  of each of its subsidiaries or in director, officer or employee indemnification
  agreements of GTE and its subsidiaries, (b) maintain in effect and cause GTE
  to maintain in effect current policies of directors' and officers' liability
  insurance and fiduciary liability insurance with respect to claims arising prior
  to the Effective Time, and (c) indemnify, and cause GTE to indemnify, the directors
  and officers of
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Bell Atlantic and GTE respectively,
  to the fullest extent permitted under their respective certificates of incorporation
  and bylaws and applicable law. In addition, Bell Atlantic agreed to unconditionally
  and irrevocably guarantee for the benefit of such directors, officers and employees
  the obligations of GTE under its indemnification arrangements.
The Verizon Restated Certificate of Incorporation limits the personal liability of directors to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL.
The directors and officers of Verizon are insured against certain liabilities, including certain liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), which might be incurred by them in such capacities and against which they cannot be indemnified by Verizon.
ITEM 7.  EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.
Not applicable.
ITEM 8.  EXHIBITS.
The following is a list of exhibits filed as part of this registration statement.
Exhibit Number
5
Opinion of William P. Barr, Esq., Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Verizon Communications Inc.
23.1
Consent of  Ernst & Young LLP.
23.2
Consent of William P. Barr (Included in Exhibit 5).
24
Powers of Attorney.
ITEM 9.  UNDERTAKINGS
(a)  The undersigned registrant
hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post–effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3)
of the Act;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus
    any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement
    (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually
    or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set
    forth in the registration statement; and
(iii) To include any material information with respect to
the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material
change to such information in the registration statement;
Provided, however, that
  paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) of this section do not apply if the information
  required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is
  contained in periodic reports filed by the registrant pursuant to Section 13
  or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the
  registration statement.
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(2) That, for the purpose of determining
    any liability under the Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
    to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein,
    and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
    initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration
    by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered
    that remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Act, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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SIGNATURES
THE REGISTRANT. Pursuant to the requirements
  of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has reasonable grounds
  to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and
  has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the
  undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in The City of New York, State of New
  York on May 23, 2003.
VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC.
By:
/s/ William F. Heitmann
William F. Heitmann
Senior Vice President and Treasurer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
SIGNATURE
TITLE
DATE
*
Director
May 23, 2003
James R. Barker
*
Director
May 23, 2003
Richard L. Carrion
*
Director
May 23, 2003
Charles R. Lee
*
Director
May 23, 2003
Sandra O. Moose
*
Director
May 23, 2003
Joseph Neubauer
*
Director
May 23, 2003
Thomas H. O'Brien
*
Director
May 23, 2003
Russell E. Palmer
*
Director
May 23, 2003
Hugh B. Price
4
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SIGNATURE
TITLE
DATE
*
Director, President and
May 23, 2003
Ivan G. Seidenberg
Chief Executive Officer
(principal executive officer)
*
Director
May 23, 2003
Walter V. Shipley
*
Director
May 23, 2003
John R. Stafford
*
Director
May 23, 2003
Robert D. Storey
*
Executive Vice President and
      Chief
May 23, 2003
Doreen A. Toben
Financial Officer (principal
      financial officer)
*
Senior Vice President and Controller
May 23, 2003
John F. Killian
(principal accounting officer)
*By:
/s/ William F. Heitmann
William F. Heitmann
(as attorney–in–fact)
5
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
5
Opinion of William
      P. Barr, Esq., Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Verizon Communications
      Inc.
23.1
Consent of Ernst & Young
      LLP
23.2
Consent of William P. Barr (Included
      in Exhibit 5).
24
Powers of Attorney.
6