Frequently Asked Questions

Q.  How old does a dog have to be to be licensed?
A.  A dog must be licensed beginning at four (4) months of age according to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.  Every dog, regardless of age, owned or harbored in New York State for longer than 30 days must be licensed in the town, city or village where the dog is being harbored.

Q.  What information do I need to license my dog?
A.  The application form which may be obtained at our office or downloaded from this web page (see above) or from http://www.agmkt.state.ny.us/AI/DL-1-Instructions.html.  Along with the application, the appropriate fee, spay/neuter certificate (if applicable), proof of rabies vaccination signed by a licensed veterinarian and, if applicable, proof of exemption status.

Q.  How often must a dog be licensed? What are the dog licensing fees?
A.  A dog is required to be licensed at 4 months of age and the license is renewable yearly. Click here for the fees associated with obtaining a dog license.

Q.  How old does a dog have to be to use the dog park?
A.  A dog must be 4 months of age or older to use the dog park and must have a Town of Bethlehem Dog Park Permit (see above).

Q.  Does a dog have to be licensed in order to use the dog park? Must the dog's owner be a resident of the Town to use the dog park?
A.  Yes, the dog must have a current NYS Agriculture and Markets dog license with current rabies vaccination information and the owner must bring proof of distemper shot to obtain a dog park permit. Dog park is available to Town of Bethlehem residents only.

Q.  Are the Leash and Scooper Laws Town of Bethlehem laws or state-wide?
A.  The leash and scooper laws are Local Laws under the Town of Bethlehem and are in the Code of the Town of Bethlehem.

Q.  I own a pet snake. Is there anything special I have to report?
A.  Exotic pets must be registered with the Town Clerk by April 1 of each year. See the forms section for information regarding this regulation.

Q.  What do I need to get a marriage license?
A.  Two forms of identification – driver’s license or picture ID and birth document. Divorce decrees for any previous marriages.

Q.  You mentioned the forms of ID needed to get a marriage license. Are there any fees? For how long is the license valid? Do Divorce Decrees have to have a raised seal, can they be photocopies?
A.  The fee for a marriage license is currently $40 (subject to change by State direction). The license is valid for 60 days following a 24 hour waiting period. License must be obtained 24 hours minimum before the marriage service. Divorce decrees have to be submitted for all previous marriages and have the signatures and raised seal on the document.

Q.  Can I get a fishing or hunting license at your office?
A.  Yes, we issue New York State Department of Environmental Conservation licenses for fishing and hunting.  One must bring driver’s license and previous hunting license or hunter training certificate for hunting license.

Q.  How do I get a handicap parking permit?
A.  You and your healthcare provider can complete the application form MV-664.1. If the doctor gives a prescription slip with diagnosis, the form can be filled out at our office for issuance of permit.   You also can have your healthcare provider (MD, DO or DPM) complete a statement on their letterhead. The statement must describe the disabling condition and verify that the disability qualifies according to the law. Bring the form or statement to our office.  If you have a NYS driver's license, you will also need to present the license when obtaining the permit at the office. 

Q.  How do I register to vote?
A.  A mail-in form can be picked up at either the Town Clerk’s office, on the table outside our office in the hallway or at http://www.albanycounty.com/departments/elections/default.asp? id=217.  The form is completed and mailed to the Albany County Board of Elections (the address of which is stamped on the form).

Q.  How do I get an absentee ballot for voting if I cannot get to my polling location?
A.  The application form can be picked up at either the Town Clerk’s office, on the table outside our office in the hallway or at http://www.albanycounty.com/departments/elections/default.asp? id=217.  The form is completed and mailed to the Albany County Board of Elections (the address of which is stamped on the form).

Q.  What election district am I in?
A.  You may use the utility "Where Do I Vote" on the Albany County Board of Elections web site or call their offices for the most current information.

Q.  Do you have a notary public on staff? What information must I provide to get a document notarized? Are there any fees involved?
A.  Staff in the Town Clerk's office are notary publics. A person must bring proof of identification (driver's license, passport or other forms of identification) to get a document notarized. There are fees for this service.

Q.  What is needed to get a Certificate of Residency? Who needs them and why?
A.  The person wishing to obtain a Certificate of Residency must provide proof of residency one (1) year in New York State and six (6) months in Albany County. The proof can be a NYS Driver's license issued more than one (1) year ago, car registration issued more than one (1) year ago, high school transcript, bank statement or other proof. One form should be a picture identification. A certificate for a minor can be obtained by a parent or legal guardian.

Q.  How do I go about getting access to Town records?
A.  A FOIL request can be submitted to the Town Clerk for access to Town records. Historical record information is available on the Town Clerk's and Historian's web pages of this site.  You can also e-mail .

Q.  Do you accept credit cards as a form of payment? Do you accept personal checks?
A.  No, we do not accept credit cards. We accept either cash or check.