Please note, the Town Clerk's Office will be open
until 6:00 p.m. Thursday evenings beginning April 1, 2010.
Responsibilities of Office
The Town Clerk is the records management officer for all town records. The office is
the repository of vital statistics and town records. The Town Clerk also
publishes notices of public hearings and assists in voter
registration.
Voter Registration
Mail-in forms for registering to vote in primary and general elections may be picked up at
the Town Clerk's Office. A person may register to vote if he or she is at least 18
years of age, a United States citizen, and a New York State resident for at least 30 days
or more. The office has available voter registration cards for residents who may require proof of
citizenship while traveling, as well as, applications for an absentee ballot.
Handicap Parking Permits
Residents with physical disabilities are
eligible to receive a special Department of Motor Vehicle parking permit which
will allow them to park in specified restricted areas that provide easy access
to businesses, offices, stores, etc. To obtain such a permit, an application
form must be completed, certified and signed by a physician and returned to the
Town Clerk’s office. Application forms can be obtained through the Town’s
website on the forms page under Town Clerk. Special handicap license plates are
issued by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicle.
Marriage Licenses
A blood test is no longer required, but there is a 24-hour waiting period before the license becomes valid;
the license remains valid for 60 days. The license is completed at the time of application at the
Town Clerk's office; a license fee will be collected. Two (2) forms of identification are required –
a birth document and driver’s license. Divorcees must bring ALL prior
divorce papers.
MARRIAGE OFFICIALS
Town Justices can marry anywhere in New York State:
Paul F. Dwyer, Esq.
Office: (518) 432-5988
Ryan T. Donovan, Esq.
Office: (518) 436-1661
Marriage Officers of the Town of Bethlehem (appointed annually):
John Capron
(518) 767-2769
John Cunningham
(518) 439-7033
Barbara Hodom
(518) 439-4513
NOTE: Marriage officers can only marry within the boundaries of the Town of Bethlehem.
Peddler's Permits
Unless associated with a not-for-profit group, anyone soliciting door-to-door must have a
peddler's permit. The permit is good for one calendar year. Residents are encouraged to have anyone
who solicits show a permit.
Certificate of Residency
Certificates of residency for those attending an area
community college can be obtained from the Town Clerk’s office. To be eligible
for a residency certificate a student must show proof of New York State
residency for one (1) year and residency in Albany County for six (6) months
prior to making application. Form for application available on the forms page
under Town Clerk.
Dogs
New York State law requires licenses for all dogs at least four months old. Proof of spaying/neutering and rabies immunization is
required. Fees are $12.50 for dogs that have not been spayed or neutered
and $4.50 for spayed or neutered dogs. The license must be renewed each
year on or before the date of the current license; the expiration date is in the
top left corner of the license. If your dog is lost, stolen, or dies, notify the Town Clerk's Office.
When traveling with your dog, carry all paperwork and check with other
municipalities for any additional regulations.
Leash Law -- requires all dogs to be leashed unless accompanied by, and
under the full control of, either their owner or another person responsible for the dog's
actions. When traveling with your dog, carry all paperwork and check with
other municipalities for any additional regulations. See
Town Code of the
Town of Bethlehem Article 61 for further information.
Scooper Law -- prohibits dog owners from allowing their dogs to
deposit any droppings or excrement on any private property, public roads,
sidewalks, parks, or school property. Dog owners are required to remove
immediately any dog droppings, place them in a suitable container, and dispose
of them safely. See Town Code of the Town of Bethlehem
Article 61 for
further information.
Dog Park Permits -- Permits to use the
town dog park are
available at the Town Clerk's office for dogs licensed in the Town of Bethlehem
only. The cost of a permit, which is good through
December 31 of each year, is $30. Those applying for a permit must show that the dog is
licensed and present proof of immunization against rabies and distemper. The fee
is $15 for seniors, 62 and older; the fee is waived for those who have temporary ownership of
guide and therapy dogs. Replacement tags are $5 each. Please see the
Town's dog park web page for more information
on the park's rules and hours.
All Dogs, Cats and Ferrets -- The Albany County Board of Health requires all dogs, cats and ferrets to be immunized against
rabies. Rabies immunization clinics for dogs, cats and ferrets are currently offered yearly at Elm
Avenue Park, as well as at other county locations, in conjunction with the Board of Health and the Capital District
Veterinary Medical Society. When traveling with your dog, carry all
paperwork and check with other municipalities for any additional regulations.
Reporting Wild Animals --
Under Chapter 680 of the Laws of 2002 enacted General
Municipal Law Section 209-cc, requires the annual reporting of the presence
of wild
animals. Each person owning, possessing or harboring a wild
animal as set forth in Section 209-cc must report its presence to the
Municipal Clerk's office on or before April 1 of each year. The form
for reporting is available at http://www.dos.state.ny.us/fire/pdfs/WARF.pdf.
For more information, call the Town Clerk's office.
Pedestrian Vests and Blinkers -- Orange colored vests and
orange blinkers are available at the Town Clerk's office. The price of the
vest is $12, the cost of the blinkers is $5 each. The vests and blinkers are
perfect gifts for the safety conscious who walk, jog, or bike.
Bethlehem Diary -- Copies of the Bethlehem Diary, resident
Floyd Brewer's sequel to Bethlehem Revisited, are available at the Town Clerk's
office. For those who wish to know some of the history of the town, these
make fine gifts. Copies are available at the reduced price of $9.50. People of Bethlehem -- The book, People of Bethlehem, published by the
Bethlehem Historical Association, is available at the Town Clerk's office for $20.
This is a great genealogy tool and covers years 1698 through 1880. It also
includes 15,000 name entries of over 1,400 families with church, government and
private records used for the contents of the book.
Fish and Game Licenses
Hunting and fishing licenses are available at the Town Clerk’s office. Fees vary according to the license
desired. Certificate of hunter training course or previous hunting license must be
produced for hunting license issuance.
Notary Public
The Town Clerk’s office has three (3) notary publics available free of charge
during regular business hours.
Bicycle Licenses
The town has a licensing system for residents who own bicycles. A numbered sticker is issued and insures
that a bike’s serial number and description is on file with the Police Department in the event of
loss or theft.
Transfer Station Permits
Permits to use the town transfer station are available at the Town Clerk’s office. Those seeking such
permit should bring a valid motor vehicle registration or some other recent proof of town residency.
Fees
Alarm Permit
$25.00
Copy of Birth/Death/Marriage Record
$10 per certified copy
Certificate of Residency
No fee
Dog License
$12.50 for a dog that has not been spayed/neutered dog,
$4.50 ($2 for Seniors) if the dog has been spayed or neutered
Dog Park
$30 per calendar year (Jan-Dec), $15 for Seniors (62 and
over), $5 replacement tag
Peddlers License
$100 per vehicle, $75 per person
Marriage License
$40.00/the couple must come in a minimum of 24 hours prior
to the ceremony
Hunting and Fishing Licenses
Varies upon items purchased
photocopies
$.25 per page
Raffles/Games of Chance
$25 per occasion to authorized organizations
Bingo
$25 per occasion to authorized organizations
Fee for Returned Check
$20
Town Sticker for Transfer Station / Compost Facility /
Parks
No fee
Genealogical Services
As set by State Health Department, $22 per search
FOIL
Copies of any records $.25 per page or cost to produce
copies
Bethlehem Diary
$9.50 per copy
Pedestrian Safety Vest
$12.50 each
Pedestrian Blinker
$5.00 each
Town Map
No fee
Please note: Fees subject to change at any time by the Town Board or
New York State requirement. Fees must be paid by cash or check, no credit
cards will be accepted.
The Town of Bethlehem has a Records Management Program initiated in 1992.
All Town records were indexed with the Records Management Officer and
inactive records are stored in the records center at Town Hall. The
more historical records have been cataloged and retained in fire-resistant
rated rooms. The rooms are checked for proper storage conditions of
permanent records.
Town Clerk/Records Management Officer (RMO), Nanci Moquin,
maintains two archival rooms at Town Hall for these historical records.
The Town Historian works in conjunction with the RMO to
manage, catalog and index the historical collections including a finding aid
and photograph index for the Town records.
A flyer is available at the Town Clerk’s window at Town Hall for anyone
interested in this collection.
The historical website pages have been made available through a grant from the
New York State Education Department, State Archives, Local Government Records
Management Improvement Fund grant for historical records which provided funds
for personnel and creation of this link on the Town’s website.
New York State Register
The State Register, a weekly publication of rule making activities by New
York State agencies and authorities, is now available on-line at the
Department of State (DOS) website (www.dos.state.ny.us).
The publication includes recently adopted rules and proposed amendments to rules
previously adopted.
Each volume of the State Register will be posted on the DOS website and
available for viewing at any time, free of charge. Back issues of the Register,
from June 25, 2003 forward, also will be archived on the website.
Please mail all completed forms and any additional paperwork, fees, etc. to
Town Clerk's Office
Bethlehem Town Hall
445 Delaware Avenue
Delmar, NY 12054
Please note: checks should be made payable to Bethlehem Town
Clerk
Town Clerk's Office 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. Fees
are $12.50 for unspayed/unneutered dogs and $4.50 for spayed/neutered dogs.
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. 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 no fees, this is a
service the Town Clerk's office provides.
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.
Town of Bethlehem: 445 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, NY 12054 Ph: 518.439.4955
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