Town Clerk

All dogs four months of age or older residing within the Town of Colonie must be licensed as a matter of public safety. At the time of the original license application a certificate of altering must be presented if the dog has been spayed or neutered. Such one-time proof will be sufficient for the life of the dog.
Proof of current rabies vaccination is also required. Such proof will need to be supplied at each expiration date.
The license application contains the owner's name and address as well as the name, breed and age, color and other markings of the dog.
A license is valid for one year from the date of issuance. A renewal notice will be sent to the owner one month prior to the expiration date.

Purebred Licenses
A purebred license may be issued to owners of multiple dogs of the same breed at the same address. Each dog must have an AKC Registration Certificate and proof of a current rabies vaccination. If a dog has been altered, proof of such is also required. The costs are: $30.00 for up to 10 dogs, plus $3.00 per unaltered dog and $55.00 for 11 to 24 dogs, plus $3.00 per unaltered dog.

Animal Control / Dog Redemption
If a dog is found to be running at large, an Animal Control Officer may pick up the dog and bring him/her to the Latham Animal Hospital ( 326 Troy Schenectady Road (Rt. 2), Latham , NY 12110 , 518-785-1481) to await redemption by the owner. The owner will need to come to the Town Clerk's office to show proof of a current license and current rabies vaccination and to receive a redemption sheet. The cost is $25.00 for the first redemption, $35.00 for the second and $45.00 for the third and subsequent redemptions. Latham Animal Hospital may charge additional fees.

Exemptions
Working dogs such as police dogs, service dogs, therapy dogs and war dogs must be registered but are exempt from license fees. Official certification must be supplied at the time of registration.

Fees

• The fee for an altered dog is $6.00 per year; an unaltered dog is $14.00 per year.
• Discounts for dog owners aged 65 or older result in fees of $2.50 and $10.50 per year, respectively.

Replacement Dog Identification Tag Fees

• There will be a $3.00 replacement fee for any lost identification tag.

Acceptable Forms of Payment

• Fees are payable by cash, check, money order, Master Card or Visa .

Refund Policy
No refunds will be issued.

How To Apply For a Dog License
We do not yet have the dog licensing process online, but you may license your dog by mail if you would rather not come to Town Hall.

• In-Person
  If you would prefer to come in person, we are located in Town Hall on Rte. 9 across from Siena College. Our office hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and on Thursday from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm.
• By Mail
  If you choose to use the mail, our address is Colonie Town Clerk, Memorial Town Hall, PO Box 508, Newtonville, NY 12128-0508.

Town of Colonie Dog Park Permits, Information, Rules and Regulations

• The annual fee for a permit to use the dog park is $35.00 for the first dog and $15.00 for each additional dog currently licensed at the same address.
• There is a $5.00 fee to replace a lost dog park tag.
• The permit is valid for the calendar year - January through December - regardless of when it is purchased.
• The dog parks are located at the entrance to the Colonie Mohawk River Park (71 Schermerhorn Rd., Cohoes, New York 12047) and at the Town of Colonie Golf Course (418 Consaul Road, Schenectady, New York 12304). Parking is available adjacent to both locations.
• Owners must be residents of the Town of Colonie.
• Dogs must have a valid and current license and distemperment vaccination.
• The dog parks are open every day of the year from dawn to dusk. The parking lots will be plowed in the winter, but the dog parks will not.
• The dog parks are completely fenced and gated. Water for dogs is available
• Owners must pick up after dogs and dispose of waste in the receptacles provided.
• Permits are required for all dogs using the dog parks and are available for sale at the Town Clerk’s office at Memorial Town Hall, 534 Loudon Road. Office hours are Monday-Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and Thursdays from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm.
• To obtain a permit, an owner must show proof of Colonie residency and the dog must be licensed, valid proof of current rabies and distemper vaccination must be provided by the owner. An identification tag will be issued with each permit. The dog park identification tag and a valid license tag must be attached to the dog’s collar when using the dog park.
• Owners are solely responsible for the action of their dog. Dogs that have been declared dangerous or aggressive are prohibited from using the dog parks.
• Owners must be in the dog park with their dog under visual contact and oral commands when not on a leash.
• Dogs must be leashed when entering and exiting the dog park.
• Owners must have a leash at hand at all times.
• Owners must immediately fill any hole their dog may dig.
• No food (neither human nor canine) is allowed in the dog park.
• Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult in order to use the dog park.
• The dog park is for residential use only and may not be used for any commercial purposes.
• The dog parks are subject to all the rules, regulations and procedures governing all Colonie Town Parks.
• A permit is valid for use in both dog parks. The Town Park location is 71 Schermerhorn Rd., Cohoes, New York 12047. The Town of Colonie Golf Course location is 418 Consaul Road, Schenectady, New York 12304. Parking is available adjacent to both sites.

Download Dog Park / license Application

A Certificate of Residency is obtained to be submitted with tuition payments at a community college. There is a significant cost savings for the student if residency can be certified.

The Town Clerk's office is able to issue a Certificate to Town residents if the applicant can prove the following information:

• The applicant has been a New York State resident for one full year prior to application.
• The applicant has resided in Albany County for the six months prior to application. If the proof provided reflects less than six months, the applicant will receive credit for only that time period established by the proof submitted. In the event that the applicant has lived in New York State for one year, but has lived in more than one county during that time, the remainder of the six months must then be applied for from the county or counties other than Albany.
• Non-US citizens must show proof of legal entry into the United States.

If you have not changed your address within the last year, one document can usually establish both conditions.

Examples of Proof:

• NYS Driver's License
• Car Registration
• Official Business Postmarked Mail
• Rent Receipt
• Bank Statement
• W-2 for previous year
• Tax Bill
• Lease Agreement
• High School Transcript
• Prior Year Tax Return
• Utility or Water Bill
• Payroll Check Stub

These documents must be at least one year old to show NYS residence, and/or six months old at the current address to establish Albany County residence. These documents must be in the applicant's name.

Download Certificate of Residency Application

A couple who intends to be married in New York State must apply in person for a marriage license to any Town or City Clerk within New York State. You need not apply only in the municipality in which you reside. The application for a license must be signed by both partners in the presence of the Clerk. There are no blood tests required. If both parties are 18 years of age or older, no written parental or judicial consent is required.
The marriage license is issued immediately; however, it is not valid for a period of 24 hours after the issuance of the license. It will remain valid for 60 days thereafter. There is a fee of $40.00 for a marriage license. Fees are payable by cash, check, money order, Master Card or Visa .
Each applicant is required to establish proof of age and identity by submitting one of the following age-related documents and one of the following identity-related documents.

Age-related documents:

• Birth Certificate
• Baptismal record
• Naturalization record
• Census record

Identity-related documents:

• Driver's license
• State-issued non-driver photo-ID card
• Passport
• U.S. Military issued photo-ID
• Employment photo ID
• Immigration record

Important notes:

• All documents must be understandable by the Clerk; that is, written in English. If the document is not written in English, it must be translated by a certified translator.
• Each document must be current and either the original or a certified copy with a raised seal.

Second or Subsequent Marriages
If either or both members of a couple are applying for a marriage license for a second or subsequent marriage, certified information regarding the previous marriage(s) must be furnished at the time of application. This includes proof of dissolution of the prior marriage(s) by either divorce decrees or death certificates.

Important notes:

• All documents must be understandable by the Clerk; that is, written in English. If the document is not written in English, it must be translated by a certified translator.
• Each document must be current and either the original or a certified copy with a raised seal.

Download Copy of Marriage License Application

Surname Options
Every person has the right to adopt any name by which he or she wishes to be known simply by using that name consistently and without intent to defraud. A person's surname does not automatically change upon marriage, and neither party to the marriage is required to change his or her last name.
One or both parties to a marriage may elect to change the surname by which he or she wishes to be known after the marriage by entering the new name in the appropriate space provided on the marriage license. The new name must consist of one of the following options:

• the surname of the other spouse;
• any former surname of either spouse;
• a name combining into a single surname all or a segment of the premarriage surname or any former surname of each spouse;
• a combination name separated by a hyphen, provided that each part of such combination surname is the premarriage surname, or any former surname, of each of the spouses.

The use of this option will provide a record of your change of name. The marriage certificate, containing the new name, if any, is proof that the use of the new name, or the retention of the former name, is lawful. The local Social Security Administration office should be contacted so that its records and your social security identification card reflect the name change. There is no charge for this service.
Whether you decide to use or not use this option at the time of your marriage license application, you still have the right to adopt a different name through usage at some future date. However, your marriage license cannot be changed to record a surname you decide to use after your marriage.

Who Can Perform a Marriage Ceremony In the Town of Colonie?
To be valid, a marriage ceremony must be performed by any of the individuals specified in Section 11 of the New York State Domestic Relations Law. These include:

• a Marriage Officer appointed by the Town Board. They are:
  • Michael C. Magguilli, Esq. – 852-7981 | Office: 783-2704
  • Rebekah Kennedy, Esq. – 424-9218 | Office: 783-2704
• a Town Justice. They are:
  • Hon. Peter Crummey – 783-2714
  • Hon. Norman Massry – 250-2188 | Office: 783-2714
  • Hon. Andrew Sommers – 783-2714
• a justice or judge of most courts in New York State;
• a member of the clergy or minister who has been officially ordained and granted authority to perform marriage ceremonies;
• a member of the clergy or minister who is not authorized by a governing church body but who has been chosen by a spiritual group to preside over their spiritual affairs;
• other officiants as specified by Section 11 of the Domestic Relations Laws.

Town of Colonie Community Gazebo | © Hank Bickel

How Do I Get a Copy of My Marriage License?
A copy of your marriage license is on file in the municipal clerk's office from which it was purchased. This may not be the municipality in which you were married, living or working at the time. A marriage license purchased in New York State may be used anywhere in New York State.
If you know or are fairly certain that you purchased your marriage license in the Town of Colonie , we will be happy to search for and prepare a certified copy for you. Please send us the date of the wedding, the full names of both partners using pre-marriage names where appropriate.
If you are local and wish to pick up the certified copy at our office in Town Hall (Rt. 9, across the street from Siena College ), you may do so Monday – Friday 8:30 am until 4:30 pm; we are open until 6:00 pm on Thursdays. Please be sure to bring your driver's license as proof of identity. There is a fee of $10.00 per copy payable by cash, check, Master Card or Visa .
If you are not local and wish for us to mail a certified copy of the license to you, you will need to put your request in writing with a photocopy of your driver's license and a check payable to Colonie Town Clerk and mail it to us at Memorial Town Hall, P.O. Box 508, Newtonville, NY 12128 . If you wish the certified copy mailed to the address shown on your driver's license, you will need to do nothing further. If you wish the certified copy sent to a different address, you will also need to have the signature on your written request notarized.

A death certificate is filed with the clerk of the municipality in which the death occurred within 72 hours of such death. Such filing is usually handled by a funeral director or coroner.

Who is eligible to obtain a death certificate copy?

• The spouse, parent or child of the deceased
• Other persons who have a:
• documented lawful right or claim
• documented medical need
• New York State Court Order

Note: If a request for a copy of a death certificate is within six months from the time of death, and the arrangements were handled by a funeral director, that director acting on behalf of the family may request a copy or copies.

What is a lawful right or claim?
If the applicant is not the spouse, parent or child of the decedent, a lawful right or claim must be documented. An example of a lawful right or claim would be a death record needed by the applicant to claim a benefit. Documentation would consist of an official letter from the agency verifying that to process the claim the applicant is required to provide a copy of the requested death record.

Identification Requirements - Application must be submitted with copies of either A or B:

1. One of the following forms of valid photo-ID:
   • Driver license
   • State issued non-driver photo-ID card
   • Passport
   • U.S. Military issued photo-ID
2. Two of the following showing the applicant's name and address:
   • Utility or telephone bills
   • Letter from a government agency dated within the last six months

Note: If you are applying for a copy of a death certificate via the mail and your driver's license does not reflect the address to which you want the certificate mailed, you must have your signature notarized on your written request.

There is a fee of $10.00 per certified copy of a death certificate. Fees are payable by cash, check, money order, Master Card or Visa .

Download Copy of Death Certificate Application

A birth certificate is issued by the clerk of the municipality in which the birth occurred. Because we do not have a hospital within the Town of Colonie , we issue a very small number of birth certificates each year. If a birth has occurred within the Town, the parent must file the information with the Town Clerk within five days of the birth. A certificate for a birth occurring within the Town of Colonie will be permanently maintained by the Town Clerk.

Who is eligible to obtain a birth certificate copy?

• The person named on the birth certificate.
• A parent of the person named on the birth certificate (requesting parent's name must be on birth certificate).
• A spouse, child or other persons may obtain a copy of a birth certificate only by order of a New York State Court.

Identification Requirements - Application must be submitted with copies of either A or B:

1. One of the following forms of valid photo-ID:
   • Driver license
   • State issued non-driver photo-ID card
   • Passport
   • U.S. Military issued photo-ID
2. Two of the following showing the applicant's name and address:
   • Utility or telephone bills
   • Letter from a government agency dated within the last six months

Important Notes:

• Failure to include necessary identification will result in rejection of your application.
• Copy of Passport required in addition to the above ID if request is made from a foreign country that requires a U.S. Passport for travel.
• If you are applying for a copy of a birth certificate via the mail and your driver's license does not reflect the address to which you want the certificate mailed, you must have your signature notarized.

There is a fee of $10.00 per certified copy of a birth certificate. Fees are payable by cash, check, money order, Master Card or Visa .

Download Copy of Birth Certificate Application

What types of records are available for genealogy research?
The Town of Colonie can provide uncertified copies of the following types of records for genealogy research purposes if the event occurred within the Town:

• Birth certificates - if on file for at least 75 years and the person whose name is on the birth certificate is known to be deceased.
• Death certificates - if on file for at least 50 years.
• Marriage certificates - if on file for at least 50 years and both spouses are known to be deceased.

Are the time periods ever waived?
The time periods are waived for direct-line descendants. A direct-line descendant is a person in the direct line of descent, i.e., the child, grandchild, great-grandchild of the person whose record is requested. The direct-line descendant applicant must provide the following:

• Proof of their relationship to the person whose record they are requesting.
• Proof of the death of the person whose birth certificate they are requesting.
• Proof of the death of both spouses whose marriage certificate they are requesting.

There is a fee of $22.00 per uncertified copy of a death certificate. Fees are payable by cash, check, money order, Master Card or Visa .

For more information on genealogy research, see the Capital District Genealogical Society.

Download Genealogical Services Application

Both the New York State Voter Registration Form and the Absentee Ballot Application are available through the Town of Colonie Clerk 's Office as well as at the Albany County Board of Elections.

Voter Registration
The Voter Registration Form is used to: register to vote, change a name or address if different than the last time one voted or to enroll or change their enrollment in a particular political party. This form can be completed and forwarded to the Clerk's Office or the Albany County Board of Elections located at 32 North Russell Road, Albany, NY 12206.

Download Voter Registration Form

Absentee Ballot
If you are registered to vote, but will be unable to go to your polling place on Primary Day and/or Election Day due to either physical illness or absence from Town, you may vote by Absentee Ballot. Once the absentee ballot application is completed and returned to the Albany County Board of Elections, you will be mailed a paper ballot on which you may cast your vote and return to the Board of Elections.

Download Absentee Ballot Application

If you are a Town resident and in need of a permanent or temporary parking permit for people with disabilities, you may obtain such from our office. To apply for a disabled parking permit, the following documents are required:

1. Fill out part I of NYS Department of Motor Vehicles form MV-6641. If you have a temporary disability, have a Medical Doctor, Doctor of Osteopathy, Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner or a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine complete Part II of form MV-6641. If you have a temporary disability that requires the use of assistive device, have a Medical Doctor or Doctor of Osteopathy fill out the "temporary disability" Medical Certification section in Part II.
2. A photocopy of your driver's license must be submitted with each application. If you are applying in person, we will happily make the photocopy for you. If you are unable to apply in person, you may apply via the mail, or you may have someone bring your completed application and drivers license to Memorial Town Hall for you. See the Town directory for our mailing address.

If a permit is lost or stolen, you may come to our office for a replacement. The replacement permit will be issued after the original permit number is reported to the Colonie Police department making it immediately non-valid. The replacement permit will retain the original permit's expiration date. You will complete Part I of the DMV application at the time of issuance.

A damaged permit which needs to be replaced must be returned to our office. We will ask you to complete Part I of the DMV application, nullify the original permit and immediately issue you a replacement which will retain the original permit's expiration date.

Download form MV-6641 from NYS DMV website

Hunting and Fishing Licenses are available for purchase in our ooffice. Senior discounts for applicants 70 years of age and older apply for both.

Fishing Licenses can be purchased for one year, for a designated seven-day period or just for one particular day. Everyone over the age of 16 who plans to fish is required to have a license.

Hunting License applications must be accompanied by proof of required training classes as required by New York State . No one under the age of 12 may possess a hunting license.

For more information about hunting and fishing licenses, please visit the website for the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.

A permit to use the Colonie Town Park and/or Pool (located on Schermerhorn Road ) is available through the Town Clerk's office to any resident and/or property taxpayer. Acceptable forms of identification include a valid NYS Driver's License or Non-Driver's ID issued from the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles with a Colonie address; current NYS DMV registration; income tax returns, property tax bills, original rent/lease agreements.

There is no fee to obtain a permit for the park and pool. Please follow this link for the park and pool fees: Information regarding the park/pool fees.

There is no permit required to use The Crossings or any of the pocket parks within the Town.

Note: Proof of Colonie School Tax payments does not entitle you to a resident card.

All rental arrangements for facilities at the Town Park and Crossings are made through the Parks and Recreation department. Please follow the links below for information regarding rental facilities.
The Crossings of Colonie Rental Rates
Colonie Town Park Rental Rates

Rental of the Pruyn House or the Buhrmaster Barn are made through the Pruyn House.
Pruyn House Facility Rental Information

A block party permit which allows for open containers at a special event must be approved by the Colonie Police department. Block party applications are available in the Town Clerk's office and upon completion will be submitted to the Police department for review. Please complete the application two weeks prior to the event. The application must include the time and date of the event, the street on which the party will occur with cross streets included. The name, address and telephone number of a responsible contact person must also be provided. There is no fee for a block party permit.

Download Block Party Application

The New York State Racing and Wagering Board determines the rules for the issuance of Bingo and Games of Chance, which include Raffle, Bell Jar and Casino Night Licenses. Charitable organizations, which intend to raise money by holding Bingo Games, Games of Chance and in some cases, Raffles, must apply for an identification number issued through the Board. If the organization does not have an identification number or if an assigned identification number has not been used for a one-year period, the organization must contact the NYS Racing and Wagering Board.

Note: For further information on the issuance of a license for Bingo or Games of Chance Licenses, please refer to the New York State Racing and Wagering Board.

Anyone wishing to sell a product or service via door-to-door sales or from a vehicle in the Town of Colonie must have a valid permit issued by the Town Clerk. Applications are available in our office and must be completed and accompanied by a copy of a current driver's license, four passport-sized photos and the applicant's signature must be notarized. Once the completed application and the appropriate fees have been submitted, the application will be forwarded to the Colonie Police department for purposes of a background check. Once approved from the Police department, the permit will be immediately issued and remain valid through the end of the calendar year.

The fee is $250.00 for the first person applying from a company or organization and $100.00 per person for each additional person from the same company or organization. Each person from a company or organization must apply for his/her own permit. Those renewing a permit from the immediate previous year will pay $150 for the first applicant and $100.00 for each additional applicant. Fees are payable by cash, check, money order, Master Card or Visa . Permits are not transferable.

A peddler's permit issued by the Town of Colonie is not valid on town-owned property (parks, etc.) or within the Village of Colonie, or on any property displaying a “No Solicitation” sign. A permit may be revoked if the rules are not followed, or if the Town receives complaints from residents.

Download Peddler's Permit Application and Law

Divorce papers are filed on the county level. A copy is available at the County Clerk 's office where the paperwork was originally filed. The Albany County Clerk can be reached at (518) 487-5100 or www.albanycounty.com/clerk.

Paperwork for a DBA is available on the Albany County Clerk's website (www.albanycounty.com/clerk). Completed paperwork is filed with the Albany County Clerk's office. The Albany County Clerk can be reached at (518) 487-5100.

Copies of school and property tax bills can be obtained from the Town of Colonie Receiver of Taxes. Please contact the tax office at (518) 783-2730 or visit the Tax website.

Deeds are available through the Town of Colonie Assessor's Office and the County Clerk's Office. The Town of Colonie Assessor can be reached at (518) 783-2701 or visit the Assessor's website. The Albany County Clerk's office can be reached at (518) 487-5100 or www.albanycounty.com/clerk.

Information about tickets issued within the Town of Colonie and court appearances in Town Court is available through the Town of Colonie Justice department. The Justice department can be contacted at (518) 783-2714 or through the Justice website.

To install a swimming pool, a permit must first be obtained through the Town of Colonie Building department. The Building department can be reached at (518) 783-2706 or visit the Builiding website.

Information about the Town of Colonie Yard Waste Recycling Program is available through the department of Public Works. DPW can be reached at (518) 783-5323 or through the DPW website.

The Town of Colonie Police department no longer provides civil fingerprinting services. However, civil fingerprinting is done by L-1 Identity Solutions. For an appointment call (518) 877-472-6915 or go online at www.l1enrollment.com.

Handgun permits are issued through the Town of Colonie Police department. Please call (518) 783-2754 for more information.

No permit is required to hold an occasional, personal garage sale in the Town of Colonie. For further information regarding garage sale regulations, contact the Building department at (518) 783-2706 or visit their website.

Apostilles or Certificates of Authentication are available through the New York State Secretary of State. Please contact the Secretary of State at (518) 474-4770 or www.dos.ny.gov.

The Town of Colonie does not issue working papers. They may be obtained through your local school district's guidance office. The North Colonie Central School District can be reached at (518) 785-8591 or www.northcolonie.org. The South Colonie Central School District can be reached at 869-3576 or www.southcolonieschools.org.

The Town of Colonie does not offer translation services. Please contact a private company for these services.

Enforcement of the Colonie Town Code is handled by the Town of Colonie Building department. They can be reached at (518) 783-2706 or through the Building department website.

Enforcement of the Town of Colonie Noise Ordinance is handled by the Town of Colonie Police department. They can be reached at (518) 783-2744 or visit their website. A copy of the Town Code is also available online.

Barking dogs are regulated under the Town of Colonie Noise Ordinance . Enforcement of this section is handled by the Town of Colonie Animal Control . They can be contacted at (518) 783-2711. A copy of the Town Code is also available online.