Frequently Asked Questions

 Information about:

• Home Care
• Caregiver Supports
• Care Coordination
• Respite Care
• Transportation
• Home Delivered Meals
• Health Insurance Information
• And more

NY Connects staff can also help link you to available long term services and supports.

Long term services and supports (also known as long term care) include a range of services and supports that can help people of all ages remain independent in their daily lives.

Long term services and supports are both medical and non-medical services that help to maintain or improve daily functioning and health. Services can be provided at home, in community-based settings such as a senior center, community center or day care, or residential settings such as Assisted Living Residences, or in nursing homes.

Anyone who needs information on long term services and supports:

• A child or an adult with a disability
• An older adult
• Family members and caregivers
• Friends or neighbors
• Helping professionals

Unfortunately, birth or death certificates as well as marriage licenses are not filed in the Rensselaer County Clerk's office. Copies of birth or death certificates may be obtained either through the New York State (NYS) Department of Health or the town or city clerk's office where the person was born and/or died. Marriage licenses are also issued by city or town clerks and may be obtained from the office of the clerk who originally issued the marriage license.

State Department of Health Contact

New York State Department of Health
Corning Tower
Albany, NY 12211
Phone: 518-474-2121

Town & City Clerk Contacts

Additionally, we have provided a listing of the town and city clerk's numbers in Rensselaer County:

• City of Troy: 518-270-4634
• City of Rensselaer: 518-462-4266
• Berlin: 518-658-2633
• Brunswick: 518-279-3461
• East Greenbush: 518-477-7145
• Grafton: 518-279-3565
• Hoosick: 518-686-4571
• Nassau: 518-766-2343
• North Greenbush: 518-283-4306
• Petersburgh: 518-658-3777
• Pittstown: 518-753-4222
• Poestenkill: 518-283-5100
• Sand Lake: 518-674-2344
• Schaghticoke: 518-753-6915
• Schodack: 518-477-7590
• Stephentown: 518-733-9195

There are three ways you can receive a copy of your deed.

1.  Come to the office at 105 Third Street Troy, NY 12180 and obtain a copy for $0.50 per page

2.  Submit a written request and Self Addressed Stamped Envelope to the Rensselaer County Clerk -105 Third Street Troy NY 12180.  In the request please give us your name, property location, and year of purchase.  Mail requests are $1.00/page.  You may call to obtain an exact fee or notate "not to exceed $10.00" in the memo line.  On receipt, we will make a copy, fill in the amount of the check, provide a receipt and mail back.

3.  Go online to search and print at www.searchiqs.com or click on the "on-line records search" on the left hand side of this website.  Register as a user for 24 hour access, searching is free, printing is $1.00 per page.

Passport applications are currently accepted by appointment only. Please call 518-270-4080 to arrange an appointment for junior passport and new passport applications. You cannot renew an adult passport at the County Clerk's office.

Passport Appointments

Monday through Friday
11 am to 3 pm

Please allow half an hour per appointment. You will need:

• Check to send to U.S. Department of State
• Cash/check for County Clerk Passport Application fee
• Photo ID
• Birth certificate with both parent's name listed and/or past expired passport

Please call 518-270-4080 with any questions.

The Rensselaer County Clerk does not designate the daily and weekly papers for publication of LLCs in the county. Section 206 of the NYLLC law designates publication of a corporation or a LLC for a period of six weeks in a daily and weekly newspaper.

The newspapers for Rensselaer County as designated by the Rensselaer County Legislature are:

• Troy Record: 518-270-1200
• Time Union 518-454-5454 

The weekly papers for Rensselaer County are either based in the County or service the County either as an official town/city newspaper as determined by the local municipality:

• Advertiser: 518-454-5513
• Express: 518-664-3335
• The Jewish Press - to answer questions about LLC format contact: Marc Gronich 518-588-2507

Our office provides, among other important services:

• Criminal searches
• Pistol permit applications
• Notary public renewal processing
• Court records and judgment filing
• SCAR petition filings

If you have any questions regarding the information listed or any other general County Clerk related issue, please contact the Record Room at 518-270-4080 or the Department of Motor Vehicles at 518-270-2600.

The Rensselaer County Clerk's office has one satellite DMV office for residents' convenience. The satellite's location and hours of operation can be found at:

• Hoosick Falls Satellite Office

Rensselaer County DMV has opened a second full service office located at the Rensselaer County Office Building, 99 Troy Road East Greenbush NY 12061.  

The office is open weekdays from 8:30am -4:00pm.

Not at all! Anyone interested in starting a business in Rensselaer County can register a business name in our office located at 105 3rd Street in Troy. Be sure to bring a photo ID and either cash or a check when registering your business. We will search your business name on our computer database to make sure that it is not being used by anyone else in Rensselaer County. We will notarize your signature with proper ID, which will enable you to file your DBA.

The cost for filing a DBA is $25 with a $4 fee for a certified copy if you are planning to open a bank account for your business. We also have informational booklets from the state that will assist you in applying for your Tax ID number, which is issued through the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.

If a business is a partnership (more than one person) then all of the partners need to be present in order for our office to notarize the signatures and file the document. If you are planning to incorporate, then you need to go to the New York Department of State. Discontinuance of DBAs can be done anytime in our office with the proper ID for no charge.

Forms

Obtain the documents and forms you need for your DBA by visiting our DBA Forms page.

The Rensselaer County Clerk has ceased issuing photo IDs effective January 2, 2020. Anyone interested in obtaining photo ID will need to contact the Rensselaer County Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or the New York State DMV.

The Rensselaer County Clerk's office is made up of the Records Room Department located at 105 3rd Street in the city of Troy and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which is located at the Pattison Office Building found at 1600 7th Avenue also in the city of Troy.

To view the current hours of operation, we recommend visiting:

• County Clerk Directory
• DMV Directory

You can reach our offices by phone by calling:

• Department of Motor Vehicles: 518-270-2600
• Record Room: 518-270-4080

If you want to be sure you have the recommended skills in your current occupational area, you will chose your current position, evaluate your skills as they relate to that position, Metrix will then recommend courses to complete.

Select a new occupation, evaluate your skills, and begin to take courses to build qualifications in your new chosen career field.

As long as you have an internet connection, the Metrix system is available 24/7.  Computers are also available for online learning at the One-Stop Center during our regular hours.

Reports are available that will help you keep tract of your courses and progress. Certificates are available to print out upon successful completion of coursework.

Stop in, or contact any of the Rensselaer One-Stop Counselors to sign up for the introductory Metrix Learning Session.

Unified Services Child & Adolescent Outpatient Clinic

Located at1600 7th Avenue 3rd floor in Troy, N.Y. A parent or guardian will need to contact our office at 518-270-2800 to set up an initial appointment for a child. Upon the initial phone call you will need the following information: the child's name, date of birth, parent/guardian name, and a contact phone number. This information will be passed along to the intake and referral therapist who is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. This therapist will contact the parent/guardian and conduct a brief assessment over the phone to find out what services would best serve the child's needs. A decision regarding whether or not the clinic would best meet the needs of the child or if a referral to another provider will be rendered. Should it be determined that the clinic can best meet your needs an appointment will be made for a face to face Comprehensive Assessment with one of our Licensed Social Workers or Mental Health Counselors.

Rensselaer City Clinic & Hoosick Falls Clinic

Upon your initial telephone call, the receptionist will take the same information as above and pass it on to the Site Supervisor to review and return your telephone call. After conducting a brief assessment over the phone to find out what services would best serve the child or adult's needs, a decision will be made as to whether we would best provide services for you or if a referral would be mad to another agency. If clinic services are indicated an intake appointment will be scheduled.

English, Spanish, Burmese

Accepted Insurances

If your Health Insurance company is not listed, you may reach out to the Financial Advocate at (518)270-2800, to discuss whether or not your specific plan is accepted or self-pay may be an option.

These are children from birth to 21 years of age who have or are suspected of having a serious or chronic physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional condition. Also, under this are children who require special health or related services beyond that is required by children generally.

A Child Services Specialist can assist families with providing support and resources to access services to improve the quality of life for their children with special health care needs and their families.

Anyone who is interested in making our community safer, stronger and better prepared to respond to emergencies of all kinds.

No. Both individuals with medical training and non-medical volunteers are needed.

Volunteers may be assigned to roles that match their skills, interests and availability. Roles can include:

• Assistance with the distribution of medicines and supplies at Point of Dispensing Sites (PODS)
• Translation services
• Access & Functional Needs Support
• Mental Health Support
• Emergency Sheltering Support
• Administrative and Logistical Support Roles
• IT Assistance
• Community Safety and Preparedness Education
• Assistance with Community Public Health Activities
• Many other important jobs!

Please talk to us about using volunteer hours towards meeting academic or professional requirements.

There is no set time commitment to be a Medical Reserve Corps volunteer. Volunteers serve at their level of interest, time and training.

Volunteers receive an initial orientation which includes an overview of Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) roles, responsibilities and assignment, activation and reporting procedures. Additional trainings are offered as classroom and online sessions. You will also receive "just in time" training if your services are ever needed.

Interested in registering as a Rensselaer County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) volunteer? Call 518-270-2655 or visit the MRC page for a registration form.

• Depression and anxiety
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Osteoarthritis
• Some cancers
• Type 2 diabetes

• Greater sense of wellbeing
• Maintain proper body weight
• Improve strength and flexibility
• Increase energy
• Improve balance
• Improve sleep
• Prevent falls and fractures

To maintain good health every person should accumulate 30 minutes or more of moderate-intensity physical activity throughout the day, on 5 or more days of the week. If you have a chronic disease or are inactive, consult your doctor before you begin an exercise program.

Moderate physical activity can be almost any activity that makes you feel the way you do when you walk briskly for 30 minutes. These include:

• Dancing
• Gardening
• Hiking
• Riding a bike
• Swimming
• Vacuuming
• Wheeling oneself in a wheelchair

Also, these activities can be done 10 minutes at a time over the course of the day, instead of 30 minutes at one time.

Even small increases in light to moderate activity will improve your health if you are not currently active. It is important to start slowly and check with your doctor before getting started. For people who are inactive or who have a chronic disease, try starting with 5 minutes a day and find something you like to do. Then gradually increase your activity level.

Above all, find something that you enjoy doing and stick with it!

Natural hazards have the potential to cause property loss, loss of life, economic hardship, and threats to public health and safety. While an important aspect of emergency management deals with disaster recovery, those actions that a community must take to repair damages and make itself whole in the wake of a natural disaster, an equally important aspect of emergency management involves hazard mitigation. Hazard mitigation measures are efforts taken before a disaster happens to lessen the impact that future disasters of that type will have on people and property in the community. They are things you do today to be more protected in the future. 

Hazard mitigation actions taken in advance of a hazard event are essential to breaking the typical disaster cycle of damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage. With careful selection, hazard mitigation actions can be long-term, cost-effective means of reducing the risk of loss and help create a more disaster-resistant and sustainable community.

A Hazard Mitigation Plan is a well-organized and well-documented evaluation of the hazards that a jurisdiction is susceptible to, and the extent to which these events will occur. Hazard Mitigation Plans identify an area’s vulnerability to the effects of the natural hazards typically present in a certain area, as well as the goals, objectives, and actions required for minimizing future loss of life and property damage as a result of hazard events. The primary purpose of mitigation planning is to systematically identify policies, actions, and tools that can be used to implement those actions.

• Eligibility to apply for Federal aid for technical assistance and certain types of pre and post disaster project funding (i.e. project grants under Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation (HMGP competitive state-wide after a Federal disaster declaration); FEMA's Pre-Disaster Mitigation competitive program (PDMC) (competitive nationwide, annual appropriation)
• Leads to judicious selection of risk reduction actions
• Contributes to more sustainable and disaster-resistant communities through selecting the most appropriate mitigation measures, based on the knowledge gained in the hazard identification and loss estimation process
• Builds partnerships
• Establishes priorities before disaster strikes
• Improves the safety and economic well-being of constituents
• Mitigation actions identified during the planning process can reduce the costs of a disaster
• It simply costs too much to address the efforts of disasters only after they happen
• State and Federal aid is often insufficient to cover the extent of physical and economic damages resulting from disasters
• A surprising amount of damage from hazards can be prevented by taking the time to anticipate where and how they occur
• Planning can lessen the impact and speed the overall response and recovery processes
• Hazard mitigation can be incorporated as an integral component of daily business
• Allows participants to focus their efforts on the hazard areas most important to them by incorporating the concept of determining and setting priorities for mitigation efforts

• Can save money by providing a forum for engaging in partnerships that could provide technical, financial, and/or staff resources in your effort to reduce the effects, and hence the costs, of hazards
• Small jurisdictions can benefit from the additional resources and expertise that collaboration can bring
• Multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plans are practical for addressing issues best dealt with on a larger scale, which do not recognize political boundaries
• Takes advantage of existing planning mechanisms, such as regional  planning organizations
• Creates economies of scale and enables pooling of limited resources

The Rensselaer County Correctional Facility allows visitation seven days a week during the following time periods:

• 6 pm to 7 pm
  (All inmates except those assigned to the Restricted Housing Unit)
• 8 pm to 9 pm
  (All inmates except those assigned to the Restricted Housing Unit)
• All visitors must be signed in 60 minutes prior to visit.

It is not necessary to schedule a visit, the facility honors walk up visits on a “first-come, first-serve” basis provided there is room.

Each inmate is allowed two visits per week. The visitation week runs from Monday through Sunday. Two visitors are allowed to see the inmate at each visit. One child younger than 4 years of age will not be counted as a visitor if seated on the lap of the adult during the visit.

Anyone the inmate wishes to see (barring there are no orders of protection). If you are under the age of 18, you must be accompanied by your parent/legal guardian or provide written and notarized permission from your parent/legal guardian and be accompanied by an adult.

The written permission must be able to be verified before you will be allowed to visit.

Rensselaer County Correctional Facility Minor Visitation Consent Form (PDF)

You must provide the Visitation Control Officer with a government issued photo identification card.  The Officer will enter your information into the inmates’ visitor log as a permanent visitation record.

View the Inmate Allowable Property / Packages / Accounts / Deposits page for more information.

In Accordance with New York State Commission of Correction Minimum Standard 7008.4 each new Inmate will be afforded the opportunity to receive an initial secured visit within 24 hours of their arrival at facility. The visit will occur in the secured area of the visitation room during normal visitation hours. Inmates will not be allowed contact visitation until they have been medically cleared and classified. The purpose of the visit is to advise family, friends of the situation, arrange bail, arrange counsel or care of any other pertinent matters. The length of the visit shall be at the sole reasonable discretion of Visitation Control Staff so as to ensure the opportunity be afforded to all new arrivals. The same standards of Identification and registration are required to receive an initial visit. The initial visit is not considered or counted against an inmates allowable two scheduled weekly visits.

Special Notes

• All visitors will be required to be screened by electronic screening devices prior to entering the visitation area. Additionally a Trained K-9 And Handling Officer will be used for the purpose of control and contraband detection in the visitation area.
• Their will be no splitting of visits to accommodate additional visitors.
• Once a visitor leaves the visitation area for any reason (bathroom, phone call etc.), they will not be permitted to re-enter the area.
• The facility reserves the right to refuse to admit any visitor to the facility who is not properly attired. Refer to item number 18 of the Visitation Rules and Regulation concerning visitor dress code.
• The facility will only accept valid and verifiable emergency phone calls, such as a medical emergency or death in the family).
• Do not call the facility to leave personal messages.

While in the facility for contact visitation, you are expected to conduct yourself in a manner consistent with reasonable standards of public decency.  Review the inmate visitor information guide. You must comply with all staff orders and directions while on facility grounds.

The Adult Protective Services Unit works with people who meet the following criteria:

1. They are 18 years of age or older and have a mental or physical disability which reduces their capacity for self care or self determination.
2. They have an unmet essential need such as food, clothing, or shelter, or they are at risk of harm due to abuse, neglect or exploitation.
3. They have no one else who is willing or able to assist responsibly.

• Investigation of requests for help
• A home visit to identify needs and arrange for services, medical care or other resources in the community
• Assistance in obtaining entitlements and other general benefits and services
• Money management services
• Referral to legal services
• Services to obtain a guardian

Anyone can make a referral to Adult Protective Services. Social Services Law 457.9 provides immunity from civil liability for any individual who makes a referral to Adult Protective Services in good faith. Referrals can be made by calling our office at 518-266-7900. We will need to know the client's name and address, some idea of what their disability is, and the presenting problem. If you have their date of birth, social security number and exact diagnosis that is helpful but it is not necessary to make a referral.

If you have any additional questions please feel free to contact our office at 518-266-7900 or if you prefer, email us.

No, but if a person deliberately makes a false complaint and statement against a member, that person may be criminally prosecuted or civilly liable.

The complainant and the department employee will be notified that the case is under investigation.

The complainant will be informed as to the outcome of their complaint.

Depending on the severity of the conduct, dispositions of the investigation can range from retraining, to evaluations, to discipline.

Deputy Sheriffs must be provided with certain rights, just as all citizens are. Complaints must be supported by sufficient evidence. If there is insufficient evidence to prove an allegation, the employee will be cleared of the charge.

he main purpose of the program is to capture identifying information about your child on a SAFE CHILD card. The same information is stored in a statewide database. The storage of this information is entirely voluntary and requires the written consent of a parent or legal guardian.

In addition to quickly providing important details to police agencies investigating child disappearances, the SAFE CHILD card can be used in conjunction with the New York State AMBER Alert and Missing Child Alert programs. If a child goes missing, the SAFE CHILD program allows their information to be electronically disseminated within minutes, significantly increasing the possibility of bringing a missing child home.

The information is stored in a database at the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). When DCJS receives a missing child report, the fingerprints of that child are compared against all incoming fingerprints submitted to DCJS. A parent or lawful guardian can request that the information be purged from the database at any time. When a child turns 18, the fingerprints are automatically purged from the database.

Under Leandra’s Law, when anyone is convicted of any felony or misdemeanor drunk driving offense the court will be required to impose - in addition to any fine, jail, or prison sentence - a period of probation or conditional discharge. During that period, the individual will be required to install and maintain an ignition interlock device, for at least six months, in any motor vehicle they own or operate.

Before a vehicle’s motor can be started, the driver must exhale into an ignition interlock device (IID) also known as a breath alcohol ignition interlock device (BAIID). If the driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.025 percent or higher the engine will not start.

No. At random intervals after the engine has been started, the device will require additional breath samples. If a sample is not provided or if the blood alcohol concentration is 0.025 percent or higher, the device will record the event, warn the driver and then start an alarm (horn honking and/or a loud interior alarm) until either the ignition is turned off or a clean breath sample is provided. Additionally, some of the devices have built-in cameras and keep a photographic record of who provides the breath sample.

When someone is convicted of impaired driving and ordered to have an interlock installed, he or she will be referred by local ignition interlock monitors to manufacturers and their installation service providers designated by the state.

The cost depends on the vendor and the level of ignition interlock service, but generally costs approximately $100 for installation, $100 for de-installation and a monthly fee of $100. In general, it is the responsibility of the convicted drunk driver to pay all the fees associated with installing and maintaining these devices.

A Designated Driver is someone who consumes no alcohol at all, not even one drink. Never take a ride with the “least drunk” person in your group.

No. A designated driver is anyone who agrees to remain sober, in order to be able to drive others home safely. As long as you are old enough to drive and are old enough to be allowed in the establishment, you can participate in RIDE.

Please call our STOP-DWI Coordinator, Mike Dinardo at 270-2900. He greatly appreciates your feedback and will contact the establishment.

No, sorry. The RIDE program cannot pick you up. If you need a safe ride home, please call a friend or call a taxi.

No, sorry! This program is to reward the designated sober driver. Although you may not feel intoxicated after one or two drinks, we define the designated driver as someone who has consumed no alcohol.

No, we welcome visitors from across the region to come and responsibly enjoy Rensselaer County and our businesses.

• Driving While Intoxicated (DWI): 0.08 Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) or higher or other evidence of intoxication.
• Aggravated DWI: 0.18 BAC or higher.
• Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI): 0.05 BAC to 0.07 BAC, or other evidence of impairment.
• DWAI/Combination: Driving While Ability Impaired by a Combined Influence of Drugs or Alcohol.
• Chemical Test Refusal: A driver who refuses to take a chemical test (normally a test of breath, blood or urine) can receive a driver license revocation of at least one year (18 months for a commercial driver) and must pay a $500 civil penalty ($550 for a driver of commercial vehicles) to apply for a new driver license. A driver who refuses a chemical test during the five years after a DWI-related charge or previous refusal will have their driver license revoked for at least 18 months (permanent for a commercial driver) and must pay a $750 civil penalty to apply for a new driver license. If the driver is under age 21, and refuses a chemical test during the five years after a DWI-related charge or previous refusal, they will have their driver license revoked for at least one year or until age 21, whichever is longer and must pay a $750 civil penalty to apply for a new driver license.
• Zero Tolerance Law: A driver who is less than 21 years of age and who drives with a. 002 BAC to 0.07 BAC violates the Zero Tolerance Law.

1. Greater penalties can also apply for multiple alcohol or drug violations within a 10-year period.
2. Surcharges are added to misdemeanors ($160) and felonies ($270).
3. The driver license penalties for drivers under the age of 21, and for drivers of commercial motor vehicles and other professional drivers, are different.
4. Three or more alcohol or drug-related convictions or refusals within 10 years can result in permanent revocation, with a waiver request permitted after at least 5 years.
5. A driver with an Aggravated DWI violation conviction within the prior 10 years will receive a minimum 18-month revocation if convicted of DWI, DWAI/Drugs or DWAI/Combination. Also a driver with a prior DWI, Aggravated DWI, DWAI/Drugs or DWAI/Combination with the prior 10 years will receive a minimum 18-month revocation.

If you receive your first conviction for DWI or DWAI and you participate in the Drinking Driver Program (DDP), you can receive a conditional license. The DMV determines if you are eligible for the DDP. A judge can stop your enrollment in the DDP. To get complete information read the DMV brochure, The Impaired Driver Program.

The law mandates participation in the DDP, even if the driver is not eligible for a conditional license, for convictions of specific alcohol or drug-related violations, or in specific plea-bargaining situations.

The program is offered at the Hudson Mohawk Recovery Center Offices in Troy and East Greenbush.

Youth aged 14 to 20 years old (under 14 at the discretion of the agency).

• Attorneys
• Clergy
• Counselors
• Judges
• Parents
• Probation Officers
• Anyone who is concerned about a youth with a possible alcohol or drug problem

The program is 7 90-minute sessions.

Yes, attendance will be monitored.

Parents will be required to attend at least one session.

Yes, the cost is $100. For those who are unable to pay, there is a sliding fee scale.

• Low rate of re-offending
• Screening for possible treatment referrals
• Risk Reduction
• Intervene in substance use
• Encourage Abstinence
• Opportunity to examine beliefs and behaviors

Referrals can be made by calling the Hudson Mohawk Recovery Center at 518-272-3918.

Building permits are required for new construction, additions and any alterations to structures that may affect structural components, public safety, means of egress, electrical and mechanical systems and fire protection equipment. Permits are also required for wood and other solid fuel burning stoves, new siding, fences and accessory structures. New wood stove installations are also required to have a certificate of installation approval issued by the Bureau of Code Enforcement in your local city, town or village.

In addition, an informational brochure titled "Homeowner's Guide to Assessments and Permits for Home Improvements" is also available from the Buildings Bureau.

The City of Troy offers a Master Electrician test 3 times a year and a Plumber's Exam yearly. Class "B" Electrical Licenses are also available to those who are licensed in another county and wish to do work in Troy. Call the City Clerk at 518-270-4634 for forms.

Dogs must be cared for in a responsible manner, which does not interfere with the quality of life of residents in the surrounding neighborhood. All dogs must be licensed. A kennel license is required for more than six adult dogs per property. By law, when not confined to their own fenced yards, all dogs must be leashed at all times. Yards must be kept in sanitary condition, free of animal waste. Dog owners are responsible for preventing their dog from nuisance barking.

The owner of a dog is responsible for removing and cleaning any waste or excrement deposited on public or private property. All such waste is to be removed and placed in a plastic bag or metal container and discarded in the same manner as garbage and refuse are discarded. When walking a dog, the owner is required to carry an implement capable of picking up the dog's waste to discard it.

Please contact the Troy City Clerk's Office. They can be reached via phone at 518-270-4541 or in person at:

1 Monument Square
Troy, NY 12180

You and your fiancé must appear together in the Office of your City/Town Clerk. Typically no appointment is needed.

Both parties to the marriage must bring a driver's license, passport, birth certificate or other identification showing date of birth and identity.

If you were ever married before, you must bring in an original or certified copy of any divorce decrees, annulments or death certificates for all previous marriages - even those performed outside the U.S. 

We will not keep these documents.

Both parties to a marriage must be 18 years of age. You may obtain a marriage license if you are 16 or 17 years old with the written consent of both parents of the minor and both parents must be present at the time of licensing.

Medical exams and blood testing is not required.

You can get a marriage license in any city or town clerk's office anywhere within New York State and you can use this license to get married anywhere within the state. However, after you are married, your marriage record will remain in the office where you obtained your license.

There is a 24-hour waiting period before you can use your marriage license although you will receive it on the spot. It will be date and time stamped. Your license does expire within 60 days, so you should never get a license more than 60 days before you intend on using it.

When there is an emergency, lives are in danger, serious injury, serious medical condition, crime in progress, or any other situation needing immediate attention.

If you wish to remain anonymous or keep information confidential, just tell the operator.

• Call 911 immediately.
• Be observant and make mental notes.
  • Are there any weapons involved?
  • What is the address?
  • Any physical characteristics such as height, weight, race, beard, or scars?
  • Any clothing description?
  • How many people involved?
  • Are the persons involved on foot or in a vehicle?

• Never say "nine eleven". There is no eleven on a telephone keypad or dial. Always say "nine-one-one".
• Always call from a safe place. If there is a fire in the house, get out first and then call.
• Post your address near the phone.
• Never call 911 as a prank or joke. You can get into trouble and keep someone who really needs help from getting it in time.
• 911 is not for animal emergencies. Also leave the number for the vet next to the phone.
• Call 911 if you think you have an emergency and explain the situation to the dispatcher. If you call 911 by mistake, don't hang up, explain the mistake to the dispatcher and say there is no emergency.

• Fights, sexual assaults, etc.
• Homicides
• Burglaries and robberies
• Flashlight beam in a business or home, especially if the business is closed or the residents are away
• Domestic violence
• Child and elder abuse
• Sounds of gunshots, screaming, barking dogs, breaking glass, explosions, alarms, etc.
• Hit and run accidents with possible injuries
• Vehicles containing weapons or property not normally kept in vehicles
• Ongoing dumping of fuel or other hazardous substances
• Road hazards that require immediate attention to prevent personal injuries and property damage
• Graffiti and other acts of vandalism in progress
• Runaway juvenile or missing person who needs special care - be sure to tell the operator if the person needs medication and has a special problem, e.g., Alzheimer's disease

You must submit a written request for the report through the U.S. mail. The written request must contain: 

• Date of incident
• Time of incident
• Location of incident
• Parties involved
• Incident report number (if known)

Mail your request to your local police department, sheriff, or state police.

The ability of the police to locate and arrest criminals often depends on the thoroughness and accuracy of the report you submit. The following information checklist should be used for reporting both emergency and non-emergency crimes:

• Type of crime
• Location: exact street address and nearest cross street
• Time of occurrence
• Weapons used
• Number of persons injured and types of injuries
• Vehicle information: type, license number, color, year, make, model, unusual characteristics (e.g., dents, bumper stickers), number of persons, etc.
• Suspect information: race, gender, age, height, weight, hair color, hair length and style, eye color, facial hair, clothing type and color, other characteristics (e.g., tattoos, missing teeth, scars, glasses), direction of flight, etc.

Graffiti on any public or private property is illegal. Graffiti is defined as any etching, painting, drawing, or other marking on public or private property. It is the responsibility of the property owner to remove graffiti from private property.

All buildings and structures must have street numbers. These numbers or letters must be clearly visible from the street. The City’s police and firefighters rely on the numbers for identification of buildings. Quicker recognition of your address by the police or firefighters will save valuable time, and may mean the difference between life and death.

For births in one of the 5 boroughs of New York City (Manhattan, Kings, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island), visit the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene website. Please note that the borough of Kings is sometimes referred to as Brooklyn and the borough of Staten Island is sometimes referred to as Richmond.

• 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 by order of a New York State Court

Application must be submitted with copies of either:

• One of the following forms of valid photo-ID:
  • Driver license
  • Non-driver license
  • Passport
  • Employment ID
• Two of the following showing the applicant’s name and address:
  • Utility or telephone bills
  • Letter from a government agency dated within the last 6 months

The fee is $10 per copy or $11 for genealogy copies. Payment is accepted in the form of a check or money order payable to the Registrar/City of Troy or cash.

If you come in person to City Hall, in most cases you will receive the certificate immediately.

• U.S. Postal Express, UPS Overnight, FedEx, etc. gets sent out immediately
• Regular first class mail requests are usually sent out within 2 days.
• Genealogy requests may take up to 2 weeks

Processing times are approximate and may vary with current workload volumes as well as circumstances beyond our control.

NYS Department of Health Vital Records Section operates the Adoption Information Registry. The Registry helps adoptees obtain available non-identifying information about their birth parents and enables the reunion of registered adoptees with their birth parents and biological siblings. Finally, the Registry provides a place for birth parents to file medical information updates which may be shared with registered adoptees. To request an application write to

Adoption Information Registry
New York State Department of Health
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602

Please be certain to include your name, mailing address and the type of application you need (adoptee, birth parent or biological sibling).

The Rensselaer County Clerk's Office
Rensselaer County Courthouse
2nd Street and Congress Street
Troy, NY 12180

We recommend that you bring your drivers license or a picture ID, in case inspectors need to verify identification.

If your name is not in the pollbook, it may be because your registration form was not received or, for a primary, because you aren't enrolled in a party. If you believe that you are eligible, you can still vote. Ask for an affidavit ballot, which is a paper ballot. The Board of Elections will check its records and your vote will be counted if you are indeed eligible to vote.

Jurors are drawn from lists of state taxpayers and licensed drivers as well as from voter registration rolls. Do not give up your right to vote in the hope that you will avoid jury duty. Chances are, if you pay taxes or drive a car, you may still be called.

Yes. A voter with a disability may have the assistance of anyone of his or her choice, so long as the person providing the assistance is not the voter's employer or union agent. If the voter requests assistance from inspectors, one from each of the two parties represented there will help.

No. Once you register, you are registered to vote in that county. Name, address, or party enrollment changes, can be made by submitting a new registration form. If you move out of the county you must register in your new county.

A Primary election is an election at which only enrolled members of a party may vote. Primaries are held by the party to choose their candidates for the General Election.