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General Licenses
Marriage Licenses and Domestic Partnerships
This office serves as the agent of the New York State Health Department in the processing and certifying of marriage licenses. It is our responsibility to explain state law and review all documents for authenticity and legal status, i.e. divorce papers from a previous marriage, death certificate of a previous spouse, and current identification for those applying. Using a computer program, all information is entered and a license is issued. When the person who performed the ceremony returns the license, it is reviewed for legal compliance. A certificate is issued to the newlyweds, and the license is filed with the state. Each year we provide approximately 200 duplicate licenses to comply with legal requirements (social security, domestic and foreign adoptions, immigration, etc.) Licenses up to 50 years old are maintained in this office. Those older are archived at the Albany County Hall of Records or may be obtained through the Vital Records Division of the New York State Department of Health. Albany was the first city in New York State to offer Domestic Partnerships. Any couple wishing to enter into a legal partnership comes to the office, fills out computer documentation, pays a fee and receives certification. While we have no role in divorces or annulments, the Office of the City Clerk can process paperwork to dissolve a Domestic Partnership.
Taxi Licenses
The City Clerk services as the representative of the Commissioner of Public Safety for processing taxi licenses. Each year, we accept applications and fee from drivers who are renewing their license. Drivers provide us with an application, abstract from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, insurance, fingerprints, and photographs. We then send the application to the Albany Police Department (ID/Traffic Safety) for review and approval. Once approved, applications are returned to this office where the license is issued. Applicants who are denied are notified, as well. Applicants for new licenses are accepted throughout the year. The City Clerk serves on the Mayor’s Taxi Task Force, and works with the Police Department and individual drivers and companies to resolve citizen complaints, and works with various community organizations on taxi-related issues.
Vendor Licenses
Each Spring, we process applications and issue licenses for the annual food and flower vending at Capitol Park for the 31-week season from April to November. Applicants provide us with an application, fee, verification of cart/truck inspection by the Albany County Health Department, all insurance (vehicle, workers compensation), drivers abstract (NYSDMV for trucks), a list of employees, a full vending menu, and an agreement stating they will abide by all rules and regulation. Once a license, is issued vendors are allowed to sell their food or flowers in an assigned location on Washington Avenue or State Street. We have worked with the Capitol Park Merchants to establish rules and regulations, and meet regularly to discuss issues of aesthetics, safety and cleanliness. In cooperation with the Police Department, we monitor the vending season and handle any complaints from the public or other vendors. The Albany County Health Department monitors for health compliance and will cite vendors who are in violation of state or county law.
While not licensed or permitted, we monitor the insurance and proper conduct of farm markets on city property, as well. The City Clerk works closely with Business Improvement Districts on siting farmers m |