Town of Ramapo: Town Clerk

The Office of the Town Clerk
Christian G. Sampson, Town Clerk
Michele Lowy, Deputy Town Clerk

237 Route 59
Suffern NY 10901
845 357-5100 ext. 263
Fax 845 357-8513
Email townclerk@ramapo.org

Hours Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm Evening hours, second Wednesday of each month, 5pm - 8pm

The Town Clerk is appointed by the Town Board for a 2-year term as secretary for the Town. He is the keeper and sole user of the Town Seal. As the secretary for the Town, the Town Clerk attends all meetings of the Town Board, keeps and files all Town records, including Minutes of Town Board meetings, and processes installations and resignations of Town officials.

The Town Clerk serves as Registrar of Vital Statistics (births, marriages, and deaths) for unincorporated Ramapo and for the Villages of Airmont, Kaser, New Hempstead, and New Square. The Clerk's Office issues various licenses and permits required by either the Town or the State of New York. The Clerk also makes arrangements for voting machines and election inspectors for local elections.

Town Clerk Information

Vital Statistics: Information on birth, death and marriage documents, as well as genealogical searches.

Licenses and Permits: Information on marriage, dog, fish & game, handicapped parking, and other licenses and permits.

Voting Machines: Information on voting machines and election inspectors for local elections.

Vital Statistics

NOTE: Births and deaths at Good Samaritan Hospital are recorded by the Registrar of the Village of Suffern (357-2600), not by the Town of Ramapo.

For New York State Vital records please visit the state web site at http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/consumer/vr.htm.

Birth Certificates
Births occurring in unincorporated portions of Ramapo and in the Villages of Airmont, Kaser, New Hempstead, and New Square are filed here. To record a birth and obtain a birth certificate:
� Certificate form completed by parents, doctor or midwife.
� Completed certificate delivered to Clerk's Office.
� Registrar or Deputy Registrar signs, dates, and files certificate.
� Official Birth Certificate is mailed to parents.

Death Certificates
Deaths occurring in unincorporated portions of Ramapo and in the Villages of Airmont, Kaser, New Hempstead, and New Square are filed here. To record a death and obtain a death certificate:
� Information normally collected and brought in by funeral director.
� Registrar or Deputy Registrar verifies, signs and dates certificate and issues burial permit.
� If remains are to be cremated, a cremation number must be obtained from Medical Examiner's office and recorded on the certificate.

Birth Transcripts
Legal equivalent to an original Birth Certificate that is available to parents, children, lawful representatives, or anyone who presents a court order. The application requires identification and information pertinent to the birth. There is a $10 fee.

Marriage Transcripts
Legal equivalent to an original Certificate of Marriage that is available to the bride, groom or legal representative. The application requires identification and information pertinent to the marriage. There is a $10 fee. NOTE: Marriages are recorded where the original license was issued, which may or may not be where the marriage itself occurred.

Death Transcripts
Death transcripts are available to a surviving spouse, parent, or adult child of the decedent. Transcripts are also available to funeral directors or anyone who can demonstrate legal right or claim. There is a $10 fee, however one transcript is free at the time of death if the decedent was a veteran.

Genealogical Records
Town of Ramapo genealogical records of births, deaths, and marriages begin in 1881. A basic fee of $22 covers a search and uncertified copy or notification of no record. Submit completed application (NYS Form DOH-1562, available at Clerk's Office), with fee to the Clerk's Office. If more than three years must be searched, the fee may increase; there is a complete schedule on the application form.

Licenses and Permits

� Marriage License
� Handicapped Parking Permit
� Tire Disposal
� DEC Fish & Game Licenses
� Dog License
� Purebred Dog License
� Peddler's License
� Bingo/Games of Chance Licenses
� Landscaping Permit
� Snowplowing Permit
� Refuse License
� Sewer License
� Sewer Permit

Marriage License
� Must be obtained at least 24 hours, but not more than 60 days before marriage.
� $40 fee - Blood test not required in New York State.
� Birth certificate and a current government-issued picture ID, such as a valid driver's license or passport
� Parental consent form required for persons less than 18 years of age.Court order required for persons 16 and under.
� If divorced, certified copy of divorce decree required.
� If widow or widower, death certificate of former spouse required.
� License to be signed and returned to Clerk after marriage.
� Copy of license kept by Clerk - $5 charge for duplicate if original is lost.
� Returned license indexed under both original surnames with date of marriage.
� Marriage certificate sent to couple, photocopy kept on file.
� Active members of armed forces receive free marriage transcript with certificate.
� Both parties to application must appear in person before the Town Clerk.

Handicapped Parking Permit
Available to New York State residents with one or more of the following permanent or temporary disabilities, as certified by a licensed physician:
� Limited or no use of one or both legs
� A neuro-muscular condition that severely limits mobility
� Other physical or mental conditions which make use of public transportation unusually difficult
� Blindness (as defined by Vehicle and Traffic Law, Section 404-a,4)

Applications are available from the Town Clerk (if requested, applications may also be mailed). The application must be filled out by both the applicant and the applicant's licensed physician. A recent letter from the applicant's physician may be accepted in lieu of physician's portion of the application. Letters or applications signed by chiropractors are not currently acceptable to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. Permanent Permits are good for 3-year period. Temporary Permits are good for up to 6 months, at the discretion of physician. There is no charge for the original permit, but there is a $2 fee to replace a lost or stolen permit. Renewal requires a new application or letter from physician.

Tire Disposal
Obtain a sticker ($3 per tire) from the Town Clerk, and place one on each tire. Place the tire(s), with sticker(s) visible, at curbside on your regular recycling pick-up day.

Fish and Game Licenses
Hunting & fishing license requirements are set by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Licenses may be obtained from the Town Clerk

Dog License
All dogs over the age of six (4) months harbored by Town of Ramapo residents outside of the Village of Spring Valley must be licensed by the Town Clerk. (The Village of Spring Valley licenses dogs within its own boundaries). To obtain a new dog license:
� Owner completes application form DL-1, which is not a license until validated.
� Owner must furnish proof of rabies vaccination, and verification if claiming dog has been spayed or neutered.
� All original documents are returned to the dog owner.

License fees:
� Unaltered male or female: $13.00, unless dog is under 6 months old
� Neutered male or spayed female: $5.00

The above fees include a $2.50 local fee, which is waived for owners over 65 years of age. The owner receives a printed license with identically numbered metal tag for dog. The license is filed with the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets , with a copy kept on file in the Town Clerk's Office. Contact the Town Clerk to replace lost or worn tags; there is a $1.50 fee, and the new tags are mailed from Albany within 4-6 weeks. Dog licenses must be renewed annually; the expiration date appears on the license.

Renewals: The owner receives a renewal form by mail which is also available from the Town Clerk if lost or not received. The owner may renew the license by mail or in person, using form received. The owner must provide documentation of current status of rabies va ccination. The annual fee is the same as for new registration.

Transfer of Ownership: The previous owner completes the transfer portion of a renewal form and gives it to the new owner. The previous owner also completes the Status Change portion of the form and mails it to the address given on the form. The new owner presents the Transfer report to the Clerk in locality where the dog will be harbored. The new owner completes a New Owner Dog License form. The former license number is retained if dog remains harbored in New York State.