Town Clerk

Hours of Operation

Monday-Thursday 9:00am-4:00pm
Friday 9:00am-1:00pm
or by appointment

Contact

Contact: Norma Lancaster
Phone: 315-923-7259
Fax: 315-923-3421
Email: clerk@townofgalen.com

Address

6 South Park Street
Clyde, NY 14433

Description

While Town Clerks are generally credited with issuing licenses, that is only a small part of this complex job. Many duties are mandated by law, but many more go beyond those mandates, as Town Clerks serve as a major source of information to all.

Deputy Town Clerk

Holley Congdon-Matias

Phone: 315-923-7259

Fax: 315-923-3421

Responsibilities:

Notary Public-The Town Clerk offers a notary service at no charge. A notary witnesses and authenticates documents and performs certain other acts of verifying papers. (Please remember: the notary MUST witness the signing of the document).
Public Relations Officer-Considered the center of local government, an information source and gateway for the community to the offices of the Town and other governmental agencies and services.
Webmaster-In Galen, the Clerk is responsible for the creation and maintenance of the Town's Website.
Recording Secretary-Authors minute books, the only official record of the activities of Town government. The resulting volumes are retained permanently for legal and historic purposes.
Records Management Officer-Custodian of all Town records, responsible for active files, storage and disposition of inactive records, and the careful maintenance of archival material.
Administrator of the Freedom of Information Law-which guarantees your right to know the workings of government.
Filing Officer-Maintains records of adopted Town Ordinances and Local Laws, Town Oaths of Office, resignations, petitions, proof of publications, annual budgets, assessment rolls, fiscal reports, notices of lien, subpoena and court actions, bond/note registers, zoning ordinances and maps. Maintains public signboard, advertises and receives bids for purchase of Town materials, files burial permits from cemeteries located within the Town.
Certificate of Residence-for attending community college, proof of residency required, no fee charged.
Licensing Officer-Issues State licenses/permits, including marriage, dog, conservation (hunting and fishing), games of chance, bingo and handicapped parking. Issues Town licenses/permits mandated by Local Law.
Marriage Officer-The authority to solemnize a marriage which marriage shall be valid in accordance with other provisions of law.
Election Coordinator-In accordance with Federal and State regulations, the Town Clerk becomes the coordinator for Primary and General Elections, advising the State of vacancies for elections, overseeing polling places and equipment, election inspectors and filing of boundaries for election districts. In addition, the Town Clerk files official notices of polling places, oversees special Town elections, permissive or mandatory referendums and Town acquisition of property. The Office of the Town Clerk serves as the source for voter registration forms and absentee ballot applications.
Cash Control Officer-Is responsible for numerous duties relating to billing, and the collection and disbursement of funds. All incoming cash is recorded and disbursed to State, County and local fiscal officers. The Town Clerk also contributes to Town and departmental budget preparation, management of petty cash, general purchasing and assisting with State and internal audits.
Registrar of Vital Statistics-Keeper of all birth and death records within a community, issuing birth and death certificates, burial permits, as well as conducting genealogical searches.
Secretary to the Town Board-Involving various secretarial duties as well as correspondence.
Tax Collector-In Galen, as well as in many other Towns, the Town Clerk is also the Tax Collector.

Applications and Forms

Accessible Parking Permit

No fee required. Application must be filled out and signed by your health care provider. The DMV does not issue parking permits. For more information on accessible parking, please click here.

Birth Certificate Request Form

Fee is $10.00 each. For this request to be processed, we need the request form completely filled out, a copy of a government issued photo ID, such as a driver's license (of the person requesting the certificate) and payment of $10.00 each. If mailed or emailed, payment can be made over the phone by credit/debit card. Please click here for more information regarding who is eligible to request a birth certificate and additional forms for correcting a birth certificate.

Certificate of Residency

No fee required. Certificate of Residency Applications can be submitted online using this application. Proof of residency is required and can be uploaded. Check here to find acceptable documentation as proof of residency and more details for filling out the application. This application will go directly to the Wayne County Treasurer's office. You may submit a paper application by mail to PO Box 8 Lyons, NY 14489. If any follow-up is needed, please call their office at 315-946-7441.
THE ONLINE APPLICATION IS NOT A CERTIFICATE OF RESIDENCE. ONLY the Wayne County Treasurer’s Office can issue an approved Certificate of Residence (COR).

Complaint Form

Complaints regarding the Town of Galen must be documented. Please use the form above if you have a complaint with the Town of Galen, so it can be addressed.

Death Certificate Request Form

Fee is $10.00 each. For this request to be processed, we need the request form completely filled out, a copy of a government issued photo ID, such as a driver's license (of the person requesting the certificate) and payment of $10.00. If mailed or emailed, payment can be made over the phone by credit/debit card. Please click here for more information regarding who is eligible to request a death certificate and additional forms for correcting a death certificate.

Dog License Form

Fee is $7.50 each for spayed or neutered dogs and $15.50 each for an unaltered dog. Per NYS Agriculture and Markets Law, Article 7, all dogs (4 months and older) in NYS, must be licensed and wear their dog license tag. To register your dog, please fill out the dog registration form, bring proof of up-to-date rabies vaccination and if applicable, proof of spaying or neutering. Licenses are to be renewed one year from the month in which they were initially registered in. We send reminder post cards, one month in advance of renewal, for your convivence. Credit/Debit card payments can be made over the phone, as long as rabies vaccinations are current in our system. Please call your vet in advance if paperwork is needed for proof of rabies and/or spaying/neutering. They can send this paperwork to our fax number 315-923-3421.

FOIL Request Form

Fee is .25 cents per page requested. "Freedom of Information Law-effective January 1, 1978, reaffirms your right to know how your government operates. It provides rights of access to records reflective of governmental decisions and policies that affect the lives of every New Yorker."

Genealogical Request Form

Fee is $11.00 per page of 6 request. All genealogical records are sent uncertified and for genealogical purposes only. If certified copies are needed for legal purposes, such as dual citizenship, it would be subject to birth/death/marriage certificate fees. Proof of direct line descendant is required. Direct descendant includes child, grandchild, great grandchild etc. For this request to be processed, we need the genealogical request form filled out, a copy of government issued photo ID, proof of relationship to the person you are requesting, and the $11.00 fee. Please click here for additional guidelines for requesting genealogical records.

Marriage Certificate Request Form

Marriage License

Fee is $40.00. An appointment is required, by our office, for a marriage application. Both individuals must be present when applying. Specific documentation is required. Typical documentation includes a valid government issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, and a birth certificate with the raised seal, to show proof of identity and age. If applicable, divorce papers are needed from prior marriage(s) also. Once completed, the license is valid for 60 calendar days following the day it was issued. Please note, there is a 24-hour waiting period after the license is issued before a ceremony can be performed.

NYS DEC Hunting/Fishing 2023 to Present (2025) Price List

Current price list for hunting, fishing, muzzleloading, trapping, lifetime and other licenses issued by the NYS Department of Conservation.

Peddler's Permit

Fee required, may vary depending on number of individuals or representatives of business. Permit needed by individuals or businesses who sell products or services from a mobile location and/or for a limited but specified amount of time (not to exceed a year), such as solicitors, street vendors, and door-to- door salespeople. This kind of permit makes us more aware who is in our community, helps regulate the business they conduct, verifies they are following proper compliances, laws and guidelines, all while ensuring our resident's health, safety and consumer rights are protected. Peddlers should display their license and name tag, as well as the company/business name they are representing, when engaging in business. If you are approached by any individual(s) who refuses to present identification, a permit, have a negative interaction with, or suspect suspicious activity, please alert the Town Clerk's office at 315-923-7259. Please provide as much information as possible when reporting. Addition permits may be required depending on goods/services being sold.

Wayne County Absentee Ballot Application

Wayne County Civil Service Exam/Employment Application

When applying for a posted job with the town, village or county, please use this application.