Town Clerk

New York State law requires that every person owning or harboring a dog over the age of 4 months must obtain a license for that dog. Beginning January 1st, 2011 licenses will be administered by the individual municipalities and they will continue to be enforced locally.

Here’s how it works:

Each licensed dog is assigned an identification number, which is similar to your social security number in that it never changes, is unique to the dog, and is assigned for life. The identification number is assigned on the license tag, which should be affixed to the dog’s collar. The dog’s identifying information (supplied by you on the license application) is kept in a computerized database that can be accessed should your dog ever become lost.

Application Process

After completing the Dog License Application, remit to your local Town Clerk, either in person or by mail, with the following:

• Completed Application Form
• Appropriate Fee
• Spay/Neuter Certificate (if applicable)
• Proof of Rabies Vaccination
• Proof of Exemption Status (if applicable)
• Self addressed stamped envelope for the return of the license tag, if mailing information

Fee Schedule

Male neutered or female spayed – $10.50
Male un-neutered or female un-spayed, over 6 months – $15.50
Exemption (guide, war, police, hearing or service dogs) – No Fee

Important information if renewing online:

You will only be able to renew online if we have your pet’s current rabies vaccination certificate on file. If rabies vaccination information is needed, simply mail, email or fax a copy of the certificate to us and we will be happy to update the database. This will allow you to then renew online.

You will need to know your dog’s license tag number to renew online. Your pet’s tag number can be found on the license renewal form. You can also find the number on your pet’s license tag. If using the tag, you do not need to enter the 2408 prefix or the preceding zeroes. For example, if the tag on your pet says 2408000001, then you would enter 1.

There is a convenience fee applied automatically when you renew online. The fee is $1.75 minimum, or 2.45%, whichever is greater.

The Freedom of Information Law (Public Officers Law Article 6) is New York State’s principal statute on providing for public access to the records of government. The Records Access Officer (in Livonia, this is the Town Clerk) is responsible for ensuring appropriate agency response to public requests for access to records.

If you wish to make a FOIL request, you must make your request in writing. Please be as specific as possible in describing the records in which you are interested. Within 5 business days of the receipt of your request, we will send a written acknowledgment that we have received your request.

Certain records or portions of records are excepted from disclosure under authority of Public Officers Law Section 87.2 (a-1). Should your request be denied, you will be notified in writing stating the reason for the denial and advising your right to an appeal.

For more information on FOIL law, you may visit the New York State Office of General Services web site at: www.ogs.ny.gov.

The Governor recently approved legislation (Chapter 182) to amend the Freedom of Information Law that requires the Committee on Open Government “to develop a form, which shall be made available on the Internet, that may be used by the public to request a record”. The new law further requires as follows:

“All entities shall, provided such entity has reasonable means available, accept requests for records submitted in the form of electronic mail and shall respond to such requests by electronic mail, using forms, to the extent practicable, consistent with the form or forms developed by the Committee on Open Government pursuant to subdivision one of this section and provided that the written requests do not seek a response in some other form.”

Form for requesting records via email.

Hunting and fishing licenses are available at the Town Clerk’s Office. To obtain a hunting, bow hunting or trapping license, a previous hunting license or sportsman education certificate must be presented. To purchase a Resident license of any type, proof of residency is required (see below). Please note that a back tag is not sufficient proof of sportsman education, and a previous hunting or fishing license is not proof of New York State residency. For information on Sportsman Education Courses being offered in your area, or to obtain a duplicate training certificate, you may call 1-888-HUNTED2.

Please be aware that there are no longer combination licenses. All licenses must now be purchased a la carte. If you are a landowner with 50 or more acres and wish to use your landowner status when applying for Deer Management Permits, then you MUST present your SWIS code and Tax Map Number. We cannot guarantee that this information is in the computer.

Age Requirements
Anyone who is 16 years of age or older must have a fishing license in order to fish. Minors under the age of 12 may not obtain a hunting license nor hunt wildlife.

License Year
New in 2014 – Licenses and permits are valid from September 1 through August 31, except for fishing licenses, which are good for one year from the date of purchase.

Free Licenses
Free Small/Big Game, Fishing, and Trapping licenses are available to NYS residents who have the appropriate Sportsmen Education and are active service members of the NYS Militia, US Reserve Forces, or certain members of the US Armed Forces. For more information, call (518) 402-8843 or visit the DEC web site at www.dec.ny.gov

Lost Licenses
A current year lost license may be replaced at any license issuing outlet. There is a cost associated with replacing licenses and tags.

Acceptable Proofs of Residency:

• NYS Driver’s License
• NYS Vehicle Registration
• NYS Non-Driver’s ID
• NYS Income Tax Information (W-2 or IT201). Please note that pay stubs are not acceptable proof.
• Voter’s Registration or current letter from Board of Elections
• Lease
• Student ID
• Religious Verification (Amish, etc.)
• Military LES/Orders

For Further Information
For further information, please visit the DEC’s web site at www.dec.ny.gov

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 in the state. If purchasing the license from the Town of Livonia, because of the time it takes, you must arrive no later than 3:00 pm.

Please note that all documents must be in English.
If documents are in another language, applicants will need to obtain a certified translation. View information on obtaining a certified translation on the NYS website.

Identification must be current, not expired. All documents must be legible. Documents in pieces or falling apart will be rejected.

Please make sure you have all appropriate documents BEFORE you come to the office to obtain a marriage license. Our office turns away approximately half the people who come for the first time because they do not have the appropriate documents.

For other questions about getting married or marriage records please see our frequently asked questions.

Applicants Need:

• Proof of Age (one of the following required)
  • Birth Certificate (Raised Seal Required)
  • Baptismal Record
  • Naturalization Record
  • Census Record
• Proof of Identity (one of the following required)
  • Driver’s License
  • Passport
  • Employment Picture ID
  • Immigration Record
• $40 Fee (cash, check, credit/debit. Please note additional fees apply to all credit/debit transactions.)

Notary services are available at no charge at the Town Clerk’s Office. You must appear in person and bring proof of identity in order to have a document notarized.