Town Clerk

Town Clerk:	Donna McGrogan
1st Deputy Clerk:	Vacant
2nd Deputy Clerk:	Patricia Coady-Cullen
Location:	Hyde Park Town Hall
Hours:	8:30-4:00 Monday-Friday
Function:	The Office of the Town Clerk is historical in its traditions, having served as a direct link between the residents and their local governments since Biblical times. While the Town Clerk is 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 well beyond those mandates as the Town Clerk serves as a major source of information to all. Additionally, the Town Clerk is appointed as the Registrar of Vital Statistics. In this capacity, the birth and death records which are issued within the Town of Hyde Park are kept by the Town Clerk. The Town Clerk is the custodian of all Town records, responsible for active files, storage and disposition of inactive records and the careful maintenance of archival material, and the Records Access Officer for the town for Freedom Of Information requests. Records of adopted Town Ordinances and Local Laws, Town Oaths of Office, Resignations, Petitions, Proof of Publications, Annual Budgets, Assessment Rolls, Fiscal Reports, Subpoena and Court Actions, Bonds/Notes Registers, and Maps are maintained by the Town Clerk. Responsibilities also include maintaining public signboard, advertising and receiving bids for purchase of Town materials and filing burial permits from cemeteries located within the Town. The Town Clerk is the Clerk of the Town Board and is the author of Minutes Books, the only official record of the Business Meetings of the Town Board. The resulting volumes are retained permanently for legal and historic purposes. The Town Clerk issues State licenses/ permits, including Marriage, Dog, Conservation (hunting and fishing), Games of Chance, Bingo and Handicapped Parking. Also issues Town licenses/permits mandated by Local Law (e.g. hawking and peddling permits, mobile home parks, used car dealers, junk dealers, etc.) In accordance with State regulations, the Town Clerk coordinates and oversees Special Town Elections, permissive or mandatory referendums and Town acquisition of property. The Town Clerk 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 departmental budget preparation, management of petty cash, and assisting with State and internal audits.
Minutes of Town Board Meetings	Photocopies of the minutes of Town Board meetings are available for a fee of $.25 per page.
Marriage License	The license required for marriage in New York State must be obtained at least 24 hours in advance of the wedding and is only issued for 60 days. The bride and groom must both apply in person. All applicants must have either an original birth certificate or a certified copy of a birth certificate AND either a driver's license which shows the date of birth or a passport. If the person or persons applying for a marriage license have been previously married, original divorce papers ending any and all previous marriages must be presented. If any previous marriage was terminated due to the death of a spouse, an original death certificate for that deceased spouse must be presented. The fee for a marriage license is $40.00
Dog License	All dogs over the age of 90 days must be vaccinated for rabies. All dogs must be licenses by 4 months of age. The fee is $12.50 for a dog that has been spayed or neutered and $20.50 for unaltered dogs. For owners who are at least 65 years old, the fee is $2.50 for a dog that has been spayed or neutered and $10.50 for unaltered dogs. Applicants must submit a rabies vaccination certificate and altering certificate along with the appropriate fee.
Conservation Licenses (Fishing and Hunting)	Licenses are issued between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Sportsmen should bring their driver's license and either a previous hunting license or a hunter education certificate when applying. The fee varies depending upon the type of license issued.
Handicap Parking Permits	An application for a Handicapped Parking Permit (PDF) may be downloaded as a PDF file or is available from the Town Clerk. Applications must be completed by the applicant and his or her physician and returned to the Town Clerk's Office. You must be a resident of the Town of Hyde Park to obtain a handicap permit at the Hyde Park Town Clerk's Office. Temporary and permanent permits are issued according to the specifications of attending physician. Applicant must present a NYS Drivers License.
Transcripts of Marriage Licenses and Birth/Death Records	Birth records can be issued to the following persons: The person named if 18 or older. Parents of person named, lawful representative of person or parents, Government agencies for official purposes or others required to have a NYS Court Order. Death records can be issued to a spouse, parent or child of deceased, persons with a documented lawful right or claim, persons with a documented medical need, Government agencies for official purposes, others require a New York State Court Order. Marriage Records can be issued to the Bride or Groom, Lawful representative of the bride or groom, Government agencies for official purposes, others with a documented judicial or other proper purpose. Certified copies of vital records may be applied for in person or through the mail with appropriate proof of eligibility. Certified copies cost $10.00. Uncertified copies are $.25 per sheet. Payment must be made with checks drawn on a local bank or a certified check, money order or bank check.
Genealogy Research	For those who wish a genealogical research, an application for genealogical services (PDF) can be downloaded as a PDF file or is available at the Town Clerk's office. The fee for genealogical research is $22. Original records of births and marriages for the Town of Hyde Park begin with 1882. Deaths begin with 1882. Certified copies cost $10.00. Uncertified copies are $.25 per sheet. Payment must be made with checks drawn on a local bank or a certified check, money order or bank check.
Freedom of Information	Copies of Town documents are subject to the Freedom of Information law and may be requested by the public. Documents may be requested online, via email or by filing a form with the Town Clerk's office.
Voter Registration	Voter registration forms are available at the Town Clerk's Office or may be downloaded as a PDF file in English (PDF) or Spanish (PDF). The registration form must be completed and mailed to the Dutchess County Board of Elections. Dutchess County Board of Elections 47 Cannon St. Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 Phone: 845-486-2473 Fax: 845-486-2483
Absentee Ballot Applications	Application forms for Absentee Ballots (PDF) may be downloaded as PDF files or are available from the Town Clerk's Office and the Dutchess County Board of Elections Office. They must be completed and returned to the Dutchess County Board of Elections. Dutchess County Board of Elections 47 Cannon St. Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 Phone: 845-486-2473 Fax: 845-486-2483 The Board of Elections will then send the ballot to the applicant.