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City Chamberlain

Show All Answers

1. How do I make an appointment?

• To schedule an appointment, please visit our Appointment Scheduling Tool

2. How do I obtain a copy of my Birth Certificate?

• We only have birth records for persons born at Vassar Brother’s Hospital
• Please fill out the Birth Certificate Application (PDF) 
• The fee is $10 per copy.

3. Who can obtain copies of a Birth Certificate?

• The person named on the birth certificate.
• A parent of the person named on the birth certificate. The requesting parent's name must be on the birth certificate.
• A spouse, child or others, but only by order of a New York State court.

4. How do I correct a Birth Certificate?

• Please contact the Registrar, 845-451-4202.
• For more information on amendments and corrections of birth certificates, please visit: Public Instructions for Birth Record Corrections/Amendments (ny.gov)

5. How do I obtain a Divorce Decree?

• We do not process or have records of divorce. 
• Divorce decrees are available in the county where the divorce was finalized. 
• For divorce decrees in Dutchess County, please visit Dutchess County Vital Records for more information. 

6. How do I apply for dual citizenship?

• For more information, please visit: New York State Vital Records - Dual Citizenship and Vital Records

7. How do I get a copy of a Death Certificate?

• We only have the death certificates for decedents who have passed away IN the City of Poughkeepsie. This includes Vassar Brothers Hospital, all City of Poughkeepsie nursing homes and private residences.
• Please fill out the Death Certificate Form

• The fee for a certified copy of a Death Certificate is $10/per copy.  

8. Who can obtain copies of a Death Certificate?

• We only have the death certificates for decedents who have passed away in the City of Poughkeepsie. This includes Vassar Brothers Hospital, all City of Poughkeepsie nursing homes and private residences.
• Only surviving parents, siblings or children may obtain copies of Death Certificates. 
• Other people who have a:
  • documented lawful right or claim
  • a documented medical need
  • New York State Court Order

• If you are not the spouse, parent, child or sibling of the deceased you must document a lawful right or claim. For example, you may need a death certificate to claim a benefit. You would need an official letter from the agency saying you need the death record to process the claim.

9. How do I make a correction or amendment to a Death Certificate?

There are many reasons to request a correction or amendment to a death certificate from a simple typographical error to changing confidential medical information. Completing a DOH-299 application and supplying the correct supporting documents are critical steps to ensure that the correction or amendment is done in a timely manner. For more information, please visit New York State Vital Records. 

10. How do I apply for a Dog License?

To apply for a dog license, city residents must submit:

• Driver’s License
• Current rabies certificate
  • The rabies certificate must be the same name as the person who is licensing the dog. 
• Proof that the dog was spayed or neutered (if applicable).  
• a completed Dog License Application (PDF)

 

11. How do I apply for an event?

• Applications received less than 30 days before the event may not be accepted. 
• Community event dates will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. No dates will be held until a completed application is returned to the City Chamberlain, together with any applicable fees. The application fee must be paid at the time that this application is submitted or it will be returned. This application and fee should be returned to the address listed (in person or by mail) with an attached check or money order made payable to “Commissioner of Finance, City of Poughkeepsie” in the amount of $35.00, which is the application fee. This fee is non-refundable and should not be considered a Permit for the Event*.
• Download and complete the Special Events Applications and Guidelines
• You may email the completed application to the Chamberlain's Office CityChamberlain_Clerks@CityOfPoughkeepsie.com or drop it off at the window, Monday-Friday, 8:30-4:30pm. 

*All related event fees must be paid prior to obtaining any event or vendor permits. For more information on Events, please call 845-451-4200.

12. How long will it take for my event to be approved or denied?

Applications will be reviewed carefully by the City. This process takes about 2 weeks. A planning meeting may be required, therefore, all event applications must be fully completed, signed and submitted to the City Chamberlain's Office (62 Civic Center Plaza - 1st Floor - Poughkeepsie, NY 12601) at least thirty (30) days prior to the first day of the event as set forth in Chapter 7 3/ 4, Article VI, Section 7 3/ 4--10(C) of the Poughkeepsie City Code  or will be subject to rejection.

13. How do I apply for a Garage Sale Permit or Yard Sale Permit?

• Please complete the Garage Sale Application (PDF)
• Only the owner of the property may obtain a garage or yard sale permit. If you are not the owner, a letter is required from the owner of said property giving permission to hold the sale
• No garage or yard sales on holiday’s.
• You are only allowed to have 2 sales per calendar year and they cannot be on consecutive weekends. 
• The fee for a garage or yard sale permit is $7.

14. How do I obtain Genealogy Records?

• Please complete and submit a Genealogy Search Request Form (PDF)
• Our genealogy record searches go back to 1881 for any death, marriages or births that pertain to the City of Poughkeepsie ONLY.  Records from 1881 to 1923 are open record.  Records from 1923 to present date – proof of relationship is required.
• The fee is $22.00 for each search and it is NON-REFUNDABLE.  
• No information shall be released from a record unless the person to whom the record relates is known to the applicant to be deceased. 
• No information shall be released unless the record has been on file for a minimum required period: birth records must have been on file for at least 75 years, death records for 50 years, marriage records for 50 years (both parties to the marriage must be deceased). 
• The time periods above are waived if the applicant is a descendant and provides documentation of direct line descent. A party acting on behalf of a descendant shall further provide documentation that the descendant authorized the party to make such application.

15. How long does it take to process a genealogy request?

• Processing time from an application submitted for search will take approximately 8 weeks for both walk-in and mail requests. 

• Genealogy Search Request Form (PDF)

16. How do I obtain a Handicap Parking Permit?

You and your healthcare provider can complete the Application for a Parking Permit or License Plates for Persons with Severe Disabilities (MV-664.1) on the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles site.

17. What is the difference between a Marriage Certificate and a Marriage License?

 A Marriage Certificate is a certified copy of an already existing marriage and only for individuals who have already had a completed wedding ceremony. The fee is $10/per copy. 

• Marriage Certificate Application (PDF)

A Marriage License is for individuals who are not currently married. The license is valid for 60 days and has a 24 hour holding period. 

• To make an appointment for your Marriage License, please visit our Appointment Scheduling Tool and select City Chamberlain, then “Marriage License”.

18. How do I obtain a Marriage License?

Marriage Licenses are processed by appointment only. To make an appointment for your Marriage License, please visit our Appointment Scheduling Tool and select City Chamberlain, then “Marriage License”.

• Marriage License fee is $40. 
• Please be aware there is a 24 hour “holding” period after you obtain your Marriage License before you can be legally married. You may not be able to be legally married until the 24 hour waiting period concludes. 
• Download the Marriage License Worksheet (PDF)

19. What do I need to bring with me to my Marriage License appointment?

If you are over 18 and this is a first marriage, please bring a valid form of ID and your completed marriage worksheet, found here: Marriage License Worksheet (PDF)

• Both parties must be present at the time of the appointment
• Forms of ID accepted:
  • New York State ID
  • Driver’s License 
  • Military ID
  • Passports

If this is a subsequent marriage (not a first), please bring certified copies of all divorce decrees and/or death certificates. Copies of decrees and/or death certificates MUST be certified in order to successfully process your Marriage License. 

*All marriage applicants must complete the Marriage License Worksheet (PDF) prior to your appointment

20. How do I schedule a Wedding Ceremony at City Hall?

• The City Chamberlain is the marriage officer for the City of Poughkeepsie. Wedding ceremonies take place at City Hall. 
• To schedule your wedding ceremony, please call the City Chamberlain at 845-451-4225.

21. How do I apply for a Municipal ID card?

Municipal IDs are processed Monday and Friday between 9am – 3:30pm only. City residents aged 14 and older are eligible to apply for the Municipal ID. Applicants must submit a completed application form and a $10 fee. 

For additional information, please visit the Municipal Identification Program page.

22. How do I obtain a Passport?

We do not issue Passports at the Chamberlain’s Office, however we can provide documentation to help you in your application process:

• Birth Certificate Application (PDF) - for persons born at Vassar Brother’s Hospital only

For additional information about passport applications, please visit the United States Post Office or Dutchess County Clerk’s office

23. How do I obtain a Paternity Acknowledgement or Acknowledgement of Parentage?

Please visit the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance for additional information about Acknowledgement of Parentage (LDSS-5171)

24. What forms of payment do you accept?

At the Chamberlain’s office, we currently accept

• American Express
• Discover
• MasterCard
• Visa
• money order
• cash

Personal checks are acceptable only for Dog Licenses. We do not accept personal checks as forms of payment for any other services.