Town Clerk

The Town Clerk's Office serves as the focal point of Town Government. General information, direction and assistance is provided to all citizens or  others having business with the Town. The Town Clerk's Office is the municipal archival for the filing, maintenance, disposition and preservation  of most Town records and materials.

Members

Nancy A. McCarthy, CCTC, Town Clerk

Hertha B. Russell, Assistant Town Clerk & Assistant Registrar of Vital Statistics

Rose D. Monaco, Assistant Town Clerk & Assistant Registrar of Vital Statistics

Staff

Contact

Town Clerk

Bethany Town Hall

40 Peck Road

Bethany, CT 06524-3338

203-393-2100 x104

203-393-0821 (fax)

CCTC, Town Clerk, 203-393-2100 x104,

Assistant Town Clerk & Assistant Registrar of Vital Statistics, 203-393-2100 x106,

Assistant Town Clerk & Assistant Registrar of Vital Statistics, 203-393-2100 x105,

Hours

Hours: Monday through Friday - 9:00 AM-4:30 PM, Monday evening - 7:00 PM-8:30 PM

Services

FAQs

e-Papers

What are the requirements for a Dog License? Back

All dogs six (6) months or older must be licensed. In addition to the Dog License Application, you must obtain a form from your Veterinarian that includes the following rabies information:

Date of vaccination, expiration date, brand name and lot number

If dog has been spayed or neutered, this information must also be submitted.

For Guide Dogs, Hearing Dogs, Police Work Dogs, War Dogs, or Service Dogs, provide form for Fee Exemption.

All dogs must be licensed in the locality where you currently live. Licenses are renewed annually in the month of June. Dog License fees vary.

How often do I need to license my dog? Back

All dogs must be licensed by State law. Dog licenses are renewable in the month of June. The fee is based on whether the dog has been spayed or neutered. You will need to show proof of a current rabies vaccination and a spay/neuter certificate for 1st time licensing.

What are the requirements for a Fishing License? Back

You must apply in person. Anyone under 16 can fish with an adult who has a current license.

What are the requirements for a Hunting License? Back

You must apply in person and have the following information:

• Hunting Education Certificate

• Bow hunting Education Certificate (if applicable)

If you cannot find your original education certificate(s), a previous Hunting License purchased within 5 years is acceptable.

Fees vary

What Are The Requirements For A Marriage License? Back

A Marriage License must be obtained at least twenty-four (24) hours before the ceremony. It is then valid for sixty-five (65) days.

Both parties must be present.

What is the recording fee schedule at the Town Clerk's Office? Back

• For warranty deed, quit claim deeds, trustee deeds (any deed that has conveyance tax), the cost is $43.00 for the first page, $5.00 for each additional page and $2.00 for process of state form.

• For mortgage deeds, the cost is $43.00 for the first page and $5.00 for each additional page.

• For release of mortgage, the cost is $43.00 for the first page and $5.00 for each additional page.

• For miscellaneous documents, the cost is $43.00 for the first page and $5.00 for each additional page.

• Certified copy of land records are $1.00 per page and $1.00 to certify for all documents.

• Maps cost $10.00 to file each regular map; $20.00 to file each sub-division map. Copies are $8.00 each.

• Liquor permits are $2.00 each.

• Notary on File is $10.00.
  

• Certify of Notary is $2.00 each.

If I live in Stamford but am getting married in Bethany, where do I apply for my license? Back

You can apply in either Stamford (your town of residence) or Bethany (town of occurrence).

I do not live in Connecticut but am getting married in Bethany, where do I apply for my license? Back

The town of Bethany is the only place you can apply.

I was married before. What name do I use for my new marriage license? Back

Whatever your legal name is at the time of application. If you changed your name to the previous marriage then that is your legal name unless your divorce decree reverses it or you have gotten a court order name change.

Where do I pick up certified copies of my marriage license? Back

Certified copies are used for legal purposes and can be obtained from the town where the ceremony was performed.

How do I obtain a Death Certificate? Back

The Clerk's Office will have death records of any death that occurred in Bethany and copies of records of Bethany residents whose death has occurred within the State of Connecticut. The fee for a certified copy of a death certificate is $5.00.

How do I obtain my Birth Certificate? Back

The Bethany Town Clerk will have birth records of anyone whose parents lived in Bethany at the time of the birth. A birth certificate is available for $5.00. The long certificate is required for passports, immigration and other legal purposes and includes the parents names and their place of birth.

Can I get my birth certificate here if I was born in another State but lived here for 20 years? Back

No. Births do not cross State Lines. Nor do any other Vital Records.

How to obtain a Trade Name Certificate (d/b/a)? Back

Whenever you are conducting business under a name other than your own or the corporation's, you must obtain a "doing business as" (dba) certificate from the Town Clerk in the Town where the business is located. The d/b/a/ certificate is maintained in a public file and allows consumers to identify and locate the proprietor.

In Bethany, the filing fee for a d/b/a/ certificate is $5.00. The certificate may be filed in person or by mail.

For further information, call the Town Clerk's Office.

How do I file a Uniform Commercial Code (UCC)? Back

When someone offers property as collateral for a debt, the creditor may have the arrangement committed to writing and filed as a lien. The filing must be on a UCC form and should include the names of the debtor and creditor, the amount of the lien and the location and description of the property.

The place where the lien should be filed depends on the type of property offered as collateral. In deciding where to file, remember that the purpose of the lien is to put future creditors on notice of your claim to the property. So, file the lien where future creditors are most likely to look.

If the property offered as collateral is real estate, the lien should be filed in the county registry of deeds. Liens on Bethany real estate should be filed with the Bethany Town Clerk.

If personal property such as a car, jewelry or musical instrument is offered as collateral, the lien should be filed with the Secretary of State.

For additional information, call the Bethany Town Clerk's Office.

How do I know what holidays Town Hall will be closed on? Back

Town Hall is closed on the following holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President's Day, Patriot's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving & the Friday after, and Christmas and the day after.

When are the minutes of the Town meetings available? Back

Motions of minutes are filed within 24 hours. The approved minutes from meetings such as the Planning and Zoning Board and Inland Wetlands are posted only after they are accepted. Prior to their acceptance they are not official minutes. This happens at the meeting following the meeting for which the minutes were taken. If a meeting is cancelled this process is delayed. Minutes are filed within one week of their acceptance.

How do I obtain a Liquor License? Back

Applications for liquor licenses can be obtained from the Secretary of State's Office, 1-800-509-6000.

Is there any public transportation in Bethany? Back

There is no public transportation in the Municipality.

Where is Bethany? Back

Bethany is located in New Haven County. Its land area is 21 square miles. Woodbridge is to the south, and Naugatuck to the north, and it is approximately 10 miles from New Haven.

I don’t want any information from my census form to be distributed to anyone without my prior consent. I actually want it on file with the Town Clerk only. Why can’t I do that?? Back

The Law states that the information is a public record unless you are a Public Safety Official.

My organization is planning a raffle. Do we need a permit? Back

State-required applications are available through the Selectman's office.

Are Town buildings available for use? Back

The Bethany Town Hall and Lakeview Lodge are available for use. Reservations and fees are available trough the Selectman's Office. Insurance is required.

What do I do about Pot holes, fallen trees or dead animals on my road? Back

Contact the Highway Department at:

Public Works

Bethany Town Hall

40 Peck Road

Bethany, CT 06524-3338

393-2100 x126 or 393-1555

or the Selectman's Office at:

Board of Selectmen

Bethany Town Hall

40 Peck Road

Bethany, CT 06524

203-393-2100 x100

First Selectman, 203-393-2100 x101,

Selectmen Assistant, 203-393-2100 x100,

Bookkeeper, 203-393-2100 x109,

Do I need a pistol permit? Back

Yes! Call our resident trooper's office for initial application. Once approved, the Selectman's Office will provide a local permit for carrying a pistol in town. You must apply for a state permit if you are carrying your pistol over the town line.

How do I find out about Meeting dates and hours? Back

All must be posted with our town clerk. Contact the town clerk directly at:

Town Clerk

Bethany Town Hall

40 Peck Road

Bethany, CT 06524-3338

203-393-2100 x104

203-393-0821 (fax)

CCTC, Town Clerk, 203-393-2100 x104,

Assistant Town Clerk & Assistant Registrar of Vital Statistics, 203-393-2100 x106,

Assistant Town Clerk & Assistant Registrar of Vital Statistics, 203-393-2100 x105,

or check the Community Calendar area of this web site for detailed information.

Where is the Post Office in Bethany?? Back

The Post Office is located at 183 Amity Road in Fenwick's Florist.

Where is the Town Hall located and how do I get there? Back

40 Peck Road. Heading north on Amity Road, turn left at the firehouse onto Peck Road.

Do you have a Notary and is there a charge? Back

Yes, there are Notaries in the Town Clerk's office and several in other departments. There is no charge to have documents notarized.

Do you know where we can find a Justice of the Peace for marriage? Back

There is a list of Justices of Peace in the Town Clerk's Office, and on this website.

Who is the local paper, and what is their number? Back

• Bethwood News 795-0666

• Amity Observer 1-800-843-6791

• Bethany-Orange-Woodbridge Bulletin 876-6800

Do I need a permit for a tag sale? Back

A permit is not needed for a tag sale.

How many tag sales can I hold per year? Back

Two tag sales are permitted in a calendar year and cannot exceed three days in duration each.

Where can I get a passport in town? Back

You can get a passport application in the Town Clerk's Office. Passports are processed with the clerk of the Probate Court.

How can I get working papers? Back

Working papers for students may be obtained at the public high school serving your area of town whether or not you attended that school and at the Superintendent's Office at the Bethany Community School.

How can I get a voter I.D. card? Back

Voter registration cards are issued by the Town Clerk upon verification of enrollment by the Registrars of Voters office.

Is the Clerk of the Court, Probate Court Clerk and the Town Clerk one and the same? Back

No. The Probate Court Clerk handles legal domestic matters such as decedent estates, guardianships, conservatorship and adoptions.  The Town Clerk is responsible for maintaining land records, vital statistics, and all other official records relating to the town and its citizens. It also issues a variety of licenses, certificates and permits.

Can I post signs on utility poles? Back

Signs that are tacked to utility poles are very dangerous. Many people don't realize that putting signs on poles endangers line workers who have to climb those poles to make repairs. Staples, nails and tacks used to hang signs on the poles -- as well as the signs themselves -- can cause very serious damage. Line workers risk injury to themselves and damage to their equipment and protective clothing. If you're planning a tag sale or some other activity in your neighborhood, please do not post or hang signs to advertise it on utility poles.

Many people don't realize that posting signs on utility poles is illegal in Connecticut (Section 23-65a. of the General Statutes) and carries a $50 fine.

How are fees and charges set in the Town Clerk's Office? Back

Almost all fees are set by state statute.

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