Office of the City Clerk

City Hall
PO Box 160, 33-41 E. Main Street
Johnstown, New York 12095

​(518) 736-4011
The Office of the City Clerk assists the taxpayers and residents of the City of Johnstown by providing a variety of diverse services. These services include: processing birth, death and marriage certificates, vendors/solicitors, games of chance/bingo, and several other municipal licenses; the administration of elections within the City of Johnstown and, where law permits, providing access to city records. 

The City Clerk serves as the Clerk to the Common Council and works with the legislative body in the management of agendas, meetings and other Charter-mandated activities.

The City Clerk is also appointed as the Records Management Officer: The Records Management Officer is the custodian of all permanent city records and provides for storage, retrieval and disposition of all records for the departments of the city. 
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To learn more about the general powers & duties of the City Clerk – view Section 8.0 of our Charter.
The City Clerk's office is responsible for issuing the following
Marriage Licenses - see below
Vital Records (birth, marriage, death) - see below
Landfill Permits - City of Johnstown residents must apply for a permit to use the Fulton County Landfill on Mud Road. Permits: $ 35.00 (valid from January 1st -December 31st)
Dog Licenses - Dogs must be licensed at 4 months.          $7.50 spayed/neutered      $15.50 unspayed / unneutered
 *Proof of current rabies must be provided in order to license your dog.
Disabled Parking Permits - A form must be completed by your physician prior to obtaining a permit.
Winter Parking Permits - There are designated areas in the city where residents can park during the winter months. Permits are issued on a 1st come / 1st serve basis, free of charge.
Snow Plow - Permits are needed if you will be plowing areas other than your own property. Permits are $5.00
Garage Sale - Permits are free of charge and are good for 3 consecutive days. Residents are allowed only two (2) sales per year, with the exception of the city-wide garage sale where a permit is not required.
Racing / Wagering (Bingo) - Please contact the City Clerk to discuss the procedure necessary to obtain a permit.
Sidewalk / Driveway / Curb-cut / Street-opening / Tree - Fees vary depending on permit needed
Vendor / Solicitors Permits - Applications are provided in the links below.
Sign Permits - $50.00 per year
Requests will be acknowledged within five (5) business days, although the production of records may require additional time. NYS Freedom of Information Law
Applicants MUST fill out application and provide all supporting documents AT LEAST 36 HOURS prior to the date of event.
​Please call the office for an appointment. Marriage licenses are issued between 8:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
  • ​$40.00 and must be obtained at least 24 hours before the ceremony and is good for 60 days.
  • Couples must appear in person
  • Driver's Licenses
  • Birth Certificates
  • If previously married, all executed decrees of divorce must be indicated and provided.

*The  marriage license fee is waived for full-time, active duty military, with proper valid Identification.
Copies of  vital records (marriage, birth or death) & Genealogy​
  • INFORMATION WILL NOT BE GIVEN OUT OVER THE PHONE. A WRITTEN REQUEST AND PROOF OF IDENTIFICATION (such as a driver's license) MUST BE PROVIDED. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS.
    If you are researching your family history, need to obtain a certified copy of your birth or marriage record or a certified copy of a death certificate for a family member we may be able to help provide you with that information. An application/written request must be completed, either in person or by mail, and identification is required. Certain restrictions may apply; call for details.
  • Fees: 
    -Genealogy: $11.00 for each name that you are researching.  Genealogy searches can not be     
      certified. 
  • -Certified Vital Records: $10.00 for each certified copy requested.
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  Additional information can be found at the New York State Department of Health.
Eligibility requirements to receive copies of Birth, Marriage or Death Records
HUNTING & FISHING

The City of Johnstown no longer issues hunting and fishing licenses.
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Hunting and fishing licenses can be purchased at establishments such as WalMart, Runnings and Frank's Gun Shop. Additional locations can be found on the NYS DEC website: https://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/95700.html#Fulton