Town Clerk



Office hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Marriage Licenses: 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 

Licenses and Permits

The clerk’s office issues the following New York State licenses and permits:

  • Dog licenses
    Click here for information about licensing your dog and to download an application.

All dogs must be licensed in the municipality in which they live. Even if you have an “Ithaca” mailing address, you might not reside in “Ithaca”.  Here is a link to a Tompkins County tool for finding which municipality you live in.  Feel free to call with any questions.  


  • Handicap parking permits

    Parking permits are prescribed by your physician.  There is a NYS form (here) or your physician can simply write a prescription. We will need to see your driver’s license.  If someone is getting the permit on your behalf, please send them with a copy of your driver’s license or the actual license.

Permits are issued from the municipality in which you live, not DMV!  Even if you have an “Ithaca” mailing address, you might not reside in “Ithaca”.  Here is a link to a Tompkins County tool for finding which municipality you live in.  Feel free to call with any questions.


  • Marriage licenses

Couples wishing to get married must apply for a license at least 24 hours in advance of the ceremony and it is valid for 60 days.  Both parties of the marriage must come in person to the office.  Both parties MUST have specific forms of identity and age as prescribed by New York State (Here's a link to getting married in NYS)

Most common forms of identity/age are your passport OR driver’s license AND your birth certificate. A passport and a driver’s license do not take the place of your birth certificate.  Birth certificates must be original or a certified copy.  If you do not have a birth certificate, please call our office and we can explain some options.

You will also need to provide proof of the dissolution of any previous marriages such as a divorce decree or death certificate.

Click here for a list of marriage officiants in Tompkins County.
  • Domestic partnership registration
     Couples may apply in person at the town clerk’s office for a Certificate of Domestic Partnership.  See the instruction for details.
  • Noise permits
    Noise permits are required for events where amplified sound will be used. Please call the clerk’s office if you are unsure whether you’ll need a permit for your event. Click here for an application.

Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) Requests

The Town Clerk is the Records Management Officer for the Town of Ithaca.

Town Board minutes are now available online through our public portal called TSSERR. There are step-by-step instructions for viewing these documents through the TSSERR portal.  

Other documents are available upon request.  You can request documents via email ,by phone or in person.  We may not always be able to fulfill your request on the spot. We have developed a form your convenience.  Although this form is not required, it does help you to define your request and helps us fulfill it.

The Town Clerk has up to five days to respond to a request for records.  Call the office at 607-273-1721, option 2, for more information.  

Here is a link to the NYS Committee on Open Government -Freedom of Information Law. 

The Ithaca Town Board has adopted the MU-1 Records Retention and Disposition Schedule prepared and issued by the New York State Archives.

West Hill Community Garden

The Garden is located on Route 89 at Conifer Village/Linderman Creek Apartments.

Here is the application for a plot.

Town Hall Room Reservations

Town Hall facilities may be used on an occasional basis by non-profit groups and organizations.  Click here for an application and instructions.

Payments of Town and County Tax Bills and Bolton Point Water Bills

The Town Clerk’s office accepts payments of these bills in person, Monday through Friday 8am -4pm.  There is also a drop box located at the Buffalo Street entrance for payments after office hours. 

  • You can also make payments online.  
  • This online payment system does shut down approximately 48 hours prior to the due date.  
  • Checks postmarked or in the drop box by the due date are considered on time.  
  • School taxes are paid at any branch of Tompkins Trust Company; we cannot accept them.  
  • Town and County tax bills are collected here through March then they are paid to and collected at Tompkins County Finance.

TAX RECEIPTS

Town and County tax receipts or bills are available here. 

Ithaca City School District tax receipts or bills are available here.


Board/Committee Application