Town Clerk

We issue marriage licenses, death certificates, hunting and dog licenses, and trash tickets. The office also handles water and sewer bills, accepts payments, and manages the collection of property taxes.

As the Receiver of Taxes and Records Access Officer, the Clerk’s Office takes care of tax billing and FOIL requests, making sure records are accessible and up to date.

We also keep official records of Town Board meetings, including minutes, resolutions, and local laws.

Dog Licensing Information

New York State law requires every dog 4 months of age and older to be licensed. The Town Clerk’s Office issues dog licenses under the authority of the NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets. To license your dog, please bring the required veterinary documents listed below. Licenses renew annually.

Who Must License a Dog?

All dogs 4 months and older that reside in the Town must be licensed.

Puppies under 4 months must be licensed once they reach 4 months or upon rabies vaccination, whichever comes first.

Service dogs are licensed like other dogs (state rules on fees may apply, ask the Clerk).

What Veterinary Documents Do I Need to Register My Dog?

Please provide the following:

Proof of current rabies vaccination that includes the vaccine manufacturer and serial (lot) number.

Spay/Neuter certificate (only if your dog has been spayed or neutered).

Copies are acceptable; originals may be shown for verification.

How to Get a New License

Gather the required documents:
1. proof of rabies shot
2. proof of spay/neuter, if applicable
Visit the Town Clerk’s Office to apply
Pay the fee (see schedule below)
You’ll receive your dog tag and license

Fees

Spayed/Neutered: $12.00
Not Spayed/Neutered: $22.00

Fees may be paid by cash, check, or credit card at the Town Office Building.

Renewals & Moving

License need to be renewed yearly. Renewal notices are mailed.

If you move out of the Town or your mailing info changes, please contact the Town Clerk so we can update your dog’s record.

Disabled Parking Information

The Town Clerk's Office issues disabled parking permits under the authority of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.

In order to obtain a disabled parking permit, the applicant must provide the following:

A completed application form filled out by the applicant's healthcare provider, which is either a:
- Medical Doctor (MD),
- Doctor of Osteopathy (DO),
- Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (PDM), or
- Nurse Practitioner (NP)
* The application must have the healthcare provider's original signature.
A valid Driver's License or non-driver ID card (if applicable).

Applicants may authorize a third party to present this information and obtain a permit on his/her behalf.

For additional information, please visit the New York State DMV.

Marriage Licensing Information

A New York State marriage license can be obtained from the Town Clerk's Office. Marriage licenses are not valid during the 24-hour waiting period after issuance, but they are good for 60 days after that.

Both parties must apply in person and provide the following:

Proof of Age: a government issued birth certificate with a raised or multi-colored seal or naturalization papers.
Proof of Identity: a Driver's License, Passport, employment picture ID, or immigration record.

Marriage License Form

Marriage License Fee Schedule

General Public: $40.00

Active Duty Military: $17.50

If this is not the first marriage for either party

The applicant(s) must present certified documents of the dissolution of any previous marriage(s), such as a divorce decree or death certificate.

Need certified copies of your marriage certificate?

Certified copies can be obtained from the Town Clerk's office, only if the original marriage license was issued from the Town of LeRay. An application form must be submitted along with photo identification. There is a $10 fee for this service, payable by cash, check, or card.

For more information on marriage licensing, please visit the New York State Department of Health.

Hunting & Fishing Licensing Information

The Town Clerk's Office issues hunting, fishing and trapping licenses under the authority of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC).

Fees vary and are payable by cash or check. Proof of New York State residency must be presented to receive licenses at state resident prices.

Hunting License

Valid from October 1st through September 30th.

New licenses for the following year are typically available for purchase in mid-August.

Fishing License

Valid for 1 year from the date of purchase.

For additional information, please visit New York State DEC.

Transfer Site Tickets & Waste Disposal

The Town of LeRay Transfer and Recycling Center is available to all Town residents for the disposal of non-hazardous household waste and recyclable materials.

All household waste must be paid for using Transfer Site tickets, which are sold exclusively through the Town Clerk’s Office. Tickets cannot be purchased at the Transfer Site.

Ticket Options

$10.00 Ticket
$20.00 Ticket
$30.00 Ticket

Tickets can be used for multiple visits until the full value is used. Each time you dispose of waste, the Transfer Site Operator will mark the amount used and return the ticket to you for future use.

Household Waste Disposal Rates

🗑️ $2.00 per 30-gallon bag

🗑️ $4.00 per 55-gallon bag

🛋️ $6.00 per recliner or oversized chair

🛋️ $10.00 per couch

The Transfer Site also accepts waste by the barrel or pickup-truck load using these tickets.

Larger quantities of waste or commercial haulers should instead make arrangements with the Jefferson County Transfer Site and Recycling Center located on NYS Route 12 north of Watertown.

For details about accepted materials, recycling, and operating hours, please visit the Transfer Site page →.

Obtaining Records: Freedom of Information Law (FOIL)

The Freedom of Information Law (Public Officers Law, Article 6) (FOIL) grants members of the public access to the records of government in accordance with its provisions.

What is a "Record?"

Records means any information kept, held, filed, produced or reproduced by, with, or for the department, in any physical form whatsoever including, but not limited to, reports, statements, examinations, memoranda, opinions, folders, files, books, manuals, pamphlets, forms, papers, designs, drawings, maps, photos, letters, microfilms, computer tapes or disks, rules, regulations or codes.

Procedure for Requesting Records

Written requests are required, and shall be sent to the Records Access Officers:

Melissa Verne, Town Clerk
townclerk@townofleray.org
Mary Hebert, Deputy Town Clerk
deputyclerk@townofleray.org

A request shall reasonably describe the record or records sought. Whenever possible, a person requesting records should supply information regarding dates, file designations or other information that may help to describe the records sought.

Exempt Records

State Law exempts certain records from disclosure. The Records Access Officer may deny your request, in whole, or in part, if it falls under these exemptions.

For more information on exemptions, please refer to subdivision two of section eighty-seven of Article 6 of the Public Officers Law.

For more information about FOIL and the Personal Privacy Protection Law (Public Officers Law, Article 6-A), please visit the New York State Committee on Open Government’s website.

Property Tax Collection Information

🚨IMPORTANT TAX NOTICE 🚨

Effective January 2026, the Town of LeRay will ONLY collect:

Full Payments

1st Installments

2nd and 3rd INSTALLMENTS will no longer be accepted at the Town Office.

You can mail or bring these installment payments in person to:

JEFFERSON COUNTY TREASURER’S OFFICE

175 Arsenal Street,

Watertown, NY 13601

(315) 785-3074

As a resident, you can pay your Town and County taxes to the Town Clerk, who is the Receiver of Taxes. Tax bills are mailed out at the end of December, and property owners have the entire month of January to pay without penalty. Late payments are subject to penalties, so make sure to pay on time!

All Tax Bills are available to view or print online (click here). To find your parcel(s), just click on the Public Access option and input your town and last name.

Payment-in-Full Process

You may pay your Full Town and County tax payment or 1st Installment to the Town Clerk, who is the Receiver of Taxes. Tax bills are mailed at the end of December, and payments made in January are penalty-free.

Tax payments can be left in our drop-box in the front foyer during and after business hours.

If you prefer to mail in your payment, you may sent a check or money order to:

Town of LeRay

Attn: Melissa Verne, Tax Receiver

8650 LeRay Street

Evans Mills, NY 13637

The envelope must be postmarked by the United States Postal Service on or before the due date, or you'll incur a payment penalty. USPS postmark applies.

PLEASE DO NOT SENT CASH IN THE MAIL!

Did you miss the due date?

If you miss the due date, penalties will accrue each month as follows:

February 1 - March 3 - 1% penalty

March 4 - March 12 - 2% penalty

Tax payments will not be accepted after March 12th. After March 12, unpaid taxes are turned over to the Jefferson County Treasurer, located at 175 Arsenal Street, Watertown, NY 13601.

Unpaid Tax Bills

Unpaid tax bills will be sent to:

Jefferson County Treasurer

175 Arsenal Street

Watertown, NY 13601

Installment Payment Process

IMPORTANT CHANGE: As of January 2026, the Town of LeRay will only collect the 1st Installment of property taxes. All remaining installments must be paid directly to Jefferson County.

To take advantage of this option, you must make your payments to the Town Clerk by the following dates, using the same methods as listed under 'Payment-in-Full Process':

1st Installment — Paid to the Town

Due: January 31

2nd Installment — Paid to the County

Due: March 31

1st Installment — Paid to the County

Due: May 30

IMPORTANT! You must pay the first installment by January 31. Payments must be postmarked on or before January 31 to qualify for this option.

If you have any questions about your tax bill, contact the Town Clerk.

If you need more information about tax rolls, tax rates, or tax exemptions that you may be eligible for to reduce your taxes, please contact the Town Assessor.

TOWN of LERAY

Jefferson County, New York

TOWN CLERK

Department

Contact Us

CONTACT INFO

RESOURCES

APPLICATIONS