A "DBA" (shorthand for "doing business as") is officially referred to as an "Assumed Business Name" in New York State law. Section 130 of the State's General Business Law sets out the requirements and conditions of DBAs. Banks require a certified copy of your filed DBA before they will allow you to open a bank account for your new business. We're pleased to offer a downloadable form as well as a customer satisfaction survey.

File a "DBA" (Doing Business As)

Also known as "Public Information" requests, these requests are governed by New York State’s “Freedom of Information Law” (§§84-90 of the Public Officers Law).

Albany County now accepts Public Information (FOIL) requests through a web portal.

This portal will help you communicate with your government about what documents you need. Some previous requests and responsive documents are viewable here online. You may even find what you're looking for without having to submit a new request.

Click here to file a request

Please include:

1. As much detail about the record as possible, such as relevant dates, names, descriptions, etc.;
2. Which department of Albany County government holds the records you are seeking;
3. If part or all of the records cannot be emailed, whether you would prefer to have copies made at 25 cents per page, or prefer to inspect the records first and determine which records you desire to have copied;
4. If the volume of electronic records is so large that these cannot be emailed, whether you would prefer copies at 25 cents per page or would want such electronic records written onto a CD-ROM or floppy disk(s) to be created at a cost of approximately $1.00 per CD-ROM or disk; and
5. An email address where you can be reached to discuss your request if necessary.

Please Note: The FOIL process cannot be used for County Clerk records (court records, and deeds and mortgages.) More information about deeds, mortgage and copies of County Clerk records.

New York State requires filing of the Nonresident Real Property Estimated Income Tax Payment Form (IT-2663) when an out-of-state resident sells property in Albany County.

• Nonresident Real Property Income Tax Form (IT-2663) 2014
• 2014 Instructions

From the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.

A less costly and more informal alternative to a Tax Certiorari proceeding, the Small Claims Assessment Review (SCAR) provides property owners an opportunity to challenge the assessment on their real property. 

The Small Claims Assessment Review provides property owners an opportunity to challenge the assessment on their real property as determined by the Board of Assessment Review (in counties outside Nassau and NYC). It is a less costly and more informal alternative to a Tax Certiorari proceeding. As outlined in Section 730 of the Real Property Tax Law, property owners may petition the court for review of their property assessment before a specially trained hearing officer for a nominal fee of $30.

• General Info & Instructions
• Petition

Please Note: You will need to file several copies of the completed petition in addition to the original (see the instructions.) Copies made at our office cost 65¢ per page by State law.

More information about the Small Claims Assessment Review is available on the NYS Unified Court System SCAR website.

The Albany County Clerk's office is the record keeper for all pistol permit documents and gunsmith/dealer licenses in Albany County. Find out more about pistol permits, amendments & gunsmith/dealer licenses

Documents submitted for recording must be accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope ("SASE") for return of the original document. Originals submitted without a SASE will be returned to you if you complete the document retrieval form and deliver it to the County Clerk's office with a check for $1.00 per document requested.

Return of Original Mortgage or Deed Form

This form is used to initiate an action in court.

Index Number Application

• Request for Judicial Intervention forms ("RJI" Forms): Often used with the Index Number Application when initiating a court proceeding. Link goes to the NYS Unified Court System website.
• Divorce Forms: To initiate a divorce action in court. Link goes to the NYS Unified Court System website.