The Town Clerk, elected every three years, has a wide range of duties and responsibilities in local government.
Responsibilities
- Conduct, on an annual basis, a community-wide census. A census form is mailed to every household on the first of January each year. The census numbers are used by the State to partially determine local aid to our community. Failure to respond to this mailing may result in removal from the active voting lists.
- Keeper of the Town seal. The Town Clerk attests by signature and seal to bonds, contracts, bylaws, resolutions, vital records, and any other documents requiring town certification.
- The Town Clerk is the chief election official. As such, the Town Clerk supervises voter registration, oversees polling places, election officers, and the general conduct of all elections. The Clerk directs the preparation of ballots, polling places, voting equipment, and voting lists; administers campaign finance laws; certifies nomination papers and initiative petitions; and serves on the Board of Registrars.
- During Town Meetings, the Town Clerk assists the Moderator, prepares the voting lists, keeps the record of attendance, and counts and records votes on all matters before Town Meeting.
- After Town Meeting, the Town Clerk submits all zoning and general bylaw changes to the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office for approval.
- Posts notices of all open meetings and administers the oath of office to elected officers and appointed committee members.
- Oversees the state-mandated compliance of all employees, board, and committee members with the annual required conflict of interest/state ethics law documentation.
- Records and maintains all birth, death, and marriage records for the Town.
- Records all Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals decisions for the Town.
Licenses, Permits, & Certificates
| Form | Fee |
|---|---|
| Birth Certificate – Certified Copy | $10.00 |
| Birth Certificate – Affidavit & Correction | $25.00 |
| Birth Certificate – Out of the Commonwealth | $25.00 |
| Burial Permit | $25.00 |
| Business Certificate (4 years) | $40.00 |
| Business Certificate – Amendments | $15.00 |
| Business Certificate – Certified Copy | $5.00 |
| Death Certificate – Certified Copy | $10.00 |
| Death Certificate – Affidavit & Correction | $25.00 |
| Dog License – Spayed/Neutered Dog | $20.00 |
| Dog License – Intact Dog (without documentation) | $25.00 |
| Dog License – Replacement Dog Tag | $1.00 |
| Marriage Certificate | $10.00 |
| Marriage Certificate – Affidavit & Correction | $25.00 |
| Marriage Intention | $30.00 |
| Proof of Residence | $5.00 |
| Raffle Permits | $50.00 |
| Resident Book | $20.00 |
| Shell Fish Permit – Resident | $10.00 |
| Shell Fish Permit – Resident Senior (Over 65) | $5.00 |
| Shell Fish Permit – Non-Resident | $25.00 |
| Zoning Board of Appeals Decisions | Free |
Frequently Asked Questions
Massachusetts State Website:
https://www.sec.state.ma.us/WhereDoIVoteMA/WhereDoIVote/en-US
- Precinct 1: Old Town House – One Market Square
- Precincts 2 & 3: Abbot Hall Auditorium – 188 Washington Street
- Precincts 4, 5 & 6: Judy & Gene Jacobi Community Center Gym – 10 Humphrey Street
* You must vote in your own precinct # *
Come to the Town Clerk’s Office to register to vote. If you are unable to apply in person you may register to vote online at the Secretary of State’s website or you can register to vote by mail. You can obtain a mail-in form at the Town Clerk’s Office or you can request one from the Secretary of State’s Office.
If you were born in Marblehead or your parents were residents at the time of your birth, you can obtain a copy of your birth certificate at the Town Clerk’s office. The fee is $10 per certificate.
Dog Licenses are available through the Town Clerk’s office.
You can obtain a death certificate if the death occurred in Marblehead or the decedent was a resident at the time of death. A certified copy of a death certificate may be obtained in person, by mail, or online; the cost is $10.00 per copy. All death certificates are public records.
Marriages are recorded in the city or town where the couple applies for the marriage license. If you applied for a marriage license in Marblehead, you can obtain certified marriage certificates here. The cost for a certified marriage certificate is $10.00.
If the marriage is to take place in Massachusetts, you may apply for your license at any City or Town Clerk’s Office in Massachusetts regardless of where you live. Fees and hours vary from office to office. Information on the Clerk’s offices in other cities and towns can be obtained from the Commonwealth Communities page on the State of Massachusetts website.
If your marriage is going to take place outside of Massachusetts, you must contact the local officials in the jurisdiction where the marriage will take place. Marriage laws vary from state to state.
The State Ethics Commission has information on conflict of interest laws.