City of Melrose City Clerk Office
Mary Rita O'Shea
City Clerk
(781) 979-4116
Cityclerk@cityofmelrose.orgOffice Main Number
(781) 979-4114
Mission Statement
The City Clerk is the official record keeper for the City of Melrose. Our mission is to maintain and protect these records in the best possible manner and service the public by providing the information in an efficient and timely manner.Office Personnel
Assistant City Clerk
Susan E. Krasco
(781) 979-4113Head Clerk
Ruth Covino
(781) 979-4115Elections Office
Election Clerk
Linda-Lee Angiolillo
(781) 979-4125
Board of Aldermen
The City Clerk’s Office handles various records and licenses. The following is a description of procedures for some of the more common services:
Records held by the City Clerks office: Records held by the Elections office:
- All Board of Aldermen documents: Orders, ordinances, resolutions and motions (minutes)
(publish the agenda for all Board of Aldermen meetings and all Board and related Mayor actions)- Vital Statistics: Births, Deaths, Marriages
- Business Certificates
- Original filings of Zoning Board of Appeal and Planning Decisions
- All notifications of meetings of municipal governmental bodies.
- Common Victualler Licenses
- Dog Licenses
- Raffle permits
- Election and Census records
- Petroleum storage licenses
- Voter Registration
- City, State and Federal Elections
- City Census
To obtain Certified Copies of Vital Records:
Certified copies of vital records may be obtained either in person during regular business hours or by mail. By mail, your order will be processed within two days of receipt.
Births – persons whose parents lived in Melrose at the time of their birth or whose birth occurred in Melrose.
To obtain a copy by mail:
Send your name and date of birth
a stamped self-addressed envelope
Check or money orders payable to the City of Melrose
- Fee is $23.00 per certified copy
Deaths – persons who died in Melrose or who died in Massachusetts and listed Melrose as their place of residence.
To obtain a copy by mail:
send the decedent’s name and date of death
a stamped self-addressed envelope
Check or money orders payable to the City of Melrose
- Fee is $23.00 per certified copy
Marriages – persons who filed their Intention of Marriage in Melrose.
To obtain a copy by mail:
send names and date of marriage
a stamped self-addressed envelope
Money orders payable to the city of Melrose
- Fee is $23.00 per certified copyRecords may also be obtained at:
State Department of Vital Statistics
Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
150 Mt. Vernon Street, lst Floor
Dorchester, MA 02125-3105
Telephone No. (617) 740-2606To Obtain a Marriage License
Both parties to a proposed marriage must appear in the City Clerk’s Office to file a Notice of Intention of Marriage (except for cases where one person is in the military or incarcerated). The intention may be filed no more than 60 days before the marriage is to take place. There is a 3 day statutory waiting period between the time the intention is filed and the license can be issued. The fee for filing intentions is $35.00. A marriage license issued in Melrose may only be used in a city or town in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
State law requires that any partnership or sole proprietorship which is using a trade name, file a business certificate (commonly known as “doing business as” or “DBA” certificate) in the community where their office is located. The certificate contains the name and address of the business and the names and residential addresses of all partners in the business.
To file a business certificate:
You may obtain a business certificate form by calling, writing, or appearing in person at the City Clerk’s Office. Signatures of all partners must be notarized before filing will be accepted. If the business is being conducted from a home, the approval of the Inspector of Buildings must be obtained before filing with the City clerk’s Office.
The business certificate is valid for 4 years from the date of issue and the filing fee is $60.00.
If the business address changes, the applicant should come into the City Clerk’s Office and file a change of address form; the fee is $30.00.
If the business is discontinued, the applicant should file a discontinuation form; the fee is $30.00.
If the ownership of the business changes, a new business certificate must be filed, with a fee of $30.00.
Dog owners must license any dog 6 months or older. Licenses are available from the City Clerk’s Office and are valid for the calendar year.
To obtain a dog license:
A license will be issued only if the owner has evidence of a rabies vaccination that is valid as of the date of issuance.
The fee for a dog license: Male or Female - $20.00
After March 15th, a late fee of $15.00 will be imposed.
