MISSION STATEMENT OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
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.

Agendas & Minutes 
  

The City Clerk’s Office handles various records and licenses.  The following is a description of procedures for some of the more common services:

•Vital Records
•Marriage Licenses
•Business Certificates
•Dog Licenses
•Raffles and Bazaar Permits

•All Board of Aldermen documents: Orders, ordinances, resolutions and motions (minutes)
•Vital Statistics: Births, Deaths, Marriages (click on links to download request form)
•Business Certificates
•Original filings of Zoning Board of Appeal and Planning Decisions
•All meeting notices of municipal governmental bodies
•Class I and II Motor Vehicle Licenses
•Common Victualler Licenses
•Dog Licenses
•Gasoline and Fuel Storage
•Hackney Carriage (Taxicab) and Limousine Licenses
•Raffle and Bazaar Permits
•Second Hand Dealer License
•Claim Forms for Reimbursement
•Election and Census records

Records held by the Elections office:

•Voter Registration
•City, State and Federal Elections
•City Census

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 in person:

•Cash, check or money orders payable to the City of Melrose
- Fee is $18.00 per certified copy

To obtain a copy by mail:

•Send your name and date of birth
•Stamped self-addressed envelope
•Check or money orders payable to the City of Melrose
- Fee is $23.00 per certified copy
•Click here to download a request form

Deaths – persons who died in Melrose or who died in Massachusetts and listed Melrose as their place of residence.

To obtain a copy in person:

•Cash, check or money orders payable to the City of Melrose
- Fee is $18.00 per certified copy

To obtain a copy by mail:

•Send the decedent’s name and date of death
•Stamped self-addressed envelope
•Check or money orders payable to the City of Melrose
 - Fee is $23.00 per certified copy
•Click here to download a request form

Marriages – persons who filed their Intention of Marriage in Melrose.

To obtain a copy in person:

•Cash, check or money orders payable to the City of Melrose
- Fee is $18.00 per certified copy

To obtain a copy by mail:

•Send names and date of marriage
•Stamped self-addressed envelope
•Money orders payable to the city of Melrose
 - Fee is $23.00 per certified copy
•Click here to download a request form

Records 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)  740-2606 
 

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. 
 

You may obtain a business certificate form by clicking here or 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 $15.00.
•If the business is discontinued, the applicant should file a discontinuation form; the fee is $15.00.
•If the ownership of the business changes, a new business certificate must be filed, with a fee of $60.00.
 

Dog owners must license any dog 6 months or older.  Licenses are available by clicking here and in person at the City Clerk’s Office; licenses are valid for the calendar year. 
 

•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.