Often considered the doorway to local government, the Town Clerk’s Office serves as the central information point for residents and visitors alike.
The Town Clerk is the keeper of the Town Seal and authorizes its use. The Town Clerk is the chief election official, recording official, registrar of vital records, and public records official. The Town Clerk oversees the polling places and the conduct of all elections and election-related activity, and records all actions of Town Meeting. The Clerk’s Office maintains Town By-laws and copies of adopted regulations and policies of town departments and boards. The Clerk records all Town Officials’ appointments, oaths of office, and resignations. Each person receives and signs an acknowledgement of extracts pertaining to the “Open Meeting Laws”, “Standards of Conduct for Public Officials”, and the “Conflict of Interest Law”. The signed acknowledgement is prima facie evidence that each person is cognizant of those laws and should act accordingly.
The Clerk issues state licenses and permits, including marriage licenses, business licenses & renewals, dog licenses, fuel storage licenses, raffle/bazaar permits and certifies requests for public documents. This office responds to inquiries from the public as well as from other departments, boards and committees. The Town Clerk is designated Burial Agents by the Board of Health. If a death occurs in Berkley, before interment or cremation, a burial permit must be issued.
Voter Information
Mission Statement
It is the mission of this office to be a reliable and accurate provider of information and quality services to the community and its residents. This office strives to work cooperatively and in concert with all departments, boards and committees while complying with state and local statutes. As part of departmental policy, the staff will perform their duties in a courteous, professional manner and treat all equally.
- Certified Copies of Vital Records (Birth, Death, Marriage Certificates): $5.00
- Entering Delayed Record of Birth, Death or Marriage: $5:00
- Entering Correction of Birth, Death, or Marriage: $5.00
- Recording Certificate of Adoption: $10.00
- Recording Certificate of Home Birth: $10.00
- Marriage Intention and Entering Certificate: $20.00
- Burial Permit: $10.00
- Dog Licenses and Fees (All dogs must be licensed annually by January 31st)
- Male & Female Dogs: $20.00
- Neutered or Spayed Dogs: $10.00
- Kennels
- 4 Dogs: $50.00
- 5 to 9 Dogs (Need Board of Health and Animal Control Officer Approval): $75.00
- 10 or more Dogs (Need Board of Health and Animal Control Officer Approval): $100.00
- Late Fees
- After May 1st: $15.00
- Business Certificates
- New: $30.00
- Renewal: $30.00
- Certified Copy: $10.00
- Withdrawal: $10.00
- By-Laws: $15.00
- If certified by Clerk, add: $35.00
- If mailed, add postage: $40.00
- Planning Board
- Rules & Regulations: $10.00
- Site Plan Review: $3.00
- If mailed, additional postage: $5.00
- Voters’ List: $20.00
- If mailed, add postage: $5.00
- Street List: $35.00
- If mailed, add postage: $40.00
- Recording Pole Locations, Etc.: $50.00
- Additional Streets: $15.00
- Filing Copy of Written Instruments or Declarations of Trust By Trustees of Association or Trust: $20.00
- Amendments: $20.00
- Certified Copy of Record: $5.00
- Plus cost of document
- Recording Other Documents: $5.00
- Certification of Residency: $5.00
- Certification of Voter Status: $5.00
- Copies Not Specified on List (Per Side of Page): $0.20
- Research Time Per Hour Does Not Include Copies: $15.00
- (One hour minimum paid in advance)
- Business List: $.50 per page
- If mailed, add postage: $3.00
- Transfer Station/Recycling
- Trash Bags
- Small — 10 16-gallon bags: $10.00
- Large — 10 33-gallon bags: $15.00
- Stickers (Good from July 1 through the following June 30)
- Regular Stickers: $40.00
- Seniors (65+): $30.00
- Additional Vehicles (same household): $10.00
- Any stickers purchased prior to May 1 (early registration) will receive a $5.00 discount
- Trash Bags
The Town Clerks office provides Notary services as a courtesy. Town employees who serve as Notaries do not receive additional compensation.
The following guidelines will be followed in the provision of Notary Service:
- Notary services are available during regular business hours.
- Notary services are limited to: Retirement benefits, student/parent travel permission slips, witness signing an affidavit, True Copy Attest of an original document, certified copies of black and white documents
- We will notarize proof of life documents for both local and foreign pensions
- All notarized documents must be signed in front of the notary and proper identification must be provided
- Believes stocks need to be notarized with a gold medallion seal which is done at a bank with someone who holds these credentials.
- We will not notarize any document pertaining to a land transaction, as we cannot act like a closing attorney for the sale of a property
- We do not notarize real estate documents or closings
- We do not notarize any forms that may go in front of a court of law
- We do not notarize wills, as prepared by an attorney or personally
- Documents in any language other than English will not be notarized
- We have the right to decline when uncomfortable with the content of the documents
Which death certificates can be obtained through the town clerk?
The Town Clerk holds the death certificates of those persons who died in Berkley or those who died in Massachusetts and whose residence at the time of death was Berkley.
What is the cost of obtaining a death certificate?
The cost of obtaining a death certificate is $5.00. There is a research fee of $15.00 per hour (one hour minimum) for older death certificates which require research. Call the Town Clerk’s office to see if this is the case.
Who can obtain a death certificate?
Anyone may obtain a death certificate.
How do I obtain a death certificate?
To order a death certificate by mail, send a request to the Town Clerk (at minimum this should include the full name and date of death), a check made out to the Town of Berkley, and a self addressed stamped envelope.
Which birth certificates can be obtained through the town clerk?
The Town Clerk holds the birth certificates of those persons born in Berkley or those who were born in Massachusetts and whose mother was a resident of Berkley at the time of the birth.
What is the cost of obtaining a birth certificate?
The cost of obtaining a birth certificate is $5.00. There is a research fee of $15.00 per hour (one hour minimum) for older birth certificates which require research. Call the Town Clerk’s office to see if this is the case.
Who can obtain a birth certificate?
- An individual may obtain their own birth certificate.
- Anyone may obtain a birth certificate of a person 18 years of age or older (except in those cases where the certificate is impounded by law).
- Impounded birth certificates may only be picked up by the individual or a parent who is listed on the certificate.
Parent listed on the birth certificate can pick up the birth certificate of a minor child. They must present an ID before receipt of the certificate.
How do I obtain a birth certificate?
To order a birth certificate by mail, send a request to the Town Clerk (with a minimum of full name and date of birth), check made out to the Town of Berkley, and a self addressed stamped envelope.
If the certificate requested is for a minor child or for an impounded record, you must appear in person with identification.
Marriage Intentions
In order to be married in Massachusetts, you need to file your intentions. The intention can be filed with any Town or City Clerk in the state (it does not need to be filed in the town in which you live or the town in which you are going to be married). The only city or town that will have your marriage certificate in the future is the town in which you file your intentions.
To file your intention, both parties need to come to the Town Clerk’s office at the same time and show governmental ID (drivers license, passport, MASS ID, etc.). To assure that the Town Clerk will be available, please call the office at 508-822-3348. The cost of the intention is $20.00, due at the time of filing.
There are a number of forms to fill out. All forms must be completed in black ink pens. Once this is done and the payment is made, you must wait three days before picking up the marriage license.
The license is good for 60 days from the date of filing.
After picking up the license, you will give it to the person performing the marriage who will then return it to the clerk’s office for certification.
Marriage Certificates
Which marriage certificates can be obtained through the town clerk?
The Town Clerk holds the marriage certificates of those couples who filed their intentions in Berkley.
What is the cost of obtaining a marriage certificate?
The cost of obtaining a marriage certificate is $5.00. There is a research fee of $15.00 per hour (one hour minimum) for older marriage certificates which require research. Call the Town Clerk’s office to see if this is the case.
Who can obtain a marriage certificate?
Anyone may obtain a marriage certificate (except in those cases where the certificate is impounded by law).
Impounded marriage certificates may only be picked up by the individuals listed on the certificate.
How do I obtain a marriage certificate?
To order a marriage certificate by mail, send
- a request to the Town Clerk (with a minimum of full names and date of marriage),
- check made out to the Town of Berkley, and
- a self addressed stamped envelope
If the request is for an impounded record, you must appear in person with identification.