The Fairhaven Town Clerk serves the residents of Fairhaven through its function as the official record keeper for Town Meetings and Vital Records and the Administration of Elections and voter-related activities.
The Town Clerk is elected for a three year term and receives a salary.
The Town Clerk maintains records of amendments to the Town By-Law, and Zoning By-Law and references to accepted State Statutes. This office accepts the required postings for all public meetings and maintains the public meetings calendar.
The Town Clerk conducts the Annual Census and maintains the voter lists. The department conducts all Federal, State and Local elections.
The Town Clerk’s office welcomes inquiries from all citizens seeking assistance/information in relation to services provided by the Town of Fairhaven. The staff will assist in redirecting your questions to the appropriate department.
Town Census
The information provided by the Town Census is not only statistically important, but is the basis for updating the annual Voter List. The information obtained from the census is used to prepare the street list, jurors’ list, school list and provides proof of residence for veterans’ benefits, senior citizens programs and other benefits. Filling out this form does not register you to vote. Distribution of the Census and compilation of the information provided therein is required by Massachusetts State Law. Census information about children under 17 is not made available to the public.
Census forms are mailed to each household in Fairhaven around January 1st each year. Please check your mail in January to be sure that you receive your form. Call the Town Clerk’s Office at (508) 979-4023 ext: 3, if you have any questions about the Town Census.
As of April 1, 2025:
- Total Residents: 15,074
- Total Registered Voters: 13,516
Fee Schedule
| Regular Copies | $0.05 page |
| Geneology Search | $10.00 |
| Voters’ List | $50.00 |
| Voters’ Check-in List | $75.00 |
| Residents on Disk (17 & over) | $35.00 |
| Voter’s Certificate | $5.00 |
| Voter Card | $10.00 |
| Certified Copies | $10.00 |
| Marriage Intentions | $20.00 |
| Business Certificate (4 years) | $30.00 |
| Name/Address Change | $10.00 |
| Certificate of Residence | $5.00 |
| Memo (Birth – Marriage – Death) | $2.00 |
| General By-Laws | $0.05 page |
| Printed Business List | $5.00 |
| Street List | $15.00 |
| Dog License (Spayed or Neutered) | $10.00 |
| Dog License (Male or Female) | $15.00 |
| Dog List on Disk | $35.00 |
| Raffle Permit | $10.00 |
| Code Book | $100.00 |
For Dog Owners: Annual Dog Licensing
State Law requires that all dogs in the Commonwealth over six months of age be licensed annually. The licensing period is January 1st to December 31st each year. All dogs over six months old must be licensed by March 1, 2025 in order to avoid paying the late fee. (General Laws, Chapter 40 – 2ection 22F)
How Do I License My Dog?
There are three ways to license your dog:
By Mail:
- Complete the renewal/application form below.
- Include a check or money order, payable to the Town of Fairhaven
- Include your dog’s rabies vaccination certificate*. (We will return your certificate along with your license and tag.)
- Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. (Your tag and license WILL NOT be mailed to you unless you include an envelope)
- Mail to: Town Clerk’s Office, 40 Center Street, Fairhaven, MA 02719
In Person:
Visit us on the first floor of the Town Hall. Bring a current rabies certificate* and your payment by cash, check or credit card.(Please note that there are fees of $2.50-$3.95 added when a credit card is used.) Also, if your dog is neutered or spayed, you will need to bring in that certificate as well. The office hours are 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday.
Online:
You may also license your dog online. A current rabies certificate is required, and you MUST upload a scan of your dog’s certificate. Click the link below to register your dog online.
*Certificates: Call your Vet for a printout or scan of your dog(s) rabies certificate and spayed/neutered certificate. A rabies clinic is usually held on a Sunday in late March. The date will be announced as soon as it is set by the Board of Health.
Click here to view or print the 2025 Dog License Request Form
When should we apply?
The marriage license is valid for 60 days from the day you apply. Apply for your license no sooner than 60 days before your planned wedding date.
Do I have to apply where I live?
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 offices in other cities and towns can be obtained from the the Commonwealth Communities page 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.
Do I need an appointment to apply for a marriage license?
Yes, but appointments can generally be made with little notice. The couple must appear at the Town Clerk’s Office together, in person, to file a “Notice of Intention to Marry.” Please plan on 15-30 minutes to fill out your paperwork. Please call (508) 979-4023 ext 3 for an appointment.
What do we need to bring with us?
You will both need a picture ID and one of the following:
- passport
- certified copy of a record of birth
- certified copy of a baptismal record
- life insurance policy
- employment record
- school record
- immigration record
- naturalization record
- court record
You will also need to know your social security number, the spelling of your parents’ names (including maiden names, if applicable), the city where you were born, your wedding officiant’s name and address, and the details of when/where you are to be married. If you do not have an officiant, we can provide the names of local Justices of the Peace that you can contact.
Is there a waiting period from the date of application to the date the license is issued?
Yes, there is a three-day waiting period. Your license will be available 3 days after the day that you apply. Please note that licenses are not issued on Saturday or Sunday.
Is a waiver of the three-day waiting period available?
If there is a reason to dispense with the three day waiting period, a couple may apply to the judge of a Massachusetts Probate or District Court to have the license issued without delay. Applicants can proceed to the courthouse after filing the “Notice of Intention to Marry” with the Town Clerk.
Is a blood test required before a license can be issued?
No. On October 29, 2004, the Governor signed a law eliminating the premarital medical certificate requirement in Massachusetts. This law went into effect on January 28, 2005.
What is the fee for obtaining a marriage license in Fairhaven?
The fee is $20.00.
Can a friend be authorized to perform my marriage ceremony?
The Governor’s Office may issue a certificate authorizing a citizen to solemnize a specified marriage on a specified day. Click here to visit the State’s website for information and an application.
Is Massachusetts residency required to obtain a marriage license in Massachusetts?
No. Residence is not a requirement for marriage in Massachusetts. According to M.G.L. Chapter 207, Section 11, however, “No marriage shall be contracted in this commonwealth by a party residing and intending to continue to reside in another jurisdiction if such marriage would be void if contracted in such other jurisdiction, and every marriage contracted in this commonwealth in violation hereof shall be null and void.”
Are same-sex couples who reside outside of Massachusetts allowed to be married in Massachusetts?
Yes.
What if one or both of us has been divorced?
You are not required to present a divorce certificate when filing intentions to marry. However, it is extremely important that an individual who has been divorced be certain that his/her divorce is absolute. In Massachusetts, a divorce does not become absolute until 90 days after the divorce nisi has been granted, regardless of the grounds for divorce.
Are witnesses required to be present at the ceremony?
Massachusetts statutes does not require that witnesses be present at your ceremony. The officiant serves as the witness.
What if I have further questions?
You may contact the Town Clerk’s Office at (508) 979-4023 ext 3 during office hours.
CERTIFIED MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES
Marriages are recorded in the city or town where the couple applies for the marriage license. If you applied for a marriage license in Fairhaven, you can obtain certified marriage certificates here after the wedding takes place.
The cost for a certified marriage certificate is $10.00 – an uncertified copy is 25 cents.
Call the Town Clerk’s Office at (508) 979-4023 to request a copy for pickup or send your request to Town Clerk’s Office, 40 Center Street, Fairhaven, MA 02719. Be sure to include your check or money order payable to the “Town of Fairhaven”, a self-addressed, stamped envelope, the names of both parties (prior to marriage) and the date of the wedding.
Raffle and Bazaar Permits
Although Massachusetts General Laws prohibit most forms of gambling in the Commonwealth, an exception is made under Chapter 271, Section 7A for certain non-profit organizations that wish to raise funds through raffles and bazaars. (The term “bazaar” is used to refer to “casino night” type events.)
Organizations meeting the criteria outlines in the law may apply for a permit from the City/Town Clerk where the raffle drawing or casino night will take place. The permit application fee in Fairhaven is $10.00. A permit will be issued only after approval of the application by the City/Town Clerk and the Chief of Police.
The permit is valid for one year from the date of issuance. An unlimited number of raffles, but only three bazaars (casino nights) may be held within the duration of the permit.
Gross proceeds of raffles and bazaars are subject to a 5% Massachusetts excise tax on wagering. Proceeds must be reports to the Lottery Commission and taxes paid within ten (10) days after each event. The Lottery Commission will send the appropriate tax reporting forms to the sponsoring organization. Addition forms can be obtained by calling the Lottery Commission at (781) 849-5555.
At the end of the permit’s validity, and before a renewal permit can be issued, an Annual Report must be filed with the City/Town Clerk. The report must list all income and expenses associated with raffles and bazaars for the duration of the permit, as well as the names and addresses of participants who won prizes valued at $25.00 or more. The report must be signed by the members of the organization listed on the original permit application, as well as the organization’s accountant.
Organizations holding raffle/bazaar permits are responsible for adhering to the regulations outlines in Chapter 271, Section 7A. There are additional regulations in 940 CMR 12 for raffles in which the value of prizes exceeds $10,000 or in which the ticket price exceeds $10.00. Bazaars (casino nights) are also governed by 940 CMR 13. Questions about these regulations can be directed to the Lottery Commission at (781) 849-5555.
What is a Business Certificate?
A business certificate, commonly known as a “D/B/A” (“doing business as”), creates a public record of a business’s name and owner(s) address. This ensures consumers have access to this information, which may not be readily available otherwise.
Who Needs to File a Business Certificate?
Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 110, Section 5, any individual or partnership conducting business under a name other than their legal name must file a business certificate with the Town Clerk’s Office in the municipality where the business is located.
Exemptions:
A business certificate is not required if:
- A corporation operates under its true corporate name.
- A partnership includes the true surname of at least one partner in its business name.
- Other associations or partnerships may also be exempt (see Chapter 110, Section 6 for details).
Special Requirements for Home-Based Businesses
If your business is home-based, you may need approval from the:
- Building Department/Zoning Board of Appeals (to ensure zoning compliance).
- Board of Health (if applicable).
- Select Board Office (depending on business type).
Home-based business owners must also sign a “Conditions for Home Occupation for a Business Certificate” agreement form.
How to File or Renew a Business Certificate
- Submit a Business Certificate Application to the Town Clerk’s Office with a $30 non-refundable fee.
- The application must be approved by the Building Commissioner, Board of Health, and/or Select Board.
- Once approved, the D/B/A Certificate will be available for pickup at the Town Clerk’s Office.
- Each person named on the certificate must:
- Sign the form in person at the Town Clerk’s Office, OR
- Have their signature notarized by a Notary Public.
Renewals:
- Business certificates are valid for 4 years.
- Renewal notices are sent 2-3 months before expiration.
Changes, Discontinuation, or Relocation
Notify the Town Clerk’s Office if any of the following occur before expiration:
- Business is discontinued.
- A listed owner withdraws, retires, or passes away.
- A listed owner changes residence.
- The business relocates.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Failure to file a business certificate violates MGL Chapter 110, Section 5 and may result in a fine of up to $300 per month.
Public Record & Name Protection
- Business certificates are public documents and remain on file for one year after expiration. Copies are available for $0.25 per page.
- A business certificate does NOT protect your business name from being used by others. To protect your name, you must register a trademark with the Massachusetts Secretary of State.
Important Notice
The issuance of a Business Certificate by the Town Clerk does not certify compliance with local, state, or federal laws. Business owners are responsible for ensuring compliance with zoning, health, licensing, and other applicable regulations. Additional permits may be required.
For more details on starting a business in Massachusetts, visit the State’s website.
How to Obtain a Death Certificate
The Town Clerk’s Office is responsible for original records of all deaths that have occurred in Fairhaven. All death certificates are public records. A certified copy of a death certificate may be obtained in person or by mail. The fee is $10.00 for a certified copy – uncertified copy is 25 cents.
To Pick Up At Our Office:
Please call us at (508) 979-4023 to order certificates in advance of your visit. Cash and checks are acceptable forms of payment. Our office is located in the center of Fairhaven at 40 Center Street.
To Apply By Mail:
Send a request stating the name and date of death on the certificate you are seeking. Include a check or money order, payable to the “Town of Fairhaven” and a self-addessed, stamped envelope. Mail your request to Town Clerk’s Office, 40 Center Street, Fairhaven, MA 02719.
The PDF linked below is the Meeting Notice Posting Sheet, required for all boards, committees, and commissions to complete when scheduling a public meeting. You may download, print, and fill out the form as needed.
Except in emergencies, public bodies must post meeting notices at least 48 hours in advance, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays. The individual posting the meeting must sign the notice and submit it to the Town Clerk’s Office in person or via email clerk@fairhaven-ma.gov.
Meeting Notices must be submitted to the Town Clerk’s office at least 1/2 hour prior to the close of business.
Summary of the Conflict of Interest Law
Newly elected or appointed public employees must receive the Summary of the Conflict of Interest Law within 30 days of election or appointment and annually thereafter. All employees and board members must:
- Acknowledge receipt of this summary each year by selecting the Acknowledge Receipt of the Summary of the Conflict of Interest Law for Municipal Employees in the State Ethics Commission system (details below).
- Complete the State Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Law Training in the State Ethics Commission system (details below).
Conflict of Interest Law Online Training Program
Every two years, all state, county, and municipal employees must complete the Conflict of Interest Law Online Training Program on the State Ethics Commission website. This program, updated in January 2023, is now tracked by the State Ethics Commission.
- Newly elected or appointed employees must complete the training within 30 days of starting public service.
- The training must be repeated every two years thereafter.
Important Information
- You must create an account using your own email address on the training website.
- Retain your login information for future use.
- You will need to complete two courses:
- A brief acknowledgment module.
- The Conflict of Interest Law Online Training Program.
- There is no need to submit training certificates to the Town Clerk’s Office—records are maintained by the State Ethics Commission.
- Select “Fairhaven” as your organization when creating your account. If you select another organization, we will not be able to track your completion.
For further guidance, please refer to the linked instructions.