Town Clerk

Important Information From the Office of the Town Clerk

The Office of the Town Clerk strives to serve the public as cooperatively and efficiently as possible. The Office of the Town Clerk is the central information location of the Town. We work with all departments in order to provide the residents of Somerset with up-to-date and helpful information.

The Town Clerk is responsible for a myriad of duties and is governed by Massachusetts General Laws. The Town Clerk is the custodian of Town records, the Chief Election Official, the Graves Registrar, the Registrar of Vital Statistics (births, deaths, and marriages), the public records officer, and the licensing officer.

The vital records in the Town of Somerset date back to its incorporation date, 1790. In addition to vital records, our office also contains records of all Town Meetings, Elections, and Zoning decisions, and records of all elected and appointed town officials and employees.

The Town Clerk is responsible for the issuance of Dog Licenses, Sporting Licenses, Raffle and Bazaar Permits, Business Certificates, and Gasoline Storage Permits. We also maintain the Annual Street Listing (Census) and voter registration list. The Annual Street Listing (Census form) is mailed out in January to every household.

As the Chief Election Official, the Town Clerk is responsible for conducting all Local, State, and Federal Elections and reporting results as required by State law. The Town Clerk is also the Clerk of the Board of Registrars and works very closely with the Board to maintain accurate voter registration records.

The Town Clerk also receives and posts meeting notices of all Town Boards and Committees in accordance with the Open Meeting Law.

Town Meetings, the Town Clerk is also responsible for the updating and maintaining of By-laws, and maintaining the acceptance of State Statutes as they are accepted.

The Office of the Town Clerk is open Monday through Friday 8:30 am - 4 pm All walk-in services are available! If you prefer to obtain vital records, dog licenses, voting materials, etc. by mail, please feel free to do so by sending the appropriate fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope and we will promptly return your request.

Please be reminded that voter registration is available online at the Online Voter Registration System as well as through the mail with the voter registration form. Anyone who feels they are at high risk, has declared themselves to be "self-quarantined", is unable to get to the polling location, or will be out of Town on Election Day can apply for an absentee ballot.

Dog Licenses are available February 1st annually. If you prefer to obtain your dog license by mail, please send the appropriate payment a copy of the Rabies Certificate, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to our office. Fee: $5 per dog that is spayed or neutered; $10 per dog if not. Upon receipt, we will mail the license and tag out to you.

To obtain copies of Birth, Marriage, or Death certificates, send the information of the record requested, a self-addressed stamped return envelope, and the fee of $5 per certified copy.

A drop box is available in the parking lot of Town Hall at the ground level entrance near the elevator lobby to drop off any Town Clerk-related materials such as Election applications and ballots, dog license paperwork and fees, census forms, etc.