Our mission is to serve the public in an efficient and courteous manner.  Information may be obtained for ordering vital records by using Elizabeth.Marques@newbedford-ma.gov.  We have two types of birth records:  abstracts with the name, date of birth and place of birth with the City Seal for $5.00 and a genealogy record for $15.00 which is used for applying for passports and legal purposes.  If ordering by mail, please make a check payable to the City of New Bedford and enclose a stamped self-addressed envelope.  A Visa/Master Card may be used to order vital records but you should call the office at 508-979-1450 with additional information (please note that sending us your credit card information via email is not a secured method).

Marriage intentions must be filed two or three weeks before the wedding and both parties must be present in order to apply for the marriage license, unless one person is in active military duty or incarcerated.  There is a three (3) day waiting period and a $40.00 fee to apply for the license.  Picture ID’s and Social Security Cards are required.  The City Clerk is a Justice of the Peace and couples wishing to be married in City Hall may do so by appointment.  

Also, available in the City Clerk’s Office are dog, hunting, fishing, sporting, taxi driver, special police, pawnbrokers and second hand dealer licenses, etc.

All dog owners in the City of New Bedford are required to license their dogs by February 1st. The licenses will be available in the City Clerk's Office, in City Hall, on Monday, December 7, 2009. Licenses are $10.00 for neutered dogs and $20.00 for unneutered dogs. Kennel licenses are also available but no kennel license for more than four dogs will be allowed in a residential zone. ...more