Norwich City Clerk's Office
Filling a variety of roles, the City Clerk's Office is a true representation of consolidation of services to benefit the taxpayers of the City of Norwich.
The Norwich City Clerk's Office is divided into two separate offices. One office handles vitals records, licensing & permits and the other handles Common Council & other Committee minutes, Ordinances and Local Laws.
City Clerk:
William J. Roberts
Deputy City Clerk - Brian E. Drake - (607) 334-1201
Registrar of Vital Statistics:
William J. Roberts
Deputy Registrar: Dee DuFour
The City of Norwich has Vital Records on file beginning with the following years:
- Births - 1883
- Deaths - 1883
- Marriages - 1887
For information on the following items, click or call (607) 334-1230
Questions on City Ordinances, Local Laws or City Minutes please call - (607) 334-1201
Birth Records
- In person - Vital Records are obtained through the Finance Office. Photo ID is required (valid driver's license with photo). An application [PDF form] must be completed and a $10.00 fee per certified copy is charged.
- By Mail - You need to send a letter requesting a copy of your birth certificate. In the letter you need to state your birth name, your parent's names, your date of birth, a telephone number to contact you in case of questions and an address to return the certificate to. There is a $10.00 fee per copy payable by check or money order to the "City of Norwich." YOUR SIGNATURE NEEDS TO BE NOTARIZED ON THIS LETTER. IF IT IS NOT IT WILL BE RETURNED TO YOU TO BE NOTARIZED.
Mail the request to the City of Norwich, Attention: Vital Records, One City Plaza, Norwich, New York 13815.
Who can get a copy of a birth certificate?
- Persons named if 18 or older
- Parents of person named
- Lawful representative of person or parents
- Government Agencies for official purposes
- Others are required to have a NYS Court Order
Death Records
- In person - Vital Records are obtained through the Finance Office. Photo ID is required (valid driver´s license with photo). An application form (PDF) must be completed and a $10.00 fee per certified copy is charged
- By Mail - Contact our office at 607-334-1230.
Who can get a copy of a death certificate?
- Spouse, parent or child of deceased
- Persons demonstrating a lawful right or claim
- Government Agencies for Official purposes
- Funeral Director up to six months from time death certificate is filed
- All others require a NYS Court Order
Disabled Parking Permit?
You must be a resident of the City of Norwich in order to receive a Disabled Parking Permit in our office. The only exception to this rule would be if you live in a town or village that does not issue Disabled Parking Permits. You need to have the application for a parking permit, form MV-664.1 (PDF), filled out by your medical doctor. After this is done you need to fill out the top part of the form. You also must prove identity and residency. Generally, a NYS driver's license or a NYS non-driver's identification card will be sufficient proof for both.
Dog Licensing and Animal Control
The City of Norwich has a licensing ordinance in place for all dogs housed within the city limits. Additionally, a leash law is strictly enforced by our special dog control officer, Jeremy Stopford. A dog census is also taken and records kept to ensure the safety of the animals and the populace.
Information concerning the licensing of dogs may be obtained by contact the City of Norwich Finance Department at 334-1230.
What information do I need to license my dog in the City?
New License
- A current rabies certificate
- A Spayed or Neutered certificate, if applicable
Renewal
- A current rabies certificate if your dog has had a rabies shot within the last year
- A Spayed or Neutered certificate if your dog has been spayed or neutered within the last year
First time you are licensing your dog in the City
- A previous license or your dog´s current license number
- A current rabies certificate
- A Spayed or Neutered certificate, if applicable
Fee Schedule for Dog Licensing
- Spayed or Neutered $ 11.00
- Unspayed or Unneutered $ 23.00
Dog License form (PDF)
Freedom of Information Law (FOIL)
FOIL requests are filed to access certain public records. FOIL requests do not apply to vital records. For detailed information on what public records are available to be requested under the Freedom of Information Law, contact the NYS Department of State Committee on Open Government or visit their website at http://www.dos.state.ny.us/foil2.html. You must complete an application (PDF) and either bring it to City Hall or mail it to the City of Norwich, Finance Office, One City Plaza, Norwich, New York 13815. Within five (5) days of receiving the request the City Clerk will furnish a written statement granting or denying the request in whole or part. If the request is granted the information will be provided within twenty (20) business days of the request. If your request is denied, you will have thirty (30) days to appeal the denial.
Game License (hunting)
Residency Requirement: Being a property owner does not constitute residency. A previous year's resident license is not proof of residency.
Acceptable Proofs of Residency:
- NYS Driver's License
- NYS Vehicle Registration
- NYS Non-Driver's ID
- NYS Income Tax Information (W-2) (IT-201)
- Voter's Registration or current letter from Board of Elections
- Lease
- Student ID
- Religious Verification (Amish, etc.)
- Military LES/Orders
You must show proof of residency. Sorry – No Proof, No Sale!
Genealogy
What year do the City´s Vital Records begin?
- Births - 1883
- Deaths - 1883
- Marriages - 1887
To Obtain a Copy of a Vital Record for Genealogy Purposes
- In person - Genealogy Records are obtained through the Finance Office. Photo ID is required (valid driver's license with photo). An application must be completed (PDF).
- By Mail - Contact our office at 607-334-1230.
What records are available for Genealogy?
- No information shall be released from a record of birth unless the records has been on file for at least 75 years and the person to whom the record relates is known to the applicant to be deceased.
- No information shall be released from a record of death unless the record has been on file for at least 50 years.
- No information shall be released from a record of marriage unless the record has been on file for at least 50 years and the parties to the marriage are known to the applicant to be deceased.
- The time periods specified in a, b, and c above are waived if the applicant is a descendant or has been designated to act on behalf if the persona whose record is being requested. A descendant is a person is the direct line of descent. The applicant shall provide documentation of descendancy prior to the release of information in those instances where a waiver of the waiting period is requested. A party acting on behalf of a descendant shall further provide documentation that the descendant authorized the party to make such application.
Genealogy Fee Schedule:
- 1- 3 Years $ 22.00
- 4-10 Years $ 42.00
- 11-20 Years $ 62.00
- 21-30 Years $ 82.00
- 31-40 Years $102.00
- 41-50 Years $122.00
- 51-60 Years $142.00
- 61-70 Years $162.00
Hawkers/Peddlers Permit
Marriage Certificates
To apply for a Marriage License
Both the Bride and Groom must be present at the Finance Office to apply. Each applicant must provide a valid proof of identity such as a driver's license or a non-driver's ID card. If either party has previously been married they need to provide divorce papers or a death certificate. There is a $40.00 charge for a license, payable by check or cash. There is a 24-hour waiting period after you obtain the license and the license is good for 60 days.
Age of Consent
To be married without parental consent you must be 18 years of age or older.
To be married if you are under 18 years of age
- A marriage license may not be issued if either applicant is under 14 years of age.
- If either applicant is 14 or 15 years of age, that applicant must present the written consent and approval of a justice of the supreme court or a judge of the family court having jurisdiction over the town or city where the license application is made. Parental consent no longer has to be presented to the issuing clerk when the applicant is 14 or 15 years of age.
- If either applicant is 16 or 17 years of age, that applicant must present the written consent of both parents.
- One parent alone may consent to a minor´s marriage if:
- the other parent is deceased;
- the other parent has been missing for one year preceding the application;
- the parents have been divorced and the consenting parent was given full custody of the child; or
- the other parent has been judged incompetent.
- The clerk may require documentary proof if any of these exceptions are declared.
- Parents or guardians (proof required) consenting to the marriage of a minor must personally appear and acknowledge their consent before the City Clerk.
To Obtain a Copy of a Marriage License
- In person - Vital Records are obtained through the Finance Office. Photo ID is required (valid driver's license with photo). An application must be completed (PDF) and a $10.00 fee per certified copy is charged.
- By Mail - Contact our office at 607-334-1230.
Who can obtain a copy of a marriage certificate?
- Bride
- Groom
- Lawful representative of the bride or groom
- Government agencies for official purposes
- Others must demonstrate a judicial or other proper purpose
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