Applications and Forms
Vital Records
Birth Certificates
The Town Clerk can issue birth certificates for a child whose parents were residing in Wakefield at the time of the child's birth and those who were physically born in Wakefield.
- Birth Certificate Request Form: The fee for a birth certificate is $10 per copy.
Death Certificates
Wakefield's Town Clerk can issue death certificates of those who physically died in Wakefield and those who were legal residents of our town at the time of their death.
- Death Certificate Request Form: The fee for death certificate is $10 per copy.
- For a burial permit, please contact the office directly. The fee is $15.
Marriage Certificate
If a marriage license was issued by the Town of Wakefield, our Town Clerk can issue a certified copy.
- Marriage Certificate Copy Request Form: The fee for a copy of a marriage certificate is $10 per copy.
Marriage License
All couples planning to marry in Massachusetts must jointly file intentions in person at the Town Clerk's office. There is a 3-day waiting period between when the intentions are filed and when the marriage license may be issued. A marriage license, once obtained, is valid for 60 days from the date intentions are filed.
- Marriage License Applications are available at the Town Clerk’s office and must be filed in person. The fee for a marriage license is $25.
Licenses and Certificates
Dog Licenses
All dogs that have attained the age of six months or older are required by Massachusetts General Laws c140, §138 to be licensed annually.
- Dog License Application: The fees to attain a license are $10 for a neutered or spayed dog and $20 for an intact dog. There is a $10 late fee if paid after February 28.
Business (DBA) Certificates
Massachusetts General Laws c110, §5 states that "Any person conducting business in the commonwealth under any title other than the real name of the person conducting the business, whether individually or as a partnership, shall file in the office of the clerk of every city or town where an office of any such person or partnership may be situated." Read some FAQs about the Business Certificate process.
- Business Certificate Application: The fee to apply for a business certificate is $60.
- Business Certificate Amendment or Discontinuance Form: The fee to amend a certificate is $10.
Census and Street Listing
Raffle and Bazaar Permits
Some nonprofit organizations are permitted to hold certain gaming activities in order to fundraise. They are allowed to hold raffles, defined as "an arrangement for raising money by the sale of tickets, certain among which, as determined by chance after the sale, entitle the holders to prizes." Additional rules and restrictions about raffles can be viewed on the Massachusetts Attorney General site here.- Raffle and Bazaar Permit Application: The fee for a Raffle/Bazaar Permit is $10.