Clerk's Office

One City Plaza
Norwich, NY 13815
Phone: (607) 334–1230
City Clerk/Director of Finance: Dee DuFour
Email : ddufour@norwichnewyork.net
Deputy City Clerk – Agnes Eaton
Phone: 607-334-1201
Email: aeaton@norwichnewyork.net
Registrar of Vital Statistics: Dee DuFour
Deputy Registrar: Christa Mirabito Hours: 9 AM - 5 PM

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.

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) 334–1230

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, sibling 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 (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 Police Department. 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 contacting 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

Dog License form (PDF)

Use of Electricity in East Park

Organizations holding events in East Park who will need access to electricity must fill out this form and submit it with payment of the fee of $25 to the Clerk's Office.

Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) (as of 1/1/2014)

FOIL requests are filed to access 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.ny.gov/coog/index.html .

You may complete an application (available as PDF or Word Doc) and either bring it to City Hall or mail or fax it to the City of Norwich, Finance Office, One City Plaza, Norwich, New York 13815, Fax: (607) 334-1208. We will also accept emailed requests to aeaton@norwichnewyork.net. Please provide as much detail in your request as possible to facilitate your request. Within five (5) business 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.

Records available for inspection and copying 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

Please see this PDF for information regarding records maintained by the City of Norwich

Game License (hunting)

The City no longer sells game licenses.

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 in 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

Hawkers, Peddlers and Solicitors Ordinance (External link, choose simple view there)
Hawkers, Peddlers and Solicitors License Application (PDF)

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 proof of age from one of the following age-related documents:

Birth Certificate
Baptismal record
Naturalization record
Census record

and proof of identity from one of the following identity-related documents:

Driver's license/non-driver ID
Passport
Employment picture ID
Immigration record

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 17 years of age

A marriage license may not be issued if either applicant is under 17 years of age.
If either applicant is 17 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. If either applicant is 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 written 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