Town Clerk

Town Hall is open Mondays 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesdays – Thursdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 12 Noon. Offices are closed on weekends and holidays.

Open Space and Recreation Plan for the Town of Ipswich 2006 available in the Town Clerk's office for $10.00

Mission of the Town Clerk’s Office

Mission Statement: The Ipswich Town Clerk’s Office aim is to provide the highest level of professional service to all in the application of the multitude of duties and responsibilities set out for it in Massachusetts General Law, Massachusetts Government, the By-Laws of the Town of Ipswich, historic duties assigned by successive Boards of Selectmen and any new assignments set by contemporary leadership. The Clerk continuously advances “best practices” for Massachusetts Governments in all these areas including Vital Records, conduct of Elections, certification of Voters and licensing of marriages, businesses, shellfish, hunting and dogs. Customers of the Office’s services are provided with the most timely, complete, efficient and competent attention with emphasis on the highest levels of civility and respect to which all persons are entitled.

The following licenses, permits and services are available at the Office of the Town Clerk:

Burial Permits

Business (d/b/a) Certificates

By-laws (zoning, planning, conservation)

Certified Copies (birth, death, marriage certificates)

Dog Licenses

Election Information

Genealogical Research

Justice of the Peace

Licenses (Issued by the Selectmen)

Marriage Licenses

Permits (auction, raffle, yard sale)

Public Meeting Notices (posting)

Resident List/Street List/Voter List

Shellfish Licenses

Voter Registration

Burial Permits

The fee for burial permits is $10.00

Business Certificates

Business Certificates (Doing Business As) must be filed by unincorporated business located in Ipswich that are conducting business under a name other than one’s own. The fee for a Business Certificate is $35. The certificate is valid for four years.

By-Laws

The following by-laws are sold by the Town Clerk’s office: Zoning By-Laws, $20; Subdivision Rules and Regulations, $15; Wetlands Protection By-Laws, $10. These publications can also be downloaded from the town web site.

Certified Copies

Certified copies of Birth, Death and Marriage records after 1850 are available for $10.00 each. Certified copies of town records are $5.

Dog Licenses

All dogs six months of age and older must be licensed. Evidence of a current rabies vaccination must be provided. Dog Licenses are $12 each. The license is good for the calendar year and must be renewed between January 1^st and March 31^st; after that date a $10 per month late fee is charged.

Election Information

The Annual Town Meeting is held on the second Tuesday in May.

The Annual Town Election is held not less than 7 nor more than 15 days after the Annual Town Meeting. Voting for all precincts takes place at the Ipswich YMCA, 110 County Road. Polls are open for all elections from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Voter registration and absentee ballot forms are available at the Town Clerk’s office.

Genealogical Research

Requests for genealogical research must be in writing and accompanied by a $20 search fee. Additional fees may be assessed depending upon what information is available. In addition, the Ipswich Public Library (978-356-6648) maintains an extensive archives section, which may be accessed during library hours.

Justice of the Peace

The Town Clerk also serves as a Justice of the Peace.

Licenses issued by Selectmen

Licenses and permits approved by the Board of Selectmen: Common Victualler, Automatic Amusement, Weekday Entertainment, Sunday Entertainment, Class I, II, & III, Antique & Old Metals and Kayak.

Marriage Licenses

To apply for a marriage license, both parties must appear before the Town Clerk. They must be at least eighteen years of age or obtain a court waiver from the Probate court. There is a mandatory three day waiting period from the application date and the date the license is issued and can only be waived with a court order. Marriage licenses are valid for sixty days and can be used to marry in any Massachusetts city or town. The fee is $30 and includes a certified copy of the marriage certificate. Please be prepared to present a valid state issued ID.

Public Meeting Notices

All meeting notices must be filed and time stamped in the Town Clerk’s office and posted on the municipal bulletin board 48 hours prior to the meeting. Meeting notice forms may be downloaded from the town web site.

Resident List/ Street List

This annual publication, mandated by Massachusetts General Laws, lists all persons seventeen years of age and older, giving address, year of birth, occupation and voter status. Copies are available in late summer for $12.

Shellfish Licenses

Resident recreational license: $30 per individual
Resident family recreational license: $40 per family
Resident over 60 recreational license: no charge
Resident commercial license: $450 (Applications accepted annually between December 1 and February 28).
**Non-resident recreational license: $150
**Non-resident daily recreational license: $30 per day

** Non-resident permits may be issued to persons who are not residents of the Town of Ipswich but who are residents of Massachusetts.

Voter Registration

All United States Citizens are eligible to vote if they are at least 18 years old on or before the next election. The registration deadline is twenty days before each election or Town Meeting. Residents wishing to register to vote may do so at the Town Clerk’s Office, the Registry of Motor Vehicles, any state agency or by mail.