City Clerk's Office

Ann Kaligian, City Clerk Cindy Marcotte, Deputy Clerk Mail: P.O. Box 489 (Zip Code 03247) Where: City Hall, 45 Beacon Street East, First Floor. When: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Phone: 603/527-1265; Fax 603/524-1766 email: cityclerk@city.laconia.nh.us

A car on Main Street, Laconia, c. 1920.

Function:

The City Clerk’s office performs a wide variety of functions involving record-keeping and fee collection as well as issuing certain permits and licenses. The City Clerk’s office also assists other city and state departments by providing a central location for many such department services. The Clerk’s office is a motor vehicle municipal agent for the State of New Hampshire. The City Clerk is also responsible for preparing and overseeing all municipal elections as well as overseeing all state and federal elections for the City of Laconia.

Examples of functions and records typically handled by the City Clerk’s office are:

• Adoption records (New Law:   Contact State Bureau of Vital Records 271-4650)
• AquaTherm permits
• *Birth certificates  
• Burial permits
• City Council Meeting Minutes (the Clerk attends all meetings except Executive Sessions and records, transcribes and files the minutes)
• * Death certificates
• Delayed Birth records (processed and forwarded to the State of New Hampshire)
• Dog licenses issued
• Dredge & Fill applications/Wetlands applications
• Dump Stickers, Passes and Coupons (for use at the Transfer Station & Brush Dump)
• Elections – see section on elections (except that the voter checklist is prepared by the Supervisors of the Checklist)
• Home Birth records (processed and forwarded to the State of New Hampshire)
• Legal files: agreements, articles of agreement, deeds, leases, letters of credit, writs
• Legitimization records (processed and forwarded to the State of New Hampshire)
• *Marriage licenses
• Motor Vehicle registrations for the State of New Hampshire: passenger vehicle, trailer and motorcycle plates issued (boats are registered at local marinas)
• Motor Vehicle prepared with New Hampshire registrations as appropriate
• Paternity records (processed and forwarded to the State of New Hampshire)
• Voter registration

*As of January 1, 2005, photo ID of requesting party must be presented at time of request.  If request is made by mail, copy of ID must accompany request.

In addition, the City Clerk reconciles daily transactions of the City. Payments received and deposited daily include money from all departments within City Hall (including Police, Fire, School, and Parks & Recreation), for all leases (including the Airport), and any other money received by the City for deposit. The City Clerk also reconciles the applicable City bank statements.

The City Clerk also processes fees paid for the above-listed services. Examples: The fee for a Marriage License (Intentions) is $45.00. The fee for any Certified Vital Record is $12.00 per copy.  If ordering my mail, please include a copy of photo ID of requesting party.  You can order a certified birth certificate by telephone directly from the State of New Hampshire at 603/271-4650 by using your credit card. The cost of the certificate ordered, the overnight mailing fee (if requested) plus a service fee will appear on your next VISA® or MasterCard® statement. You will need the following information:

1. Type of Certificate

2. Full name at birth, date and place of birth

3. Full name of father and mother's maiden name

4. Daytime phone number and address where to send the birth certificate

5. How you want certificate mailed

Animal Care & Control Officer:

Where: Police Department, New Salem St.
Phone: through Police Dispatch: 524-5252

The Animal Control Officer coordinates with the City Clerk’s office where Dog Licenses are issued. Licenses are required by state and local law for all dogs and current rabies documentation is also required.

Fee per license: $9.00, but if the dog is neutered or spayed: $6.50.

Elections:

The City Clerk is responsible for preparing and overseeing all municipal elections for the City of Laconia, except that the Voter Checklist is prepared by the Supervisors of the Checklist (a Chairman and a Supervisor from each ward). The City Clerk is also responsible for overseeing all primary and general elections, state and federal. The City Clerk’s office accepts registration of new voters from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. daily. Absentee ballots may be obtained in person or by writing to the City Clerk’s office, P.O. Box 489, Laconia, NH 03247.  Written request must include name and local address of person requesting absentee ballot, as well as the mailing address.

The municipal election is held every two (2) years to elect a mayor and six (6) councilors, one per ward. The Board of Education ballot is for the election of members to the board. There are seven (7) members on the board. The Police Commission is also elected by ballot. There are three (3) members on the board and they are elected on a rotating basis. All ward officials (that is the moderator, ward clerk, and selectmen) are elected on the same ballot. The state and federal primary and general elections are held every two years except that the presidential primary and general elections are held every four years.

Voter Polling Places

Hours For Voting Are 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Ward 1 Belknap County Nursing Home, County Drive	Ward 4 Memorial Park Clubhouse, Lindsey Court
Ward 2 Sacred Heart Parish Hall, Gilford Ave.	Ward 5 Woodland Heights School, Winter St.
Ward 3 Opechee Park Club House (the Parkhouse), North Main Street	Ward 6 Leavitt Park Club House, Elm Street