Town of Shirley, Massachusetts

Responsibilities
The Town Clerk's Office is responsible for a variety of functions, determined by state laws, local by-laws and public need.

Quick Links

Register to Vote

Town of Shirley Annual Town Census/Street Listing Form

Services Provided

• Absentee ballots and voter registration. All requests for absentee ballots must be in writing and must be received by noon the day before an election.  You may use the state's Absentee Ballot Request Form.  Voter Lists (see fee schedule for cost) and Resident Lists ($10) are also available from this office.

• Annual Town Street Listing (also known as the Town Census). Download the Town of Shirley Street Listing/Town Census Form. Mail completed forms to Town Clerk, 7 Keady Way, Shirley, MA  01464.  As of March 2010, there are approximately 5,800 residents living in Shirley. This figure includes approximately 375 inactive voters who did not respond to the annual street listing in 2007, 2008 or 2009 and have not replied to notices of voter inactivation requesting confirmation that they have moved from Shirley. By state law, inactive voters remain on the inactive voter list for two complete federal election cycles.  The Federal Census figure for Shirley (estimated as of July 1, 2008 to be 7,904)  includes populations from the Massachusetts Correctional Facilities that are in Shirley (2,514 as of July 1, 2008); the annual street listing/town census does not include these populations.  Recent Correctional Facility populations can be found on the Department of Corrections' Weekly Count Sheets.

• Birth Certificates - see below under Vital Records

• Burial Permits - no fee

• Business Certificates (a.k.a "Doing Business As" or fictitious name certificates) Business Certificate Applications (fee of $40 registers your business with the Town Clerk's office for four years and includes two certified copies of the certificate) must be accompanied by a completed State of Massachusetts Workers Compensation Affidavit. There are two versions of the Affidavit: one for General Businesses and one for Builders/Contractors/Electricians/Plumbers. Please be sure to complete the appropriate  affidavit.  In order to be in compliance with the  Town's Zoning Bylaws, most businesses (even home-based businesses) need to obtain a Use Permit from the Town's Zoning Officer.  The Zoning Officer is Donald (Butch) Farrar, who can be reached at 978-425-2600, x260 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  The application fee for a Use Permit is $25.00.  To protect your own interests, you will want to apply for your Use Permit before you come to the Town Clerk's office to file your business certificate.

• Cemetery Records and Genealogical Records of Shirley. Requests for cemetery and geneaological information are processed by volunteers on a monthly basis.  So that we may research your request accurately, please send your request in writing or by e-mail ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) with the names of the people and dates of the events you are seeking records for.  To receive a reply to a written request, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

• Certified copies of town bylaws and regulations.  Town of Shirley By-Laws ($10). Zoning Regulations ($15) and Subdivision Regulations ($15).

• Dog Licenses - 2010 Dog Licenses are available for purchase. Please note that a valid rabies certificate must be either presented with a dog license application or on file at the Town Clerk's office for a dog license to be issued. You may ask your veterinarian to fax a copy of your rabies certificate to 978-425-2681 or e-mail it to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• Election Information and Voter Registration. To register to vote in person, please visit the Town Clerk's Office.  Mail-in voter registration forms are also stocked at this office and at the Hazen Memorial Library.  Alternatively, you may download the National Voter Registration Form and mail it to this office.

Click here for the results of past elections.  Results of past elections are also availble from this office.  Campaign Finance Requirements apply to candidates in town elections, Ballot Question Committees and Political Action Committees.  Information about future state primaries, elections and initiative petitions is available from the Elections Division of the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

• Fishing, Hunting, and Sporting Licenses. For rates and specific information, or if you prefer to purchase your license online, visit MassWildlife.

• General information on local and state government, including meeting postings and meeting minutes of various town boards, committees and commissions.

• Marriage Certificates - to obtain a copy of a previously filed marriage license, see below under Vital Records.

• Marriage Intentions/Applying for a Marriage License ($50 filing fee; includes a certified copy of certificate once it is registered after the marriage) and list of Justices of the Peace in Massachusetts. List of Legal Impediments to Marriage in Massachusetts. The process of filing marriage intentions/applying for a marriage license requires approximatley 20-30 minutes; therefore, applicants must call the Town Clerk in advance to make an appointment to apply for a license.

• Notary Public - fee of $1.25 per signature per document.

• Raffle and Bazaar Permits ($10 - valid for one calendar year from date of issuance).  Frequently Asked Questions About Non-profit Gaming Events.

• Vital Records - Birth, Marriage and Death Records. Certified copies of vital records are available at a cost of $15.00 for the 1st copy and $5.00 each additional copy of the same record if ordered together. Please be aware that vital records are printed on security paper that is not photocopiable. Records requested by mail are normally processed within 7-10 business days from receipt of request.

We have birth records from the U.S. Army Hospitals on Fort Devens for July 1944 - Jan. 1946 and April 1950 - Nov. 1971. You can check with us ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) to confirm that we have your record on file. Certified copies of Fort Devens births from other years in the 1940's can be obtained from the Ayer Town Clerk's Office ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 978-772-8215).  Certified copies of Fort Devens births from Dec. 1971 to 1979 can be obtained from the Harvard Town Clerk's Office ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 978-456-4100 x16).  To receive a certified copy of a vital record by mail, please send the following items to the Town Clerk's office, Attn: Vital Records; 7 Keady Way, Shirley, MA  01464.

1.) a written request indicating the type of record, the full name (maiden name, if appropriate) of the person the record pertains to, and the date of the event;

2.) a check or money order made out to the Town of Shirley; and

3.) a self-addressed stamped return envelope.

If you prefer to place an order online for a copy of a vital record, or if you seek expedited service, you may do so through the Comonwealth of Massachusetts.  Visit the website of the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics for pricing and processing time.

Related Links

www.mass.gov

Citizen's Guide to Massachusetts State Services

Search the Massachusetts General Laws