More Information

 
Town Clerk

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: The bank sent me a release of mortgage. What do I do with it?

When a mortgage is paid, the bank will send you a legal form, "Release and Discharge of Mortgage," which you are required to record on the Land Records at the Town Clerk's Office. The charge is $13.00 for a single-page document, with a $5.00 charge per page thereafter, per State statute.

Q: How do I get a copy of my military discharge papers?

A certified copy of military discharge papers may be obtained From the Town Clerk's Office if they were filed there. These papers are required for a veteran tax exemption. There is no fee for a copy of these papers.

Q: How can I obtain a copy of my birth certificate?

A copy of your birth certificate is on file in the Town Clerk's Office in the town in which you were born and in the town in which your mother lived at the time of you birth. A certified copy of a birth certificate is $5.00.

Q: How are fees and charges set in the Town Clerk's Office?

Almost all fees are set by state statute.

Q: How do I get a marriage license?

The couple to be married must appear in person at the Town Clerk's Office in the town in which the ceremony will take place to complete an application and to take an oath. For more information, click here.

How do I get a dog license?

All dogs over six months of age must be licensed by state statute. Licenses are available from the Town Clerk's Office. A current certificate that the dog has been immunized against rabies is required. Licenses are renewed each June and are valid for one year.

Q: How much is a duck stamp or pheasant tag?

A state migratory bird stamp (or a "duck" stamp) is $5.00, and a pheasant tag is $10.00. You must have a current hunting license to obtain a set of pheasant tags.

Q: What is the fee for hunting and fishing licenses?

Hunting licenses are $14.00 and require a certificate indicating that a hunting safety course was completed or a license that is less than 5 years old. Fishing licenses are $20.00, and no certification is needed. A combination hunting-fishing-game license is $28.00. Lifetime licenses for people over 65 years of age are free. The Town Clerk is the agent for game licenses for the state.

Q: What Congressional District are we in?

All of Portland is in the 1st Congressional District and the 33rd Senatorial district 32, Assembly District.

Q: I will be out of town during the upcoming election. How can I vote?

Application for absentee ballots are available to eligible voters through the Town Clerk's Office. Ballots for elections, primaries and referenda are issued in accordance with state statutes and are available one month prior to the voting date. For Annual Budget referendum, call the Town Clerk. Ballots are not available by mail.

Top

Justices of the Peace Listing
January 2, 2001 - January 2, 2005

We inherited the designation of Justice of the Peace from England while Connecticut was still a royal colony.
     In those early days, people were elected to this office in order to administer authority over the municipal courts.
     Today, the office is quite limited in comparison. It grants these justices general oath giving powers, including the oath given in marriage. They can take legal depositions, and own statutory grants of power regarding specific documents.
     Two thirds of a town's Justice positions are allocated to major political parties. The other third is reserved for electors who are not members of major parties. If you are interested to be nominated for one of these positions, you should contact your political party committee, or, if you are unaffiliated, contact the Town Clerk. Applying for an unaffiliated nominations can only be made between August 1 and November 1 during a Presidential election year.
     Notary Publics have similar oath giving powers, but a Justice of the Peace does not have an official seal, which is sometimes required for affidavits.
     A Justice of the Peace can issue subpoenas.

The following represents the current list of for Portland Connecticut:

Top

Marriage Licenses

So, you're thinking of getting married, and want to know what to do!
     There are legalities involved that you have to follow. For one thing, you need a marriage license, and that's something that the Town Clerk's Office provides.
     Once you decide where you are getting married, you can apply in the town in Connecticut where you live or the town you are being married in. The license must be returned to the town you are married in.
     State law says that if you are under 18 years of age, you need the written consent of your parent or guardian. If you are under 16 years of age, the Probate Judge has to sign a consent as well.
You both have to appear at the Town Clerk's Office in person, although you do not have to show up at the same time.
 
     Once you get the license, it is valid for 65 days from the date of application.
There is a fee, of course. $30.00 for the marriage license. If you want a certified copy of the license, that costs an additional $5.00.
     Shopping for a Justice of the Peace to perform the wedding? We have an extensive list of Portland Justices that you can pick from.
     Remember! Marriage is a serious commitment, meant to be for keeps! Take care, and make sure you make a wise decision. And remember, we don't give refunds!
Best of luck!

Top

Military Discharges

Notice of Entitlement. Persons who claim an exemption from local property tax under the provisions of section 12-81(19) or 12-82 by reason of military service must give notice to the town clerk of the town of their residence that they are entitled to the exemption. The notice may be either an honorable discharge, a certificate copy of an honorable discharge, or a statement sent annually to the town clerk by the commanding officer that the person is still serving and s unable to file the discharge by reason of such service.

DATES OF WARS AND OTHER RECOGNIZED MILITARY CAMPAIGNS AND
OPERATIONS UNDER STATE STATUE 27-103,
AS AMENDED BY PUBLIC ACT 03-85

FOR PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION ELIGIBILITY UNDER S.S.12-81(19)
AS OF OCTOBER 1, 2003

#1 The Spanish American War includes the Philippine Insurrection, the Boxer Rebellion and service in the Moro Province, for which the ending date is eleven days later than the ending date of the Spanish American War.

#2 The ending date of service in Russia by a person serving with the United States military forces during World War I differs from the ending date for all service during that war in all other arenas.

#3 Pursuant to S.S.12-86, twelve o'clock midnight on December 31, 1947 is the World War II termination date for purposes of granting a property tax exemption.

#4 A person must have served in a combat or combat support role for the duration of a campaign lasting less than 90 days (i.e., the Invasions of Grenada and Panama) in order to qualify for a property tax exemption. A person must also have served in a combat or combat support role in Lebanon or in Operation Earnest Will, during the specified dates, in order to qualify for an exemption. An Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is awarded to such individuals.

#5 Although referred to as the Persian Gulf War, service in the Persian Gulf is not required, nor is service in a combat or combat support role.

Top

Vital Records

The Portland Town Clerk's Office maintains records of birth, marriage and death for people who were born, got married or died in town. Our records go back to 1841.
     All vital records are available for public inspection, except for birth records that are less than 100 years old. Please contact the Town Clerk's Office at 860-342-6743 to learn about special requirements.
     If you are looking to obtain a copy of birth, marriage or death certificates, please read below:

Birth Certificates
     People who were born in Portland, or whose parents resided in Portland at the time of their child's birth, can obtain a certified birth certificate at our office.
     If you want to obtain one, send a letter of request to the Town Clerk's Office, P.O. Box 71, Portland, CT 06480. Include

• full name and date of birth on the certificate requested.
• parents' full name at time of birth (including mother's full maiden name).
• state whether you want a full form or a wallet size birth certificate (ask for a full form if you want it for a passport).
• include a $5.00 check payable to the Town Clerk.
• include a self-addressed stamped envelop.

     You also have to provide suitable identification. You must include copies of your valid driver's license (not expired), or any other photo ID.
If you don't have a driver's license of photo ID, you may submit photo copies of two of the following:

• social security card.
• written verification of identity from employer (on letterhead).
• automobile registration
• copy of utility bill showing name and address
• voter registration card.

Marriage Certificates
Certified marriage certificates are also available by mail by sending a letter of request to the Town Clerk's Office, P.O. Box 71, Portland, CT 06480. Include:

• names of couple (including wife's maiden name).
• wedding date.
• a $5.00 check payable to the Town Clerk.

Death Certificates
Death certificates are retained here for those who either died in town, or were considered residents of Portland at time of death.
     Certified copies can be obtained by mail by sending a letter of request to the Town Clerk's Office, P.O. Box 71, Portland, CT 06480. Include:

• name of deceased and date of death.
• a $5.00 check payable to the Town Clerk.
• a self-addressed stamped envelop.
  

Top