Facebook
Instagram
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Town House open?
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, except for federal holidays.
The Town Clerk's office is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 8:30am - 4:00pm and Thursday, 11:00 AM - 6:30PM. PLEASE NOTE: Town Clerk's Office is closed on Fridays from June through August.
What are the hours for voting?
Local elections: 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM at the Community Center, 25 Elm Street.
School elections: 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM at the Community Center, 25 Elm Street.
State and Federal elections: 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM at the Community Center, 25 Elm Street.
How do I license my dog?
Dog licenses are handled by the Town Clerk's office. All dogs must be licensed annually by April 30.
NH law (RSA 466:1) requires that all dogs must be licensed annually. Every owner or keeper of a dog 4 months old or over shall license it in the city of town where the dog is kept. Regardless of when the license is obtained, the license shall be effective from May 1 of each year to April 30 of the subsequent year.
If you should acquire a new dog after April 30, please come into the Town Clerk's office to license your dog within 1 week of acquiring your dog or, in the case of a puppy, within 1 week after it has received its first rabies vaccination.
Proof of rabies vaccination is required before we can issue the license.
Cats do not need to be licensed.
Renewal of dog licenses may be done by coming into the Town Clerk's office, by mail (self-addressed stamped envelope required), or through EB2Gov, an online service available to Peterborough residents. Note: additional fees are required when renewing online.
How do I find out if I am registered to vote and to what party I am registered to?
Go to the State of NH's Voter Information Look-up site: http://app.sos.nh.gov.
How do I register my car?
Come into the Town Clerk’s office (M-Tu-W-F 8:30 am – 4:00pm, Th 11:00am – 6:30pm)
First, you will need to provide proof of your residency in the Town of Peterborough (current telephone, electric or cable bill, or pay stub that shows your legal address; copy of your lease; closing statement from purchase of home).
We accept cash, check, credit or debit cards. (A 2.79% convenience fee will be assessed when using a credit or debit card.)
If the car is newly acquired, and you will be doing a new registration or will be transferring your current NH registration and plates to your newly acquired vehicle, you will need to bring one or more of the following documents:
- Original title (no copies, please)
- Title Application (from licensed NH dealer)
- Bill of Sale
- If vehicle model year is 1999 or older and original title not available:
DMV Form 19A Verification of Vehicle ID#
or, copy of previous NH registration - if transferring plates from a currently NH-registered vehicle, you must bring in the current registration for that vehicle so that it can be surrendered to the state upon transfer
All vehicles with a model year of 2000 or newer must be titled in NH. All persons listed as Buyers on the title MUST come into the Town Clerk’s office to sign the new Title Application.
If the vehicle model year is 1999 or older, it does not need to be titled in NH. However, proof of the VIN# is required which can be done with either the title, an old NH registration, or the TDMV 19A VIN verification form. A bill of sale is required: must include the year, make, model and VIN number of the vehicle, the date of sale and signatures of both buyer and seller.
If you are new to NH and registering your vehicle here for the first time, you will need to re-title your vehicle in NH, if the model year is a 2000 or newer. All persons listed on the current title MUST come into the Town Clerk’s office to sign the new Title Application.
Keep in mind, there are different situations that may require different documentation. Please come into the Town Clerk’s office so that we can determine what additional information you may need.
The Town Clerk's office does not give vehicle registration quotes over the phone. If you would like to receive a quote, please email the Town Clerk. You will need to provide the primary registrant's name, date of birth, year, make, model, and VIN number of vehicle to be registered. If a new registration, we will need to know whether you've purchased the vehicle from a licensed NH dealer or by private sale or an out-of-state dealer, or whether the vehicle is a lease. You will also need to indicate what type of plate you want to put on your vehicle. If you will be transferring plates, we will need the plate number you will be transferring.
How do I apply for a building permit?
Applications are available on the website and in the Community Development Office, located on the lower level of the Town House.
How do I obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate?
The Town Clerk's office provides certified copies of birth records to immediate family members for births that occurred in Peterborough, as well as for births that occurred in any city or town in the State of New Hampshire, 1935 to present.
Note: Copies of birth, marriage, death or divorce records are available to immediate family members only.
Fee: $15.00 for one copy and $10.00 for each additional copy issued at the same time on the same record.You may come into the Town Clerk's office during regular operation hours to pick up your copy. Or you may opt to obtain your copy by mail. Requests received by mail are completed and mailed out the same day they are received.
You may also make your request via EB2Gov, an online service. Go to our home page, scroll down and click on the green Vital Records button on the right. Note: additional fees are required.
Instructions to Make Your Request by Mail: Please print out the appropriate form and complete the requested information clearly. Please indicate the number of copies and the amount of the check or money order you are mailing in the upper right corner of the form. Please include your daytime phone number in case we encounter a problem with your request.
Please be sure to include:
- a self-addressed, stamped business-size envelope
- a copy of the requester's driver's license or passport (note: if you do not have a valid driver's license or passport, please click here)
- check or money order made payable to the Town of Peterborough
Incomplete vital record requests will be returned to sender for missing item(s) thereby delaying the receipt of the document you are requesting.
Mail completed form and above items to: Town Clerk's Office, Attention Vital Records, 1 Grove Street, Peterborough, NH 03458.
Birth records cannot be returned electronically.
How do I obtain a certified copy of a death certificate?
The Town Clerk's office provides certified copies of death records for deaths that occurred in Peterborough, NH as well as for deaths that occurred in any city or town in the State of NH, 1965 to present.
Note: Copies of birth, marriage, death or divorce records are available to immediate family members only.
Fee: $15.00 for one copy and $10.00 for each additional copy issued at the same time on the same record.
You may come into the Town Clerk's office during regular operation hours to pick up your copy. Or you may opt to obtain your copy by mail. Requests received by mail are completed and mailed out the same day they are received.
You may also make your request via EB2Gov, an online service. Please visit our homepage, scroll down and click on the Vital Records button.
Instructions to Make Your Request by Mail: Please print out the appropriate form and complete the requested information clearly. Please indicate the number of copies and the amount of the check or money order you are mailing in the upper right corner of the form. Please include your daytime phone number in case we encounter a problem with your request.
Please be sure to include:
- a self-addressed stamped business-size envelope
- a copy of the requester's driver's license or passport (note: if you do not have a valid driver's license or passport, please click here)
- check or money order made payable to the Town of Peterborough
Incomplete vital record requests will be returned to sender for missing item(s) thereby delaying the receipt of the document you are requesting.
Mail completed form and above items to: Town Clerk's Office, Attention Vital Records, 1 Grove Street, Peterborough, NH 03458.
Death records cannot be returned electronically.
How do I obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate?
The Town Clerk's office provides copies of wedding records for marriages in which the licenses were obtained in Peterborough , NH as well as for marriages that occurred in any city or town in the State of New Hampshire, 1960 to present.
Note: Copies of birth, marriage, death or divorce records are available to immediate family members only.
Fee: $15.00 for one copy and $10.00 for each additional copy issued at the same time on the same record.
You may come into the Town Clerk's office Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM, or Thursday, 11:00 AM - 6:30 PM to pick up your copy. Or you may opt to obtain your copy by mail. Requests received by mail are completed and mailed out the same day they are received.
Or, you may make your request via EB2Gov, an online service. Go to our home page, scroll down and click on the Vital Records button. Note: additional fees are required.
Instructions to Make Your Request by Mail: Please print out the appropriate form and complete the requested information clearly. Please indicate the number of copies and the amount of the check or money order you are mailing in the upper right corner of the form. Please include your daytime phone number in case we encounter a problem with your request.
Please be sure to include:
- a self-addressed stamped business-size envelope
- a copy of the requester's driver's license or passport (note: if you do not have a valid driver's license or passport, please click here)
- check or money order made payable to the Town of Peterborough
Incomplete vital record requests will be returned to sender for missing item(s) thereby delaying the receipt of the document you are requesting.
Mail completed form and above items to: Town Clerk's Office, Attention Vital Records, 1 Grove Street, Peterborough, NH 03458.
Marriage certificate records cannot be returned electronically.
How do I obtain a copy of a divorce decree?
The Town Clerk's office provides copies of divorce records in which the decrees were obtained from the State of New Hampshire from 1979 to within 6 months from the present search date.
Note: Copies of birth, marriage, death or divorce records are available to immediate family members only.
Fee: $15.00 for one copy and $10.00 for each additional copy issued at the same time on the same record.
You may come into the Town Clerk's office during regular operating hours to pick up your copy or you may opt to obtain your copy by mail. Requests received by mail are completed and mailed out the same day they are received.
You may also make your request via EB2Gov, an online service. Note: additional fees are required.
Instructions: Please print out the appropriate form and complete the requested information clearly. Please indicate the number of copies and the amount of the check or money order you are mailing in the upper right corner of the form. Please include your daytime phone number in case we encounter a problem with your request.
Please be sure to include:
- a self-addressed stamped business-size envelope
- a copy of the requester's driver's license or passport (note: if you do not have a valid driver's license or passport, please click here)
- check or money order made payable to the Town of Peterborough
Incomplete vital record requests will be returned to sender for missing item(s) thereby delaying the receipt of the document you are requesting.
Mail completed form and above items to: Town Clerk's Office, Attention Vital Records, 1 Grove Street, Peterborough, NH 03458.
Divorce records cannot be returned electronically.
How do I obtain a marriage license?
If you're getting married anywhere in New Hampshire, you may obtain your Marriage License in any New Hampshire city or town.
To obtain your Marriage License in Peterborough, you and your fiancée must come into the Town Clerk's office, during normal business hours, with photo identification (driver's license, passport, etc.) In addition, if either of you were married before, proof must be provided of the divorce or death of the former spouse. If the former marriage was dissolved by divorce, the State requires that we see the sealed final divorce decree. If the spouse was deceased, we will need to view a certified copy of the death certificate.
You and your fiancée will complete a worksheet that will be used by the Town Clerk’s office in preparing the Marriage License. You will need to know full names of your parents, their state or country of birth, etc.
Both bride and groom will also be required to state what name will be taken as their legal name after the marriage.
The entire process takes approximately 20-30 minutes. Cost: $50.00
The Marriage License is good for 90 days from the date it is obtained.
The completed Marriage License will be forwarded to the Town Clerk’s office by the person officiating at the marriage ceremony. You are then able to request copies of your Marriage Certificate for your records.
Copies of the Marriage Certificate are available for $15.00 for the first copy; $10.00 for each additional copy. These must be purchased after the marriage ceremony has taken place and the officiant has returned the license to the Town Clerk.
How do I obtain an Absentee Ballot?
If you are a registered voter in the Town of Peterborough and will be out of town on Election Day, are ill or unable to make it to the polls due to a medical condition or religious observance, or whose employment obligations require you to remain physically at work or to be in transit to or from work from the time the polls open until after the time the polls close, you can request an absentee ballot from the Town Clerk's office.
Your request must be in writing and must be signed by you to qualify. Please click go to the Town Clerk's page, click on Absentee Ballots at the bottom of the page, and choose the form appropriate for the election. Please be sure to indicate the address where the absentee ballot should be mailed.
Please allow enough time for the ballot to be mailed to you and for you to return the completed ballot by mail to the Town Clerk's office. You may also opt to pick up the Absentee Ballot at the Town Clerk's office prior to Election Day.
If you are a U.S. citizen living outside the United States and want to vote in a State or Federal election, you must use the Federal Post Card Application. Although we are able to email you the ballot and affidavit, you must print and mail both the ballot and affidavit so they are returned by Election Day.
To be counted, absentee ballots must be received back at the Town Clerk’s office by 5 PM the day prior to Election Day, or by mail on Election Day.
How do I register to vote?
Registering to vote is really very simple. Come into the Town Clerk’s office during regular operating hours, or you may register to vote at the polls on election day.
You must be a United States citizen (born in U.S. or naturalized).
You will need to provide:
- Provide a photo ID (valid driver’s license; U.S. or state-issued photo ID, or valid passport plus last four digits of your Social Security number)
- Provide proof of residency in the Town of Peterborough (if your driver's license does not already reflect your current Peterborough address, please bring a telephone, electric or cable bill, or pay stub that shows your legal address; copy of your lease; closing statement from purchase of home).
- Provide proof of citizenship (birth certificate or passport)
- Fill out and sign registration form available at the Town Clerk’s office.
Note: If you do not have the above-listed proofs of citizenship or photo ID, affidavits are available.
Your name will then be placed on the current Voter Registration List for the Town of Peterborough by the Supervisors of the Checklist and you will be able to vote in the next election.
Registration Information from the Secretary of State's Office (with links):
What items are recycled at the Recycling Center?
Glass, aluminum, rinsed plastic bottles and jugs #1 and #2, plastic caps, steel cans, mixed paper, magazines, newspaper, cardboard, scrap metal, yard waste, food scraps, wood & coal ash, household batteries, tires, fluorescent light bulbs, textiles, styrofoam packing peanuts, cell phones, printer ink and toner cartridges, compact disks and computer diskettes, corks, needles and sharps.
Also will accept for a fee:
Appliances, brush & untreated wood, mercury devices, electronics, furniture, carpets, construction/demolition debris, propane tanks.
Peterborough uses a pay-per-bag system. Bags can be purchased at Belletete's Hardware, Agway, Nature's Green Grocer and Shaw's.
For more information, check out the Recycling Center webpage.
Who are my legislators?
To find out how to contact your New Hampshire legislators, please visit the New Hampshire General Court website:
http://gencourt.state.nh.us/house/default.aspx
For your representatives to the United States House of Representatives, please visit the House of Representative's website:
http://www.house.gov/
For your Senators, please visit the United States Senate website:
http://www.senate.gov/
