FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What voting ward do I live in and where do I vote?
We have included a copy of a map of the city showing voting ward boundaries and voting locations on this WEB site. To look at the map you will need to have Adobe software on your computer, which is available for free on the internet. Please note that the map file is large and may take a fairly long time to download. Once you have downloaded it, you can enlarge it by clicking on the "+" button. You will need to enlarge it several times in order to be able to read the street names. Voting locations are shown by a large star on the map and the addresses are shown on the legend in the lower right corner of the map. If you still have questions, please feel free to call the Clerk's office at 332-2130. To download the map click here.
Polling Places and Times
WARD 1: VFW Post 1772, 43 Highland Street/Route 202, East Rochester
WARD 2: St. Mary's Parish Center, 71 Lowell Street
WARD 3: Fire Station 2, Main Street, Gonic
WARD 4: Holy Rosary Parish Center, 189 North Main Street
WARD 5: Rochester Community Center Community Way
WARD 6: Elk's Lodge #1393, 41 Columbus Avenue
All polling places shall be open from 8:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M., on said Election Days.
How do I register to vote?
You may register to vote with the Checklist Supervisors or at the City Clerk's office prior to Election Day, or at the polling place on Election Day. You must fill out a voter registration card and must have proof of your citizenship, age, and residency.
Proof of citizenship can be a birth certificate, passport, naturalization papers or any other reasonable documentation which indicates you are a United States citizen. If you do not have documentation you may fill out a citizenship affidavit to prove your citizenship.
Proof of age can be any reasonable documentation indicating you are 18 or older.
Proof of residency can be any reasonable documentation indicating that you are living in Rochester and intend to maintain a domicile in Rochester. If you do not have documentation regarding residency you may sign an affidavit declaring your domicile.
Please note that there is a 10-day period before all elections during which you cannot register to vote. However, you CAN register to vote on Election Day at your designated polling location. To determine your designated polling location click here for Ward Map information or call the City Clerk at 332-2130.
How do I get an absentee ballot for an election?
Requesting an Absentee Ballot
Anyone who will not be in the City on election day, or who cannot go to the polls due to physical disability or religious observance, may request an absentee ballot from the City Clerk s Office. An absentee ballot may be obtained by sending a written request, including the voter s signature, to the City Clerk s Office at 31, Wakefield Street, Rochester, NH 03867, or by visiting the City Clerk s Office and filling out a short form, including a signature. A photo id is required when requesting an absentee ballot in person. Only the voter may pick up his/her ballot from the Clerk s Office.
Casting an Absentee Ballot
Voters must either mail their completed ballot or personally return it to the City Clerk s Office at 31 Wakefield Street, Rochester, NH 03867. No one may hand deliver a ballot except the voter casting that ballot. All absentee ballots that are hand delivered must be received into the Clerk s Office no later than 5 PM on the day prior to the election. All ballots returned through the mail must reach the Clerk s Office by election day. All absentee ballots will be delivered to the Moderators of the voters respective wards, where the ballot will be opened and processed at a time specified by the Moderator of each ward. The opening of absentee ballots is done in a place and at a time to allow for public observation of the procedure.
How much does it cost to get a certified copy of a local vital record (birth, death or marriage record)?
$12.00 for the first copy and $8.00 for each additional copy.
Who has access to local vital records?
Inspection or disclosure of local vital records information is not permitted in New Hampshire unless a person has a direct and tangible interest. The registrant, a member of his/her immediate family, his/her guardian, or their respective legal representatives are considered to have a tangible interest. Any person shall be guilty of a Class B Felony if he/she willfully and knowingly makes any false statements in application for a certified copy of a vital record.
How do I get a certified copy of a vital record by mail?
For a birth record write a letter stating the following:
registrant's name at birth
date of birth
mother's maiden name
father's name
city of birth
the reason you want the certificate
your relationship to the registrant
AND including:
photocopy of your driver's license or photo ID
your signature
your check (first copy $12.00, $8.00 each additional copy) payable to "City of Rochester"
and mail to City Clerk's Office, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, NH 03867
For a marriage record:
groom's name
bride's name at the time of the marriage
date of marriage
city in which you applied for the marriage license
the reason you want the certificate
your relationship to the person named in the record
AND including:
photocopy of your driver's license or photo ID
your signature
your check (first copy $12.00, $8.00 each additional copy) payable to "City of Rochester"
and mail to City Clerk's Office, 31 Wakefield St. Rochester, NH 03867
For a death record:
name on death certificate
date of death
city of death
the reason you want the certificate
your relationship to the person named in the record
AND including:
photocopy of your driver's license or photo ID
your signature
your check (first copy $12.00, $8.00 each additional copy) payable to "City of Rochester"
and mail to City Clerk's Office, 31 Wakefield St. Rochester, NH 03867
How much does it cost to get a marriage license?
The charge is $45.00. The license is good for 90 days from the date of the application and can be used anywhere in the State of New Hampshire. If this is not your first marriage, a certified copy with a raised seal of a death certificate or a divorce decree must be presented at the time of the application. A blood test is not required to get a marriage license in New Hampshire.
Where do I get certified copies of a divorce decree?
You may obtain them from the Court where the divorce was finalized.
How much does it cost to license a dog?
License fees are:
$10.00 - Male or Female
$ 7.50 - Neutered Male or Spayed Female
$ 3.00 - Senior Citizens 65 years or older (First dog only)
For new dogs, you must present the certificate of rabies vaccination and a certificate of spay or neuter.
How long is the dog license good for?
Licenses are effective from May 1 of each year to April 30 of the following year.
What is the charge for notarizing a signature?
The charge is $4.50 per document.
How do I volunteer for a board or committee or apply to be an election official?
If you are interested in volunteering, you may first want to look through this WEB site to see what the various boards and committees do and what their meeting schedule is. Once you have determined the one most interesting click here to download a copy of the application form. Fill it out, sign it, and bring it to the City Clerk's office on the first floor of City Hall, 31 Wakefield Street. You can also FAX it or mail it to the address at the top of this page.
How much it will cost to register my car?
This information is available from the Auto Registration Department. It is located in the Revenue Building at 19 Wakefield Street and their phone number is 335-7510.
What day do they pick up my garbage?
It depends on where you live in the City. The Turnkey Landfill number is 332-2386.
Where do I file a UCC?
Effective July 1, 2001, UCC's are filed with the Secretary of State's Office, UCC Division, State House, Room 204, Concord, NH 03301. The City Clerk's Office still accepts NH Department of Revenue Administration Liens, Federal Tax Liens, Hospital Liens and Town Tax Liens on Manufactured Housing. Filing fees are $15.00 plus $4.00 per page.
Where do I search for a UCC?
If the UCC was filed in Rochester prior to July 1, 2001, searches may be done in the City Clerk's Office. The search fee is $10.00. If the UCC was filed after July 1, 2001, you must contact the Secretary of State's Office
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