Township Clerk

• Animal licensing - Licenses must be renewed every January.  The license is valid until January 31st of the following year.  NJSA 4:19-15.2a requires animals receiving municipal licenses to be immunized against rabies.  The rabies vaccine must be valid through November 30th of the licensing year or your dog cannot be issued a license.  Renewals for current licensed animals are mailed out on January 1st.  New cat and dog license applications are available at the following link: http://www.piscatawaynj.org/town_clerk/animal-licensing
• Bingo/Raffle/Solicitor/Peddler licenses - You can provide the required documents through the postal mail or by dropping them off at the Township Clerk's office.  Applications are available on the Township website as are details about required documents and payment info: http://www.piscatawaynj.org/town_clerk/misc-applicationsforms
• Health licensing - You can provide the required documents through the postal mail or by dropping them off at the Township Clerk's office.  Applications are available on the Township website as are details about required documents and payment info: http://www.piscatawaynj.org/health_dept/health-license-formsapplications
• Marriage licenses - At this time, applications for marriage are only being accepted by appointment with the Township Clerk's office staff.   This must be completed before your wedding ceremony for your marriage to be legally recognized in New Jersey.  You must have a ceremony date and officiant (someone to perform your ceremony) before the office can schedule your appointment.  Please call the Township Clerk's office at (732) 562-2310 for more information and to schedule your appointment.
• Notary services - The Township Clerk's office offers notary services for Piscataway residents only.
• OPRA requests - For any Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request, please complete the form linked here and submit it via e-mail at  OPRARequests@PiscatawayNJ.org, at FAX (732) 529-2500, through the postal mail or drop off at the Township Clerk's office.
• Vital Records (copies of birth, death and marriage certificates) - Requests for certified copies are only accepted via postal mail or by dropping off the required documents in the Township Clerk's office.  The cost is $25 for the first copy and $2 for each additional copy.  You must complete this linked form - making sure all highlighted fields are filled - and then fill the section relevant to your request.  Mail the completed form along with a printed copy of a clear, valid (not expired) photo ID that matches the address on your request as well as the fee.  Your certified copy will be mailed back to you.  You can also request this online from the New Jersey Office of Vital Statistics: https://www.nj.gov/health/vital/order-vital/

1. Melissa A. Seader, Township Clerk, RMC, CMR
2. Kelly Mitch, Deputy Township Clerk

3. Bunty Sood, Office Assistant

In New Jersey, the Clerk occupies one of the most important and exacting positions in municipal government. In many instances, it is the hub of municipal operations. The Clerk, by virtue of his or her position, serves as a liaison officer between the governing officials and the taxpayers and between the executive and the general body of municipal personnel. The Municipal Clerk is an important public relations figure in municipal personnel.

The Core Duties of the Municipal Clerk include:

• Acting as secretary to the municipal corporation and custodian of the municipal seal and of all minutes, books, deeds, bonds and contracts of the municipal corporation. The governing body may, however, provide by ordinance that any other specific officer shall have custody of any specific other class or records.
• Acting as secretary to the governing body, preparing meeting agendas at the discretion of the governing body, being present at all meetings of the governing body, keeping a journal of the proceedings of every meeting, retaining the original copies of all ordinances and resolutions, and recording the minutes of every meeting.
• Serving as the chief administrative official in all elections held in the municipality, subject to the requirements of Title 19 of the Revised Statues.
• Serving as the chief registrar of voters in the municipality, subject to the requirements of Title 19 of the Revised Statues.
• Performing such other duties as are now or hereafter imposed by Statute, regulation or by municipal ordinance or regulation.

In addition to the core duties, the Municipal Clerk's is responsible to perform a variety of other functions such as receiving and forwarding Notice of Claims, researching requests, updating Municipal Officials lists, Code Book maintenance, disclosure statements, oaths, tax appeals, stream encroachment permits, contracts, custodian of bonds, and receipt of single family dwelling notices. Purchase orders are completed for necessary supplies for the Council members and for the Clerk's Office. Applications for Bingo, Raffle and Liquor Licenses need to be approved. Each year, work is done for multiple dwelling registrations, limo and taxi services, and directories for various companies. Also numerous phone calls and helping the public with various questions take up most of the day's time.

The Municipal Clerk's Office is now responsible for two elections; the Primary Election which is held in June as well as the General and Board of Education Election which is held in November. In preparing for these elections, the Municipal Clerk's Office must provide various certifications, prepare District Workers' bags and provide payment to the District Workers. The office must be staffed prior to the opening of the polls until the closing of polls and tallying of results.

There are many responsibilities involved in working as the Council's Secretary. Before each meeting an Agenda is prepared. After each meeting various letters are typed and advertisements made. Minutes must then be prepared. Resolutions of Recognition are done for almost every meeting, and various originals need to be made.

The Municipal Clerk's Office is always willing to develop public good will and inform the public. In our busy schedule we will always direct your inquiry to the appropriate department and/or help in any way we can with your needs.

For Middlesex County Clerk services including passport, business trade name certificates, election info, land and map search, deed info, etc., click below: