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City Clerk

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1. Where do I get a birth or death certificate or a marriage license?

Birth, death, and marriage certificates and marriage licenses are issued by the County of San Mateo. Please contact the County Clerk's Office at (650) 363-4000 or see their website for more information about obtaining a certificate. San Mateo County Clerk's Office, 555 County Center, First Floor, Redwood City, CA 94063-1665

2. When will the City Council agenda be ready?

Agendas are posted by the end of the day on the Thursday before each City Council meeting.

Council Agendas & Minutes

3. How can I find out what's on the City Council agenda?

Agendas are posted by the end of the day on the Thursday before each City Council meeting. You can also subscribe for agenda updates by email.

4. Where can I find City Council meeting minutes?

City Council meeting minutes are available on our Council agendas and minutes page. Minutes are listed after the agenda items for each meeting.

5. What Commissions and Boards does the City have? How do I become a member of a Commission or Board?

All of the City Commissions and Boards are listed here, along with information about current vacancies and how to apply. Community residents interested in serving on a board or commission may obtain an application online. Commissioners and board members are selected by the full City Council through a competitive process. 

Also See: 

• Current commission vacancies and more information about how to apply. 
• Sign up for email updates for any boards or commission meeting agenda and be notified when new vacancies become available.

6. Does your office issue passports?

The San Mateo Main Library provides passport services. The Library is located at 55 West Third Avenue, 2nd Floor, San Mateo, CA 94402. Call the Library Administration Office to schedule an appointment: (650) 522-7802.

You can also apply online through the U.S. State Department at http://travel.state.gov/

7. Where can I obtain a Business License?

The City’s Finance Department processes all business tax certificates (i.e., business licenses). More information is available at www.cityofsanmateo.org/304/Business-License

8. How do I register to vote?

Voter registration information is available through the San Mateo County Election website or http://registertovote.ca.gov. The San Mateo City Clerk’s Department provides voter registration forms during office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm. We can assist you in locating vote centers as Election Day approaches and on Election Day.

http://registertovote.ca.gov/

9. How do I file a claim against the City?

A claim must be filed with the City of San Mateo within six months of the incident. Completed forms can be e-mailed to claims@cityofsanmateo.org, mailed or hand-delivered to:
City Clerk, City of San Mateo, 330 West 20th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403. City Hall is closed from 12-1pm.  Claim Against the City Form.

Claim Against the City Form

10. When is the next Statewide Election?

Go to the official election website for the County of San Mateo www.smcacre.org/elections or call (650) 312-5222 for up-to-date information. State-wide elections are held on even numbered years.

11. What is a public record?

The Public Records Act defines “public records” as “any writing containing information relating to the conduct of the public’s business prepared, owned, used, or retained by any state or local agency regardless of physical form or characteristics.” California Public Records Act

12. Where can I review Conflict of Interest Statements for elected officials and candidates for City Council?

All conflict of interest statements (Fair Political Practices Commission's Form 700) for candidates, elected officials, and select officers of the City are available our website.

13. Where can I find the Municipal Code?

The Municipal Code is a published compilation of City laws and their revisions organized according to subject matter (arranged by title, chapter and section). The Municipal Code is updated periodically as new ordinances are adopted by the City Council. The Municipal Code for the City of San Mateo is available online at: https://sanmateo.ca.us.open.law/

14. Where can I find the City Charter?

San Mateo’s City Charter is available online at: https://sanmateo.ca.us.open.law/  San Mateo is one of two cities in the county that is a charter city. The San Mateo City Charter formulates the basic rules for governing the city. The charter can be changed or additions made by amendments, which must be approved by a majority of the voters. San Mateo was incorporated as a city on September 4, 1894.

San Mateo’s City Charter

15. Where can I find more information about the Brown Act?

The Ralph M. Brown Act is codified in Government Code Section 54950 et seq. The entire Government Code is available online at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.

16. Where can I find more information about the Political Reform Act?

The Political Reform Act is codified in Government Code Section 81000 et seq. The entire Government Code is available online at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Additional information about the Political Reform Act can be found on the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) website at www.fppc.ca.gov

17. Where can I find more information about the Public Records Act?

The Public Records Act is codified in Government Code Section 6250 et seq. The entire Government Code is available online at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. To submit a request to access any of the City's public records, go to the San Mateo Public Records Request Center www.cityofsanmateo.org/PublicRecords.

18. How do I submit a request to access public records from the City of San Mateo?

Go to the San Mateo Public Records Request Center www.cityofsanmateo.org/PublicRecords to submit your request for public records. Through our public records archive, you can also view the City's responses to other people's requests for public records.