Clerk/ Registrar

This office is responsible for maintaining all minutes and records of Borough Council proceedings, preserving and compiling all ordinances and resolutions, issuing applications for raffles & bingo, soliciting/vendor permits, limousine permits, landlord/tenant registration, OPRA forms, election information & voter registration forms, current agendas and monthly calendar of events.  Please note that Council meeting agendas and minutes from 2014 to the present can be found on the Borough website.  Resolutions and ordinances from 2019 to the present, and Council meeting minutes from 1995 through 2013 can be found on the Hopatcong General Code website: https://ecode360.com/HO0258. 

Core Duties of the Municipal Clerk:

Act as secretary to the municipal corporation and custodian of the municipal seal and of all minutes, books, deeds, bonds, contracts, and archival records of the municipal corporation;

Act as secretary to the Governing Body, prepare meeting agendas at the discretion of the governing body, be present at meetings of the Governing Body, retain the original copies of all ordinances, resolutions and minutes;

Serve as the chief administrative office in all elections held in the municipality, subject to the requirements of Title 19 of the Revised Statutes;

Serve as the chief registrar of voters in the municipality, subject to the requirements of Title 19 of the Revised Statutes.

Serve as the administrative officer responsible for the acceptance of various licenses and permits.

Serve as coordinator and records manager responsible for implementing local archives and records retention programs as mandated pursuant to Title 47 of the Revised Statutes.

Perform such other duties as are now or hereafter imposed by statutes, regulation or by municipal ordinance or regulation.

Animal Licensing  

The Borough of Hopatcong license period is from January 1 to December 31 of each year. All dogs and cats 7 months or older must be licensed. There will be a late fee of $5.00 for each pet license for every month that you are late after January 31st. State Law requires that the rabies vaccination covers 10 months of the licensing year, therefore each dog or cat must have a valid rabies vaccination expiring no sooner than October 31st of the following year. 
If your pet is already in our system, it is not necessary to complete the animal license application.
Animal License application

Phone number for Animal licensing is 973-770-1200 ext 136 or 140 

The licensing fees are as follows:
 
Cat License:
Spayed/ Neutered: $15.00
Not Spayed/ Neutered: $18.00
 
Dog License:
Spayed/ Neutered: $15.00
Not Spayed/ Neutered: $18.00

If renewing by mail, please return the application form, proof of spay or neuter, and rabies certificate which shall not expire before October 31st of the following year along with a self-addressed stamped envelope with (2) first class stamps. Make check payable to: The Borough of Hopatcong.

If renewing in person, the only documentation you will need is an updated rabies vaccine certificate if updated since your last license and a spay or neuter certificate if not already on file.  Licenses will be issued between the hours of 9am and 4pm.  Exact change or check only.

Please be advised that all business owners and owners of rental units, (residential and commercial), are required maintain liability insurance in an amount of no less than $500,000 for combined property damage and bodily injury to or death of one or more persons in any one accident or occurrence.  Such insurance could be provided as part of policies such as those for commercial general liability, personal liability, or an umbrella insurance policy.  Owner-occupied two-family, three-family or four-family homes are subject to a lower $300,000 coverage minimum.  Insurance certificates must be registered with the municipal clerk on an annual basis.  

Banner Permit

Bingo License Application

Borough Property Application-Review Form

Certified Copy Request Form

Clothing Bin Application

Deer Hunting License Application

     -Hunting Map

Do Not Knock Application

Dumpster Container Permit

Emergency Alert Registration Form

Facility Use Request Form

Filming license application

Food Handling License

Garage Sale Permit Application

Highland's Municipal Exemption Application

Hopatcong Personnel Policy Manual

Kennel/Pet Shop License Application

Landlord Registration

Limo License Application

Marriage License Application

OPRA Request Form

Peddler Permit Application

Pot Belly Pig License Application

Pet license renewal

Raffle License Application

Septic Contractor License Application

Short Term Rental Application

Soil Log Application

Tattoo License Application

Tort Claim Form

Video Surveillance Camera Form

Vital Records Request Form

W-9 Form

(please be advised that the Governor has suspended the marriage application fee until July of 2023)

Applying for a Marriage License

If you are planning on entering into a marriage in New Jersey, there are a few things you need to know. Please phone ahead for an appointment to apply for your license. Registrar’s hours are Monday – Friday, 9:30AM to 3:00PM.  There is a $28 application fee. Complete the marriage license application form.  Do not sign the marriage application form before going to the Local Registrar. You must sign the application, under oath, in the presence of the issuing authority.

Requirements for entering into a marriage

• Not be a party to another civil union, domestic partnership or marriage in this state or recognized by this state;
• Be at least 18 years of age.

Where to apply

• Apply for the marriage license in the New Jersey municipality where either party resides. The license is valid throughout New Jersey.
• If neither applicant is a New Jersey resident, submit the application in the municipality where the marriage ceremony will be performed. In this case, the license is only valid in the issuing municipality.

Required items when applying for a marriage license

• Proof of identity by presenting your driver’s license, passport or state/federal I.D.
• Proof of residency by one applicant if a NJ resident
• A witness, 18 years of age or older
• The $28 application fee

Your social security number is required by law for US citizens and will be kept confidential.

Any documents in a foreign language must be accompanied by a certified English translation.

After you apply

There is a 72-hour waiting period before the license is issued. The waiting period begins when the application is filed with the Registrar. There is no 72-hour waiting period for a remarriage; however, you must bring a certified copy of your existing marriage.

The marriage license application is valid for six months from the date accepted, unless the Registrar has given prior approval to extend the validity of the application to a maximum of one year. Only one marriage license may be granted from a marriage application. If the license expires before being used, a new application must be made and another $28 fee remitted.

Marriage  Certificate

Once you are united in marriage the officiant will file the marriage license in the town where the ceremony was performed. Certified Certificates are issued by the municipality in which the legal ceremony was performed.

Certified Copies of Vital Records

Certified copies of all Vital Records may be obtained provided the individual is qualified to receive and can fully identify the record requested and provide proof of identification and proof of relationship. No Exceptions can be made. Certified copies of vital records, (Marriage, Birth, Death, Civil Union, Domestic Partnership) can be obtained for a cost of $10.00 each.

Birth or Death Certificates

Certified Copies of both Death and Birth Certificates are available in the town where the Birth or Death Occurred.

• Certified Copy Requirements and Marriage Application Requirements
• Apostille
• Info for Marriage - Instructions
• Marriage Application

OPRA Request Form

Notary Services- For Hopatcong Residents only

There is no charge for notary services, however the following is required:

• Current Driver’s License
• A witness (If applicable)
• Documents must be signed in the presence of the notary, or they cannot be notarized
• Single page documents only

• Notary service is not available for the following types of documents as they can require technical or legal knowledge that is beyond the scope of this free service:
  • Deeds
  • Wills
  • Living Wills
  • Living Trusts
  • Codicils
  • I-9 Forms
  • Depositions
  • Powers of Attorney
  • Mortgages
  • Custodial Documents 
  • Divorce documents
  • Real Estate transactions (including deeds and closing documents) 
  • Citizenship applications

Notary Services are available by appointment only, please call 973-770-1200 to schedule.

Please note that same day notary service may not be available, and the notary reserves the right to decline service for any reason.

NJ Laws pertaining to Notary Services are detailed in the New Jersey Notary Public Manual.