Clerk Services
As a public facing department, the City Clerk's Office is glad to provide a variety of services to the public. Through these services, the City Clerk's Office remains dedicated to supporting and empowering the Palo Alto community. Our staff is committed to maintaining open communication with the public and providing excellent customer service. To facilitate convenience and flexibility, many services may be provided online and have online forms to process requests efficiently and effectively. More information on each service provided may be found below.
Clerk Services
Request Public Records
The City of Palo Alto understands and supports the public's right to access the public records created and maintained by the City in the course of its normal business. It is the goal of the City to provide service in a transparent manner, which includes timely access to requested records in accordance with the California Public Records Act (PRA).
Submit a Public Records Request
Submit a Request for Police Records
Request a Proclamation
Proclamations are a way to celebrate, honor, or proclaim a special week, day, month, organization, person, or event. The City Clerk’s office facilitates these documents to promote awareness and commemorate individuals. All proclamations are first vetted, reviewed and signed by the Mayor.
Submit a Proclamation Request
Request a Proof of Life
The purpose of Proof of Life (also known as a Life Certificate) is to verify that a person is alive. These documents qualify individuals for pensions and other beneficiaries from a foreign government/institution. The City Clerk's Office provides this service through appointments. At the time of the appointment, please bring the Proof of Life/Life Certificate form, and an unexpired and issued identity document (driver's license, passport, etc.).
Administer a Proof of Life
Submit a Claim/Subpoena
Claims, subpoenas, and non-claims for legal issues are processed in order to retain communication and transparency between the City and the public. The City Clerk’s Office manages these records in order to maintain accurate documentation, as well as supply historical information through public records request or inter-departmental communications.
- Claims can be submitted by email, in-person, or mail. More information can be found on the City Attorney Office's Claim Submission Portal.
- Subpoenas are only accepted if they are for the City Clerk's department/staff, not for a differing department (refer to department head), City employee (refer to supervisor), or personnel records (refer to the HR Department).
- Summons must indicate whether it is for either the City of Palo Alto, its departments, boards or commissions. If this is for a City employee for activities relating to official duties, refer to the employee or the employee's supervisor instead.
File for Domestic Partnership
The purpose of filing a Domestic Partnership is to certify and record an interpersonal relationship between two cohabitants who are not married to receive benefits, such as: right of survivorship, hospital visitation, etc. Individuals may terminate their Domestic Partnership anytime, if desired. Please note that the City's Domestic Partnership is distinct from the State of California's Domestic Partnership Registry.
Prior to booking an appointment, please fill out the Domestic Partnership Form. While both parties do not have to be present at the time of filing, both signatures are required.
File for Domestic Partnership