Cost of Living Climbs in Lowell with New Fee Hikes on Birth, Death, and Marriage Records

Key Updates in Lowell
• The Lowell City Council approved increases in fees for vital records and permits on April 28; rates had not been updated since 2014.
• The main reason for the increase is the high cost of state-required paper, mailing, and processing.
Major Fee Changes
• Birth, death, and marriage certificates: increased from $5 to $20 per copy.
• Home birth certificates: $50 to $100.
• Marriage intention filing: $10 to $50; extra copies now $20.
• New fee: $100 to record a death without a funeral home.
• Genealogy research: $10 to $20.
• Notary services: $2 to $5.
Other Permit Increases
• Raffle/bazaar permits: $5 to $25.
• Dog kennel licenses (4–25 dogs): $50 to $200.
• Zoning petitions: major jump from $150 to $1,000.
Financial Impact
• Clerk’s Office handled about 18,000 record requests in FY2026.
• Currently generates about $260,000 annually; expected to bring in about $100,000 more in FY2027 due to new fees.
Additional Context
• No public opposition at the hearing.
• Vote passed unanimously; mayor abstained.
• Fee hikes come alongside broader increases: property taxes, water, sewer, and trash fees.
• Budget balancing also includes layoffs of nearly 50 employees.
What’s Next
• The City Council will continue budget discussions on June 2.