City Clerk

City Council Meetings

Regular City Council meetings are held at 6 p.m. on the first three Mondays of each month. Due to the high volume of agenda items heard, City Council has been holding special meetings that usually start at 5 p.m. Pursuant to the provisions of the AB-361, Palo Alto City Council meetings will be held as "hybrid" meetings with the option to attend by teleconference or in person. To maximize public safety while still maintaining transparency and public access, members of the public can choose to participate from home or attend in person. Meetings are broadcast on Cable TV Channel 26 or 29, live on YouTube, and live on the Midpen Media Center. The Palo Alto Daily Post publishes a copy of the Agenda on the Friday preceding the City Council Meeting.

Standing Committee Meetings

The City Council participates in meeting groups to develop discussion on City matters. The Mayor assigns Council Members to Standing Committees annually. The City Council can also create Ad Hoc Committees based on need. Ad Hocs are short-term Committees for very specific discussions. City Council can appoint up to three members to an Ad Hoc Committee.

The City of Palo Alto has eight Boards and Commissions appointed by the City Council. The Boards and Commissions focus on specific areas of discussion. Members volunteer their time and expertise to the City. The City Clerk's Office coordinates recruitments to fill vacancies on the City's Boards and Commissions. 

Q: Where can I get a vital records (marriage licenses, birth or death certificates)?
A: They are maintained by Santa Clara County. Access Birth / Death Certificates and Marriage Licenses (408-299-5688)

Q: Where can I see filed FPPC Forms?
A: Completed forms are available through the NetFile System Public Portal. Form 700 filers or campaigns can file FPPC forms through the NetFile Employee Login.

Q: How can I view Ordinances and Resolutions?
A: All our records are available on the City Clerk's Records Portal.

Q: How can I submit a claim?
A: Complete the Claim form listed on the Claims Against the City webpage through the preferred method (online, in-person, mail).

Q: Is there a City Roster listing phone numbers and email addresses?
A: Yes! View our City Roster.(PDF, 303KB)

Q: Does Palo Alto file Domestic Partnerships?
A: Yes! We file Domestic Partnerships. Fill out the Domestic Partnership Form(PDF, 51KB) and Book a Service Appointment with the City Clerk's Office.

Q: Where can I get more information on how, when, and where to vote?
A: This is coordinated with the Santa Clara County, but view some good resources below!

• Palo Alto City Council Elections
• Voters Edge
• League of Women Voters
• Registrar of Voters
• Polling Places

• Candidate Guide(PDF, 19MB)

The City Council annually approves a Summer Break and Winter Closure as an adopted Resolution. Within those dates, Council does not hold a regular Council or Standing Committee meeting. At the January 24, 2022 City Council meeting, City Council approved the Resolution 10015 to adopt the 2022 Council Summer Break and Winter Closure dates:

• Council Summer Break is from Wednesday, June 22, 2022 through Sunday, July 31, 2022.
• Council Winter Closure is from Wednesday December 21, 2022 through Sunday, January 8, 2023.