Clerk Services
The Chief Administrative Officer is responsible for overseeing the operation of all departments in the Township.
The Clerk's Department is responsible for providing support services to Council, and preparing information presented to Council such as by-laws, resolutions, Council agendas and corresponding minutes.
This department also provides:
- By-law Enforcement Services
- Planning Services
- Conducts municipal elections
- Issues marriage licenses, prepares birth registrations, issues burial permits
- Processes Municipal Freedom of Information requests
- Authority as a Commissioner of Oaths signing officer
- Coordinates records management
- Publishes the Township newsletter “Zorra Now”
- Maintains the Township’s website
For information or inquiries about any services provided by the Clerk’s Department, please contact:
Township of Zorra Clerk
Phone: 519-485-2490 ext. 7228
Contact the Clerk by email
Commissioner of Oath services are offered through the Clerks Department between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday and include affidavits*, oaths, pension documents from other countries and statutory declarations. There is no fee for this service for Zorra Residents. As per By-law No. 55-16, a fee of $10.00 per document will apply to non-residents.
The individual who will be taking the oath and signing the document must present one original piece of government issued photo identification : i.e. a valid driver’s license, a valid passport, which includes your address. Please do not sign the document in advance. The Commissioner must witness your signature.
The Township does not provide Notary Public services. A list of Notary Publics and lawyers who notarize documents can be found in your local phone directory.
* Affidavits regarding Wills and Real Estate require the services of a lawyer
Municipal Elections take place every four years in accordance with the Municipal Elections Act. Responsibility for the election falls under the Clerks' Department.
We have a separate website dedicated to the 2022 Municipal Election. Visit the election site here.
The Township of Zorra has the authority to issue lottery licences to eligible organizations that are based within the boundaries of the Township of Zorra. The Lottery Licensing Officer will determine a group’s eligibility to conduct lotteries with the following prerequisites being mandatory for an organization to be considered eligible:
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Organizations must have been in existence for at least one year before being considered eligible, and
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The organization must have a place of business in Ontario, demonstrate that it is established to provide charitable services in Ontario and use proceeds for objects or purposes which benefit Ontario residents.
Click on the links below to view applications and Terms and Conditions for lottery schemes which include bingos, raffles, break open tickets and social gaming events:
Additional information is also available from our office or online from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario website. Please check the AGCO website for lottery schemes terms and conditions. Municipal staff must carefully review all applications and ensure that the organization’s file is complete. Please allow up to five business days for processing your licence application. If applicants are also submitting the Township’s Questionnaire Respecting Applicants for Lottery Licence, an additional ten business days may be needed for processing. For more information about lottery licencing, please contact Alycia Wettlaufer, Legislative Coordinator/Deputy Clerk at 519-485-2490 ext 7250.
Please review the information regarding Temporary Patio Extension program. A complete application form is required and forms submitted with no drawing of the location of the patio will not be considered until a drawing is received. Click here to review the form and regulations for temporary patio extensions.
The Township of Zorra Memorial Tree Program was established in 1995 by the Zorra Cemetery Committee and Council in co-operation with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) and various funeral directors in the immediate area. 
Memorial trees are planted at various public locations throughout the Township, including parks, cemeteries, etc., where they can benefit the greatest number of people.
Planting takes place annually at a pre-selected and approved site made in consultation with the UTRCA. A donation may be arranged through the Township of Zorra or one of the participating funeral directors. The name of the deceased will be published in the “Memorial Tree Dedication Record”.
**NEW: For an additional fee, you can have your loved ones name engraved on a plaque and placed on one or all three signs that have been erected in Grace Patterson Park, Embro Pond and Harrington Conservation Area. Please note, it may take six to twelve months for the name plate to be added to the Memorial Tree signs as these are ordered based on demand.
The current cost of having a memorial tree planted is $40.00. Payment is made to the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (various payment options available), along with the name(s) of the individual(s) being memorialized. An income tax receipt will be issued by the UTRCA.
If you have any questions or comments about the Memorial Tree Program, please contact the Clerk at 519-485-2490 ext. 7228.