Newport Clerk's Office To Halt Transactions During Server Migration

The Town Clerk's Office announced that a scheduled server migration will temporarily disable its transaction systems beginning after 12:30 PM on Wednesday, January 14. Town staff will remain available to answer questions and assist residents, but the office will not be able to process certain electronic services during the outage.

Transactions that cannot be completed while systems are offline include motor vehicle transactions, dog registrations, and any payments made by credit card. The office said vital records and permit payments may still be accepted if paid by cash or check. Residents with urgent needs are advised to call the Town Clerk’s Office at 603-863-2224 after 3:00 PM on the day of the outage to check whether services are available.

The interruption is likely to affect drivers approaching registration deadlines, pet owners who plan to renew dog licenses, and anyone intending to use card payments for town services. For residents without ready access to cash or checks, the limitation on electronic payments could create a barrier to completing time-sensitive transactions and could require rescheduling trips to town offices.

Municipal IT work such as server migrations is a standard component of maintaining and updating digital systems, but it also exposes how dependent daily civic services have become on uninterrupted network access. When core functions are tied to a single server environment, even planned maintenance can interrupt essential services. The town's advance notice gives residents time to prepare, but it also underscores the need for clear contingency plans and accessible alternatives for payments and filings.

For voters and residents who rely on the clerk’s office for documentation related to elections, property records, or vital records, the temporary limitation reinforces the importance of planning ahead. If you anticipate needing motor vehicle services, dog licensing, or other clerk transactions in the coming week, complete them before the scheduled migration or confirm alternative arrangements with the office.

The Town Clerk’s Office will retain staff to answer questions during the outage window, and residents with urgent matters should call 603-863-2224 after 3:00 PM on January 14 to determine whether any services can be accommodated. Municipal officials should ensure follow-up communication if the migration affects additional dates or services so residents can avoid unexpected disruptions.