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Obtaining Certified Copies of Vital Records

The Registry of Vital Records and Statistics maintains birth, death and marriage records that occur in Massachusetts from 1916 to the present.

The Registry also maintains an index of divorces from 1952 to the present. Copies of the divorce records are available from the probate court where the divorce was obtained.

Also available from the Registry are high-quality Heirloom Certificates that make beautiful keepsakes or gifts to commemorate a very special birth or marriage.

There are several ways to obtain copies of records:

Vital Records have been registered in Massachusetts since 1635. Statewide collection began in 1841. Records for events that occurred from 1841-1915 are available at the State Archives (617) 727-2816. Earlier records may be available at the City or Town of Occurrence.

Please note the following facts about the records maintained by the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics:

  • Certain records are restricted from public access. Identification may be required for processing some orders.
  • The Registry of Vital Records and Statistics maintains no indexes or records on the Internet. Records are only available on site at the Registry offices or at the city or town where the event occurred.
  • Note that ONLY CERTIFIED COPIES of records are issued by the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, regardless of intended use.
  • Please review this link to the Registry's Access Policy.

At the Registry

The Registry counter is open to the public during the following hours:

The cost for each certified copy of a record is $18.00 at the Registry counter which includes a ten-year search if the exact date and place of event is not known. Note that ONLY CERTIFIED COPIES of records are issued by the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, regardless of intended use.

The Registry is also open to the public in our research area.

For general information about research at the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, call (617) 740-2600.

For specific questions about the use of public indexes, the examination of records, extracting information from public records, record restrictions, and genealogical research facilities, call (617) 740-2600 or email vital.recordsrequest@state.ma.us

By Internet

The Vitalchek will process orders for certified copies via Internet. Note that ONLY CERTIFIED COPIES of records are issued by the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, regardless of intended use.

The cost for the first certified copy is $45.00, and each additional copy of the same record is $37.00 You will need to place your order using a major credit card (VISA, MasterCard, American Express or Discover).

Orders will be processed within seven to ten business days of receipt. For an additional charge of $15.00, your order can be shipped Federal Express Overnight.

Please review the Registry's Access Policy  if you are requesting a birth or marriage record in which the subject of the record was born out-of-wedlock. Internet orders must include the subject's name, date of event and place of event (research is not available via internet order).

The Registry of Vital Records and Statistics maintains no indexes or records on the Internet. Records are only available on site at the Registry offices or at the city of town where the event occurred.

By Telephone

Certified copies of records may be ordered by telephone using a major credit card (VISA, MasterCard, American Express or Discover). Place your order by calling: (617) 740-2606

Note that ONLY CERTIFIED COPIES of records are issued by the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, regardless of intended use. The cost for the first certified copy is $45.00, and each additional copy of the same record is $37.00. Orders will be processed within seven to ten business days of receipt. For an additional charge of $15.50, your order can be shipped Federal Express Overnight.

Please review the Registry's Access Policy if you are requesting a birth or marriage record in which the subject of the record was born out-of-wedlock. Telephone orders must include the subject's name, date of event and place of event (research is not available via telephone order.)

By Fax

Certified copies of records may be ordered by FAX using a major credit card (VISA, MasterCard, American Express or Discover).

Note that ONLY CERTIFIED COPIES of records are issued by the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, regardless of intended use. Place your order by FAXING the FAX Order Form to this number: 1-866-881-9699 The cost for the first certified copy is $45.00, and each additional copy of the same record is $37.00. Orders will be processed within seven to ten business days of receipt. For an additional charge of $15.50, your order can be shipped Federal Express Overnight.

Please review the Registry's Access Policy  if you are requesting a birth or marriage record in which the subject of the record was born out-of-wedlock. FAX orders must include the subject's name, date of event and place of event (research is not available via FAX order.)

By Mail

Provide the information requested on the Mail Order Form (PDF) | RTF and mail your request to:

Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
150 Mt. Vernon Street, 1st Floor
Dorchester, MA 02125-3105

Note that ONLY CERTIFIED COPIES of records are issued by the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, regardless of intended use.

Make your check or money order payable to "The Commonwealth of Massachusetts". Enclose a business-size self-addressed envelope. The cost of each record includes a ten-year search if the exact date or place of event is not known.
  • Regular Mail - The cost for each record ordered by mail is $28.00. Orders are normally processed within 20-30 business days of receipt. If faster service is required on your mail order, these services are also available:
  • Expedited Mail - The cost for expedited mail service is $37.00 for each certified copy. Address your envelope to the attention of "Expedited Mail Service." Your order will be processed within seven to ten business days of receipt. (Research is not available via expedited mail service.)

If faster service is needed, you will need to order your certificate by one of the other options described above.

Please review the Registry's Access Policy if you are requesting a birth or marriage record in which the subject of the record was born out-of-wedlock.

Heirloom Certificates

Available from the Registry is the Massachusetts Heirloom Birth or Marriage Certificate, attractively printed in blue and gold on 11" x 17" parchment, hand-signed, and suitable for framing.

Heirloom certificates are $50.00 at the Registry counter and $60.00 by mail. You may use the Mail Order Form (PDF) | RTF available online for Heirloom Certificates, but please indicate that you are requesting an Heirloom, and please enclose the correct amount payable to "The Commonwealth of Massachusetts".

 

This information is provided by the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics within the Department of Public Health.