Skip to main content

Order a birth, marriage, or death certificate

Need a copy of a vital record? Order copies of certified records for a fee. If we can’t find your record, we’ll send you a Negative Statement. Please note you can’t browse vital records online.
Most orders are filled within 2-3 weeks (expedited options are available).
Submit an online request through VitalChek  

Contacts

Registry of Vital Records and Statistics

Phone

Main: Call Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, Main: at (617) 740-2600
Amendment Unit: Call Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, Amendment Unit: at (617) 740-2674

Online

RVRS General Inquiries: Email Registry of Vital Records and Statistics at RVRSGeneralInfo@mass.gov
Amendments: Email Registry of Vital Records and Statistics at RVRSAmendments@mass.gov
Vital Record Registration Inquiries: Email Registry of Vital Records and Statistics at RVRSRegistration@mass.gov
Data and Publications: Email Registry of Vital Records and Statistics at vital.datarequest@mass.gov
Registry Hours: See hours, parking, and directions 

The Details   of Order a birth, marriage, or death certificate

What you need   for Order a birth, marriage, or death certificate

Before making a request for a vital record, you will need:

  • The subject’s name
  • Date of the event
  • Place of the event
  • Proof of your identification (ID)
    • Acceptable forms of ID: Preferably a driver’s license (even expired) or Government issued Photo ID

You may also be required to provide documentation showing how your relation to the subject of the record, if you're a legal guardian or representative.

Years available

RVRS administers and issues copies of vital records that occurred in Massachusetts from 1931 to the present. Records for events that occurred from 1841–1930 are available from the State Archives. All records at the State Archives are public records. Earlier records may be available at the city or town of occurrence. Some city and town records are available from as early as 1635.

Fees   for Order a birth, marriage, or death certificate

View all fees and shipping information. Please make checks payable to Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Name Fee Unit
Online or by phone $54 for first copy
Online or by phone $42 per additional copy
By mail $32 per copy
In person $20 per copy

How to order   Order a birth, marriage, or death certificate

Request an online order from VitalChek.

Requests will typically process in 7–10 business days, or can expedite your order for next day service.

Questions? View the VitalChek Help Center.

Call VitalChek: (617) 740-2606

Call toll free: (866) 300-8535

Note: Research is not available via phone.

Questions? View the VitalChek Help Center.

Send your completed vital records mail order form (PDF) l (DOCX) and a check or money order payable to Commonwealth of Massachusetts to:

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

Orders will be processed within 30 business days of receipt.  To get your order within 7–10 business days, address your envelope to the attention of Expedited Mail Service. Refer to the Vital Records Service Fees (PDF) l (DOCX) for expedited shipping fees.

Note: Research is not available via expedited mail service.

You can order certified records at the Registry counter Monday–Friday 8:45 a.m.–4:45 p.m.

You will be asked to pay by check or money order.

Visit the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics.

Next steps   for Order a birth, marriage, or death certificate

If we can't find your record

We will send you a Negative Statement. You will need this to establish delayed records.

Amending or Correcting a Record of Birth, Death, or Marriage 

More info   for Order a birth, marriage, or death certificate

Only certified copies of records are issued by the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, regardless of intended use. 

The Registry of Vital Records and Statistics maintains indexes and records on site at the Registry offices. There is no specific records information or index online. 

If you are looking for Vital Record information but do not need or want a certified copy we have genealogical research hours available.

Access to records of births to unwed parents is restricted to the:

  • Child
  • Parents
  • Father not listed on the record (this requires documentation supporting paternity)
  • Legal guardian (this requires documentation supporting guardianship)
  • Legal representative (this requires documentation supporting representation)

Access to marriage records of a person born to unwed parents is restricted to the:

  • Bride
  • Groom
  • Legal representative (this requires documentation supporting representation)
  • Parents
  • Legal guardians (this requires documentation supporting guardianship)

Access to birth records prior to adoption is restricted to the:

  • An adult adoptee (18 years or older) who was born in Massachusetts.
  • An adult child (18 years or older) of a deceased parent who was an adoptee born in Massachusetts.
  • The parent or legal guardian of a child (under 18 years of age) whose deceased parent was an adoptee born in Massachusetts.
  • The adoptive parent of a child (under 18 years of age) born in Massachusetts.

Downloads   for Order a birth, marriage, or death certificate

Open DOCX file, 21.67 KB,  R200b Legal Impediments to Marriage (English, DOCX 21.67 KB)
Open PDF file, 141.74 KB,  Vital records service fees (English, PDF 141.74 KB)
Open DOCX file, 18.22 KB,  Vital records service fees (English, DOCX 18.22 KB)
Open PDF file, 394.04 KB,  Vital records mail order form (English, PDF 394.04 KB)
Open DOCX file, 42.73 KB,  Vital records mail order form (English, DOCX 42.73 KB)

Contact   for Order a birth, marriage, or death certificate

Address
150 Mount Vernon St., 1st Floor, Dorchester, MA 02125
Directions 
Phone
Main: Call Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, Main: at (617) 740-2600
Amendment Unit: Call Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, Amendment Unit: at (617) 740-2674
Online
RVRS General Inquiries: Email Registry of Vital Records and Statistics at RVRSGeneralInfo@mass.gov
Amendments: Email Registry of Vital Records and Statistics at RVRSAmendments@mass.gov
Vital Record Registration Inquiries: Email Registry of Vital Records and Statistics at RVRSRegistration@mass.gov
Data and Publications: Email Registry of Vital Records and Statistics at vital.datarequest@mass.gov
Registry Hours: See hours, parking, and directions 

Related

Help Us Improve Mass.gov  with your feedback

Please do not include personal or contact information.
Feedback