Not a government site. We do not sell certificates. About us

VitalRecordsByState
Menu

Massachusetts vital records

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics is the vital records office for Massachusetts.1 It issues certified birth certificates, death certificates and marriage certificates2. It does not issue divorce records; this page shows who does.3 Local offices also issue certified copies.4

Last checked against official sources.

On this page
  1. Records and where to get them
  2. Local offices
  3. Access rules and the law
  4. The state office
  5. Questions people ask
  6. Sources

Current notices from the office

  • Since July 1, 2026 death certificates omit the SSN unless requested by a person with a legitimate need1
  • 1931-1935 birth, marriage and death records moved to the Massachusetts State Archives1
  • Most orders are filled within 2-3 weeks2

Records and where to get them

RecordWho issues itYears heldFirst copyShortest published time
Birth certificateMassachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics11936 to today5$326In person: Same day6
Death certificateMassachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics11936 to today5$326In person: Same day6
Marriage certificateMassachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics11936 to today5$326In person: Same day6
Divorce recordsMassachusetts Probate and Family Court71952 to near present (divorce index only)8$207–

Birth certificate

Who holds it
City or town clerk where the event occurred also issues certified copies4
Older records
Massachusetts Archives (1841-1935); city/town clerks (earlier, some from 1635)9
Ways to order
Online through VitalChek, by mail, in person, at a local office, by phone

How to get a Massachusetts birth certificate

Death certificate

Who holds it
City or town clerk where the event occurred also issues certified copies4
Older records
Massachusetts Archives (1841-1935); city/town clerks9
Ways to order
Online through VitalChek, by mail, in person, at a local office, by phone

How to get a Massachusetts death certificate

Marriage certificate

Who holds it
City or town clerk where the marriage intention was filed also issues certified copies2
Older records
Massachusetts Archives (1841-1935); city/town where intentions were filed2
Ways to order
Online through VitalChek, by mail, in person, at a local office, by phone

How to get a Massachusetts marriage certificate

Divorce records

Who holds it
RVRS does not hold divorce records; it can only give the probate court and docket number3
Older records
County Probate and Family Court8
Ways to order
By mail: Probate and Family Court where the case was filed, by mail (divorce information only), in person

How to get Massachusetts divorce records

Local offices

Local offices issue certified copies
Yes4
Which offices
City or town clerk (Boston: City Registry Division)10
Any office for any county
No: use the office for the place the event happened11

Access rules and the law

Who may get certified copies
Mostly open: death records to anyone (SSN redacted unless legitimate need); records of births to unwed parents, pre-adoption births and related marriage records restricted to listed persons or court order13

Laws and rules the office cites

  • M.G.L. c. 46, s. 2A (restricted records)14
  • M.G.L. c. 46, s. 13 (correction of records)15
  • M.G.L. c. 46, s. 1 as amended effective July 1, 2026 (SSN on death records); 105 CMR 304 (in progress)2
  • M.G.L. c. 207, ss. 19 and 28 (marriage intention and license)16

The state office

Office
Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS)1
Mailing address
Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS), 150 Mt. Vernon St, 1st floor, Dorchester, MA 02125
5
Walk-in address
150 Mount Vernon St., 1st Floor, Dorchester, MA 02125
17
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:45 am-4:45 pm (genealogical research: Mon 1-4, Tue 9-12, Thu 1-4, Fri 9-12)17

Questions people ask

How much do birth and death certificates cost in Massachusetts?

A certified birth certificate costs $32 for the first copy and a death certificate $32.6

What is the phone number of the Massachusetts vital records office?

Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics: (617) 740-2600.1

Where do I get a marriage certificate in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS). City or town clerk where the marriage intention was filed also issues certified copies.12

Where do I get divorce records in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts Probate and Family Court (court in the county where the divorce was granted). RVRS does not hold divorce records; it can only give the probate court and docket number.73

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from these official sources, checked on November 5, 2026. Tap a source number next to a fact to read the exact words.

  1. Registry of Vital Records and StatisticsMassachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
  2. Order a birth, marriage, or death certificateMassachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
  3. Request divorce informationMassachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
  4. Learn about records available through RVRSMassachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
  5. Application for Vital Record (mail order form, DOCX)Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
  6. Vital records service feesMassachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
  7. Get a copy of your divorce recordMassachusetts Probate and Family Court
  8. Application for Divorce Information (DOCX)Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
  9. Learn about conducting genealogical researchMassachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
  10. Amend or correct a birth, death, or marriage recordMassachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
  11. How to get a birth certificateCity of Boston Registry Divisiondated August 5, 2026
  12. Researching Vital Records at the Massachusetts ArchivesSecretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Archivesdated September 17, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  13. Interim Legitimate Need for the SSN in a Record of Death and Evidence GuideMassachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statisticsdated July 1, 2026
  14. M.G.L. c. 46, s. 2AGeneral Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusettsdated July 2, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  15. M.G.L. c. 46, s. 13General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusettsdated October 26, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  16. M.G.L. c. 207, s. 19General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusettsdated October 24, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  17. Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (location)Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics