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How to get a Massachusetts death certificate

In Massachusetts, order a certified death certificate from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics.1 City or town clerk where the event occurred also issues certified copies.2 Each certified copy costs $323. You can order online, by mail, in person, at a local office or by phone. Anyone may order a certified copy. The fastest published option is in person: same day3.

Last checked against official sources.

On this page
  1. Ways to order
  2. What a Massachusetts death certificate costs
  3. How long it takes
  4. Who can order a Massachusetts death certificate
  5. ID you need
  6. What the application asks for
  7. Forms
  8. Years held and older records
  9. Special situations
  10. The state office
  11. Questions people ask
  12. 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

Ways to order

HowCost per copyProcessing timePayment
Online through VitalChek$544 first, $423 each extra copy
+ 4 possible extra charges		Up to 10 business days3Card3
By mail$323
+ one extra charge		–Check and money order3
In person$203Same day3–
At a local officeSet by each office, for example $125 or $145––
By phone$544 first, $424 each extra copyUp to 10 business days3Card3

Online through VitalChek

Vendor
VitalChek3
Fees
  • First copy $544
  • Each additional copy in the same order $423
  • Processing or service fee $123
  • First copy $62.503
  • Each additional copy in the same order $50.503
  • Standard USPS First Class Mail $03
  • UPS Second Day Shipping $12.503
  • UPS Next Day Shipping $19.503
Processing time
Up to 10 business days3
Expedited service
Processed and shipped the next business day; expedited prices are $62.50 first copy and $50.50 each additional copy instead of $54.00/$42.003
Payment
Card3

Good to know

  • Search-only (research) requests are not available by phone4

Go to the ordering site4

By mail

Run by
Registry of Vital Records and Statistics4
Fees
  • Per copy $323
  • Expedited Mail Request $423
Expedited service
$42. Expedited Mail Service: $42.00 per copy instead of $32.00; processed and shipped within 10 business days of receipt3
Payment
Check and money order3
Make payable to
Commonwealth of Massachusetts4
Mail to
Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS), 150 Mt. Vernon St, 1st floor, Dorchester, MA 02125
6

Good to know

  • Limit of five searches per mail request6
  • A postage-paid, self-addressed envelope or prepaid carrier envelope is required6

Open the application or mail instructions4

In person

Run by
Registry of Vital Records and Statistics4
Fees
  • Per copy $203
Processing time
Same day3
Make payable to
Commonwealth of Massachusetts4
Office
150 Mount Vernon St., 1st Floor, Dorchester, MA 02125
7
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:45 a.m.-4:45 p.m.4

Open the official page1

At a local office

Run by
City or town clerk where the event occurred (e.g. City of Boston Registry Division)2
Fees
  • Per copy $125
  • Per copy $145

Find a local office8

By phone

Run by
VitalChek4
Fees
  • First copy $544
  • Each additional copy in the same order $424
Processing time
Up to 10 business days3
Expedited service
Processed and shipped the next business day at $62.50 first copy / $50.50 each additional3
Payment
Card3

Good to know

  • Research is not available via phone4

What a Massachusetts death certificate costs

First certified copy
$323
Each additional copy, same order
$326
Expedite fee
$423
Each extra year searched
$326
Fees in effect since
2026 fee schedule (no exact effective date printed)9

Types of copies

CopyAccepted forFee
Certified copy4–$324
Negative Statement3Required to establish a delayed record or correct an existing record6$323

How long it takes

These are the office's own published times. Mail and shipping time is extra unless the office says otherwise.

How you orderProcessing timeCounted
Online through VitalChekUp to 10 business days3Before shipping
In personSame day3From receipt
By phoneUp to 10 business days3Before shipping

Who can order a Massachusetts death certificate

Anyone may order a certified copy.10

The office also names these requesters and conditions. Each line gives the official wording.

  • Spouse and domestic partner10
    Proof: Spouse/Domestic Partner | Copy of your marriage certificate or registered domestic partnership listing the decedent10
  • A parent named on the record10
    Proof: Parent | A copy of your child's birth certificate listing you as the parent of the decedent10
  • Legal guardian10
    Proof: Legal Guardian | An original certified copy of your court appointment10
  • Child10
    Proof: Child | A copy of your birth certificate listing the decedent as your parent10
  • Grandchild10
    Proof: Grandchild | A copy of your birth certificate and your parent's birth certificate that lists the decedent as their parent10
  • Grandparent10
    Proof: Grandparent | A copy of your child's birth certificate that lists them as the parent and the deceased grandchild’s birth certificate listing their child as the parent of the decedent10
  • Brother or sister10
    Proof: Sibling | A copy of your birth certificate that lists at least one common parent with the decedent and parents listed on the death record10
  • Informant10
    Proof: Informant | Must be listed on the death record as the informant10
  • Funeral director10
    Proof: Funeral Director | Licensed in accordance with M.G.L c.112 & 83 who is listed on the death record10
  • Executor or estate administrator10
    Proof: Legal Conservator | An original certified copy of your court appointment representing the decedent's estate10
  • Attorney or legal representative10
    Proof: Legal Representative | An original or notarized copy of your employment representing the decedent's estate by the client and your bar card10
  • Government agency10
    Proof: Government Official | Agency photo ID; to fulfill an official government function10
  • Person named in a court order10
    Proof: Person Identified through a Court Order | An original certified copy of your court document stating access to the record with full SSN10
  • Any other person with a direct tangible10
    Proof: Any other person with a direct tangible interest in the estate of the decedent | At the discretion of the Registrar of Vital Records and Statistics or the local clerk where the death occurred10
Social Security number on the copy
Since July 1, 2026 death certificates omit the decedent's SSN unless a person with a legitimate need requests it and provides evidence and ID4

ID you need

Photo ID
Required4
Accepted ID
  • Driver’s License
  • Government Issued Photo Identification Card
  • Passport
  • Military Identification Card10
Without that ID
  • 2 Consecutive Utility Bills
  • Social Security Card
  • Pay Stub
  • W-2 Form
  • Insurance Card
  • School Identification Card
  • Bank Statement
  • Expired Government Issued Photo ID up to 2 years
  • Inmate ID (Inmate Paperwork)
  • State-Issued Benefits Card (SNAP/welfare)
10
ID copy with a mail order
Include a copy of your ID6

What the application asks for

Have these details ready before you fill in the form or start an online order.6

  • Name of deceased (first, middle, surname at birth or adoption)
  • Spouse's name
  • Date of death
  • Massachusetts city/town of death
  • Relationship of requester
  • Legitimate-need category (only if SSN requested)

Forms

Years held and older records

Years the issuing office holds
1936 to today6
Older records
Massachusetts Archives (1841-1935); city/town clerks11

Special situations

If no record is found
A certified Negative Statement is issued when no record is found; it is needed to establish a delayed record or correct a record4 Details
Use abroad
Apostilles are issued by the Secretary of the Commonwealth on copies bearing the original signature of the Registrar of Vital Records or a city/town clerk12 Details
If the person has died
Full SSN only to legitimate-need requesters with evidence10 Details

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
6
Walk-in address
150 Mount Vernon St., 1st Floor, Dorchester, MA 02125
7
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:45 am-4:45 pm (genealogical research: Mon 1-4, Tue 9-12, Thu 1-4, Fri 9-12)7

Questions people ask

How much is a certified Massachusetts death certificate?

Each certified copy costs $32.36

How long does it take to get a Massachusetts death certificate?

Online through VitalChek: up to 10 business days. In person: same day. By phone: up to 10 business days.3

Can I order a Massachusetts death certificate online?

Yes. Online through VitalChek.3

Who do I make the check or money order payable to?

Write it exactly as the office prints it: Commonwealth of Massachusetts.4

What ID do I need?

The state accepts: Driver’s License; Government Issued Photo Identification Card; Passport; Military Identification Card.10

Where are older Massachusetts death certificates kept?

Massachusetts Archives (1841-1935); city/town clerks.11

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. Learn about records available through RVRSMassachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
  3. Vital records service feesMassachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
  4. Order a birth, marriage, or death certificateMassachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
  5. How to get a death certificateCity of Boston Registry Divisiondated September 16, 2026
  6. Application for Vital Record (mail order form, DOCX)Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
  7. Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (location)Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
  8. 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
  9. 2026 RVRS Service Fees (PDF)Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
  10. 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
  11. Learn about conducting genealogical researchMassachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
  12. Apostilles and Certification of DocumentsSecretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Commissions Sectiondated October 4, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page