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State vital records · DPH-RVRS

Massachusetts Vital Records Requirements

Fees, processing times, required documents, and who can request birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates in Massachusetts — in one place.

Browse 380 offices in Massachusetts →State vital records site ↗

Massachusetts · 380 offices

At a glance

Birth Certificate

$32 (mail order) $20 (in-person order) $54 (online/telephone order through Vitalcheck) · 15-20 business days - mail orders (“Processed and shipped within 15-20 business days of receipt of request”) 10 business days - online/telephone orders

Death Certificate

$32 (mail order) $20 (in-person order) $54 (online/telephone order through Vitalcheck) · 15-20 business days - mail orders (“Processed and shipped within 15-20 business days of receipt of request”) 10 business days - online/telephone orders

Marriage Certificate

$32 (mail order) $20 (in-person order) $54 (online/telephone order through Vitalcheck) · 15-20 business days - mail orders (“Processed and shipped within 15-20 business days of receipt of request”) 10 business days - online/telephone orders

Department of Public Health - Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (DPH-RVRS)

Address
150 Mount Vernon St., 1st Floor, Dorchester, MA 02125
Mailing
Executive Office of Health and Human Services Department of Public Health 150 Mount Vernon Street, 1st Floor Dorchester, MA 02125-3105
Phone
(617) 740-2600
Hours
8:45 am-4:45 pm

Massachusetts Birth Certificate

Fee
$32 (mail order) $20 (in-person order) $54 (online/telephone order through Vitalcheck)
Additional copy
$32 (mail order) $20 (in-person order) $42 (online/telephone order through Vitalcheck)
Rush fee
$10 - mail orders (PER COPY - each copy becomes $42) $8.50-$28 - online/telephone orders with Vitalchek (price varies depending on shipping method)
Processing time
15-20 business days - mail orders (“Processed and shipped within 15-20 business days of receipt of request”) 10 business days - online/telephone orders
Rush processing
10 business days (”processed and shipped within 10 business days of receipt of request.”) - mail orders Shipped next business day - online/telephone orders
Public after
Not Restricted

Who can request

  • Children
  • Legal Guardian
  • Legal Representative
  • Parents
  • Person on Record

Required information

  • Date of Birth
  • Father's Name
  • Full Name of Person of Record
  • Mailing Address
  • Mother's Name
  • Place of Birth
  • Your Address
  • Your Relationship to the Person of Record
  • Your Signature

Accepted ID

  • Driver's License
  • Valid Government ID
Application form ↗

Massachusetts Death Certificate

Fee
$32 (mail order) $20 (in-person order) $54 (online/telephone order through Vitalcheck)
Additional copy
$32 (mail order) $20 (in-person order) $42 (online/telephone order through Vitalcheck)
Rush fee
$10 - mail orders (PER COPY - each copy becomes $42) $8.50-$28 - online/telephone orders with Vitalchek (price varies depending on shipping method)
Processing time
15-20 business days - mail orders (“Processed and shipped within 15-20 business days of receipt of request”) 10 business days - online/telephone orders
Rush processing
10 business days (”processed and shipped within 10 business days of receipt of request.”) - mail orders Shipped next business day - online/telephone orders
Public after
Not Restricted

Who can request

  • Not Restricted

Required information

  • Date of Death
  • Father's Name
  • Full Name at Birth
  • Full Name of Person of Record
  • Mailing Address
  • Mother's Maiden Name
  • Mother's Name
  • Place of Death
  • SSN
  • Spouse Maiden Name
  • Spouse Name
  • Your Address
  • Your Relationship to the Person of Record
  • Your Signature

Accepted ID

  • Driver's License
  • Valid Government ID
Application form ↗

Massachusetts Marriage Certificate

Fee
$32 (mail order) $20 (in-person order) $54 (online/telephone order through Vitalcheck)
Additional copy
$32 (mail order) $20 (in-person order) $42 (online/telephone order through Vitalcheck)
Rush fee
$10 - mail orders (PER COPY - each copy becomes $42) $8.50-$28 - online/telephone orders with Vitalchek (price varies depending on shipping method)
Processing time
15-20 business days - mail orders (“Processed and shipped within 15-20 business days of receipt of request”) 10 business days - online/telephone orders
Rush processing
10 business days (”processed and shipped within 10 business days of receipt of request.”) - mail orders Shipped next business day - online/telephone orders
Public after
Not Restricted

Who can request

  • Legal Guardian
  • Legal Representative
  • Person on Record

Required information

  • Bride Name
  • Bride's Name Before Marriage
  • Date of Marriage
  • Groom Name
  • Groom Name Before Marriage
  • Mailing Address
  • Place of Marriage
  • Your Address
  • Your Relationship to the Person of Record
  • Your Signature

Accepted ID

  • Driver's License
  • Valid Government ID
Application form ↗

Don't want to visit in person? Order a Massachusetts birth, death, or marriage certificate online through our partner, Vital Records Online.

Order online ↗

Get a birth certificate by Massachusetts county

Most Massachusetts birth and death records are requested at the county level. Choose your county for local offices, fees, and how to order.

See all Massachusetts counties & offices →

Apostille & authentication

Office
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Phone
(617) 727-2836
Mailing
Secretary of the Commonwealth Commissions Section One Ashburton Place, Room 1719 Boston, MA 02108 Secretary of the Commonwealth 436 Dwight Street, Room 102 Springfield, MA 01103 Secretary of the Commonwealth 218 South Main Street, Suite 206 Fall River, MA 02721
Link
State apostille page ↗
Details
Completed form, payment, the original documents to be authenticated. Authentications can only be obtained for documents with an original signature of the Secretary of the Commonwealth or a valid Massachusetts: Notary Public Justice of the Peace City/Town Clerk or assistant Court clerk or assistant Registrar of Vital Records

Public records: Massachusetts Public Records Law. Information is provided as guidance and may change — verify with the state office before applying.