Massachusetts Marriage, Death, Birth Records

No state in the Union can boast the depth and breadth of vital records sources that is available in Massachusetts. Starting with the arrival of the Pilgrims, vital events have been diligently, although not completely, recorded, preserved, and published. By legislative order, 206 (out of 364) towns had all their vital records to 1850 published. The volume (or volumes) in this Systematic Series for each town is divided into births, marriages, and deaths, then alphabetized by surname and then given name.

Some town vital records published before and after legislative order were printed verbatim, and then indexed, making them somewhat more valuable for research purposes since original family groupings remain as recorded. Other towns' vital records have been published or microfilmed since publication of the Systematic Series. Original manuscript volumes of the Systematic Series are at the Massachusetts [State] Archives at Columbia Point. Transcriptions of vital records for several western Massachusetts towns are in the Corbin Collection and those for the Braintree area are in the Sprague Collection, both at the New England Historic Genealogical Society.

There are some early vital records which were filed by county instead of town for Suffolk, Middlesex, Essex, Plymouth (marriages only), and Hampshire (from private papers).

Beginning in 1841 the state mandated that a copy of each event recorded in a town or city be sent to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, which means that two sources exist for each event after that date - the town(or city) and the state. Some towns were not in compliance however, until the late 1840s. The indexes for 1841-95 are in bound, ledger-style books, arranged in five-year periods, except for the first which is 1841-50. They are available at Massachusetts State Archives. Boston records after mandatory recording do not begin in the ledger books until 1848, but all the city's vital records (from 1630) are extant at Boston City Hall Archives. Published Boston vital records include births, deaths, marriages 1630-1699; births 1700-1800; and marriages 1700-1751; 1752-1809.

The 1841-95 vital records ledger books and indexes for the state are also available on microfilm at New England Historic Genealogical Society and through the FHL.

As of 1 January 1896 the Massachusetts Division of Health Statistics and Research, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, 150 Tremont Street, Room B-3, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, is the repository for copies of town or city recorded vital records. As with the bound ledger-style volumes for the 1841-95 period, indexes continue in five-year periods, separated into births, marriages, and deaths. Records and indexes are transferred to the Massachusetts State Archives every five years. The 1896-1900 grouping will begin the transfer process after December, 1991. Until individual death certificates were used in the 1900s, the name of the cemetery does not appear in the state copy, but it may be found in the town or city copy.

A statewide index to divorces after 1952 is available at the Registry of Vital Records, but no records are kept there.

Choose A County in Massachusetts

Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, 150 Mount Vernon Street, 1st floor, Dorchester, MA 02125-3105; (617) 740-2600, Fax: (617) 825-7755. It can take up to 2 months to get a vital record from Massachusetts.

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.

• Birth, Marriage & Death Certificates: The Registry of Vital Records and Statistics maintains birth, death and marriage records that occur in Massachusetts from 1916 to the present.
  • Cost: Initial search and one certified copy or certification of the record or No Record Statement is $28.00 per certificate by mail or $18.00 when ordered in Person.
    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. If no record is found or no copy is made, state law requires that we keep $28.00 for a searching fee. Please do not send cash in the mail.
  • In Person: The Registry counter is open to the public from Monday - Friday:  8:45 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. Directions - List of state holidays on which the office is closed. 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.
  • Processing Time: 20-30 business days of receipt when ordered by MAIL or 2-5 Days when you order ELECTRONICALLY
  • Click Here to Search the Social Security Death Index for FREE
• Divorce Certificates: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.
  • Cost: 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. If no record is found or no copy is made, state law requires that we keep $10.00 for a searching fee. Please do not send cash in the mail.
  • Processing Time: 20-30 business days of receipt when ordered by MAIL or 2-5 Days when you order ELECTRONICALLY

Click Here to Search Massachusetts Birth, Marriage & Death Records! - Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information. Look also for baptism, christening, and burial records in this collection.

Below is a list of online resources for Massachusetts Vital Records.

• Massachusetts Marriages to 1800: This database of Massachusetts marriages to 1850 contains over 29,000 names.
• Massachusetts Marriages, 1633-1850: This database is an index to approximately 838,000 individuals who were married in select areas of the State of Massachusetts, USA, between 1633 and 1850.
• Massachusetts Town Birth Records: This database is a collection of birth records from many towns. Each record reveals the individual's name, birth date, birthplace, and parents' names. It provides the names of over 95,000 persons.
• Massachusetts Town Death Records: This database is a collection of death records from many towns. Each record reveals the individual's name, death date, burial place, and other useful information. It provides the names of over 90,000 persons.
• Massachusetts Town Marriage Records: This database is a collection of Marriage records from many towns. Each record reveals the names of bride and groom
• Search All U.S and Foriegn Birth, Marriage and Death Records
• Search U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900
• Search Obituary Collection
• Search the Social Security Death Index for FREE