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Researching Vital Records at the Massachusetts Archives

Vital Records: 1841-1930

The Archives currently holds records for births, marriages, and deaths for all Massachusetts cities and towns for the years 1841-1930.

Digital copies

You can search for digital copies of Massachusetts vital records from 1841 to 1925 directly through the Archives website.

NOTE: If you are not able to find the record you need online, you can email us a request for digital images of up to five unique records from 1841-1930. We can either email you links to scans of the originals (if they are available online), or make individual scans by request.

Contact the Reference staff by email at . There is no charge for this service.

Certified copies

Certified copies of births, marriages, and deaths from 1841-1930 can be ordered in person, through the mail, or through email. The cost is $3.00 per certificate, payable by cash or check made to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Please complete a Certified Vital Records Order Form for each unique certificate you are requesting and email it to us at or print and mail it to us at:

Massachusetts Archives
Attn: Certified Vitals
220 Morrissey Blvd.
Boston, MA 02125

All orders take approximately 4-6 weeks to process.

Researchers may order a maximum of five certificates at one time.

If mailing your request, please include individual checks for $3.00 for each certificate requested. If you submit your request over email, we will mail you an invoice along with your certificates and payment is due upon receipt.

If we are unable to locate any of the record(s) you have requested, we will return your payment for those records.

We cannot accept credit card or electronic payments.

Vital Records: Before 1841

Statewide collection of Massachusetts vital records began in 1841. For birth, marriage, and death records dating before 1841, researchers must contact the city and town clerk in the municipality where the event occurred.

Visit the Massachusetts City and Town Directory for a list of all the city and town clerks in Massachusetts.

Vital Records: 1931-Present

The Department of Public Health’s Registry of Vital Records and Statistics holds Massachusetts vital records from 1931 to the present. Their contact information is:

Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records
Email:
Phone: 617-740-2600
In person: 150 Mount Vernon St., Dorchester MA 02125

Various offices of city and town clerks may also hold vital records from 1931 to the present. Visit the Massachusetts City and Town Directory for a list of city and town clerks in Massachusetts.