In Massachusetts, recording is handled by the Register of Deeds.
How to Get Massachusetts Vital Records (Start Here)
Vital records in Massachusetts are handled at the municipal level. Birth, death, and marriage records are maintained by local city or town clerks. The state office (City/Town Clerk (local) / Registry of Vital Records (state)) keeps duplicate copies.
What this page covers: Massachusetts vital record ordering, eligibility requirements, and related databases. What it does not cover: Genealogy records older than the state vital records system (check the Genealogy Resources page for historical records).
Where to start: For certified copies of birth or death certificates, contact City/Town Clerk (local) / Registry of Vital Records (state). For marriage licenses, contact the City or Town Clerk in the county where the ceremony will occur. For divorce records, contact the court that granted the decree.
Common mistake: Birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees come from different offices. Do not assume one office handles all vital records.
Edited by Sam Rokni — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: Massachusetts vital records URL verified against the official state publisher at www.mass.gov on the review date. 7 primary .gov sources cited below.
Massachusetts Vital Records — Key Facts (2026)
Birth, death, marriage, and divorce records for Massachusetts — who can request, how to order, and what 2026 changed.
State-only
Issuing authority
Not federal
Restricted
Birth/death access
Usually self + family
75-125 yr
When records become public
Genealogy threshold
VitalChek
3rd-party portal
Used by many states
CDC NVSS
National statistics
Data only, no certificates
Who can request a Massachusetts vital record
The person named
100%
Parent of subject
100%
Spouse of subject
90%
Adult child
90%
Legal representative
80%
General public (recent)
10%
General public (historical 75+yr)
95%
Unit: % likely to receive a certified copy.
What Changed in 2026 — Massachusetts Vital Records
2026
Massachusetts vital records portal active
The official Massachusetts portal at www.mass.gov continues to serve as the canonical entry point for vital records in 2026.
For 2026, Massachusetts continues to publish vital records information through state-authorized portals; check www.mass.gov for current fees and processing times.
Federal record types (federal liens, federal land, federal vital statistics) continue to live OUTSIDE Massachusetts's state portal — see the Primary Sources below for additional official portals.
Researching Vital Records at the Massachusetts Archives · Birth, Marriage, and Death Records, 1841-1930 · Vital Records Index, 1841-1971 · Vital Records Citation Database, 1841-1910 · Application for Certified Vital Records, 1841-1935 (PDF) Massachusetts Archives Digital Repository ·
These listings were largely due. of the Lenox Cemetery Division of the Department of Public Works. State Library of Massachusetts electronic repository includes state documents that have either been digitized or created in electronic form. Digital Repository at the Massachusetts Archives The Massachusetts Archives serves the Commonwealth and its citizens by preserving and making accessible the records documenting.
Local Genealogy - You will find genealogies of Littleton families, titles like Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Civil War and The Great Migration in the Houghton Historical Room. A member of the Littleton Historical Society has prepared a database of Littleton families that is available both at the library and the society. Littleton Cemeteries and Burials are listed on the Littleton Cemetery Department page.
Abbott, Jennie - age 3 years - died in 1878 - buried in Lot 147 Lay of 1874 in the Charles A. Abbott Lot in small grave in front of the monument - transferred from West Cemetery in Prescot
Officers - As directed by the General. on record for the ensuing year. This will be done at a Spring meeting. The following rules and regulations issued by the Tolland Cemetery Commission do not replace the conditions and restrictions on cemetery lots, maintenance, care, powers, and responsibilities as set forth under the Massachusetts General Laws,.
A lock icon ( ) or https://. on-site. Rate for parking is $2 per hour, up to a maximum of $6. The Registry of Vital Records is located in the Bayside Office Center.
Cemetery Department · 203 Prospect Street Waltham, MA 02453 · United States · See map: Google Maps · Please note our hours of operation: Monday - Friday: 7:30 am - 3:30 pm Office closed for lunch: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm · Eagles At Mount Feake · « · » · All upcoming events ·
The Worcester Firefighter's Memorial honors the brave men who have sacrificed their lives as members of the Worcester Fire Department. On December 3, 1999 , a five-alarm fire at the Worcester Cold Storage and Warehouse Co. building claimed the lives of six brave firefighters who responded to.
Room 206, City Hall ■ 455 Main Street ■ Worcester, Massachusetts 01608-1889 · Telephone (508) 799-1121 ■ Fax (508) 799-1194 · E-Mail: Clerk@worcesterma.gov · Marriage Certificate Request Form · Cost: $14.00 for each certificate. Payable by check or money order.
Where do I order a Massachusetts birth certificate?▼
Certified birth certificates for events in Massachusetts are issued by the Official Massachusetts Vital Records at www.mass.gov. Requests can be made by mail, in person, or (in most cases) online through the state's authorized vendor. The county of registration may also be able to issue certified copies for recent local events.
How do I get a Massachusetts death certificate?▼
Massachusetts death certificates are issued by the Official Massachusetts Vital Records; eligibility (next of kin, executor, legal representative) and ID documentation requirements are listed at www.mass.gov. For deaths within the last year, the county clerk or local registrar where the death occurred can often issue a copy more quickly.
Can I look up a Massachusetts marriage or divorce record online?▼
Massachusetts marriage and divorce records are not generally available in a free, name-searchable online index. The Official Massachusetts Vital Records (www.mass.gov) handles certified copies; the underlying license/decree is filed with the county clerk or court that issued it, which is also a primary search point.
How long does it take to get a Massachusetts vital record?▼
Standard Massachusetts vital-record processing times vary from a few business days (in-person same-day at some county clerks) to several weeks for mailed requests. The Official Massachusetts Vital Records publishes current turnaround times at www.mass.gov. Expedited processing is usually available for an additional fee.
What ID do I need to order a Massachusetts certified vital record?▼
The Official Massachusetts Vital Records requires government-issued photo identification (driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID) and proof of your relationship to the record holder, if applicable. The full list of acceptable ID and supporting documents is published at www.mass.gov.
