How to Find Massachusetts Vital Records

Massachusetts vital records include birth, death, marriage and divorce records. Find out how you can best get the MA vital records you want and approximately how much these records will cost you.

Massachusetts, known as the 'Bay State', has an estimated population of  6,398,743 (year 2005 estimates). Now that produces a lot of vital records doesn't it? After all, vital records really pertain to four main life events: birth, death marriage, and divorce.

But before you get intimidated by the sheer volume of vital records you need to dig through before you find the record you are looking for, do note that your search can be made a whole lot easier if you have some basic valuable information already in hand.

MA Vital Records - What You Should Provide

Before you set off in your search for that MA vital record, do you have the following information prepared?

• The complete name of the person whose vital record is being located.

• County, city or town where the birth, death, marriage or divorce took place.

• Exact (or approximate) birth, death , marriage or divorce dates.

• The requesters' relationship to the individuals whose records they're asking for.

• Your (requester) full name, signature and contact details.

• Your reason for requesting copies of the records.

How Much Will Massachusetts Vital Records Cost You?

Following is a quick rundown of approximately how much is required to get copies of pertinent vital records in Massachusetts from the resource mentioned below.

Copy of Birth Record - $11.00 ($6.00 if you request for a copy in person)

Copy of Death Record - $11.00 ($6.00 if you request for a copy in person)

Massachusetts birth and death records are on file from the date 1906 onwards. For copies of records dating earlier, you need to send a letter of request to

The Massachusetts Archives.

Copy of State Marriage Record - $11.00 ($6.00 if you request for a copy in person)

MA marriage records are available from 1906 onwards.

Copy of State Divorce Record -  rate varies depending on where the divorce occurred (records available are from 1952 onwards).

Copy of County Divorce Record - $3.00. Place your request for the divorce record with the Registrar of Probate Court in the county where the divorce was granted.

* Fees are quoted as of this writing. To check for any changes, pls. call the number cited below.

Useful Massachusetts Vital Records Resource

Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
470 Atlantic Avenue, 2nd Floor
Boston, MA 02210-2224

Tel: (617) 753-8600

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Don't want to take the long route when it comes to searching for that Massachusetts vital record you want? For time-efficient, hassle-free records searching, give online vital records search service providers a try!