Understanding Massachusetts Vital Records
Massachusetts has maintained comprehensive vital records since 1841. This guide focuses on records from 1931 to 2025, explaining how to obtain both official certificates and genealogical transcriptions for births, marriages, and deaths.
"Massachusetts Law Requires City and Town Clerks to Record all Vital Events Occurring in That Town or City to the State."
Official Massachusetts Vital Records (1931-2025)
Official records are state-certified documents needed for legal tasks like getting passports or settling estates.
Official Massachusetts Birth Certificates (1931-2025)
Available for events from 1931 to present. Essential for passports, school enrollment, and more.
Order Official Birth CertificateOfficial Massachusetts Marriage Records (1931-2023*)
Crucial for name changes, insurance purposes, and other legal matters. Available for events from 1931 to present.
Order Official Marriage RecordOfficial Massachusetts Death Certificates (1931-2025)
Essential for estate settlements and other legal matters. Available for events from 1931 to present.
Order Official Death CertificateGenealogical Records
We also provide transcribed vital records from a large collection of state historical documents for family history research.
Massachusetts Genealogical Record Features
Massachusetts Birth Records for Family History
Discover ancestral origins, family connections, and historical details from birth records.
Order Transcribed Birth Record OnlineMassachusetts Marriage Records for Genealogy
Explore family unions, maiden names, and marriage details from historical records.
Order Transcribed Marriage Record OnlineMassachusetts Death Records for Ancestry Research
Research family history through detailed death records and related documentation.
Order Transcribed Death Record OnlineNote: Transcriptions are for genealogical purposes only and cannot be used for legal matters.
For detailed information on specific record types, visit our dedicated pages on birth records, marriage records, and death records.
Massachusetts Vital Record Research Guidelines
Massachusetts Vital Records Search Requirements
The fundamental requirement for a successful search at the State Registry of Vital Records and Statistics is a first and last name. For common surnames, additional identifying information is crucial.
Information Needed for Massachusetts Records Search
- Middle name or initial
- City, town, or at least the county where the event occurred
- Approximate year or range of years (e.g., 1931 - 1940)
Massachusetts Vital Records Index Availability (1931-2025)
| Record Type | Computer Index | Digitized Book Index |
|---|---|---|
| Births | 1953 - 2025 | 1931 - 1952 |
| Marriages | 1980 - 2023 | 1931 - 1979 |
| Deaths | 1977 - 2025 | 1931 - 1976 |
Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records Research Restrictions
- Only certified copies are available for purchase.
- Any kind of photography, photocopying, or scanning, is not permitted. Researchers can only hand-transcribe records if not purchasing a certified copy.
Resources
Massachusetts Birth Record Resources
Massachusetts Marriage Record Resources
Massachusetts Death Record Resource
- Complete Guide to Massachusetts Death Records
- Massachusetts Index to Death Records 1901-1980 This is Usually Free at Your Local Library. However, Use with Caution! This Database is Missing Data, Missing Years, Missing Sections of Alphabet, Contains Incorrect Years, and Incorrect Volumes and Page Numbers.
- Massachusetts Index to Death Records 1970-2003 This Index Supplies the State Death Certificate Number. (Free Access at FamilyHistory.org with Email Registration.) Overall, this Database is Quite Accurate but Sometimes Oddly Missing Certificate Numbers.
Historical Records
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about Massachusetts vital records and our retrieval services.
What types of vital records are available in Massachusetts?
We provide official birth, marriage, and death certificates for events from 1931 to the present. In addition, official divorce records are available from 1922 to the present. These are state-certified documents required for official or legal purposes. Additionally, genealogical transcriptions of birth, marriage, and death records are available for family history research. Official birth, marriage and death records occuring before 1931 are available through the Massachusetts Archives.
What information is needed to search for a vital record?
The basic requirement is a first and last name. For more accurate results, it's recommended to provide:
- Middle name or initial
- City or county where the event occurred
- Approximate year or range of years
How can I obtain an official vital record in Massachusetts?
Official vital records can be ordered through our service. We offer a separate ordering processes for each type of record.
Each type of record can be ordered through the specific links provided on our website.
What is the typical timeframe for receiving a vital record?
Generally, you can expect to receive your vital record within 10-14 business days after we receive your order. Expedited services are available for an additional fee. Processing times may vary based on the type of record and current workload at the state office.
Are your vital record services confidential?
Yes, we maintain strict confidentiality. All information provided is kept secure and is only used to process your document requests. We never disclose your identity to any government office, including the Registry of Vital Records, and we adhere to all applicable privacy laws and regulations.
