Introduction to Massachusetts Marriage Certificates

This article is designed to help you get a Massachusetts Marriage certificate.  Marriage Certificates are a bit more difficult to obtain than Marriage Certificates and Death Certificates.  The main difficulty in obtaining Marriage Certificates is that states have not been registering marriages for as long as other vital records.  There are some states that still do not register marriages.  Due to this lack of centralization it is common to contact the county in which the marriage took place.

Counter to common belief, not everything is a few clicks away on the Internet.  Marriage Certificates are one of the items that you can’t just click some links and get a copy of your Marriage Certificate; this is probably a good thing.  You do not want your Marriage certificate in the public domain, where it can be seen by anyone.  However, this does not mean that you can’t easily get your Marriage certificate by following the correct procedure.  

Massachusetts Marriage certificates have been maintained by the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics for individuals married in the state of Massachusetts since 1916. 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.

Massachusetts Marriage Certificate Authorized Persons

By Massachusetts state law, Massachusetts Marriage certificates are confidential records and can only be obtained by the following authorized individuals:

• Person Named on the Massachusetts Marriage Certificate
• Mother/Father (or Legal Guardian) of Person Named on the Massachusetts Marriage Certificate
• Legal Representative of an Authorized Person of Person Named on the Massachusetts Marriage Certificate

Massachusetts Marriage Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

Note that only certified copies of records are issued by the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, regardless of intended use, even for genealogy purposes

Massachusetts Marriage Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order Massachusetts Marriage Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your Massachusetts Marriage Certificate.  Order online and you will get your Massachusetts Marriage Certificate usually in less than a week.  Many times you will have the option of receiving your vital record by next-day or second-day service.

Order Birth and Death Records Online!  

Option 2 – Order Massachusetts Marriage Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your Massachusetts Marriage certificate online.  It usually takes 20-30 days upon receipt of request to be sent to you:

Step 1: Download Mail-In Application

Step 2: Please provide as much of the following information as possible to locate the Massachusetts Marriage certificate:

• Full name of husband on the Massachusetts Marriage certificate
• Full maiden name of wife on the Massachusetts Marriage certificate
• Date of Marriage on the Massachusetts Marriage certificate
• County (or city) of Marriage on the Massachusetts Marriage certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose Massachusetts Marriage certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the Massachusetts Marriage certificate is to be mailed 
• Self addressed stamped envelope
• Your daytime phone number
• By Mail: Send the above information and the appropriate fee to:

 

 

Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics

150 Mount Vernon St., 1st Fl.

Dorchester, MA 02125-3105

Option 3 – In Person

In Person in Massachusetts: You may go to any county health department in the State of Massachusetts to obtain a certified copy of a Massachusetts Marriage certificate. Most Massachusetts Marriage certificates can be issued while you wait.

Massachusetts Marriage Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for a Massachusetts Marriage certificate is $18.00, which includes one certified copy of the Massachusetts Marriage certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the Massachusetts Marriage certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $18.00. Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to "The Commonwealth of Massachusetts." Please do not send cash. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.