Vital records office in Massachusetts
How to obtain certified copies of birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates from Massachusetts for immigration filings, USCIS evidence, school enrollment, or any other purpose.
Massachusetts
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Birth Event: Birth Cost of copy: In person: $20.00 Mail request: $32.00 State Archives: $3.00 Address: Registry of Vital Records and Statistics 150 Mount Vernon Street 1st Floor Dorchester, MA 02125-3105 Remarks: State office has birth records from 1931 to the current year, all years prior are located at the State Archives. For earlier records, write to The Massachusetts Archives at Columbia Point, 220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA 02125 (617) 727-2816. Personal check or money order should be made payable to Commonwealth of Massachusetts. To verify current fees, the telephone number is (617) 740-2600. This will be a recorded message. Information on how to obtain certified copies is also available at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics website . Death Event: Death Cost of copy: In person: $20.00 Mail request: $32.00 State Archives: $3.00 Address: Registry of Vital Records and Statistics 150 Mount Vernon Street 1st Floor Dorchester, MA 02125-3105 Remarks: State office has birth records from 1931 to the current year, all years prior are located at the State Archives. For earlier records, write to The Massachusetts Archives at Columbia Point, 220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA 02125 (617) 727-2816. Personal check or money order should be made payable to Commonwealth of Massachusetts. To verify current fees, the telephone number is (617) 740-2600. This will be a recorded message. Information on how to obtain certified copies is also available at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics website . Marriage Event: Marriage (State) Cost of copy: In person: $20.00, Mail request: $32.00 State Archives: $3.00 Address: Registry of Vital Records and Statistics 150 Mount Vernon Street 1st Floor Dorchester, MA 02125-3105 Remarks: State office has marriage records from 1931 to the current year, all years prior are located at the State Archives. Divorce Event: Divorce (State) Cost of copy: No fee Address: Registry of Vital Records and Statistics 150 Mount Vernon Street 1st Floor Dorchester, MA 02125-3105 Remarks: Index only since 1952. Inquirer will be directed where to send request. Certified copies are not available from State office. Please go to the Massachusetts court website for information on obtaining certified copies of divorce records.
Event: Divorce (county) Cost of copy: Varies Address: See remarks Remarks: Register of Probate Court in county where divorce was granted.
Last Reviewed: January 25, 2019 Source: National Center for Health Statistics
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Massachusetts vital records office details
- CDC W2W (Where to Write) page: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/massachusetts.htm
Why immigrants need certified vital records
USCIS, courts, schools, and many other US agencies require certified vital records (not photocopies) for:
- I-130 family petition — birth certificate proves family relationship
- I-485 adjustment of status — birth certificate of applicant and beneficiaries
- N-400 naturalization — marriage certificate if applying under spouse-of-USC 3-year rule
- Apostille — for use of US documents in foreign countries (your home country may require US apostille)
- School enrollment — proof of date of birth
- Real ID applications — proof of identity
Apostille and authentication
If you need to use a Massachusetts vital record OUTSIDE the United States (e.g., for use at your home country’s consulate), you typically need an apostille from the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s office. See /procedures/apostille-document/ for the process.
Related procedural information
- Consulate of your country in the US — your home country’s transcription/legalization of US records
- Translate documents for USCIS — certified-translation standard
- Apostille (document legalization) — for use abroad
- USCIS Form I-130 — family petition — uses vital records as evidence
- USCIS Form N-400 — naturalization — vital records for marriage-based 3-year rule
Last verified: 2026-05-27. General procedural information — not legal advice. Fees and processing times change; verify with the Massachusetts office.
Order vital records in Massachusetts
Birth, death, and marriage certificates are issued by each state. Use your state's official guide:
Frequently asked questions
Where do I get a US birth certificate from Massachusetts?
How do I get a marriage certificate from Massachusetts?
What if my certificate is in Spanish or another language?
Can I order vital records for someone else?
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General information, not legal advice. MigrantUSA is an independent publisher and is not a law firm; using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship, and this content is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney about your specific situation. US federal, state, and local government procedures, fees, and forms change. Always verify current details directly with the relevant agency before acting. For immigration, tax, or other legal matters specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney or BIA-accredited representative.