Massachusetts death certificate: how to get one

Massachusetts death certificates are issued by the state Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS) in Dorchester, and death records are also kept by the city or town where the death happened. The price changes a lot with how you order, from $20 in person to $54 online. This guide covers who can order, which office to use, each route's cost and timing, and how amendments work.

Who can order a Massachusetts death certificate?

The Registry's ordering page does not list a general eligibility rule for death records. What it does restrict is a death record that shows the Social Security number. Those go only to certain people, including:

• A spouse or domestic partner
• A parent or guardian, child, grandchild, grandparent or sibling
• The informant named on the record
• A licensed funeral director
• A representative of the estate

The documents you need differ by relationship, and the Registry links a Death Record SSN guide from its ordering page. A change to state law that took effect on July 1, 2026 limits release of the full Social Security number to people with "a legitimate need." The regulation defining that is still being written, so check the Registry's page for the current rule.

For ID, the Registry asks for a driver's license, which may be expired, or another government-issued photo ID. A legal guardian or representative may also need proof of that role. The Registry issues certified copies only, whatever the intended use.

Which office holds the record: state, county or city?

Massachusetts keeps vital records by city and town, not by county.

• Registry of Vital Records and Statistics: records from 1936 to the present
• Massachusetts State Archives: records from 1931 to 1935 were recently transferred there, and it holds earlier records
• City or town where the death occurred: the Registry says pre-1936 death records may also be available there

How to order online, by mail or in person

Online or by phone

The Registry takes online and phone orders through VitalChek, at vitalchek.com or toll free at (866) 300-8535. Research requests cannot be made by phone. Start from the state's ordering page.

By mail

Complete the vital records mail order form and send it with a check or money order payable to Commonwealth of Massachusetts to Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, 150 Mt. Vernon St., 1st Floor, Dorchester, MA 02125. For faster handling, pay the expedited fee and address the envelope to Expedited Mail Service.

In person

The Registry counter at the same address is open Monday to Friday, 8:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Pay by check or money order.

Cost and processing time

Massachusetts fees by route, as listed on November 10, 2026:

• In person: $20 per copy, processed immediately in most cases
• Mail, standard: $32 per copy, including a 10-year record search
• Mail, expedited: $42 per copy
• Online or phone, standard: $54 for the first copy and $42 for each additional copy
• Online or phone, expedited: $62.50 for the first copy and $50.50 for each additional copy

The online first-copy price includes VitalChek's $12 per-order fee. Online delivery by USPS First Class is free. UPS Second Day adds $12.50 and UPS Next Day adds $19.50.

Processing times differ between the Registry's two pages:

• Online, standard: the ordering page says 7 to 10 business days; the fees page says processed and shipped within 10 business days
• Online, expedited: processed and shipped the next business day
• Mail, standard: the ordering page says within 30 business days of receipt; the fees page says 15 to 20 business days
• Mail, expedited: 7 to 10 business days on the ordering page; within 10 business days on the fees page

If no record is found, the Registry sends a Negative Statement.

How to correct or amend a Massachusetts death certificate

The process begins at the clerk's office in the city or town where the death took place. You need evidence that the information was incorrect at or near the time of the event. A later legal name change on its own is not grounds for an amendment.

The Registry's amendments team can be reached at RVRSAmendments@mass.gov or (617) 740-2674. In-person amendment visits require an appointment. The fee is a one-time $50 per amendment, and a certified copy of the amended record costs $32 by mail or $20 in person. The Registry says mail and court requests are reviewed and processed within three to four months.

What to do after you receive the certificate

Check the certificate against your own records straight away. Amendments in Massachusetts take months, so an early start helps. Store certified copies securely, and ask each organization whether it needs the version showing the Social Security number.

Planning ahead with After

If this has you thinking about your own arrangements, you can explore pre-planning options with After. Plan availability, providers and terms vary by state.

Frequently asked questions

Can I order online, and which website is official? Yes, through VitalChek, linked from the state's ordering page on mass.gov.

Can I apply by mail or in person? Both. In person costs $20 per copy, and mail costs $32.

What ID do I need? A driver's license, even an expired one, or another government-issued photo ID.

How long does processing take, and is an expedited route available? In person is usually immediate. Expedited online orders ship the next business day. Standard mail takes 15 to 30 business days.

Should I contact the state or a city or town office? Use the Registry for deaths from 1936 on. For amendments, start with the city or town clerk.

What if the death occurred in another state? Order from that state. See our death certificate ordering guide.

Last reviewed: November 2026

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Requirements and fees change, so confirm with the state or local office before filing.

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