Massachusetts - How to obtain a Birth Certificate

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Procedure

In Person

You may directly go to the registry counter with as much as information and cash or check or money order payable to "The Commonwealth of Massachusetts"

• The Registry counter is open to the public during the following hours:
  • Monday - Friday: 8:45 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
  • For directions follow link http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/newsroom/dph/directions/registry-of-vital-records-and-statistics.html
  • Follow link for list of state holidays on which the office is closed http://www.sec.state.ma.us/cis/cishol/holidx.htm
• The cost for each certified copy of a record is $18.00 at the Registry counter.
• Orders placed at the Registry counter must include subjects name, date of event and place of event.
• Genealogical research services are not available at the Registry counter.
• The Registry is also open to the public in our research area.
• For general information about research at the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, call (617) 740-2600.

By Mail

• Provide the information requested on the Mail Order Form and mail your request to:

Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
150 Mt. Vernon Street, 1st Floor,
Dorchester, MA 02125-3105

• Make your check or money order payable to "The Commonwealth of Massachusetts".
• Enclose a business-size self-addressed envelope. The cost of each record includes a ten-year search if the exact date or place of event is not known.
• If faster service is needed, you will need to order your certificate by one of the following method
  • Regular Mail - The cost for each record ordered by mail is $28.00. Orders are normally processed within 20-30 business days of receipt.
  • Expedited Mail - The cost for expedited mail service is $37.00 for each certified copy. Address your envelope to the attention of "Expedited Mail Service." Your order will be processed within seven to ten business days of receipt. (Research is not available via expedited mail service.)

Apply Online (VitalChek)

• The Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics does not accept credit cards or online orders; however, for your convenience, you can process online requests through an independent company that we have partnered with to provide you this service; VitalChek Network, Inc. VitalChek can be reached through its website, www.VitalChek.com. An additional fee is charged by VitalChek for using this service, and all major credit cards are accepted, including American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa.
• VitalChek is an official service, authorized by Massachusetts Vital Records, to securely order certified Massachusetts vital records, like birth records. Other online services may not be authorized by Massachusetts Vital Records, and may charge additional fees without providing approved services or guaranteeing confidentiality of your data.
• As a government-approved organization for 25 years, VitalChek safely delivers millions of vital records every year and is Americas No.1 resource for ordering certified vital records across the nation. VitalChek makes purchasing your familys most important documents, such as Massachusetts birth certificates, simple, fast and secure:
  • Simple step-by-step ordering with easy to use editing features to help ensure the accuracy of your order.
  • Fast online ordering, processing & delivery options to help get your certificate as quickly as possible.
  • Secure ordering processes that are designed to help protect your identity online.
• VitalChek offers the convenience of ordering Massachusetts birth certificates for yourself or your family from the privacy of your home or office, 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, with no hidden fees or unexplained charges. No traffic, no standing in line, no parking, no hassles.

By Telephone

• The Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics does not accept credit cards or telephone orders; however, for your convenience, you can process telephone requests through an independent company that we have partnered with to provide you this service; VitalChek Network, Inc.
  • VitalChek can be reached by phone at 1-866-300-8535.
• Certified copies of records may be ordered by telephone using a major credit card (VISA, MasterCard, American Express or Discover).
  • Place your order by calling: (617) 740-2606

Note: An additional fee is charged by VitalChek for using this service

By Fax

• The Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics does not accept credit cards or fax orders; however, for your convenience, you can process fax requests through an independent company that we have partnered with to provide you this service; VitalChek Network, Inc.
  • VitalChek can be reached by fax at 1-866-550-2067.
• Certified copies of records may be ordered by FAX using a major credit card (VISA, MasterCard, American Express or Discover).
  • Place your order by FAXING the FAX Order Form to this number:

1-866-550-2067. Note: An additional fee is charged by VitalChek for using this service

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Required Documents

• Driver's License
• State Identification Card
• Passport or Military Identification Card
• Valid Photo ID Card

Office Locations & Contacts

150 Mount Vernon St.,
1st Floor,
Dorchester,
MA 02125-3105
Telephone: (617) 740-2600
Order by calling: (617) 740-2606
Order by faxing: 1-866-550-2067

Office Hours

Monday - Friday: 8:45 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.

Certificates may also be obtained from your local county. Use the contact information below to inquire.

Barnstable County : First District Courthouse Route 6A Barnstable, MA 02630
Phone: 508-375-6761 Website

Berkshire County :
Website

Bristol County : 9 Court Street, Taunton, MA 02780
Phone: 508-824-9681 / Fax: 508-821-3101 Website

Dukes County : Courthouse Main Street Edgartown, MA 02539
Phone: 508-627-4668

Essex County :
Website

Franklin County : 425 Main Street Greenfield, MA 01301
Phone: 413-774-5533

Hampden County : 50 State St, Springfield, MA 01103
Website

Hampshire County : P.O. Box 1119 15 Gothic Street Northampton, MA 01061
Phone: 413-584-5810 x287

Middlesex County : 200 TradeCenter, 1st Floor Woburn, MA 01801
Phone: 781-939-2700

Nantucket County : 16 Broad Street Nantucket, MA 02554
Phone: 508-228-2669 / 508-228-6852

Norfolk County : 614 High Street, Dedham, MA 02027-0310
Phone: 781-461-6105 Website

Plymouth County : 52 Obery Street - Suite 2041

Eligibility

An applicant may order his or her own Massachusetts certified birth certificate or one for a family member. A restricted birth certificate that can only be obtained by the people listed on the certificate.

Fees

In person

The cost for each certified copy of a record is $18.00 at the Registry counter.

Mail

• Certified copy:

Regular Mail: $28.00 each

Expedited Mail: $37.00 each

Online (VitalChek)/Phone/Fax

• Certified first copy: $45.00
• Additional copy: $37.00

Validity

Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Documents to Use

Please attach documents which can be used by people who would like to follow this procedure.    

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents which would help other people who would like to follow this procedure.    

Processing Time

By regular mail

20 to 30 business days

By Expedited mail

7 to 10 business days

By online/telephone/fax

7 to 10 business days

Instructions

• The Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (Massachusetts Vital Records) issues certified copies of Massachusetts birth certificates for events which occurred within the state of Massachusetts.
• Birth Certificates are available for events that occurred anywhere in the State of Massachusetts from 1921 to present.
• Restricted Birth Certificates are available for events that occurred anywhere in the State of Massachusetts from 1921 to present.
• The cost for each certified copy of a record is $18.00 at the Registry counter.
• Orders placed at the Registry counter must include subjects name, date of event and place of event.
• Genealogical research services are not available at the Registry counter.
• The Registry is also open to the public in our research area.
• For general information about research at the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, call (617) 740-2600.
• Make your check or money order payable to "The Commonwealth of Massachusetts".
• Enclose a business-size self-addressed envelope. The cost of each record includes a ten-year search if the exact date or place of event is not known.
• If faster service is needed, you will need to order your certificate by one of the following options Regular Mail or Expedited Mail (additional fee will be charged to use faster service)
• We can order the certified birth certificates by one of the methods in person, by mail, by online, by telephone, or by fax.

Required Information

• Full name at birth of the person for whom the certificate is requested
• The date of birth
• The place of birth
• The mother's maiden name
• The father's name
• Name and address where the certificate is to be mailed.
• Reason for requesting the certificate
• Relationship to the person named on the Certificate

Need for the Document

You may need a birth certificate when enrolling in school, applying for a social security card or for certain legal proceedings. This can prove frustrating when you do not have a copy immediately on hand. If you want to obtain your birth certificate or if you would like to have an additional copy of your birth certificate you can obtain one with following the procedure given below.