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How do I Find Birth Records in Massachusetts?


Massachusetts State Law: "Chapter 46: Return and registry of births, marriages and deaths" mandates non-restricted birth records are public records and are available for review, inspection, transcribing, or for purchasing certified copies.


What causes a birth record to be restricted?

In short, if birth parents are not married at the time of birth, or, if an adoption took place and the name changed, the original birth record is restricted. Some agencies or city clerks also refer to these as impounded birth records.

These records are restricted to the individual named on the record, the birth parent(s) named on the record or a legal guardian.

Certificates can still be obtained directly by the subject or the birth parent named on the record, or legal guardian, but these records are not open to the public.

Read more about Massachusetts restricted birth records.


How do I get a copy of a Massachusetts birth record?

In two words, it depends.

It's not difficult though, it just depends on why you need the record and, where you currently live, as some states and government agencies will only accept state certified copies and not city or town copies.

If you need the certificate for any official purpose, such as obtaining a passport, processing "REAL ID" applications, updating a driver's license, applying for dual citizenship or for social security benefits, you most likely need a state certified birth certificate.

You can obtain a state certified copy of your birth certificate here or at the State Registrar of Vital Statistics.

Either one is identical as they come from the exact same source.

A state certified copy is the most official copy one can obtain. Read further down for more information about security and detailed information recorded on state certified records.


What if I don't need a state certified copy for an official purpose?

If you only need a copy for your own records, say for general information, but still want a certified copy, a city or town birth certificate should fill the need perfectly.

City or town certified birth certificates are obtained by contacting the town or city clerk's office in Massachusetts in the town or city where the subject was born.

Some of the larger cities, such as Worcester and Boston, have online birth order forms on their websites, but many of the smaller towns, such as Granby, still only accept mail in or walk in applications.

The biggest plus of city/town certificates - they are generally less expensive than state certified copies. The biggest minus - they can take longer to obtain and are obviously less offical appearing than state copies.

Most importantly, they are not acceptable by some state agencies or for applying for drivers license and passports, especially if you live in Colorado or California or if you live outside of the country.


What if I just want to get birth records for genealogical purposes?

If you don't even need a certified town or city copy, and just want the information for a family history project, we also offer transcribed birth records for genealogical purposes.

These are not certified, are sent by email as PDF's, and are available at a reasonable fee of $20 each.

Here is an example of a Massachusetts transcribed birth record.

Transcriptions are recorded directly from the state birth certificates at the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics in Boston. All genealogical related information is recorded and checked and rechecked, for both spelling and accuracy.

Order a transcribed birth copy today for your Massachusetts family history project!


Pluses for Enhanced Security of State Certified Birth Records

  • Embossed with Official Raised Massachusetts State Seal
  • Signed by the State Registrar of Vital Statistics
  • Contains the Original Date of Issue
  • Stamped with Current Date of Issue
  • Printed on Secure, Watermarked, Heavyweight Paper
  • Embedded with a Scannable, Digital Bar-Code for Tracking


Recorded Information Highlighted on State Certified Birth Records

  • First, middle (sometimes, just an initial) and last name of child
  • Place of birth including address, hospital (no longer recorded) and town or city
  • Month, day and year of birth
  • Time of birth - began in early 1950's but not always recorded by staff
  • Name, age and address of father and depending on era of recording, his exact date of birth
  • Name, age and address of mother and depending on era of recording, her exact date of birth
  • Birthplace of father (city, town, state, country; sometimes just state or country)
  • Birthplace of mother (city, town, state, country; sometimes just state or country)
  • Occupations of father and mother (not always filled in - stopped being recorded in mid 1990's)
  • Number of previous children of mother (again, not always filled in and no longer recorded)

Order your state certified birth record today!


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How to Obtain Vital Records

  • From 1931 - 2023
  • From 1841 - 1930
  • From 1635 - 1841
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