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How do I Find Death Records in Massachusetts?


Obtaining death certificates is a process that can be initiated at the State Registry of Vital Statistics in Boston or at any local town or city clerk's office throughout the Commonwealth.

The Registry maintains an extensive record dating back to 1931, which encompasses the entire state. However, if you seek documentation from an earlier period, the Massachusetts State Archives, located in Columbia Point, Boston, will be your resource.

Moreover, every municipality in Massachusetts maintains its own ledger of deaths that occurred within its borders or among its residents. This is a critical resource for obtaining specific information about individuals who may have lived in or passed away in a particular town or city.


How Do I Get Copies?

It's pretty simple.

A state-certified death certificate serves as legal proof of a person's passing. There are many reasons why you may need a certified copy of a Massachusetts death certificate, such as:

  • Providing evidence of death for life insurance claims
  • Filing for probate court estate
  • Claiming social security death benefits
  • Transferring assets
  • Applying for pension, retirement, and military benefits

You can obtain a state-certified copy of a Massachusetts death certificate here or at the State Registrar of Vital Statistics.

Either one is identical as they originate from the same source.


Information Recorded on State-Certified Death Records

  • • First, Middle (sometimes, or initial), and last name of the decedent.
  • • Place of death, including a specific address, and whether a residence or other institution.
  • • Month, day, and year of death.
  • • Time of death - not always recorded in older records.
  • • Age at death. Usually in years, sometimes in years - months - days.
  • • Specific birth date and place of birth (not always accurate or known).
  • • Marital status (single, divorced, widowed) name of current or last spouse.
  • • Name of the father (not always filled in).
  • • Name of the mother (not always filled in).
  • • Birthplace of parents (not always known).
  • • Causes of death, primary and secondary or contributing.
  • • Place and date of burial or cremation.
  • • Name of funeral home or director.
  • • Name of physician or medical examiner.
  • • Name of informant (usually states how they relate to the decedent if any).

  • What If I Do Not Need a State-Certified Copy for an Official Purpose?

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

    You can obtain a city or town-certified death certificate by contacting the town or city clerk's office in Massachusetts in the town or city where the decedent died or officially resided.

    Some larger cities, such as Worcester and Boston, have online death order forms on their websites, but many 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 - except post-2015 death certificates - is that they do not contain all of the same information as on state-certified records. They can take longer to obtain, are less official than state copies (printed on lightweight paper with no watermarks), and do not always include the exact causes of death.

    Most importantly, some state agencies, such as the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles and Social Security, refuse to accept them. This non-acceptance is especially true if you live in California, Colorado, or outside the country.


    Enhanced Security of State-Certified Death Records over Town / City Death Records

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

  • What If I Want to Get Death Records for Genealogical Information?

    If you want the information for a family history project, we also offer transcribed death records for genealogical purposes.

    We do not certify our transcriptions and you should not use them for official purposes. However, our team will email you the transcriptions in PDF format within 10-14 business days of your order placement.

    Rest assured, we understand the importance of accuracy and timeliness regarding transcription services. That's why we deliver your transcriptions promptly and to the best of our abilities. While these transcriptions may not be certified, our team of experienced professionals strives to ensure their reliability and accuracy.

    So, if you need transcription services, don't hesitate to choose us. We guarantee quality and efficient service that meets your needs and exceeds your expectations.

    For your clarity, here is an example of a Massachusetts transcribed death record.

    Transcriptions are recorded directly from the state death certificates at the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics in Boston by the staff at Massachusetts Document Retrieval. All genealogical-related information is painstakingly recorded, checked, and rechecked for spelling and accuracy.

    Order a transcribed death record today for your Massachusetts family history project!


    Are Death Records Ever Restricted or Impounded?

    "Massachusetts has no such thing as a restricted or impounded death record. Therefore, all death records, including the specific cause(s) of death and place of cremation or burial, are public records and open to inspection to anyone."

    Source: Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Boston, Massachusetts


    So, then, are Massachusetts Death Records Public Records?

    Yes, they are public records. Massachusetts State Law: "Chapter 46: Return and registry of births, marriages, and deaths"  state death records are public records.

    "Death certificates are public record, so any member of the public can obtain a copy at the city or town clerk's office where the death occurred."

    Source: Official Website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston, Massachusetts

    "All Massachusetts death records are available for review, inspection, transcribing, or purchasing certified copies."


    Order a State-Certified Death Record or a Transcribed Death Record for Genealogy Today!


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    How to Obtain Vital Records

    • From 1931 - 2023
    • From 1841 - 1930
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