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Example of an Older Massachusetts Death Certificate From September 2, 1913, for Nahum Gardner Hazzard of Leominster, MA.
Example of a Massachusetts Death Record Transcribed for Genealogy Research.
Massachusetts State Law: "Chapter 46: Return and Registry of Births, Marriages, and Deaths mandates death records are public records." Records are available for review, inspection, transcribing, or for purchasing certified copies.
Guide to Massachusetts Death Certificate Records
Navigating the process of obtaining a death certificate in Massachusetts can seem daunting, but with the right information, it's a straightforward task. Whether you need a record for official purposes or genealogical research, this guide will walk you through the entire process, explaining your options and providing step-by-step instructions.
How do I Get a Death Certificate From Massachusetts?
Record Accessibility: Are Death Records Public in Massachusetts?
Public Access and Restrictions
Yes, all death records in Massachusetts are public.
- Massachusetts does not restrict or impound death records.
- "All 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: Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Official Website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston, MA.
When You Need a State-Certified Death Certificate
State-certified vital records are typically required for official purposes, such as:
- Providing evidence of death for life insurance claims
- Filing a Massachusetts probate court petition
- Claiming social security death benefits
- Transferring assets
- Applying for pension, retirement, or military benefits
Remember, many state and government agencies only accept state-certified vital records, not city or town copies. A state-certified vital record is the most official copy one can obtain.
How to Order Massachusetts Death Records
To order an official Massachusetts death certificate, follow these steps:
- Click the "Order State-Certified Death Certificate" button below to access our secure, online order form
- Fill out the application with all required information, including:
- Full name on the death certificate (The person's legal name at time of death)
- Date of death, if known
- Place of death (city or town), if known
- Parents' full names (including mother's maiden name), if known
- Provide your contact and shipping information
- Complete the credit card payment process (cost is $45 per certificate)
- After a successful order placement, you'll receive a confirmation email with a transaction ID number
- Your state-certified death certificate will be delivered within 10-14 business days
- Expedited service is available for faster delivery at an additional cost of $30.
Are There Other Options to Get a Massachusetts Death Certificate?
You have a couple of options to obtain a Massachusetts death certificate:
- State-Certified Copy: You can get a state-certified copy of a death certificate online through our service or directly from the State Registry of Vital Statistics. You can visit them in person or mail a request to the State Registry. Both options provide identical certificates as they come from the same source.
- A state-certified vital record is the most official copy one can obtain.
- Our cost for a state-certified copy is $45, and delivery typically takes 10-14 business days. Expedited service is available for faster delivery at an additional cost of $30.
- City or Town Clerk's Office: You can request a copy from the city or town clerk's office where the death occurred. However, some agencies may not accept these for official purposes.
- Costs vary from town to town and city to city.
Comparing Local and State-Certified Death Records
Advantages and Limitations of Local Records
While local records have some benefits, they also come with limitations:
- Advantage: Generally less expensive than state-certified copies
- Limitations:
- Can take longer to obtain
- May appear less official than state vital records
- Sometimes not acceptable by government agencies, including:
- Social Security Administration
- Transferring assets
- Applying for pension, retirement, or miltary benefits
Enhanced Security of State-Certified Death Records
State-certified death records offer superior security features compared to many city or town vital 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
Genealogical Death Records
Official vs. Genealogical Records: Understanding the Differences
| Aspect | Official Certificates | Genealogical Records |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Purpose | Legal identification, official use | Family history research |
| Accessibility | Sometimes restricted to individual or immediate family | Often more accessible, especially for older records |
| Information Included | Basic death details | May include additional family information |
| Cost | Always involves a fee | May be free or have a nominal fee |
| Processing Time | Can take several weeks | Often available immediately or within days |
Death Records for Family History Research
Genealogical Records
For genealogical purposes, we offer transcribed death records as PDFs for a fee of $20 each. These are not certified but contain all relevant genealogical information transcribed directly from state death certificates.
Information Included in Genealogical Records
Genealogical Information Recorded on Death Records
Information can vary based on the years in question, as collected and recorded information did change over the years, but generally speaking, death records will contain:
- 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.
- The exact time of death is not always recorded in older records.
- The decedent's age - usually in years, sometimes in a specific number of years, months, and days.
- Their 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.
- Date and place 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).
For an example of a Massachusetts death certificate transcribed for genealogy, please visit our sample page.
How to Order a Genealogical Death Record
To order a transcribed Massachusetts death record for your family history project, follow these steps:
- Click the "Order Genealogical Death Record" button below to access our secure, online order form
- Complete the application, providing as much information as you know
- Enter your credit card details and email address for a PDF delivery of the document
- Upon successful order placement, you'll receive a confirmation email with a transaction ID number
- Within 10-14 business days, you'll receive the PDF transcription of the record via email
Need More Information?
If you're unsure whether you need a certified death certificate or a genealogical record, or if you have any questions about our services, we're here to help. Don't hesitate to contact us. Our team of experts is ready to assist you with your death records needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: How long does it take to get a death certificate in Massachusetts?
- A: Typically, it takes 10-14 business days for delivery of a state-certified death certificate. Expedited service is available for an additional fee.
- Q: Can I get a Massachusetts death certificate online?
- A: Yes, you can order a state-certified death certificate online through our secure service. However, the physical certificate will be mailed to you.
- Q: What's the difference between a state-certified and a town-issued death certificate?
- A: State-certified death certificates are accepted by all government agencies and have enhanced security features. Town-issued certificates may not be accepted for all official purposes and may lack certain security elements.
- Q: How much does a Massachusetts death certificate cost?
- A: Through our service, a state-certified death certificate costs $45. Prices may vary for town-supported certificates.
- Q: Can I get a copy of someone else's death certificate in Massachusetts?
- A: Yes.
Remember, for any specific questions about your situation, it's best to contact us directly for personalized assistance.
About the Author
J. James Simonson, a graduate of Suffolk University's Journalism and Marketing Communications program, with a minor in Local History, has been instrumental in genealogy research since the early 1990s. Known for his expertise in Massachusetts vital records, he has helped many piece together intricate family histories and is passionate about assisting individuals in discovering their ancestral narratives.