Massachusetts Death Records

Order An Official Copy (1931-2025)

An example of a typical Massachusetts death certificate from September 2, 1913, for Nahum Gardner Hazzard in Leominster, MA.

An example of a typical Massachusetts death certificate from September 2, 1913,
for Nahum Gardner Hazzard from Leominster, MA.

Official State Certificate: $45
No Tax, Postage, or Processing Fees
Delivery: 10-14 Business Days in the U.S.

Ordering Information for Obtaining Massachusetts Death Records

You can find all the information you need to obtain, use, and understand Massachusetts death certificates here. To help you, the following sections of our user-friendly accordion cover a variety of topics:

  • How to get a Massachusetts death certificate that is certified by the state
  • Uses authorized by the government, probate courts, life insurance, survivor benefits, etc.
  • Accessibility of records and limitations on public access
  • Options for delivery, such as expedited services offered within the US
  • Details and approximate costs of international shipping
  • Apostille services for use abroad
  • Genealogical research services and transcription options
  • Detailed instructions on how to place your order
  • Timelines for expected delivery of different options

You can view more details by expanding each of the sections below. We can help you with the process whether you need a death certificate for legal purposes, family history research, or use abroad. We guarantee that the documents you receive from us are genuine, state-certified, and compliant with all applicable laws.

To find out more about our offerings, costs, and the quick and easy way to get a Massachusetts death certificate, click on each section.

How to Obtain Massachusetts Death Records

  • These are official legal documents issued by the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, and they cost forty-five dollars.
  • Each certificate includes important security features: tracking barcode, issue date, state registrar's signature, and the official Massachusetts state seal.
  • Printed on premium, tamper-resistant security paper with a specialized watermark that verifies authenticity.
  • Delivered in 10-14 business days. An expedited option is offered for urgent needs.
  • All certificates are certified by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and valid for all official and legal purposes.

Official Death Certificate for Use with Government Records

  • Death certificates issued by the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records are certified by state authorities, making them appropriate for all government and legal uses.
  • When it comes to using a death record for the following purposes, state-certified death records are the required official document:
  • Filing a petition in a Massachusetts Probate Court
  • Proof of death for life insurance claims and benefit distributions
  • Payments for Social Security Death Benefits
  • Property deed transfers and real estate transactions requiring proof of owner's death
  • Estate settlement proceedings and asset distributions to beneficiaries
  • Banking and financial account management after death

Accessibility of Records: Are Death Records in Massachusetts Public Records?

  • Death records are open to the public in Massachusetts and maintained by the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics.
  • Massachusetts death certificates include detailed information about the cause of death, the place of burial, and the location of cremation.
  • While death records are public, obtaining an official certified copy requires proper identification and following the Massachusetts Registry's procedures.
  • Our service simplifies this process by handling all requirements for obtaining certified copies from the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records.

Delivery Choices

Expedited Delivery in the United States

  • Available for an extra $30 within 5-7 business days.
  • Discounts for bulk orders of identical records placed at the same time are offered.

International Shipping

  • Included is regular first-class, international postage (no tracking numbers or assured delivery windows).
  • FedEx or DHL Global Express are the suggested upgrades.
  • Estimates range from $75–125 for Europe, the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, and the Orient to $55–$85 for Canada and Mexico.
  • Please select the expedited option on our order form and email services@mass-doc.com to request an expedited international delivery.

Apostille Service for International Deployment

  • Certificates bearing the Secretary of State's Seal are available for an additional fee.
  • The typical fee is $25 per document, with an additional $25 for expedited service. This amount varies based on the country of request and the volume of documents.
  • In the order notes, indicate which country you would like the Apostille service to be used for.

Genealogical Research Services and Transcription Options

A Helpful Guide to Ordering

  • Fill out the order form with the decedent's details, your shipping information, and payment information.
  • If there is something you don't know, either leave the question blank or choose 'Not Known' from the drop-down menus.
  • A basic search requires certain details; the form will specify which details are necessary.
  • If you use auto-fill on your forms, exercise caution to make sure the wrong data is not entered.
  • You will receive an email with an order confirmation and a transaction ID number after submitting your order.
  • Useful Tip: To order another death record after completing your current order, just click the back arrow at the top of your browser. The person's name, dates, and locations will need to be edited, but your shipping and payment details should remain intact. At the conclusion of the order, a new "Captcha" number will need to be entered.

What Information is Included on a Massachusetts Death Certificate?

Official Massachusetts death certificates issued by the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics typically include:

  • Full legal name of the deceased
  • Date and time of death
  • Place of death (hospital, residence, etc.)
  • City or town where death occurred
  • Cause of death and contributing factors
  • Deceased's date of birth and age at death
  • Deceased's place of birth
  • Parents' names (including mother's maiden name)
  • Social Security Number (on certificates from approximately 1962 forward)
  • Marital status and surviving spouse's name (if applicable)
  • Deceased's occupation and industry
  • Residence address of the deceased
  • Funeral director information
  • Burial or cremation location
  • Informant's name and relationship to the deceased

Death certificates are often required for estate settlements, property transfers, insurance claims, and various legal matters following a death.

Timelines for Delivery

  • First Class: 10-14 business days
  • Expedited: 5-7 business days
  • Tip: Use the TAB key for quick form navigation on a PC.

Additional Massachusetts Vital Records Services

In addition to death certificates, we offer other Massachusetts vital records services:

Order Form

Hint: Use your TAB key to quickly and efficiently move through this form using your keyboard.

Full Name on Death Record

Fields marked with * are required to process your request.

Legal first name on the death record
Helps identify the correct record
Legal last name on the death record

Month, Day, Year, and Place of Death

All fields in this section are required to locate the death record.

Month when the death occurred
Day of month when death occurred
Enter a year between 1931-2025
  • If the specific year is unknown, enter the year you feel is most accurate.
  • In the "Additional Notes Section" on this form, enter up to five years, i.e., 1961 - 1965, to have searched.
  • Records before 1931 are not available for ordering. See Massachusetts Vital Records 1841 - 1930.
City or town where death was recorded

Decedent's Father - If Known

These fields are optional but help identify the correct death record.

Father's first name
Father's last name

Decedent's Mother - If Known

These fields are optional but help identify the correct death record.

Mother's first name
Mother's maiden name

Additional Notes

This section is optional but can greatly help us locate the correct record.

Helpful Information to Include:
Alternate name spellings
Range of years if year unknown
Facility where death occurred
Additional towns to search

Your Name and Shipping Address

All fields in this section are required. We'll send your document to the address you provide.

Your first name
Your last name
Company name (only if applicable)
Street address or P.O. Box
Apt, suite, or unit number
Your city or town
Your country of residence
State, province, or region
ZIP or postal code
We'll send order confirmation here
Re-enter to confirm
In case we need to contact you

Select USPS Delivery Method and Number of Copies

Choose ONE Shipping Option: Standard First Class Mail or Expedited Priority Mail

Option 1: Standard First Class Mail

10-14 business days No tracking
Standard delivery includes: Regular USPS mail service with NO tracking. Bulk discounts automatically applied for multiple certificates.

Option 2: Expedited Priority Mail

5-7 business days Has tracking
Expedited service includes: Priority upgrade + tracked shipping for faster, secure delivery. Price shown is total cost for expedited service.
 

International Shipping: For FedEx or DHL Global Express delivery options, please email services@mass-doc.com after placing your order. Additional fees apply based on destination.

Credit Card Information

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Last name on billing statement
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City or town name
Country of billing address
State, province, or region
ZIP or postal code

Your billing address must match the address on file with your credit card company for successful payment processing.

Security Verification

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By clicking 'Review Order Details,' I understand I am ordering a death certificate for official purposes. I acknowledge that the information provided is accurate to the best of my knowledge.