At Massachusetts Document Retrieval, we transcribe original death records from 1931 and up through the present at the Massachusetts State Registry of Vital Records and Statistics Office in Boston.

At the Registry, we access a statewide, proprietary, death certificate collection encompassing 5+ million* death records. This 92-year span of death records collection is only accessible onsite and not online.

*Source: Massachusetts Deaths Boston, MA: Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, Department of Public Health. June 2023. **Estimate Average of 56K deaths a year, times 92 years.

With over 30+ years of genealogical research experience, we carefully and meticulously hand-transcribe all pertinent death-related information for you as if it were our own ancestor.

Any and all genealogical death-related information about your family member is abstracted and entered into our self-designed record forms to create your personal PDF.

Here is an example of a transcribed Massachusetts death record, saved as a PDF.

Learn more about what information is on a Massachusetts death certificate.

The fee for transcribing a death record and sending it to you as a PDF is $20.

Important Note: These transcribed death records are valuable for their detailed family information but are only meant for family history. Transcribed records are NOT valid for any official purpose.

If you need a state-certified copy of a death record for any legal or official purpose, such as, probating an estate in Massachusetts, processing life insurance benefits, retirement and pension applications, applying for social security benefits, or any other legal purpose, you need to order a certified copy here on our Massachusetts Certificate of Death order form.

Hint: Are you on a PC? Use your TAB key to quickly and efficiently move through this form.

PERSON'S NAME TO TRANSCRIBE

PERSON'S FATHER

PERSON'S MOTHER

PERSON'S DATE AND PLACE OF DEATH

If the month is unknown, select "Not Known".

If the day is unknown, select "Not Known".

If the specific year is not known, enter the year you feel is most accurate.
In the "Notes" section on this form, enter up to five years, i.e., 1961 - 1965, to have searched.
Death records before 1931 are not available for ordering through this website. See Massachusetts Vital Records 1841 - 1930.

If you're unsure of the place of death, select "Unknown" from the dropdown list.
In the "Notes" section on this form, make your best guess about the place of death.

ANY ADDITIONAL NOTES?

YOUR FIRST AND LAST NAME

YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS

[Required]

CREDIT CARD INFORMATION

CREDIT CARD BILLING ADDRESS

LET US KNOW YOU ARE HUMAN:

I hereby request a transcribed record for genealogical research and acknowledge that the information provided is not for official use. I understand that the $20 search fee is non-refundable both if no record is found and if the transcription does not provide all information hoped for.

Massachusetts Death Records

Order Copies For Genealogy Research (1931 - 2025)

Emailed as a PDF With Detailed Family History Information. Less Expensive Than Certified Copies. Delivered in 10 – 14 Business Days for $20!