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Order Massachusetts Birth Certificate
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Learn how to order Massachusetts birth certificate from the DPH-RVRS. Review the required documents to ensure you have everything you need. The current processing time is within 30 business days, and Rush Processing is available to reduce the wait to 7 to 10 days. The state fee for a birth certificate is $32.00 per copy. In Massachusetts, most birth certificate are public records and can be requested by anyone who submits the required documents and fees.
You can now order Massachusetts birth certificate through VRO’s online filing service. VRO offers a secure and simple way to order birth certificate. We handle the entire application process, ensuring accuracy and ease. Your application is securely delivered to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health – Registry of Vital Records and Statistics for processing, allowing them to issue and mail your birth certificate to you. You can place the order yourself in person or by mail through the health department by following the specific steps and meeting certain requirements. Before you order, make sure to review the costs, eligibility, requirements, and current processing times. The costs, eligibility, requirements, and current processing times.
Requesting a Massachusetts birth certificate through our online filing service is quick and easy.
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$29+ state fees
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required documents
Applicants must provide proof of identity to the Massachusetts DPH-RVRS when requesting certified copies of birth records. The table below displays the required information and documents to order a birth certificate in Massachusetts.
Primary ID Requirements Options | Secondary ID Requirements Options |
|---|---|
Valid Government Photo ID | Photo ID from Work or School |
If you cannot provide a government-issued photo ID, you may submit two secondary forms of identification. Refer to the table above for accepted forms of secondary ID.
Cost & fees
The costs for vital birth certificate replacements vary depending on the fees set by the DPH-RVRS for each type of certificate. The RVRS charges a fee of $32.00 per copy for standard mail requests and $42.00 per copy for expedited mail requests. When using VRO's online filing service, the fee starts at $29.00, plus state fees. VRO provides a secure online solution for ordering birth certificates.
State Fee |
|---|
$32.00 |
Rush Processing |
|---|
$42.00 |
Additional Copy |
|---|
1 x $32.00 |
Processing time
The current processing and replacement times for Massachusetts birth certificates is within 2 to 3 weeks, however times may vary. Rush processing time is 7 to 10 days. Refer to the chart below for the current delivery and processing timelines. To avoid delays, we recommend using VRO’s easy online service, which helps prevent incomplete submissions and errors.
Processing Time |
|---|
2-3 weeks |
Rush Processing Time |
|---|
7 to 10 days |
Authorization
In Massachusetts, most birth certificates are public records. Therefore, under most circumstances, if you can submit the required documents and fees, you are eligible to order the certificate. Only records of births to unwed parents and original birth records of adoptees are restricted.
The Massachusetts DPH-RVRS does not require applicants to obtain notarized applications when requesting certified copies of their birth certificates, regardless of whether the request is ordered online, by mail, by telephone, or in person.
For answers to common questions about birth certificate types, replacement costs, and processing times, visit our birth certificate FAQ and resource page.
Tracking
When you place an order with VRO, you can track the status of your application online as we handle it. VRO verifies your documents before sending them to the Massachusetts DPH-RVRS for processing. You can also request mail tracking through VRO to monitor your application's progress to the DPH-RVRS.
When manually mailing your birth certificate request to the DPH-RVRS, it is required to include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your application. It's recommended to use mail tracking to guarantee timely handling and secure delivery of your certificate. Once records leave the state office, they are not responsible for lost or misdirected certificates.
Need more than a birth certificate? VitalRecordsOnline helps you order every Massachusetts vital record through one streamlined application. Whether you're gathering documents for a passport, name change, estate settlement, or family history project, we handle the paperwork, verify everything is complete before submission, and track your order from start to delivery.
Massachusetts Marriage Certificate — Required for name changes, spousal benefits, visa applications, divorce filings, and proof of marital status.
Massachusetts Death Certificate — Needed for estate settlement, life insurance claims, pension transfers, Social Security notifications, and closing accounts of a deceased loved one.
Massachusetts Divorce Certificate — Proves the legal dissolution of a marriage. Required for remarriage in some states, name restoration, and certain immigration or legal matters.
For use abroad, ask about our apostille service — we authenticate Massachusetts vital records for international use in Hague Convention countries.
frequently asked questions
A certified copy of a Massachusetts birth certificate costs $32 when ordered online or by mail from the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records, or $20 when ordered in person. Each additional copy ordered at the same time is $3. Expedited processing and shipping are available for additional fees.
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Yes, you can order a Massachusetts birth certificate online through the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records website or through an approved service provider. You can also apply by mail or in person at the Registry in Dorchester or at your local city or town clerk office.
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In Massachusetts, eligible requesters include the person named on the certificate, a parent, a legal guardian, a spouse, an adult child, or a legal representative. If you need someone else to request the certificate on your behalf, they may use a notarized Power of Attorney (PoA) or a signed affidavit from the authorized applicant.
Order for a family member — request a Massachusetts birth certificate through our secure service.
Massachusetts birth certificates are not public records. Access is restricted to eligible individuals as defined by Massachusetts law. The Registry of Vital Records requires proof of identity and eligibility before issuing certified copies to protect personal information.
Learn more and order your Massachusetts birth certificate online.
An officially certified birth certificate will have distinct features to indicate the DPH-RVRS issues it. The appearance of an official birth certificate may differ depending on the year it was issued. It will often include key information to verify a person's identity and the legitimacy of their citizenship at birth. A long-form (official) birth certificate is used for legal purposes, whereas a short-form (informational) copy usually is not. The DPH-RVRS defines specific guidelines for counties that may use unique colors and layouts. In all cases, official birth certificates will generally display features such as:
• Full Name of the Person: The full legal name of the person whose birth is being recorded.
• Date of Birth: The exact date of birth of the individual.
• Place of Birth: The city, county, and state where the birth took place.
• Parents’ Names: The full names of both parents, including the mother’s maiden name.
• State Seal: A raised, embossed, or printed multicolor or black and white seal of the issuing authority, which validates the document.
• Signature of State Registrar: The signature of the state registrar or authorized official responsible for issuing the certificate.
• Date of Issuance: The date when the state officially issued the birth certificate.
• Printed on Security Paper: Printed on specialized paper to prevent counterfeiting.
In some instances, a certified birth certificate may also include:
• Name of the Hospital where the birth was recorded.
• Name of the Physician who attended the labor.
If you lose your birth certificate:
1 Promptly report it to the police and request a replacement copy. A birth certificate can be used for identity fraud if it falls into the wrong hands.
2.Submit a certified replacement copy in person, by mail, or online through VRO. Complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the DPH-RVRS.
a For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to the DPH-RVRS office during hours of availability.
b. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the DPH-RVRS at:
Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
150 Mount Vernon St.
1st Floor Dorchester,
MA 02125-3105
c. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).
3. ADHS-BVR will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.
Replace yours — order a Massachusetts birth certificate replacement online.
The Massachusetts DPH-RVRS provides a straightforward process for correcting or amending birth certificates. Massachusetts DPH requires you to show evidence that the information was incorrect at or near the time of the event.
Correcting or amending birth records will generally require the following:
You can order an apostille directly through the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth or online through VRO’s Apostille Express Service. The Secretary of the Commonwealth issues Apostilles, which are often required when filing a birth certificate with a foreign government that is part of the 1961 Hague Convention.
If you manually submit a request to obtain an apostille for your birth certificate, you will need to provide the following information:
A long-form birth certificate (also called the "full" or "certified" copy) is a complete reproduction of the original Massachusetts birth record. It includes your full legal name, date and place of birth, parents' names, birthplaces, and occupations, the attending physician or midwife, and the file date and registration number. This is the version you'll need for passports, REAL ID, Social Security, adoption, immigration, dual citizenship, and most legal purposes.
A short-form birth certificate (sometimes called a "certification" or "abstract") is a condensed version that shows only your name, date of birth, place of birth, and sex. It does not include parents' information. The short form is accepted for many everyday purposes, like enrolling in school, applying for a driver's license, or joining sports leagues, but it is not always accepted for federal documents or international travel.
When you order a Massachusetts birth certificate through VitalRecordsOnline, you receive the long-form version by default, since it is the most widely accepted. If you're unsure which version you need, check with the agency requesting the document.
Need a certified copy? Order your Massachusetts birth certificate online.
Processing times for a Massachusetts birth certificate depend on how you order and which delivery speed you choose. Standard government processing through the Massachusetts vital records office generally takes 4 to 12 weeks by mail. In-person requests at the state office or authorized county location are often completed the same day or within a few business days.
When you order online through VitalRecordsOnline, we review your application within 24 hours to catch errors before submission, then forward it to the issuing authority. Most customers receive their certified Massachusetts birth certificate in 2 to 3 weeks with standard shipping. Expedited processing and rush shipping options are available at checkout for urgent needs like passport applications or upcoming travel.
If the issuing office returns your request because of missing information, our team contacts you immediately so the correction can be made without starting over. You can track your order status at any time through your account.
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Boston residents can order a Massachusetts birth certificate online through VitalRecordsOnline, by visiting the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records in Boston, or by submitting a mail request.
In-person requests at the state vital records office are typically processed the same day during business hours. Online orders through VRO are reviewed within 24 hours and most customers receive their certified copy in 2 to 3 weeks.
You may also need to order a Massachusetts death certificate through our secure online service.
Same-day Massachusetts birth certificates are available for in-person requests at the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records in Boston. Walk-in visitors can typically receive their certified copy within a few hours during regular business hours.
For those who cannot visit in person, ordering online through VitalRecordsOnline is the next fastest option. We review your application within 24 hours and most orders arrive within 2 to 3 weeks, with expedited shipping available at checkout.
Looking for a different document? Order a Massachusetts marriage certificate through our secure online service.
Worcester residents can obtain a Massachusetts birth certificate by ordering online through VitalRecordsOnline, or by submitting a request to the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records.
Online ordering through VRO is the most convenient option, letting you complete the process from home with delivery by mail. Expedited processing is available for urgent needs.
Need another vital record? Get your Massachusetts divorce certificate through our secure online service.