Get a certified Massachusetts Death Certificate

A certified copy of a Massachusetts death certificate costs $32 from the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records. Each additional copy ordered at the same time is $6. Expedited processing is available for an additional fee.

Yes, you can order a Massachusetts death certificate online through the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records website or through an approved service provider. You may also apply by mail or in person at the Registry in Dorchester or at your local city or town clerk office.

In Massachusetts, eligible requesters include the surviving spouse, a parent, an adult child, a sibling, the executor of the estate, or a legal representative. If you need to request a death certificate on behalf of an eligible family member, you may submit a notarized Power of Attorney (PoA) or signed affidavit from the authorized person.

Massachusetts death certificates are not public records. Access is restricted to eligible individuals with a direct and tangible interest. The Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records requires proof of identity and relationship before issuing certified copies.

An officially certified Massachusetts death certificate will have unique security features to ensure its authenticity. The appearance of an official death certificate may vary depending on the year of issue. Still, it will contain essential details confirming the individual's identity at death. Official death certificates from Massachusetts typically feature the state seal, the individual's name, the date and place of death, and the state registrar's signature. They are printed on secure, tamper-resistant paper with watermarks and other security elements.

• Full Name of the Decedent: The full legal name of the person whose death is being recorded.
• Date of Death: The exact date and time of death of the individual.
• Place of Death: The city, county, and state where the death occurred, along with the specific facility or location.
• Cause of Death: The immediate and underlying causes of death, as certified by the attending physician or medical examiner.
• Medical Certification Information: Includes details about who certified the death, such as the attending physician or coroner, and any contributing medical factors.
• Demographic Information: The deceased's age, sex, race, ethnicity, marital status, education level, and occupation.
• Disposition Details: Information about the method of disposition (burial, cremation, etc.), the date and place of disposition, and the funeral home or director responsible.
• Informant Information: The name and relationship of the person providing personal details of the deceased.
• Social Security Number: The Social Security number of the deceased.

To amend a death certificate in Massachusetts, you need to contact the city or town clerk where the death occurred. They will provide you with specific requirements for the process. When you contact the clerk’s office, request information about the evidence and documents required to amend the vital record.

Supporting Documentation: To correct an error on a death certificate, you must provide proof that the information was incorrect at the time of the event or shortly thereafter. Typically, vital records only reflect what was true at the time of death, and updates are not made for changes that occur later.

Amendment Fee: The one-time fee to amend a death record is $50.00 in Massachusetts, which does not include a copy of the amended certificate. A death certificate costs $32.00 by mail orders and $20.00 when requested in person.

Submit your request: An appointment is required to complete an amendment in person. Contact the Registry by phone or email to see what amendment requests are accepted and processed by mail.

Apostilles may be ordered from the Massachusetts Secretary of State by mail or through VRO's online services.

You need an apostille when you file documents with a foreign government. It is a special certificate that verifies the authenticity of vital records for international use and is acceptable in countries that are part of the Hague Convention.

We offer comprehensive apostille services for death certificates across all 50 US states. Governments and organizations acknowledge the service, which is legally valid in over 100 countries. VRO’s service comes with expert support, costs $149 (plus government fees), and can be accomplished online in just three steps.

If you are manually submitting a request for an apostille to the Massachusetts Secretary of State, you will need to provide the following items:

1. The certified copy of the death certificate, with the original signature of one of the following: Massachusetts Notary Public, Justice of the Peace, City/Town Clerk or Assistant, Registrar of Vital Records.
2. A completed Apostille/Certification Request Form.
3. A payment of $6.00 per document, made payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Submit your request to the Massachusetts Secretary of State at the following addresses:

In-person:

By Mail:

Ensure that you indicate the country to which the document will be submitted.