Get a certified Massachusetts Death Certificate

Massachusetts does not issue death certificates for individuals who die on U.S. military bases overseas. In such cases, if the deceased’s parents held U.S. citizenship, the U.S. Department of State records the death. To request this document, you must contact the U.S. Department of State and obtain a Consular Report of Death Abroad (CRDA or form DS-5542).

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.

Massachusetts death certificates are one of the most important and valuable legal documents. They are the only legal proof that someone has passed away and are used for crucial purposes, particularly in legal, financial, and personal matters. The vital record is fundamental after someone has died to handle financial affairs, benefit claims, verification for institutions, estate settlements, and benefits from government agencies.

Death certificates are often helpful or required for:

Settling Estates

Claiming Pension and Retirement Benefits

Marriage and Divorce Finalization

Genealogy and Historical Research

Claiming Life Insurance

Managing Accounts at Financial Institutions

Making Funeral and Burial Arrangements

Tax Filings

Claiming Social Security and Government Benefits

Handling Property Mortgage and Real Estate Matters

Enrolling in school

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.