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Order Massachusetts Marriage Certificate

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Vital Records Online is not affiliated with any government agency. We provide a secure online service to help customers file applications for certified vital records to the appropriate state or county office. Free application forms are available directly from the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics.

Massachusetts Marriage Certificate

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Massachusetts Marriage Certificate Overview

Learn how to order Massachusetts marriage certificate from the Executive Office of Health and Human Services - Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (EOHHS-RVRS). The current processing time is 1 to 2 months. The state fee is $32.00 per marriage certificate. Expedited services are available. In Massachusetts, most marriage certificate are public records and, therefore, can be requested by anyone who submits the required documents and fees.

Where to Get a Massachusetts Marriage Certificate

Massachusetts marriage certificate is available from the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, which maintains statewide records from 1841 to the present. Certified copies can be ordered online, by mail, or in person at the Boston office. The fee is $20 for a certified copy. Visit the Massachusetts Vital Records website for details.

You can also contact the City or Town Clerk in the municipality where the marriage was recorded. Massachusetts has 351 cities and towns, and each clerk maintains local vital records. Town and city clerks often provide faster walk-in service and may charge a lower fee than the state.

For a secure, guided process, order your Massachusetts marriage certificate online through VRO with document verification and order tracking.

Is a Massachusetts Marriage Certificate Issued by the State or City?

Massachusetts issues marriage certificate at both the state and municipal level. The City or Town Clerk is the original recording authority — the marriage intention is filed there, and after the ceremony, the officiant returns the completed certificate to the same clerk. The municipality then reports the record to the state Registry of Vital Records.

Certified copies from either source are equally valid. The state has an extensive archive dating to 1841, while local clerks may have even older records. The state charges $20 per copy, while city and town clerk fees vary but are typically $10 to $20. Municipal offices are usually faster for walk-in requests.

Massachusetts Same-Sex Marriage Certificate History

Massachusetts holds a landmark place in U.S. marriage history. On May 17, 2004, Massachusetts became the first state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage following the state Supreme Judicial Court's ruling in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health. This made Massachusetts the pioneer of marriage equality in the United States.

Same-sex couples who married in Massachusetts from 2004 onward received the same marriage certificate as all other couples. There is no distinction on the certificate. These certificates are available from the city or town clerk where the marriage was recorded or from the state Registry of Vital Records.

Massachusetts initially had a law (repealed in 2008) that prevented out-of-state couples from marrying in Massachusetts if same-sex marriage was not legal in their home state. After the repeal, Massachusetts became a popular destination for same-sex weddings. All marriages performed in the state during this entire period are fully valid and documented.

How to Order State of Massachusetts Marriage Certificate

You can order Massachusetts marriage certificate through the VRO’s online filing service. VRO offers a secure and simple way to order marriage 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 DPH-RVRS for processing, allowing them to issue and mail your marriage certificate to you. You can place the order yourself in person or by mail through the DPH-RVRS by following the specific steps and meeting certain requirements. Each county is responsible for certifying and issuing marriage records within its jurisdiction. You can find a complete list of Massachusetts County vital record issuing agencies for requesting marriage certificate. Before ordering, confirm and review the costs, eligibility, requirements, and current processing times to ensure your application is error-free.


Person ordering a marriage certificate with a phone using VRO

Ordering with VRO

Ordering your Massachusetts marriage certificate through our online filing service is quick and easy.

  1. Complete the online application and upload your documents.
  2. Process your order.

Starting from

$29+ state fees

Benefits of Ordering Online with VRO

  • 5 minutes process
  • No waiting in lines
  • No handling paperwork or mail
  • Simplified application process
  • 24 hour service
  • Online assistance by specialists
  • Verification and error-checking
  • Order tracking
  • Online notary
  • Pay online by credit card
  • Remote processing time

Get Started Online

required documents

What Documents Are Needed to Order a Massachusetts Marriage Certificate?

Applicants must provide proof of their identity to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health – Registry of Vital Records and Statistics DPH-RVRS. To verify your identity, you must provide a government-issued ID such as a driver’s license, state-issued photo ID, or passport. Driver’s licenses are preferred, even if they are expired. If you do not have any options, you can provide two forms of secondary identification. Review the DPH-RVRS criteria in the table below:


Primary ID Requirements Options

Secondary ID Requirements Options

Driver’s License
Passport
Government-Issued Photo ID

Photo ID from Work or School
Utility Bills
W-2 Forms
Pay Stub
Library Card
Military ID
Massachusetts ID Cards (RMV, SNAP, DTA, etc.)
Correctional Facility ID

Cost & fees

What Are the Costs of Replacing a Marriage Certificate in Massachusetts?

The cost of obtaining a marriage certificate in Massachusetts varies based on the state fee and the cost of your preferred application method. The DPH-RVRS charges a $32.00 fee for certified copies of marriage certificate. The expedited fee for rush processing is an additional $10.00. When using VRO's online filing service, the fee starts at $29.00, plus state fees. VRO provides a secure online solution for ordering marriage certificate.


State Fee

$32.00


Rush Processing

$42.00


Additional Copy

1 x $32.00

Processing time

How Long Does It Take to Process and Receive a Marriage Certificate in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, the standard processing time for replacing a marriage certificate is approximately 1 to 2 months. Rush processing is available and can expedite the time to 7 to 10 days. Processing times may vary depending on the volume of requests received by the DPH-RVRS. To avoid delays, we recommend using VRO’s easy online service, which helps prevent incomplete submissions and errors.

Processing Time

1 to 2 months

Rush Processing Time

7 to 10 days


Authorization

Who is Authorized to Order a Massachusetts Marriage Certificate?

Spouses on record can request their marriage certificate through the Vital Records office (VRS) or the county where the marriage was filed. If you are an immediate family member or a third-party requester, check with the local county or city clerk to determine if you can request a copy of the marriage certificate.



Do I Need to Notarize My Application for Ordering a Massachusetts Marriage Certificate?

The Massachusetts DPH-RVRS does not require applicants to obtain notarized statements when requesting certified copies of marriage certificate, regardless of whether the request is ordered online, by mail, by telephone, or in person.

Tracking

How to Track the Status of Your Application for a Massachusetts Marriage Certificate

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 marriage certificate request to the DPH-RVRS, you must include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your application. Mail tracking is recommended to guarantee your certificate's timely handling and secure delivery. Once records leave the state office, they are not responsible for lost or misdirected certificates.


frequently asked questions

Other FAQs


  • What Is the Difference Between a Massachusetts Marriage Certificate and a Marriage License?

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    A marriage license is the document you obtain before your wedding that legally authorizes you to marry in Massachusetts. A marriage certificate is the official record proving your marriage took place. After your ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the appropriate office for filing. Once recorded, it becomes the official marriage certificate. You need the certificate for legal purposes like name changes, insurance benefits, tax filing, and immigration applications.

  • Where Can I Get a Copy of a Marriage Certificate in Massachusetts?

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    You can obtain a certified copy of a Massachusetts marriage certificate from the state vital records office, the county clerk or recorder where the marriage was filed, or online through VitalRecordsOnline.com. For older records, you may need to contact the county directly or the state archives. Processing times vary by method, with online and in-person requests typically being the fastest options.

  • How Much Does a Massachusetts Marriage Certificate Cost?

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    A certified copy of a Massachusetts marriage certificate typically costs $20 to $25, depending on whether you order from the state Registry of Vital Records or your local city or town clerk. Additional copies and expedited processing may incur extra charges.

  • Can I Order a Massachusetts Marriage Certificate Online?

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    Yes, you can order a Massachusetts marriage 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 or at the city or town clerk office where the marriage was recorded.

  • Can Someone Else Request My Massachusetts Marriage Certificate?

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    In Massachusetts, eligible requesters include either spouse named on the certificate, immediate family members, 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 an authorized applicant.

  • Are Massachusetts Marriage Certificate Public Records?

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    Massachusetts marriage certificate is generally considered public records. You can request certified copies from the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records or from the city or town clerk where the marriage was recorded.

  • What is a Certified Copy of Marriage Certificate?

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    A certified copy of the marriage certificate is a duplicate of the original marriage record issued directly from the county office where you received your marriage license. A certificate differs entirely from a license, although both are from the same marriage.

  • How to Correct or Amend a Massachusetts Marriage Certificate?

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    To amend a marriage certificate in Massachusetts, you need to contact the city or town clerk where the marriage 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 marriage certificate, you must provide proof that the information was incorrect at the time of the event or shortly thereafter.

    Amendment Fee: The one-time fee to amend a marriage record is $50.00 in Massachusetts, which does not include a copy of the amended certificate. A marriage certificate costs $32.00 by mail order 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.

  • How to Obtain an Apostille for a Massachusetts Marriage Certificate

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    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.

    VRO offers comprehensive apostille services for marriage certificate 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).

    To manually apply for an apostille, you will need to provide the following information:

    1. A completed Apostille/Certification Request Form
    2. Certified marriage record certificate
    3. A fee of $6.00 per document, checks/money orders only, made payable to the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
    4. Self-addressed, stamped envelope or prepaid express shipping label and envelope (not necessary if picking up in person)

    You can mail or hand-deliver requests for marriage record apostilles to the Secretary of the Commonwealth at one of the following addresses: