Get your certified Massachusetts Marriage Certificate

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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: