Certificate Information
The state of Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services maintains the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics. Certified copies of vital records can be ordred directly from the department by fax, mail, telephone or online. The department sells only certified copies for a fee of $45 dollars and $37 dollars each additional copy. Rush orders have a $15 dollar surcharge. Heirloom certificates are also available for $60 dollars, but can only be ordered by mail.
Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
150 Mount Vernon Street
Dorchester, MA 02125
(617) 740-2600
• Vital Record Application (PDF)
The state maintains an index of divorce records from 1952 to present, but all official certified copies must be obtained from the Clerk of Probate Court in the county the divorce was filed. All geneology searches and search for records before 1920 should first check the Massachusetts State Archives.
Adoption Records
Adoption and original birth records are available to adult age adoptees and to the guardians of adoptees with a certified copy of a court order. By mail applications have a $28 dollar fee while in person appointments have an $18 dollar fee. Using the research facility has a fee of $9 dollar/hour.
Property Records
Find basic mapping information, tax valuations and parcel records by searching city assessor's databases and local GIS department online tools.
• Boston Real Property Search
• Worchester Online Maps
• Springfield Assessor's Database Search
• Lowell GIS Maps
• Cambridge Property Database