Massachusetts Marriage Records

Marriage rates in Massachusetts are typically lower compared to the national average - per recent data from the National Center for Health Statistics, the state has a marriage rate of 5.1 marriages per 1,000 residents, nearly 18% less than the national average of 6.2 per 1,000.

Massachusetts began maintaining statewide marriage records in 1841; before this time, records were generally kept at the town and city levels. These records serve as official documentation of all marriages that occur in the state. There are two main types of marriage records in Massachusetts:

• Marriage Licenses: these documents are issued before a wedding. Marriage licenses must be obtained from a town or city clerk's office before the couple can legally get married, and have to be completed and returned to the clerk's office after the wedding. Massachusetts marriage licenses typically contain details on the intended couple, such as their full names, birth dates, current addresses, and the name they plan to use after the wedding, as well as a signed statement that the information provided (by the couple) is correct.
• Marriage Certificates: these documents are issued after the couple has gotten married and filed the completed marriage license with the appropriate clerk's office. Marriage certificates typically serve as official proof that a marriage took place . These documents typically contain information about the wedding, such as the couple's full names, the date and location of the marriage, and the name of the officiant.

How to Look Up Marriage Records in Massachusetts?

Marriage records in Massachusetts are maintained both locally and at the state level:

• Marriage licenses are maintained by the town or city clerk who originally issued the license.
• Marriage certificates from 1931 to date are maintained by the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics , while certificates from 1841 to 1930 are available at the Massachusetts Archives. Certified copies of marriage certificates can also be obtained through town and city clerk's offices.

You can typically obtain copies of Massachusetts marriage records by submitting a written request to the relevant town or city clerk's office or the state's Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS) at:

In addition to the written request, you will generally also need to provide the following:

• The names of the couple
• The date of the marriage
• A valid ID
• The stipulated fee

Requests are usually made in person; however, the RVRS and several towns/cities also offer mail and online options for ordering marriage records.

Are Marriage Records Public in Massachusetts?

Marriage records in Massachusetts are considered public records, meaning that they are generally available to the public. However, certain marriage records are restricted under state law and may only be accessed by specific parties, such as the couple named on the record and individuals with a court order. Examples of these restricted records include records of individuals who were born out of wedlock and Notices of Intention of Marriage (the form the couple fills out when applying for a marriage license).

How Much Do Massachusetts Marriage Records Cost?

The fees for obtaining marriage records in Massachusetts through town or city clerk's offices vary by municipality but typically range from $15 - $25. On the other hand, marriage certificates ordered through the state's Registry of Vital Records and Statistics cost $20 for in-person requests, $32 for mail-in requests, and $42 for expedited mail requests.

The standard processing time for obtaining these records is approximately 2 - 3 weeks; however, expedited requests are typically processed within 7 - 10 business days (or less in some towns/cities). Note that actual processing timelines are typically influenced by factors like the request method (in person, online, or via mail), the completeness of the submitted request, and the issuing office's current workload.

Is It Possible to Make Your Marriage Records Confidential in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts does not allow confidential marriages or the sealing of marriage records. To this end, all Massachusetts marriage records are generally accessible to the public unless otherwise restricted by state law (as is the case for marriage records of individuals born out of wedlock).

How Do I Verify the Authenticity of Massachusetts Marriage Records?

Marriage records serve as official proof that a marriage occurred. These documents are typically used for various purposes, such as facilitating name changes, accessing social security, tax, and insurance benefits, immigration, genealogy research, and initiating divorce proceedings.

To this end, certified marriage records typically contain several security features to ensure their authenticity and prevent fraud. These features include raised (embossed) official seals, watermarked paper, and official stamps indicating the date of issue. Notwithstanding this, you may further verify the authenticity of a Massachusetts marriage record by visiting the office that issued the record - this is usually the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics or a town/city clerk's office.

Can I Find Massachusetts Marriage Records Online for Free?

Massachusetts marriage records (particularly recent ones) are not typically available for free online. Nonetheless, you may search digital copies of marriage records from 1841 - 1925 at no cost through the Massachusetts Archives website. Note that record availability may be limited.

Several third-party websites, such as Familysearch.org and PublicRecords.us, also provide access to Massachusetts marriage records. However, you may be required to pay a nominal fee for this, especially if you wish to access newer records.

What Is Required to Get a Massachusetts Marriage License?

You must meet the following requirements to obtain a marriage license in Massachusetts:

• You and your intended spouse must be at least 18 years old
• Both of you must appear in person together at a city or town clerk's office, provide proof of age, and fill out a Notice of Intention of Marriage Form.
• You must pay the stipulated fees, which typically range from $20 to $50, depending on the municipality.

There is a three-day waiting period after applying for a marriage license before it may be issued. Massachusetts marriage licenses are available to both residents and non-residents of the state and may be used anywhere within the state. It should be noted that these licenses are only valid for 60 days, and you must apply for a new license if you do not get married within this period.

Can You Amend a Marriage Record in Massachusetts?

You may amend a Massachusetts marriage record to fix mistakes or update certain information, such as a misspelled name or an incorrect date or place of birth. However, it should be noted that marriage records generally only list information that was accurate at the time of the event; as such, you must provide proof that the information (in the record) was wrong at or close to the time the marriage occurred before it may be amended.

Amending Massachusetts Marriage License

To amend a marriage license in Massachusetts, you will need to contact the town or clerk's office that issued the license and inform them of the error(s) that need to be corrected. This office will inform you on whether the license is eligible for correction, the necessary evidence to present, and associated costs.

Amending Massachusetts Marriage Certificate

The process for amending a Massachusetts marriage certificate is similar to that of amending a marriage license and generally begins by contacting the town or city clerk in the municipality where the Notice of Intention of Marriage Form was completed. The clerk's office will then guide you on the necessary requirements and paperwork for the amendment.

You may also contact the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics at (617) 740-2674 or via email for relevant information on amending your marriage certificate.

Marriage certificate amendments in Massachusetts cost a one-time amendment fee of $50 plus the costs of obtaining copies of the amended certificate.