Find Massachusetts Marriage Records
Massachusetts marriage records go back to 1841 when the state began statewide registration of vital events. City and town clerks hold the original records for each location where a license was filed. The Registry of Vital Records and Statistics handles statewide copies from 1931 to the present. For records from 1841 to 1930, the Massachusetts State Archives is the main source. You can search marriage records online, request certified copies by mail, or visit an office in person.
Massachusetts Marriage Records Overview
Where to Find Massachusetts Marriage Records
No single office holds all Massachusetts marriage records. They are split across three levels: city and town clerks, the state Registry of Vital Records, and the State Archives. Which one you need depends on when and where the marriage took place.
City and town clerks are the original source for every Massachusetts marriage record. When a couple files marriage intentions, they go to any clerk's office in the state. After the ceremony, the officiant signs and returns the license to that same clerk. The clerk records the marriage and keeps the original. Massachusetts has 351 cities and towns, each holding its own records. If you know where the intention was filed, start there.
The state began issuing its own copies of vital records in 1931. The Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, or RVRS, now holds statewide marriage records from 1931 to the present. Their office is at 150 Mount Vernon Street in Dorchester. You can reach them at 617-740-2600 or by email at vital.recordsrequest@state.ma.us. Regular hours are Monday through Friday, 8:45 AM to 4:45 PM. Genealogical research hours are more limited, so call ahead if you plan to search in person.
The RVRS homepage at mass.gov explains how to order certified marriage certificates and what information you need to submit your request.
The RVRS is the right place for any Massachusetts marriage record dated 1931 or later. For older records, look to the State Archives instead.
The Massachusetts State Archives holds marriage records from 1841 to 1930. They are at 220 Morrissey Boulevard in Boston. Call 617-727-2816 or email archives@sec.state.ma.us. Certified copies from the Archives cost $3 each. Processing takes 4 to 6 weeks. For records before 1841, contact the city or town clerk directly where the marriage took place.
Note: Massachusetts was the first state in the country to begin statewide registration of vital records, starting in 1841. Boston was a late addition to this system and didn't report to the state until around 1850.
Searching Marriage Records in Massachusetts
Several free and paid tools let you search Massachusetts marriage records online. The right tool depends on the time period you are researching.
For records from 1841 to 1910, the Massachusetts State Archives has a free online search tool. You can find it at the Massachusetts Archives vital records search. Enter the record type (marriage), a first and last name, the town, and a year range. Results show volume and page citations from the original registers. Digital images are available through 1925 for most records.
The Archives search database covers marriages filed in cities and towns across the state from 1841 through 1910, with digital images extending through 1925 for most locations.
After you find a citation in the database, you can view the digitized image or order a certified copy directly from the Archives for $3 per certificate.
FamilySearch has a free collection of Massachusetts Marriages, 1841 to 1915. A free account gives you access to name indexes and images. The records include full names, ages, occupations, birthplaces, parent names, and the name of the officiant. This is one of the most complete free tools for older records. American Ancestors at americanancestors.org has extended coverage through 1920 and Soundex name searching, but requires a subscription.
For records from 1931 to the present, you can order copies from the RVRS by mail, in person, or through VitalChek. The state ordering page at mass.gov explains all three methods and what you need to include with each request.
The ordering page at mass.gov outlines the fees, required information, and processing times for each method of requesting a certified marriage certificate.
Online orders through VitalChek cost $54 for the first copy and $42 for each additional copy of the same record. Standard processing runs 7 to 10 business days. Expedited shipping adds $11.50 to $18.50 depending on the delivery speed you choose.
What Massachusetts Marriage Records Contain
Marriage records in Massachusetts have grown more detailed over time. The content depends on when the marriage took place.
Records from 1841 onward were kept on standardized forms. Early records were handwritten in bound volumes. By the 1860s, clerks used printed forms with typed entries. A standard marriage record from this era includes the full names of both parties, their ages and residences, their occupations and birthplaces, names of parents (including the mother's maiden name), the date and location of the ceremony, and the name and status of the officiant. Records filed after 1935 also include Social Security numbers, though those fields have restricted public access.
There is an important difference between a marriage license and a marriage certificate. The license (called the Notice of Intention of Marriage) is filed before the ceremony. It shows the couple's intent to marry. The certificate is issued after the ceremony when the officiant signs and returns the completed document to the issuing clerk. The certificate becomes the permanent vital record. Both documents are public records in Massachusetts, with limited exceptions for address and Social Security data.
Pre-1841 records exist at the town clerk level and vary widely. Some towns recorded marriage banns (public announcements), while others kept simple entries with names and dates. If you are researching colonial-era marriages, check with the specific town clerk or a local historical society.
Marriage License Requirements in Massachusetts
The Massachusetts guide to getting married at mass.gov covers every step of the license process from start to finish.
The state's getting married guide is a useful starting point whether you are planning your own wedding or helping someone else navigate the process.
To get a marriage license, both parties must appear together in person at any city or town clerk's office in Massachusetts. There is no residency requirement. The license is valid anywhere in the state for 60 days from the date you file. Under MGL c. 207, § 7, both parties must be at least 18 years old. This minimum age was set by a 2022 law update.
You must bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Both parties need to provide their Social Security numbers. You also need the full names of both sets of parents, including mothers' maiden names. If either person was previously married, you must show proof that the prior marriage ended by death, divorce, or annulment, and that the dissolution is final.
License fees are set by each municipality. They range from about $15 to $60 across the state. Some cities charge more than others. Call your local clerk or check their website before you go to confirm the current fee and accepted payment methods. Under MGL c. 207, § 19, applicants file standard information forms with the clerk at the time of application.
Note: Blood tests have not been required for a Massachusetts marriage license since January 28, 2005. No medical exam is needed.
The 3-Day Waiting Period
Massachusetts law requires a mandatory 3-day waiting period before a marriage license is issued. Under MGL c. 207, § 28, the wait begins the day after you file your intention. Weekends and holidays count toward the 3 days. The day you apply does not. If you apply on a Monday, your license is ready Thursday. If you apply on a Friday, your license is ready Monday.
In some cases, a court can waive the waiting period. The instructions for filing a Marriage Without Delay petition are available at mass.gov.
The waiver form and instructions explain exactly what you must file with the court and how long the process typically takes to complete.
Under MGL c. 207, § 30, you file a Marriage Without Delay petition at a Probate and Family Court, a District Court, or the Boston Municipal Court. The fee is $195, which includes a $180 court fee and a $15 surcharge. A judge reviews the petition and decides whether to grant the waiver. This option works for couples who need to marry quickly due to serious illness, military deployment, or other urgent reasons.
Massachusetts Marriage Laws
The marriage laws page at mass.gov lists the key statutes that govern who can marry in Massachusetts and under what conditions.
The state's marriage law summary is a good starting point for understanding what rules apply before you visit a clerk's office.
All Massachusetts marriage law is in MGL Chapter 207. The law covers who can marry, how to apply for a license, what the waiting period is, and what happens when the rules are broken. Under MGL c. 207, § 4, polygamy is banned. Sections 1 and 2 list specific family relationships that prohibit marriage. Marriages that violate those sections are void from the start under § 8.
Same-sex marriage has been legal in Massachusetts since 2004. The state was the first in the country to allow it. Massachusetts also recognizes domestic partnerships and civil unions through some municipalities. These are separate from marriage and handled differently by city and town clerks.
If a marriage is void or voidable, a party can file for annulment under MGL c. 207, § 14 in Probate and Family Court. This is different from divorce. An annulment treats the marriage as if it never legally existed. The legal standards for annulment are strict and do not apply in most cases.
Who Can Perform Marriages in Massachusetts
Massachusetts has several types of authorized officiants. Clergy members who are registered with the state can perform marriages. Justices of the Peace, appointed by the governor, can also officiate. Ask your local city or town clerk for a list of JPs in the area.
The one-day marriage designation lets a friend or family member officiate at one ceremony. You can apply through the one-day designation page at mass.gov.
The application for a one-day designation can be submitted online through the Secretary of the Commonwealth's website. There is no residency requirement, and the fee is modest.
You should apply for a one-day designation at least 6 months to 1 week before the ceremony. No residency is needed. The designation is valid for one specific date and one ceremony only. After the wedding, the officiant must return the completed certificate to the clerk within the 60-day validity window. Out-of-state clergy can also officiate if they file a non-resident clergy petition 2 to 6 weeks before the event. They must file the signed certificate with the Secretary of the Commonwealth within 10 days after the ceremony.
How to Get Certified Copies of Marriage Records
Certified copies are available from three sources depending on the year of the record. The cost and processing time vary by method.
For records from 1931 to the present, the RVRS is your source. In person at 150 Mount Vernon Street in Dorchester, a certified copy costs $20. Bring a check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Payment by credit card is not accepted in person. By mail, the fee is $32 per copy, and standard processing takes 30 business days. Expedited mail service costs $42 and takes 7 to 10 business days. Online orders through VitalChek cost $54 for the first copy and $42 for each additional copy of the same record. Call 617-740-2606 to order by phone.
For records from 1841 to 1930, contact the Massachusetts State Archives at 220 Morrissey Boulevard in Boston. Certified copies cost $3 each. You can request up to 5 certificates per order. Processing takes 4 to 6 weeks. Mail requests and email requests are both accepted. Email archives@sec.state.ma.us with the names, date, and location of the marriage.
For the most recent records, the city or town clerk where the intention was filed is the fastest option. Most clerks can provide same-day service for in-person requests. Fees at the local level range from $10 to $25 per certified copy. Call ahead to confirm the current fee and what identification you must bring.
For any request, you need the full names of both parties, the date of the marriage (or an approximate year), and the city or town where the license was filed. A photo ID is required for in-person requests at the RVRS.
Browse Massachusetts Marriage Records by County
Marriage records in Massachusetts are filed at city and town clerk offices across all 14 counties. Each county page has clerk contact details, local resources, and guidance on searching marriage records in that area.
Massachusetts Marriage Records by City
City and town clerks hold the original marriage records for each location. Pick a city below to find local clerk contact information, fees, hours, and resources for searching marriage records in that area.