Boston Marriage Records

Boston marriage records date back to 1630, making the city one of the oldest sources of vital records in the country. The Boston Registry Division handles all marriage licenses, certificates, and certified copies for residents and couples who marry in the city. You can search records in person at City Hall, request copies by mail, or use the city's online marriage portal. State records from 1931 onward are also available through the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics.

Boston Registry Division

The Boston Registry Division is the primary office for all marriage records in the city. It sits in Room 213 at Boston City Hall. Staff here issue marriage licenses, record completed marriages, and provide certified copies of marriage certificates. Records go back to 1630, though Boston did not begin reporting to the state until around 1850. For anything before that date, you need to come to this office directly or check historical archives.

The Registry handles far more volume than a typical city clerk office. Boston is the largest city in Massachusetts, and marriages from every neighborhood run through this one location. Walk-in service is available during regular business hours. If you plan to mail a request, include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order made out to the City of Boston. VitalChek is also available for online ordering of certified copies.

The Boston Registry of Births, Deaths, and Marriages page on the city website has forms, fee information, and instructions for all vital record types.

The screenshot below shows the Registry Division department page, where you can find current contact details, hours, and ordering options.

Use the department page to confirm current hours before making a trip to City Hall.

Getting a Boston Marriage License

To get a marriage license in Boston, both parties must appear in person at the Registry Division. No residency is required. You do not have to live in Boston to get a license here. The license fee is $50. If you pay by credit or debit card, a 2.5% surcharge applies with a $1 minimum.

Massachusetts law requires a 3-day waiting period under MGL c. 207, § 28. That means the license becomes valid three days after you apply. The license is then good for 60 days. If the wedding does not happen within that window, the license expires and you must apply again. Both applicants must be 18 or older under MGL c. 207, § 7.

Need to skip the waiting period? You can apply to a Probate or District Court for a waiver under MGL c. 207, § 30. The waiver fee is $195. Courts grant these for urgent reasons, but they are not automatic. The city's guide at How to Get Married in Boston walks through the full process step by step.

The online marriage portal at registry.boston.gov/marriage lets you start the application before your in-person visit. The screenshot below shows what that portal looks like.

Using the portal can cut down on your time at City Hall. You still have to appear in person, but pre-filling the form speeds things along.

Certified Copies of Boston Marriage Certificates

Certified copies of Boston marriage certificates cost $12 each when you request them in person. Mail and online requests cost $14 per copy. The city's page at How to Get a Copy of a Marriage Certificate lists all options and includes the mail-in form.

For in-person requests, go to the Registry Division at Room 213, City Hall. Bring a photo ID. Staff can usually produce copies the same day. For mail requests, write to the same address and include the names of both parties, the date of the wedding, and a check or money order for the correct amount. Allow several weeks for mail processing.

VitalChek handles online orders for Boston. Fees may differ slightly from the in-person rate, and processing times vary. For older records from before 1931, the state may not have them on file. Those older Boston records may exist only at the Registry Division itself or in historical archives at the State Archives or New England Historic Genealogical Society.

State and Historical Resources for Boston Marriage Records

The Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS) holds statewide records from 1931 onward. The RVRS is at 150 Mount Vernon Street in Dorchester. Certified copies cost $20 in person, $32 by mail, or $54 through VitalChek. You can reach them at 617-740-2600. Their ordering page is at mass.gov certificate ordering.

For records from 1841 to 1930, the Massachusetts State Archives is your best option. The Archives are at 220 Morrissey Boulevard in Boston, phone 617-727-2816. Certified copies cost $3 each. You can search the online database at sec.state.ma.us vital records search. FamilySearch also has a free index of Massachusetts vital records from 1841 to 1915.

For genealogical research on older Boston marriages, two local organizations stand out. The New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) is at 99-101 Newbury Street in Boston, phone 888-296-3447. Their site at americanancestors.org includes many early vital records. The Massachusetts Historical Society at 1154 Boylston Street holds original manuscripts and early church records that predate civil registration. The Boston Public Library at 700 Boylston Street has a microfilm collection with historical marriage data.

If you are not sure which office has the record you need, the state's guide at mass.gov getting married guide lays out the full process and links to local offices.

Massachusetts Marriage Law

Massachusetts marriage law is in MGL Chapter 207. The core rules are simple. Both parties must be 18 or older. Both must appear in person to apply. The 3-day waiting period must pass before the ceremony can take place. There is no residency requirement. The license is good for 60 days after it becomes active.

Once the ceremony happens, the officiant returns the signed license to the issuing clerk within the required time. The clerk records it and files it with the state. That completed record becomes the official marriage certificate. You can then request certified copies from Boston or from the state, depending on the year of the marriage.

The full text of Massachusetts marriage law, including rules on prohibited marriages and license requirements, is at mass.gov marriage law overview. This page also links to the specific sections of Chapter 207 that cover eligibility, fees, and the application process.

Suffolk County Marriage Records

Boston sits in Suffolk County. While marriage licenses are issued at the city level, the Suffolk County page has details on the court system and additional archives that cover the Boston area.

View Suffolk County Marriage Records

Nearby Cities

These nearby cities also have marriage records pages with local clerk office details and search options.