Find Fall River Marriage Records

Fall River marriage records are held at the Fall River City Clerk's office at 1 Government Center and date back to before 1841. The City Clerk processes marriage license applications, issues certified copies of marriage certificates, and provides access to the city's vital records. This page explains how to search Fall River marriage records, get a license, request copies, and find historical records through state and local archives.

Fall River City Clerk Office

The Fall River City Clerk is Ines da Silva Paulino Leite, appointed in 2025. The office is in Room 227 at 1 Government Center in Fall River. Staff handle marriage licenses, certified copies, and vital records requests for the city. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. A TTY line is available at 508-324-2000 for those who need it.

The Fall River city website at fallriverma.org has general city information, while the official government pages at fallriverma.gov cover the City Clerk's department specifically, including forms and hours. Check the city's site before visiting to confirm current fees and any changes to hours.

The Fall River city website shown above provides access to the City Clerk department, where you can find marriage license information and vital records contact details.

Fall River Marriage License Process

To get a marriage license in Fall River, both people must appear in person at the City Clerk's office. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. You fill out an intention of marriage form, pay the $40 fee, and then wait the required 3 days before the license is issued. The marriage license page on the city site at fallriverma.gov/marriage_license has the current process and any forms you may need to bring.

The 3-day waiting period is set by MGL Chapter 207, Section 28. The days counted do not include the day you file. Plan your timeline carefully if you have a ceremony date set. The license is valid for 60 days once issued. If the ceremony does not happen within that window, you must apply again.

Both applicants must be at least 18 years old under MGL Chapter 207, Section 7. There is no residency requirement. People from other cities or states can get a license in Fall River. If you need to waive the waiting period, apply at the Bristol County Probate and Family Court under MGL Chapter 207, Section 30. That waiver costs $195.

Fall River Marriage Certificate Copies

Certified copies of Fall River marriage records are available from the City Clerk. These copies are used for name changes, insurance claims, passport applications, and other legal needs. Contact the office at 508-324-2220 for current fees. Typical certified copy costs in Massachusetts cities range from $15 to $25 per copy. Order extra copies when you first request them since many agencies require originals.

For in-person requests, visit Room 227 at 1 Government Center during business hours. Bring the names of both spouses and the year of the marriage. For mail requests, write to the Fall River City Clerk at 1 Government Center, Room 227, Fall River, MA 02722. Include a check or money order for the fee, your return address, and all record details you have.

Records from 1931 forward are also held at the Massachusetts RVRS at 150 Mount Vernon Street, Dorchester. In-person RVRS copies are $20, mail orders are $32, and VitalChek online orders are $54. Order state copies at mass.gov/how-to/order-a-birth-marriage-or-death-certificate.

Historical Fall River Marriage Records

Pre-1841 Fall River marriage records are held exclusively at the Fall River City Clerk. For marriages from 1841 to 1935, both the City Clerk and the Massachusetts State Archives hold copies. The State Archives is at 220 Morrissey Boulevard in Boston and can be reached at 617-727-2816. Certified copies from the Archives are $3 each. Their online vital records search database at sec.state.ma.us/vitalrecordssearch is free and covers 1841 to 1930.

The Fall River Public Library has genealogy resources at fallriverlibrary.org/genealogy, including city directories, newspapers on microfilm, and vital records from 1803 to 1889 on microfilm. These materials can help you trace Fall River marriages before the state records begin or fill in gaps where records are incomplete. The library is a free resource available to the public.

FamilySearch has a Fall River genealogy guide at familysearch.org. The Fall River Historical Society, founded in 1921, may also have materials that complement official vital records. For broader Massachusetts databases, the New England Historic Genealogical Society at americanancestors.org offers indexed collections covering early Massachusetts vital records.

Massachusetts Marriage Record Resources

The RVRS at mass.gov/orgs/registry-of-vital-records-and-statistics oversees all state vital records. For marriage licenses and certificates across Massachusetts, the state's getting-married guide at mass.gov/guides/getting-married-in-massachusetts is a thorough reference. It covers the intent filing, waiting period, ceremony requirements, and what the signed license means after the event.

All Fall River marriage records from 1931 forward are duplicated at the RVRS. This means if the city's records are unavailable for some reason, you have a state-level backup source. The full text of Massachusetts marriage law is in MGL Chapter 207. The chapter covers who may marry in the state, requirements, the license process, and how records must be kept and reported.

Bristol County Marriage Records

Fall River is in Bristol County. Marriage records in Bristol County are held at the city and town level, not at a county clerk office. The county government handles some functions but vital records stay with local clerks. For a full overview of marriage records resources across Bristol County, including other cities and towns and the state offices that serve the region, visit the Bristol County marriage records page.

View Bristol County Marriage Records

Nearby Cities

Other qualifying cities near Fall River with local clerk offices handling marriage records: