Lynn Marriage Records

Lynn marriage records are held at the Lynn City Clerk's office in City Hall, where you can search historical records, apply for a marriage license, and get certified copies. Lynn is the largest city in Essex County with about 102,000 residents, and its records stretch back to the colonial era. Whether you need a copy for legal use or are searching for an ancestor, the City Clerk is the starting point for all Lynn marriage record requests.

Lynn City Clerk Office

The Lynn City Clerk handles all marriage records for the city. The office is in Room 203 of City Hall at 3 City Hall Square. Staff process marriage license applications, issue certified copies of marriage certificates, and maintain the city's vital records going back to the colonial era. This is the main office for any Lynn marriage record request.

The Lynn City Clerk's vital records page has details on how to request birth, death, and marriage records by mail or in person. Tuesday evening hours are useful if you cannot get to City Hall during the standard daytime schedule.

The office on the Lynn City Clerk website provides details about each specific record type. You can find out what documents to bring, what forms to fill out, and how long requests take to process. For genealogy work, the Clerk also has a dedicated section at lynnma.gov/genealogy_and_research covering research resources and historical access options.

Lynn City Clerk Online Resources

The Lynn City Clerk website at lynnma.gov provides information about the office, including how to reach staff and what services are available for vital records.

The screenshot above shows the City Clerk's main department page, which lists contact details, hours, and links to each record type the office manages.

The marriage records section at lynnma.gov/birth__death__and_marriage_records explains the process for requesting certified copies of Lynn marriage certificates and what the fees are.

This page covers how to request records in person and by mail, along with what ID or information you need to provide. Check here before visiting the office so you arrive prepared.

Getting a Marriage License in Lynn

To get a marriage license in Lynn, both people must go to the City Clerk's office in person. You cannot send someone else and you cannot apply online. Bring a valid photo ID for each person. The office staff will have you fill out an intention of marriage form and verify your identities before issuing the license.

Massachusetts law requires a 3-day waiting period after you file your intention of marriage before the license can be picked up. This is set by MGL Chapter 207, Section 28. The 3 days do not count the day you file. So if you file on a Monday, the earliest you can pick up the license is Thursday. Plan your timeline before coming in. The license fee in Lynn is $45. Once issued, the license is valid for 60 days. The ceremony must take place within that window or you will need a new license.

Both applicants must be at least 18 years old under MGL Chapter 207, Section 7. There is no residency requirement in Massachusetts. You can get a license in Lynn even if you live in another state. If you need to waive the 3-day waiting period, you can apply for a waiver at the Probate and Family Court. The waiver costs $195 under MGL Chapter 207, Section 30.

Note: The license is issued in the city where you apply, not necessarily where you live or where the ceremony will be held.

Lynn Marriage Certificate Copies

Certified copies of Lynn marriage certificates are available from the City Clerk's office. These are legal documents you can use for name changes, insurance updates, Social Security records, and other official purposes. The cost for a certified copy in person is $10. By mail, the fee is $25.

To request a copy, you need to provide the full names of both spouses and the approximate date and year of the marriage. The more specific you are, the faster the search. Bring your photo ID if you come in person. For mail requests, write to the Lynn City Clerk at 3 City Hall Square, Lynn, MA 01901. Include your return address, a check or money order for the fee, and all identifying details about the record. Staff will process your request and mail the copy back to you.

Genealogy copies, which are not certified for legal use, may be available at lower cost. Ask the Clerk's office about current options. For records of Lynn marriages from 1931 to the present, the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS) at 150 Mount Vernon Street in Dorchester also holds copies. RVRS in-person copies are $20, or $32 by mail, or $54 through VitalChek. You can order through the state at mass.gov/how-to/order-a-birth-marriage-or-death-certificate.

Historical Lynn Marriage Records

Lynn has records going back to the colonial era. For marriages before 1841, the Lynn City Clerk's office is the primary source. For marriages from 1841 to 1930, records are held at both the Lynn City Clerk and the Massachusetts State Archives at 220 Morrissey Boulevard in Boston. The Archives can be reached at 617-727-2816. Certified copies from the Archives cost $3 each.

The Massachusetts State Archives online vital records search at sec.state.ma.us/vitalrecordssearch lets you search for historical marriage records without visiting in person. This database covers the period from 1841 to 1930 and is free to use. You can search by name and narrow results by town or year.

The Lynn Public Library also holds local history and genealogy collections that may include vital records, city directories, and other materials useful for tracing marriages in the Lynn area. FamilySearch at familysearch.org has indexed collections of Massachusetts vital records that include Lynn marriages. The New England Historic Genealogical Society at americanancestors.org has additional databases covering early Massachusetts vital records.

The genealogy and research section of the Lynn City Clerk website provides guidance on accessing older records and what additional resources are available for family history research in Lynn.

Massachusetts State Marriage Resources

The Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS) oversees vital records statewide. Their website at mass.gov/orgs/registry-of-vital-records-and-statistics has details on how to request records and what forms to use. For marriages from 1931 forward, RVRS holds the state copies.

The state's guide to getting married in Massachusetts at mass.gov/guides/getting-married-in-massachusetts walks through every step from filing your intention to the ceremony and certificate. It covers the waiting period, who can perform ceremonies, and what happens after the wedding. The full text of MGL Chapter 207 covers all marriage laws in Massachusetts.

Note: RVRS is at 150 Mount Vernon Street, Dorchester, MA 02125, and can be reached at 617-740-2600.

Essex County Marriage Records

Lynn is in Essex County. Essex County government was abolished in 1999, so there is no county clerk for marriage records. Each city and town clerk in the county handles its own records. For more information on accessing marriage records across Essex County, including other cities and towns and state-level resources that cover the region, visit the Essex County marriage records page.

View Essex County Marriage Records

Nearby Cities

Other qualifying cities near Lynn where you can find marriage records through local city clerk offices: