Find Marriage Records in Malden

Malden marriage records are kept by the City Clerk in Room 220 at 215 Pleasant Street. The office issues marriage licenses, records completed ceremonies, and provides certified copies to anyone who needs them. You can visit in person, send a mail request, or reach the office by email. For marriages from 1931 onward, the state Registry of Vital Records and Statistics in Dorchester also holds copies.

Malden City Clerk Office

The Malden City Clerk is Carol Ann T. Desiderio. Her office sits in Room 220 at 215 Pleasant Street in Malden. This is the main office for all vital records in the city, including marriage licenses and certified copies of marriage certificates. The office can also help with corrections to existing records. Phone number is 781-397-7116. Email is cityclerk@cityofmalden.org. Hours run Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Tuesday from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The office is closed on Fridays. The Tuesday evening hours are helpful if you can't get there before 5 PM on a regular weekday.

Mail requests are accepted. Send a written request with both parties' full names, the marriage date, your contact information, and a check or money order made out to the City of Malden. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return of the copies. Allow extra processing time when mailing. The office email is useful if you want to confirm what to include before sending in a mail request.

The Malden City Clerk's office page lists all vital records services and contact information for the city.

The page covers hours, fees, and the types of records the clerk's office handles for residents and researchers.

Marriage License Process in Malden

To get a marriage license in Malden, both applicants must come to the City Clerk's office together. You do not need to live in Malden. The fee is $30. Bring a valid photo ID for each person. Staff take down the required information and issue the application while you wait.

Massachusetts law under MGL Chapter 207 sets a mandatory 3-day waiting period. The license does not become valid until three full days after the application date. Once it activates, you have 60 days to use it before it expires. Plan the application date so the waiting period clears at least a day or two before the ceremony. Both applicants must be 18 or older. No residency requirement applies. If you need to waive the waiting period, you can apply to a Probate or District Court. The court charges $195 for that request and does not grant it automatically.

After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the clerk's office. The clerk records it and submits a report to the state. That completed record becomes the official marriage certificate. Certified copies can be ordered once the record is filed.

Certified Copies and Fees

Certified copies of Malden marriage certificates cost $10 each. That is one of the lower rates in the area. Corrections to a marriage record carry a $25 fee. In-person visits are the fastest way to get a copy. Bring a photo ID and know both parties' names and approximate marriage date. Staff can usually provide copies the same day for in-person requests.

For mail requests, include the names, marriage date, your return address, and a check made out to the City of Malden. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope. Processing time for mail is longer than in person. Email the office at cityclerk@cityofmalden.org first if you have questions about what to include or how long it will take.

The Malden City Clerk fee schedule lists the current costs for all clerk services, including marriage records and copies.

Check the fee schedule before submitting any request to make sure you are sending the correct amount. Fees do not change often, but it is worth confirming if you have not requested records recently.

Historical Marriage Records

For marriages from 1841 to 1930, the Massachusetts State Archives holds statewide vital records. The State Archives is at 220 Morrissey Boulevard in Boston. Phone is 617-727-2816. Certified copies cost $3 per record. The archives search tool at the Secretary of State's website is a good first step before requesting physical copies.

For marriages from 1931 to the present, the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS) maintains the statewide collection. The RVRS is at 150 Mount Vernon Street in Dorchester, MA 02125. Phone is 617-740-2600. Certified copies cost $20 in person or $32 by mail. You can also order through VitalChek online. The RVRS holds copies of every marriage filed in Massachusetts since 1931, so you can get state copies even if the local clerk is unavailable.

FamilySearch at familysearch.org has free access to many Massachusetts vital records, including marriages from the 1800s and early 1900s. American Ancestors at americanancestors.org (NEHGS) holds extensive early New England records. Many Massachusetts public libraries provide free in-library access to the American Ancestors database for cardholders.

Malden Public Library Genealogy Resources

The Malden Public Library's Converse Memorial Building has an excellent genealogy collection. The library holds local history materials, city directories, and other resources helpful for tracing Malden families across many generations. Staff can point researchers to the right materials for a specific time period. The library also offers access to online genealogy databases that can supplement what the clerk's office holds.

For very old records, the New England Historic Genealogical Society is another strong resource. Membership gives full access, but some materials are available free through partner libraries. Many early Malden marriages appear in their collections, especially records from the 1600s and 1700s.

Middlesex County Marriage Records

Malden is in Middlesex County. Marriage licenses are issued at the city level, but the county page covers Probate Court records, court filings, and broader resources for the county.

View Middlesex County Marriage Records

Nearby Cities

These nearby cities have their own marriage records pages with local clerk details and how to request copies.