New Bedford Marriage Records Search
New Bedford marriage records go back to the 18th century and are maintained by the New Bedford City Clerk at 133 William Street. The City Clerk processes marriage license applications, issues certified copies of marriage certificates, and provides access to historical records. You can also request copies online through the city's vital records portal or visit in person. This page covers how to find New Bedford marriage records, apply for a license, and access older records for genealogy research.
New Bedford Overview
New Bedford City Clerk Office
The New Bedford City Clerk, Dennis Farias, oversees all vital records for the city. Elizabeth Marques serves as Deputy Clerk with direct responsibility for vital records including marriage certificates. The office is in Room 118 at 133 William Street in downtown New Bedford. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Call or email before visiting for mail requests or to confirm current processing times.
| City Clerk | Dennis Farias |
|---|---|
| Vital Records | Elizabeth Marques (Deputy) |
| Address | 133 William Street, Room 118 New Bedford, MA 02740 |
| Phone | 508-979-1450 |
| Fax | 508-991-6225 |
| Elizabeth.Marques@newbedford-ma.gov | |
| Hours | Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Website | newbedford-ma.gov/city-clerk |
The city website at newbedford-ma.gov has the City Clerk's main page with links to online services, forms, and contact information. The City Clerk's office is your first stop for any marriage record in New Bedford, whether you need a current certified copy or a record from decades ago.
The New Bedford city website shown above links to the City Clerk's office and its online vital records ordering portal, which lets you request copies without visiting in person.
New Bedford Online Vital Records Ordering
New Bedford offers online vital records ordering through newbedfordmavitals.permitium.com. This portal lets you order certified copies of marriage certificates without visiting City Hall. You fill out a request form online, pay the fee, and the office mails the copy to you. This is convenient if you are not local or prefer not to go in person.
To use the portal, you need the full names of both spouses and the approximate year of the marriage. More specific information helps staff locate the record faster. Fees through the online portal may differ slightly from in-person rates. Check the portal for current pricing before you submit your request. Typical certified copy fees in New Bedford range from approximately $15 to $25 per copy. Contact the office directly at 508-979-1450 to confirm current fees.
Note: Online ordering works best for marriages after 1931. For older records, contact the City Clerk or the Massachusetts State Archives directly.
Getting a Marriage License in New Bedford
Both applicants must appear in person at the New Bedford City Clerk to apply for a marriage license. The marriage license fee is $40. You need a valid photo ID for each person. Staff will have you fill out an intention of marriage form. The full steps for getting a New Bedford marriage license are on the city's website at newbedford-ma.gov/marriage-license-steps.
Massachusetts requires a 3-day waiting period before the license is issued, under MGL Chapter 207, Section 28. The three days begin the day after you file your intention of marriage. The license is valid for 60 days after it is issued. If the ceremony does not happen within that window, you must start the process again. Both parties must be at least 18 years old under MGL Chapter 207, Section 7.
There is no residency requirement in Massachusetts. You can apply in New Bedford even if you live in another city or state. If you need to skip the waiting period, apply for a court waiver at the Bristol County Probate and Family Court under MGL Chapter 207, Section 30. The waiver fee is $195.
One additional option: the New Bedford City Clerk is a Justice of the Peace. Couples can arrange to be married at City Hall by appointment. Contact the office to ask about scheduling a civil ceremony if that interests you.
Historical New Bedford Marriage Records
New Bedford has marriage records stretching back to the 18th century. Records from before 1841 are held exclusively at the New Bedford City Clerk. For marriages from 1841 to 1935, both the City Clerk and the Massachusetts State Archives at 220 Morrissey Boulevard in Boston hold copies. From 1936 forward, records are at the City Clerk and the RVRS.
The Massachusetts State Archives online search database at sec.state.ma.us/vitalrecordssearch covers vital records from 1841 to 1930 across the state, including New Bedford. The search is free and lets you find records by name and year without visiting in person. For copies from the Archives, the fee is $3 per certified copy. Reach the Archives at 617-727-2816 or archives@sec.state.ma.us.
FamilySearch has a New Bedford genealogy guide at familysearch.org that lists available record collections, date ranges, and research tips. The New Bedford Whaling Museum maintains a research library with maritime and immigration records that may contain supplemental family history materials. The New England Historic Genealogical Society at americanancestors.org offers additional early Massachusetts record databases.
Massachusetts Marriage Laws and State Resources
The state guide to getting married in Massachusetts at mass.gov/guides/getting-married-in-massachusetts covers everything from filing your intention to the ceremony and what happens after. It is a useful reference before you visit the City Clerk. The RVRS website at mass.gov/orgs/registry-of-vital-records-and-statistics explains the state system and who can request records.
Massachusetts marriage law is in MGL Chapter 207. This chapter covers who may marry, age requirements, the waiting period, and how licenses are issued. It also covers the waiver process for the waiting period. Reading through the relevant sections gives a clear picture of your rights and obligations under state law before you begin the process in New Bedford.
Bristol County Marriage Records
New Bedford is in Bristol County, Massachusetts. Bristol County government handles some services, but marriage records stay at the local city and town clerk level. The state court system serving Bristol County is centered in Taunton and New Bedford. For more context on marriage records across Bristol County, including other cities and towns in the region, visit the Bristol County marriage records page.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities near New Bedford where you can find marriage records through local clerk offices: