Plymouth Marriage Records Lookup

Plymouth marriage records date to 1620, making this town one of the oldest sources of vital records in the entire country. The Plymouth Town Clerk at 26 Court Street handles all marriage licenses, intentions, and certified copies for the town. You can visit in person, submit a request by mail, or email the clerk's office for guidance. The Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics in Dorchester holds statewide copies of Plymouth marriage records from 1931 onward.

Plymouth Town Clerk Marriage Records

The Plymouth Town Clerk's office at 26 Court Street is the official office for all marriage records in Plymouth. This office issues marriage licenses, records filed intentions, and provides certified copies of marriage certificates. Plymouth's vital records date to 1620 and the Plymouth Colony era, which makes this one of the most historically rich vital records offices in the nation. Not every record from the colonial period survives in original form, but the Town Clerk can help guide researchers to the right sources for early data.

Office hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, and Tuesday from 7:30 AM to 6:30 PM. The office is open Friday mornings from 7:30 AM to noon only. Tuesday's extended hours make it the best day to visit if you cannot get there during regular weekday morning hours. Call ahead at 508-747-1620, extension 169, to confirm hours and check on any closures before making the trip. The fax number is 508-830-4116.

You can also reach the clerk by email at townclerk@plymouth-ma.gov. This is useful for basic questions about fees, required documents, or processing times. For actual record requests, the clerk typically requires a written or in-person request with payment, not an email alone. The office page at plymouth-ma.gov/549/Town-Clerk has full contact information and links to specific vital records pages.

The screenshot below shows the Plymouth Town Clerk page at the city website.

The Plymouth Town Clerk page lists office hours, contact information, and links to marriage records resources.

Use this page to find links to vital records, marriage intentions, and the current fee schedule.

Filing Plymouth Marriage Intentions

In Massachusetts, couples file marriage intentions before receiving a license. This is how the 3-day waiting period works in practice. You file the intentions at the town clerk, and after three days the license becomes available. Both parties must appear in person to file. The license fee in Plymouth is $40. Plymouth calls this step "filing marriage intentions," and the process is outlined on the dedicated page at plymouth-ma.gov/1192/Marriage-Intentions---Filing.

The 3-day waiting period is required under MGL c. 207, § 28. Once the period passes, the license is valid for 60 days. Do not wait too long between filing and the ceremony, or you may have to start the process over. Both applicants must be 18 or older under MGL c. 207, § 7. No Plymouth residency is required. Any couple can file intentions here regardless of where they live.

If you need to skip the waiting period, petition a Probate or District Court for a waiver under MGL c. 207, § 30. The waiver fee is $195. Courts consider the reason for the request and do not grant waivers automatically. Bring whatever documentation supports the urgency of your request when you appear at court.

The screenshot below shows the Plymouth marriage intentions filing page.

The Plymouth marriage intentions page explains what to bring and what to expect when filing intentions at the Town Clerk.

Review this page before your visit to confirm the required documents and any changes to the process.

Plymouth Marriage Certificate Copies

Certified copies of Plymouth marriage certificates cost $15 each. You can request them in person during office hours or by mail. For in-person requests, bring a photo ID and know the names of both parties and the approximate date of the marriage. Staff can search the records and provide copies while you wait in most cases. Mail requests take longer and require a self-addressed stamped envelope along with payment by check or money order.

The vital records page at plymouth-ma.gov/750/Vital-Records-Births-Deaths-Marriages covers the request process for birth, death, and marriage records in one place. Check this page for any updates to fees or procedures. For marriages before 1931, the State Archives in Boston is also a good source.

The screenshot below shows the Plymouth vital records page that covers all three record types.

The Plymouth vital records page has details on how to request certified copies of marriage certificates by mail or in person.

This page also lists what information you need to provide to locate a specific marriage record.

Historical Plymouth Marriage Records

Plymouth holds a unique place in American history, and that extends to vital records. Marriage records here predate the Commonwealth of Massachusetts itself. The Plymouth Colony kept records beginning in 1620, and some of those early documents survive in various forms. The Pilgrim Hall Museum on Court Street in Plymouth has documents and genealogical materials from the colony period. The Mayflower Society, located at 4 Winslow Street in Plymouth, specializes in Pilgrim genealogy and holds records useful for anyone researching early Plymouth marriages.

The Plymouth Antiquarian Society also holds historical material covering the colonial period and early statehood years. These local organizations fill in gaps that the state and city clerk records do not cover for the earliest period. If you are researching a Plymouth marriage from the 1600s or 1700s, these institutions are often the best starting point. Their collections go beyond what any government office holds for that era.

For records from 1841 to 1930, the Massachusetts State Archives at 220 Morrissey Boulevard in Boston is the official state source. Phone is 617-727-2816. Certified copies cost $3. The search database at sec.state.ma.us vital records search covers many years in this range. FamilySearch has a free index of Massachusetts vital records 1841-1915. For 1931 and later, the RVRS at 150 Mount Vernon Street in Dorchester holds statewide copies. Phone is 617-740-2600. Certified copies cost $20 in person or $32 by mail. The New England Historic Genealogical Society at americanancestors.org also has early Plymouth County records online.

Massachusetts Marriage Law

Marriage in Massachusetts is governed by MGL Chapter 207. The rules are the same in Plymouth as anywhere in the state. Both parties must be 18 or older. Both must appear together to file intentions. The 3-day waiting period applies to all applicants. The license is valid for 60 days. No residency is required.

Once the ceremony takes place, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the issuing clerk. The clerk records it and files a report with the state. That record becomes the official marriage certificate. After it is filed, you can request certified copies from the Town Clerk or from the state. Both produce legally valid copies. Certified copies are used for insurance, legal name changes, joint accounts, estate matters, and other purposes requiring proof of marriage.

The state's complete guide is at mass.gov getting married guide. It covers the full process from filing intentions to receiving the certified certificate. The RVRS ordering page is at mass.gov certificate ordering for those who prefer to order copies through the state.

Plymouth County Marriage Records

Plymouth town sits within Plymouth County. While marriage licenses are issued at the town clerk level, the Plymouth County page covers the Probate Court, court records, and historical archives that serve the county area and can be useful for marriage research beyond what the town clerk holds.

View Plymouth County Marriage Records

Nearby Cities

These nearby cities have their own marriage records pages with local clerk details and certified copy request options.