Middlesex County Marriage Records
Middlesex County marriage records are held at the individual city and town clerk offices spread across the county's 54 municipalities. The county government no longer exists, so there is no central county office for these records. State-level resources through the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics and the Massachusetts State Archives can also help you find what you need.
Middlesex County Overview
Where Middlesex County Marriage Records Are Kept
Middlesex County is the most populous county in Massachusetts, home to more than 1.6 million people and 54 cities and towns. The county government was abolished in 1997. That means there is no Middlesex County clerk's office that holds marriage records. Each city and town keeps its own records at the local clerk's office.
When a couple gets married in Middlesex County, the officiant returns the signed license to the town or city clerk where the marriage took place. That clerk keeps the original record. If you need a certified copy of a marriage certificate, you go to the clerk in the city or town where the ceremony happened, not a central county office. Many towns in Middlesex have records going back to the 1600s and 1700s.
The state also holds records. The Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS) holds records from 1931 to the present. The Massachusetts State Archives holds records from 1841 to 1930. For older records, the New England Historic Genealogical Society and published vital records collections are often the best resource.
City Clerk Contacts in Middlesex County
The following are the main city clerk offices in Middlesex County where you can request marriage records. Each office handles records for marriages that took place within its city limits. Call ahead to confirm hours and current fees before you visit or mail a request.
| City | Phone |
|---|---|
| Cambridge City Clerk | 617-349-4260 |
| Lowell City Clerk | 978-970-4161 |
| Newton City Clerk | 617-796-1200 |
| Somerville City Clerk | 617-625-6600 |
| Framingham City Clerk | 508-532-5520 |
| Waltham City Clerk | 781-314-3120 |
| Malden City Clerk | 781-397-7116 |
| Medford City Clerk | 781-393-2426 |
| Everett City Clerk | 617-394-2225 |
Middlesex County has 13 cities and 39 towns. Smaller towns like Acton, Bedford, Carlisle, Natick, and Stow each have their own town clerk. If the marriage took place in one of the smaller towns, contact that town directly. Town websites usually list clerk contact information and office hours.
Middlesex Probate and Family Court
The Middlesex Probate and Family Court handles marriage-related legal matters such as annulments and name change orders. It does not maintain marriage license records, but it does process court actions that affect marital status. The court operates at two locations in the county.
| Location | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Woburn | 200 Trade Center Suite 1800, Woburn MA 01801 | 781-865-4000 |
| Lowell | 41 Hurd Street, Lowell MA 01852 | 978-656-7700 |
The Probate and Family Court also hears divorce cases for Middlesex County residents. Divorce judgments and related case records are public documents and can be searched through MassCourts. If you need records tied to a marriage that was later annulled, this is where to look.
The lead-in below links to the court's official location page through mass.gov.
The court's website lists current hours, forms, and contact information for both courthouse locations serving Middlesex County.
How to Get a Middlesex County Marriage Certificate
Getting a copy of a marriage certificate in Middlesex County depends on when the marriage happened and where the ceremony took place. For recent records, start with the local clerk. For older ones, the state archives or genealogy databases may be the faster route.
For marriages from 1931 to the present, the RVRS at mass.gov/orgs/registry-of-vital-records-and-statistics holds state copies. You can order in person, by mail, or through VitalChek. In-person certified copies cost $20. Mail requests cost $32. VitalChek online orders cost $54. The RVRS is located at 150 Mount Vernon Street in Dorchester. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:45 AM to 4:45 PM. Phone: 617-740-2600.
For marriages from 1841 to 1930, go to the Massachusetts State Archives at 220 Morrissey Boulevard in Boston. Certified copies from the Archives cost $3 each and take four to six weeks. You can also search the Archives database online at the vital records search portal.
The state's ordering page at mass.gov/how-to/order-a-birth-marriage-or-death-certificate explains all the current options. You can also order online through the state's system. The full guide to getting married in Massachusetts, including what documents are required, is at mass.gov/guides/getting-married-in-massachusetts-before-the-wedding.
Getting a Marriage License in Middlesex County
To get married in Middlesex County, both parties must appear in person at a city or town clerk's office to file a Notice of Intention to Marry. Under MGL Chapter 207, Section 19, the intention is recorded and the license issued after the waiting period. You can file in any city or town in Massachusetts regardless of where you live. There is no residency requirement.
Under MGL Chapter 207, Section 28, there is a three-day waiting period after you file the intention before the license can be issued. The license is then valid for 60 days and can be used for a ceremony anywhere in the state. Both parties must be at least 18 years old under MGL Chapter 207, Section 7. You will need a government-issued photo ID. Some clerks may ask for a birth certificate or divorce decree if applicable.
If you need to waive the three-day waiting period, a judge can grant one under MGL Chapter 207, Section 30. Instructions for the court waiver form are at mass.gov. For couples who want a non-clergy officiant, Massachusetts allows a one-day marriage designation. Details are at mass.gov/one-day-marriage-designation. The full text of MGL Chapter 207 covers all marriage laws in the state.
Historical Marriage Records for Middlesex County
Middlesex County has some of the oldest marriage records in New England. The county was founded in 1643, and many towns have records dating back to the 1600s and 1700s. Vital records to 1850 were published for most Middlesex towns, and these volumes are widely available in public libraries and online.
FamilySearch has a free searchable collection of Massachusetts vital records from 1841 to 1915. The Middlesex County genealogy page at familysearch.org lists the specific collections and databases covering towns in this county. Many town-level records have been indexed, which makes name searches quick.
The New England Historic Genealogical Society, also known as American Ancestors, holds one of the largest collections of New England vital records. Their databases at americanancestors.org are especially strong for Middlesex County. Some are free to search; others need a membership. The society's library in Boston is open to members and the public by appointment. For serious genealogy work in Middlesex County, this is often the most thorough resource available.
Published vital records to 1850 exist for most Middlesex towns. Check your local public library or a genealogy library for these volumes before requesting records from the State Archives.
Massachusetts Vital Records Search
The Massachusetts State Archives vital records search database at sec.state.ma.us lets you search for marriages from 1841 to 1930 by name and year.
The search covers all counties including Middlesex, and results show the names of both parties, the town where the marriage was recorded, and the year. This is a good starting point for any pre-1931 Middlesex County marriage search.
Massachusetts Marriage Laws
All marriages in Middlesex County follow state law under MGL Chapter 207. There is no county-level law. The state sets the rules for who can marry, how to file, and what the license allows. An overview of the full legal framework is at mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-law-about-marriage.
Key rules to know: both parties must be 18 or older, both must appear in person to file the intention, the three-day wait applies unless waived, and the license is good for 60 days from the date it is issued. The ceremony can take place anywhere in Massachusetts. There is no requirement to marry in the town where the license was issued.
Cities in Middlesex County
Middlesex County contains 13 cities and 39 towns. The following qualifying cities have their own marriage records pages with local clerk information and search resources.
Other communities in Middlesex County include Acton, Arlington, Ashby, Ashland, Ayer, Bedford, Belmont, Boxborough, Burlington, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Concord, Dracut, Dunstable, Groton, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hudson, Lexington, Lincoln, Littleton, Marlborough, Maynard, Milford, Natick, North Reading, Pepperell, Reading, Sherborn, Shirley, Stoneham, Stow, Sudbury, Tewksbury, Townsend, Tyngsborough, Wakefield, Watertown, Wayland, Westford, Winchester, and Woburn. Each has a town or city clerk who holds local marriage records.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Middlesex County. If a marriage took place near a county line, check the local clerk in the right county to find the record.