Search Norfolk County Marriage Records

Marriage records in Norfolk County are held at individual city and town clerk offices across the county's 28 communities, not at a single county office. This guide explains where to find marriage licenses and certificates, how to request copies, and what state resources cover older records going back to 1841.

Where Norfolk County Marriage Records Are Kept

Norfolk County does not have a central marriage records office. County government in Norfolk was abolished in 1999, so there is no county clerk handling vital records. Each of the 28 cities and towns keeps its own marriage records. The town or city clerk where the license was issued is the first place to call.

This is different from many other states. In Massachusetts, the clerk of the municipality where the ceremony took place files and stores the original marriage record. If you got married in Quincy, Quincy City Clerk has the record. If the wedding was in Needham, you contact the Needham Town Clerk. The state also holds copies of records, but the local clerk is the fastest way to get a certified copy.

For records from 1931 to the present, the state Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS) also maintains copies. For older records from 1841 through 1930, the Massachusetts State Archives holds them. Both state sources cover all Norfolk County towns.

Key City and Town Clerk Offices in Norfolk County

Several large communities in Norfolk County have active clerk offices that handle marriage license applications and certified copy requests. Below are details for the most frequently contacted offices.

Quincy is the largest city in Norfolk County. The Quincy City Clerk office has marriage records going back to 1792. They handle both new license applications and copies of past certificates.

Brookline is another major community in Norfolk County. Their clerk office handles vital records including marriage licenses and certified copies of marriage certificates.

Weymouth is a large town in the southeastern part of the county. Their clerk office handles marriage records for residents and anyone married in Weymouth.

Dedham is the county seat and has its own clerk office. For any town not listed here, check the town's official website for clerk contact info. Almost every town in Norfolk County has a dedicated vital records page.

Norfolk County Probate and Family Court

The Norfolk County Probate and Family Court does not issue or store marriage records. Its role is different. This court handles divorce cases, name changes, and probate of estates. However, the court does appear in genealogy research when people look up related family records.

The court moved to Canton in recent years and serves all 28 Norfolk County communities. If you need a divorce record rather than a marriage record, this is where you would go. The court also holds adoption records and guardianship files, which sometimes tie into family history research alongside marriage records.

The Norfolk County Probate and Family Court website has a useful case search tool. You can look up names and case numbers for matters that went through the court. This is separate from marriage records but can help round out a family records search.

The official website for the Norfolk County Probate and Family Court is listed below. This screenshot shows the court's contact and location details as they appear on the state website.

For divorce and probate matters, use the court directly. For marriage records, go to the city or town clerk where the license was issued.

Getting a Marriage License in Norfolk County

To get married in Norfolk County, you apply for a license at any city or town clerk in Massachusetts, not just in the town where you plan to hold the ceremony. Both parties must appear in person at the same time. You both need a valid photo ID. The fee at most offices is around $25 for Massachusetts residents plus a $4 documentation fee.

Massachusetts law requires a 3-day waiting period. Under MGL Chapter 207, Section 28, the license cannot be used until three days after it is issued. Plan ahead so this does not delay your ceremony. The license stays valid for 60 days from the date issued.

Both people getting married must be at least 18 years old. This requirement is set by MGL Chapter 207, Section 7. After the ceremony, the officiant sends the signed license back to the clerk's office. The clerk then records it and files a copy with the state. You can request a certified copy of the marriage certificate after that point.

State Resources for Norfolk County Marriage Records

Two state-level sources cover marriage records for all Norfolk County communities. Which one to use depends on when the marriage took place.

For marriages from 1931 to the present, contact the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS). This state office in Dorchester holds copies of all Massachusetts marriage records filed during this period. You can order copies in person or by mail. In-person requests cost $20 per copy. Mail requests cost $32 per copy. The RVRS is at 150 Mount Vernon Street, Dorchester, and their phone is (617) 740-2600.

You can also order through the state's online ordering portal. The state ordering page lets you request copies by mail using a credit card. Processing takes a few weeks. For faster service, visit the RVRS office in person. More details about the RVRS and what records they hold are on the RVRS main page.

For older records from 1841 through 1930, use the Massachusetts State Archives. Their address is 220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, and the phone is (617) 727-2816. Certified copies from the Archives cost $3 each. They also have a free online search tool. The Archives vital records database covers the 1841 to 1930 period and includes Norfolk County records. You can search by name and year from any computer.

FamilySearch also has Norfolk County records. The free online collection at FamilySearch Norfolk County includes indexed marriage records from 1841 to 1915. This is useful for genealogy research and does not require an account to search. The New England Historic Genealogical Society at americanancestors.org has additional Norfolk County vital records going back before statewide registration began.

Requesting Certified Copies of Marriage Certificates

A certified copy of a marriage certificate is an official document with a raised seal or watermark from the issuing office. Banks, courts, and government agencies often ask for certified copies rather than plain photocopies. Norfolk County residents most often need them for name changes, insurance updates, or immigration paperwork.

The fastest way to get a certified copy is to contact the clerk's office in the town where the marriage took place. Most offices can produce a copy the same day if you visit in person. Call ahead to confirm hours and bring a photo ID. Fees vary by town but are typically $10 to $20 per copy.

If you do not know which town holds the record, or if the clerk's office is not reachable, the RVRS can help for marriages from 1931 onward. The State Archives handles pre-1931 records. Both charge set fees and can mail certified copies to you.

Under MGL Chapter 207, Section 30, marriage records are public documents in Massachusetts. Any person may request a certified copy. You do not have to be a party to the marriage or a family member. You just need to provide enough information to identify the record, typically the full names of both parties and the year of the marriage.

Cities in Norfolk County

Several cities in Norfolk County have their own pages with local marriage records information, including clerk office details and contact numbers.

Other communities in Norfolk County include Dedham, Needham, Walpole, Franklin, Wrentham, Canton, Stoughton, Norwood, Wellesley, Millis, Sharon, Miltondale, and more. Each town has its own clerk office for local marriage record requests.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Norfolk County. If you are researching a marriage and are not sure which county it falls in, checking neighboring counties may help.