Plymouth County Marriage Records Lookup
Plymouth County marriage records are maintained by individual city and town clerk offices throughout the county's 27 communities, with state-level copies held by the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics for recent records and the Massachusetts State Archives for historical records back to 1841. This page explains how to find the right office, request certified copies, and use genealogical databases for older Plymouth County marriages.
Plymouth County Overview
Plymouth County Marriage Records: How the System Works
Plymouth County was founded in 1685 and includes 27 cities and towns stretching from Brockton in the north to the tip of the South Shore. County government here was abolished in 1998. There is no county clerk's office that holds marriage records. Each city and town keeps its own records.
When a couple applies for a marriage license in any Plymouth County town, the local city or town clerk issues the license and records the marriage after the ceremony. The clerk then files a copy with the state. So the original record stays at the local clerk's office, and the state holds a duplicate. Either source can provide a certified copy.
Which source is right for you depends on how old the record is. For marriages from 1931 to now, use the RVRS or the local clerk. For marriages from 1841 to 1930, use the Massachusetts State Archives. For records before 1841, your best bet is genealogical collections at FamilySearch or the New England Historic Genealogical Society.
Plymouth County is one of the most historically significant counties in the country. The town of Plymouth is where the Pilgrims landed in 1620. This means Plymouth County has some of the earliest European marriage records in North America, held in genealogical collections and town archives.
Local Clerk Offices for Plymouth County Marriages
The two largest communities in Plymouth County have dedicated clerk offices that handle marriage records. For other towns, check the town's official website to find the clerk's contact information.
Plymouth Town Clerk is the first contact for any marriage that took place in the town of Plymouth. Their office is at 26 Court Street in downtown Plymouth. They hold records going back centuries and can provide certified copies of marriages that occurred in the town.
| Office | Plymouth Town Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 26 Court Street, Plymouth, MA 02360 |
| Phone | (508) 747-1620 |
| townclerk@plymouth-ma.gov | |
| Website | plymouth-ma.gov - Vital Records |
Brockton City Clerk handles marriage records for Brockton, which is the largest city in Plymouth County. Their office is at 45 School Street in Brockton. They can process license applications for new marriages and requests for certified copies of past certificates.
| Office | Brockton City Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 45 School Street, Brockton, MA 02301 |
| Phone | (508) 580-7114 |
| Website | brockton.ma.us - City Clerk |
Other Plymouth County communities with their own clerk offices include Abington, Bridgewater, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Hingham, Hull, Kingston, Lakeville, Marion, Marshfield, Mattapoisett, Middleboro, Norwell, Pembroke, Plympton, Rochester, Rockland, Scituate, Wareham, West Bridgewater, and Whitman. Each handles its own vital records locally.
Plymouth County Registry of Deeds
The Plymouth County Registry of Deeds is a county-level office that still operates despite the abolition of county government. It handles land records only, not marriage records. It is worth noting here because people often search for a county records office when looking for marriage records in Plymouth County.
If you contact the Registry of Deeds for a marriage certificate, they will not be able to help. You need the city or town clerk. The Registry of Deeds is useful if your research involves property transfers related to a marriage or estate matter. Their website has a searchable database of land records going back many decades.
This screenshot shows the Registry of Deeds website, which covers land records for all Plymouth County communities.
| Office | Plymouth County Registry of Deeds |
|---|---|
| Address | 50 Obery Street, Plymouth, MA 02360 |
| Phone | (508) 830-9200 |
| Website | plymouthdeeds.org |
| Note | Land records only, not marriage records |
Plymouth County Probate and Family Court
The Plymouth County Probate and Family Court handles divorce, probate, and family law matters. Like the Registry of Deeds, it does not hold marriage records. But it is a useful resource if your research involves a divorce or estate connected to a Plymouth County marriage.
The court has two locations. The Plymouth location handles cases from the Plymouth area. The Brockton location serves the northern part of the county including Brockton and surrounding towns. Both can be reached through the court's main website.
Below is a screenshot of the court's main website, which lists contact details and forms for both Plymouth County court locations.
| Plymouth Location | Phone: (508) 747-6204 |
|---|---|
| Brockton Location | Phone: (508) 897-5400 |
| Website | plymouthcountyprobate.com |
Applying for a Marriage License in Plymouth County
The process for getting a marriage license in Plymouth County is the same as anywhere in Massachusetts. Both people must appear at a clerk's office together. You can go to any town clerk in the state, not just in Plymouth County. Both need a valid government-issued photo ID.
The fee for Massachusetts residents is $25 plus a $4 documentation fee, totaling $29. Out-of-state residents pay $65 plus the $4 fee. Cash, check, or card payment depends on the specific clerk's office. Call ahead to confirm what forms of payment they accept.
After the clerk processes the application, a 3-day waiting period begins. MGL Chapter 207, Section 28 sets this waiting period for all Massachusetts marriages. The license becomes valid on the fourth day. It then stays good for 60 days. If the wedding does not happen within 60 days, you apply again and pay again.
Both parties must be at least 18 years old, per MGL Chapter 207, Section 7. After the wedding, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the issuing clerk's office within a few days. The clerk records it and files a copy with the RVRS. You can then request a certified copy of the completed marriage certificate.
The full guide for getting married in Massachusetts, including the complete list of what to bring and what to expect, is at the state's getting married guide.
State and Historical Records for Plymouth County Marriages
The Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS) holds copies of all Massachusetts marriage records from 1931 to the present, including those from all 27 Plymouth County communities. To order a copy, visit in person at 150 Mount Vernon Street, Dorchester, or call (617) 740-2600. In-person copies cost $20 each. Mail copies cost $32 each. The RVRS page has current hours and ordering instructions.
You can also order through the state's online system. The state certificate ordering page accepts mail-in requests paid by credit card. Processing takes several weeks for mailed orders.
For marriages from 1841 through 1930, go to the Massachusetts State Archives at 220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, phone (617) 727-2816. Certified copies from the Archives cost $3. They also run a free online search. Use the Archives vital records database to search by name and year for Plymouth County marriages in that period. The search is available to anyone with internet access at no charge.
Plymouth County has deep historical roots, and genealogical collections reflect that. FamilySearch has free indexed records through their Plymouth County genealogy page, covering marriages from 1841 to 1915. The FamilySearch collection at Massachusetts Vital Records 1841 to 1915 includes Plymouth County entries. For older colonial-era records, the Mayflower Society at 4 Winslow Street in Plymouth holds Pilgrim genealogy records. The Pilgrim Hall Museum and Plymouth Antiquarian Society also have historical records tied to Plymouth Colony marriages predating state registration.
The New England Historic Genealogical Society at americanancestors.org covers Plymouth County extensively, with some records going back before 1841. A paid membership is required to access most of their database. Their collection is one of the most complete genealogical resources for pre-registration Massachusetts marriages.
Cities in Plymouth County
Two qualifying cities in Plymouth County have dedicated marriage records pages with local clerk details, office hours, and contact information.
Other Plymouth County communities include Abington, Bridgewater, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Hingham, Hull, Kingston, Lakeville, Marion, Marshfield, Mattapoisett, Middleboro, Norwell, Pembroke, Plympton, Rochester, Rockland, Scituate, Wareham, West Bridgewater, and Whitman. Each town handles its own local marriage records through the town clerk's office.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Plymouth County. If your research involves a marriage near a county border, check these neighboring county pages for clerk contact details and local resources.