cityofboston.gov - Official Web Site of the City of Boston - Thomas M. Menino, Mayor

The mission of the Registry Division is to respond to public requests for certified births, marriages, and deaths promptly and accurately and maintain compliance with the state Registrar's Office.

Obtaining duplicate certificates

Certified copies of birth, death and marriage records are available from the Registry Division at Boston City Hall. They may also be obtained from the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics office, located in Dorchester.

The Registry Division should have birth records of anyone born within Boston, either at a hospital or at home birth. This Office will have death records of any death that occurred in Boston, and will also have marriage records of any couple who filed their intentions in Boston regardless of where the marriage took place.

Blank application forms can be downloaded for birth, death, or marriage certificates in PDF format.

Apply in person

Certified copies of birth, death and marriage records may be obtained from the Registry Division at Boston City Hall. The office is located in room 213 with hours listed below. For records obtained in person, the cost is $12.00 per certificate payable by cash, check, or money order. A research fee of $10.00 applies to records dated prior to 1870. 

Apply by mail

Requests for certificates may also be mailed to Boston City Hall. Processing takes 3-4 weeks. The cost is $15.00 for the first certificate, plus $12.00 for any additional certificates. Payment may be made by check or money order only, payable to the City of Boston. Do not send cash through the mail. Completed forms must have original ink signatures. Application forms may be mailed to:

Registry Division
1 City Hall Square, Rm 213
Boston, MA 02201-2006