Massachusetts Vital Records Request Form

Stop: Restricted Record

Restricted birth or marriage records are not available through this online service.

You may obtain a restricted record directly from the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics or from the local city or town clerk where the event was recorded.

Please do not continue with this order if the record is restricted.

Important: Birth Record Access

Some Massachusetts birth records may be restricted. Birth records for children born to unmarried parents may only be released to eligible requestors.

Access may be limited to:

• The person named on the birth record
• A parent listed on the birth record
• A legal guardian with supporting guardianship or custody documents
• A legal representative with proof of authority

If you are not sure whether the record is restricted, you may still continue. Upload a clear government-issued photo ID. We may contact you if more proof is needed before the request can be submitted.

Submitting this form does not guarantee that the Registry will release the record. The Registry may require additional documents before issuing a certified copy.

Important: Marriage Record Access

Some Massachusetts marriage records may have restricted access if either party was born to unmarried parents.

Restricted marriage records may only be available to eligible requestors, such as:

• Party A named on the marriage record
• Party B named on the marriage record
• A parent of a named party
• A legal guardian with supporting guardianship documents
• A legal representative with proof of authority

If the record is restricted, additional proof may be required before the request can be submitted or processed.

If you are not sure whether the marriage record is restricted, you may continue with this form and upload a clear government-issued photo ID. We may contact you if more documentation is needed.

Submitting this request does not guarantee that the record will be released. The Registry may review eligibility before issuing a certified copy.

Important: Death Record Access

Massachusetts death records are usually available as public records. In some cases, the Registry may still require clear information, valid identification, or supporting documents before processing the request.

To avoid delays, make sure you provide:

• The full legal name of the deceased person
• The date of death, or your best estimate
• The Massachusetts city or town where the death occurred
• Your relationship to the deceased person
• A clear government-issued photo ID

If any information is missing or unclear, the Registry may need to conduct a wider search or may issue a negative statement if no matching record is found.

Submitting this request does not guarantee that a certified death record will be issued. The final decision is made by the Registry or the city or town clerk that holds the record.