How much do death certificates cost in Massachusetts?
Costs vary significantly depending on where and how you order:
| Source | Cost per copy |
|---|---|
| Town clerk (in person) | $10 to $14 (varies by municipality) |
| RVRS (in person) | $20 |
| RVRS (by mail) | $32 |
| VitalChek (standard, ~10 days) | $54 first copy, $42 additional |
| VitalChek (expedited, next day) | $62.50 first copy, $50.50 additional |
The price gap between ordering from your town clerk and ordering online is substantial. Ten copies from a town clerk might cost $100 to $140 total, while the same order through VitalChek could run $430 or more.
How to order
Through a funeral home (fastest)
Your funeral director handles the initial order. This is the simplest route. Tell them how many copies you need when making arrangements.
From a town clerk (cheapest)
The city or town clerk in the municipality where the death occurred (or where the deceased lived) can issue certified copies. Many charge $10 to $14 per copy.
- In person. Visit the clerk's office with a valid photo ID. Some offices provide same-day service.
- By mail. Send a written request with payment (check or money order) and a copy of your photo ID.
The City of Boston charges $14 per copy online (including shipping) or $12 in person.
From the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS)
The state Registry, located at 150 Mt. Vernon St., 1st Floor, Dorchester, MA 02125, handles requests for deaths that occurred anywhere in Massachusetts.
- In person. $20 per copy. Certificates are typically processed immediately.
- By mail. $32 per copy. Send a completed application with a check or money order payable to "Commonwealth of Massachusetts." Processing and shipping takes 15 to 20 business days.
Online or by phone (VitalChek)
Order through VitalChek or call (866) 300-8535. Standard processing takes 10 business days. Expedited next-day processing is available.
The VitalChek fees include a $12 VitalChek processing fee on top of the state certificate fee.
Processing times
| Method | Typical timeline |
|---|---|
| Funeral home | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Town clerk (in person) | Same day |
| RVRS (in person) | Same day |
| RVRS (by mail) | 15 to 20 business days |
| VitalChek (standard) | 10 business days |
| VitalChek (expedited) | Next business day |
Who can order?
Massachusetts does not heavily restrict access to death certificates. You do not need to prove a family relationship to order a certified copy.
You will need to provide:
- The deceased's full name
- Date of death
- Place of death
- A valid government-issued photo ID
This relatively open access policy makes it easier for attorneys, financial advisors, and extended family members to obtain copies when needed.
What to know about Massachusetts specifically
Go to the town clerk first. The cost difference is dramatic. A town clerk may charge $10 per copy compared to $54 through VitalChek. For 10 copies, that is $100 vs. $475. Unless you need expedited processing, the town clerk is almost always the better choice.
The Massachusetts Archives. For historical death records (1841 to 1935), the Massachusetts Archives offers copies for just $3 each, whether ordered in person, by mail, or by email.
The voluntary administration connection. Massachusetts allows voluntary administration for estates with personal property under $25,000 (excluding one motor vehicle). Even when using this simplified probate process, you will still need certified death certificates to present to banks and other institutions alongside the voluntary administration certificate.
For a broader overview of the death certificate process, see our guide on how to get death certificates. If you are handling probate, see our guide on how probate works in Massachusetts.
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