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The End of Life Plannerby Valoren

General information · not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.

Free · general informationMassachusetts

Death certificates in Massachusetts

What a certified copy of the death certificate costs in Massachusetts and how one is ordered, in the official words. No figure on this page is ours; each is the office’s or the statute’s, with the date it was checked.

  • Every fact dated, in the official words
  • Each state’s own law

Every quotation checked October 24, 2026

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Every quotation on this page is the official body’s own words, as they stood on the day we read them. The date is beside each one.

What a certified copy costs: in person, by mail, online or by phone

In Person: $20.00 per copy

Standard Mail Request: $32.00 per copy

Expedited Mail Request: $42.00 per copy

Standard Online/Telephone Request: $54.00 first copy. $42.00 each additional copy.

$12.00 per order VitalChek fee is included in the first copy cost.

Massachusetts · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · RVRS, 2026 Service Fees

The Social Security number on a death record, and proving how you are related

The State of Massachusetts passed an amendment to M.G.L. c. 46, § 1 that takes effect on July 1, 2026. The law now states that the full SSN on a record of death may only be released to individuals with a legitimate need.

You may also be required to provide documentation showing how you are related to the subject of the record.

Massachusetts · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · RVRS; M.G.L. c. 46, §1 (as amended, in force 1 July 2026)

Where to order: the Registry counter or online, and the one kind of copy issued

You can order certified records at the Registry counter Monday–Friday 8:45 a.m.–4:45 p.m.

Request an online order from VitalChek.

Only certified copies of records are issued by the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, regardless of intended use.

Massachusetts · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · RVRS

The same page for other states

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FAQ

Common questions

In Person: $20.00 per copy

Standard Mail Request: $32.00 per copy

Expedited Mail Request: $42.00 per copy

Standard Online/Telephone Request: $54.00 first copy. $42.00 each additional copy.

$12.00 per order VitalChek fee is included in the first copy cost.

Massachusetts · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · RVRS, 2026 Service Fees

You can order certified records at the Registry counter Monday–Friday 8:45 a.m.–4:45 p.m.

Request an online order from VitalChek.

Only certified copies of records are issued by the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, regardless of intended use.

Massachusetts · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · RVRS

In Person: $20.00 per copy

Standard Mail Request: $32.00 per copy

Expedited Mail Request: $42.00 per copy

Standard Online/Telephone Request: $54.00 first copy. $42.00 each additional copy.

$12.00 per order VitalChek fee is included in the first copy cost.

Massachusetts · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · RVRS, 2026 Service Fees

The State of Massachusetts passed an amendment to M.G.L. c. 46, § 1 that takes effect on July 1, 2026. The law now states that the full SSN on a record of death may only be released to individuals with a legitimate need.

You may also be required to provide documentation showing how you are related to the subject of the record.

Massachusetts · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · RVRS; M.G.L. c. 46, §1 (as amended, in force 1 July 2026)

You can order certified records at the Registry counter Monday–Friday 8:45 a.m.–4:45 p.m.

Request an online order from VitalChek.

Only certified copies of records are issued by the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, regardless of intended use.

Massachusetts · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · RVRS

For anyone who would rather their family found it all in one place than went looking.

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