How to Get a Death Certificate in Massachusetts
How to Get a Death Certificate in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, you can get a certified death certificate from either the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS) in Dorchester or from the city or town clerk where the death occurred. Fees range from $20 per copy in person at RVRS to $62.50 for an expedited online order. Order at least 8 to 12 copies, because every financial institution, insurer, and court filing requires its own original.
Where to Get a Massachusetts Death Certificate
Two official sources issue certified copies of a death certificate in Massachusetts, authorized under M.G.L. c. 46.
Option 1: RVRS (Registry of Vital Records and Statistics)
RVRS holds records for every death registered in Massachusetts, regardless of which city or town it occurred in. This is the right choice if the death happened in a different city from where you live, or if you need records going back many years.
RVRS contact information:
- Address: 150 Mt. Vernon St., 1st Floor, Dorchester, MA 02125
- Phone: (617) 740-2600
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
- Website: mass.gov/orgs/registry-of-vital-records-and-statistics
Option 2: City or Town Clerk
The clerk's office in the city or town where the death occurred also issues certified copies. Fees are typically lower than RVRS, and for recent deaths, this is often the fastest option. Many clerk offices accept walk-ins. Call ahead to confirm hours and payment methods, since each municipality sets its own procedures.
Which to choose: If the death was recent and the city or town clerk is nearby, start there. If you need multiple copies quickly and can't visit in person, the RVRS online option is your best bet.
How Many Copies to Order
Order more than you think you need. Trying to get additional copies weeks later means paying shipping and processing fees all over again.
A typical estate requires 8 to 12 certified copies. Here is where each one goes:
- Probate court filing: 1 copy
- Each bank or financial institution: 1 copy per institution
- Life insurance claim: 1 copy per policy
- Social Security Administration: 1 copy
- Each retirement account: 1 copy per account
- Real estate transfer: 1 copy
- Vehicle title transfer at the RMV: 1 copy (a photocopy is acceptable for a surviving spouse)
- Personal records: 1 copy
Two exceptions worth knowing: MassHealth only requires a photocopy for notification purposes. And the RMV accepts a photocopy from a surviving spouse transferring a vehicle title.
Ordering all copies in a single transaction is significantly cheaper than placing multiple orders. The per-copy fee is the same whether you order one or ten, so there is no discount for bulk, but you avoid paying a new shipping and processing charge each time.
2026 Massachusetts Death Certificate Fee Schedule
These are the official RVRS fees as of 2026, sourced from the 2026 RVRS Service Fees schedule (mass.gov/doc/vital-records-service-fees-0/download).
| Method | First Copy | Each Additional Copy |
|---|---|---|
| In person at RVRS | $20.00 | $20.00 |
| Standard mail | $32.00 | $32.00 |
| Expedited mail | $42.00 | $42.00 |
| Standard online or phone | $54.00 | $42.00 |
| Expedited online or phone | $62.50 | $50.50 |
City and town clerk fees are lower and vary by municipality. Call the clerk's office directly for their current rate.
Payment methods at RVRS:
- In person: cash or check only (no credit cards at the counter)
- By mail: check or money order payable to "Commonwealth of Massachusetts"
- Online or phone: credit card accepted
How to Order: 4 Methods
Method 1: Online or by Phone
Order at mass.gov/how-to/order-a-birth-marriage-or-death-certificate. This is the fastest option for mail delivery and is the only method that accepts a credit card for remote orders. Standard processing delivers within 10 business days. Expedited processing costs more but delivers faster.
Method 2: By Mail
Download and complete the death certificate request form from mass.gov, then mail it with your payment to:
RVRS 150 Mt. Vernon St., 1st Floor Dorchester, MA 02125
Make your check or money order payable to "Commonwealth of Massachusetts." Standard mail processing takes 15 to 20 business days. If you need it sooner, mark your envelope "Attention: Expedited Mail Service" and pay the expedited fee. Expedited mail processing takes 7 to 10 business days.
Method 3: In Person at RVRS
Visit the RVRS counter in Dorchester any weekday between 8:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. Bring cash or a check. Same-day service is typical for in-person requests. This is the cheapest option at $20 per copy and the right choice when you need certificates immediately.
Method 4: City or Town Clerk
Contact the clerk's office in the city or town where the death occurred. For recent deaths, this is often the fastest route and usually the lowest cost. Some offices allow walk-ins; others require appointments. Processing times vary by municipality.
Processing Times at a Glance
| Method | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|
| In person at RVRS | Same day |
| Expedited mail | 7 to 10 business days |
| Online or phone, standard | Within 10 business days |
| Standard mail | 15 to 20 business days |
| City or town clerk | Varies |
Business days exclude weekends and state holidays.
How Death Certificates Are Completed in Massachusetts
A Massachusetts death certificate moves through a multi-party process before it becomes an official record. Understanding this helps you know why there can be delays before any copies are available.
The four steps:
- The funeral director enters the deceased's personal information into the MAVRIC system.
- The medical certifier, which may be an attending physician, hospital medical officer, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner, certifies the cause of death. Under M.G.L. c. 46, § 9, this certification must occur within 24 hours of death.
- A Board of Health burial agent reviews the record and issues the burial permit.
- The city or town clerk registers the death and the certificate becomes a public record under M.G.L. c. 46, § 19.
Who can certify cause of death (M.G.L. c. 46, § 9):
- Attending physician
- Hospital medical officer (when the death occurs in a hospital)
- Medical examiner (for unnatural or unexplained deaths)
- Physician assistant (for patients under their care)
- Nurse practitioner (may declare death after attempting to contact the attending physician)
- Registered nurse (for terminal patients in home health, hospice, nursing home, or PACE settings, after first attempting to contact the attending physician or medical examiner)
The MAVRIC System
Massachusetts launched MAVRIC, the Massachusetts Vital Records Information Collaborative, on June 2, 2025. It replaced the older VIP (Vitals Information Partnership) system. MAVRIC is hosted by LexisNexis VitalChek and handles electronic filing by all parties involved: funeral directors, physicians, and clerks.
For families working with a funeral home, MAVRIC has made processing faster. If you are not working with a funeral home, RVRS has a separate process. Check mass.gov or call RVRS at (617) 740-2600 for guidance specific to your situation.
When the Medical Examiner Is Involved
The Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) investigates deaths from violence, unnatural causes, and deaths that require further investigation, under M.G.L. c. 38, §§ 2 to 4. When a medical examiner case is opened, the body must not be moved until the medical examiner or district attorney's office arrives or gives directions (M.G.L. c. 38, § 3). The OCME is located at 720 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118.
Medical examiner cases can significantly delay the issuance of a death certificate. The ME must complete their investigation and certify the cause of death before the certificate can be finalized. In some cases this takes days; in others it can take weeks or longer. If you know the death is being investigated by the ME, contact the OCME directly for a status update rather than waiting on the certificate to appear through normal channels.
Correcting Errors on a Massachusetts Death Certificate
If a death certificate contains an error, start with the city or town clerk in the jurisdiction where the death occurred. Under M.G.L. c. 46, simple corrections can often be resolved at the clerk level without involving RVRS.
For more complex amendments, RVRS handles the change:
- RVRS Amendment Unit phone: (617) 740-2674
- RVRS Amendment Unit email: RVRSAmendments@mass.gov
- Appointments required
Plan for a processing time of 3 to 4 months for RVRS amendments. If you are in the middle of settling an estate and need a corrected certificate, start the amendment process as early as possible. Some institutions may accept the existing certificate with a note about the pending correction; others will not. Ask each institution directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can request a Massachusetts death certificate?
Death certificates are public records in Massachusetts under M.G.L. c. 46, § 19. Any member of the public can request a copy. The only restriction is the Social Security Number field, which is available only to persons with a legitimate need under M.G.L. c. 17, § 4. If you are requesting a certificate with the full SSN, you will need to provide documentation of your relationship or legal interest.
How long does it take to get a death certificate in Massachusetts?
If you visit RVRS in person in Dorchester, you can typically receive certified copies the same day. Online and phone orders with standard processing take within 10 business days. Standard mail takes 15 to 20 business days. Expedited mail, where you mark the envelope "Attention: Expedited Mail Service," takes 7 to 10 business days. City and town clerk offices vary.
What is the cost of a Massachusetts death certificate in 2026?
RVRS charges $20 per copy for in-person requests, $32 per copy by standard mail, $42 per copy by expedited mail, $54 for the first copy ordered online or by phone with standard delivery ($42 for additional copies), and $62.50 for the first copy with expedited delivery ($50.50 for additional copies). City and town clerk fees are lower and vary by municipality.
Can I get a death certificate if I am not a family member?
Yes. Massachusetts death certificates are public records. You do not need to be related to the deceased to request a copy. The SSN field is restricted, but the full certificate is available to the public.
The death certificate has an error. What do I do?
Contact the city or town clerk where the death occurred first. Simple errors can sometimes be corrected at the clerk level. For changes that require RVRS involvement, contact the RVRS Amendment Unit at (617) 740-2674 or RVRSAmendments@mass.gov. Appointments are required. Budget 3 to 4 months for the amendment to process.
What to Do Next
Getting certified copies of the death certificate is one of the first steps in the process that follows a death. Kaira organizes every step for your state — deadlines, forms, and next actions — so nothing gets missed. See how it works.
This guide reflects Massachusetts vital records procedures as of April 2026, including the 2026 RVRS fee schedule. Fees and processing times may change. For the current fee schedule, visit mass.gov/doc/vital-records-service-fees-0/download.
Sources: M.G.L. c. 46 (Registration of Vital Records); M.G.L. c. 38 (Medical Examiners); 2026 RVRS Service Fees; mass.gov/death-certificates