Vital Records
Birth, Death & Marriage Records: Certified Copies for TOWN of Essex (NOT ESSEX COUNTY)
Certified copies of birth, death and marriage records kept for the TOWN of Essex (NOT ESSEX COUNTY) may be obtained from the Town Clerk's Office as well as at the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics. Vitals records in Massachusetts are NOT held at the County level. Please contact the municipality where the record is held to obtain a vital record
In the Town of Essex, certified copies of vital records are $10 and may be obtained in person, by mail or online. Checks should be made payable to the Town of Essex.
We suggest calling the Office of the Town Clerk at (978) 768-7111 to verify that the record is available in Essex.
Birth Certificates (NOT ESSEX COUNTY)
The Essex Town Clerk will have birth records of anyone whose parents lived in the TOWN of Essex (NOT ESSEX COUNTY) at the time of the child’s birth and anyone born within the Town. A certified "long-form" birth certificate is available for $10.00. The certified copy, which includes the parents' names and their places of birth, is required for legal purposes such as passports.
Death Certificates (NOT ESSEX COUNTY)
The Town Clerk's Office has records for each death that occurred in the TOWN of Essex (NOT ESSEX COUNTY) as well as for Town of Essex residents whose death occurred elsewhere within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The fee for a certified copy of a death certificate is $10.00.
Marriage Certificates (NOT ESSEX COUNTY)
The Town Clerk's Office can provide certified marriage certificates for any couple who filed their marriage intentions (license) in the Town of Essex (NOT ESSEX COUNTY). A "long-form" certified copy of a marriage certificate containing the names of the parties, places of birth, parents’ names, date and place of marriage is available for $10.00. The certified copy is required by Social Security to make a name change as a result of marriage.
Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
If you believe the birth, death or marriage intention was filed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts but you are unsure where the record is filed locally, you may contact the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics. The Registry maintains a central index and has records for all births, deaths and marriages which occurred in the State.
Certified copies may be obtained from the Vital Records Registry in person or by mail and online through a third party licensed with the State of MA. Be prepared to provide the name of the subject(s) of the record, the date or approximate date of the event and, if known, the city or town where the event occurred. For further information, call (617) 740-2600.
Mass Registry of Vital Records
150 Mount Vernon St., 1st Floor
Dorchester, MA 02125-3105