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How to Get a Copy of a Marriage Certificate

Last updated:

If you filed for a marriage license in Boston, you can get a certified copy of your marriage certificate after you are married. You have three options:

Step
1

Before you get started online

If you filed for a marriage license in Boston, you can get a certified copy of your marriage certificate after you are married. Please note: The license is in the town where you filed, not where the wedding ceremony took place.

A third of copy requests are for restricted marriage records.  A marriage certificate is restricted when either person’s parents weren't married when they were born.

If the record is restricted, only those people listed on the marriage certificate can get a certified copy.

COST FOR ONLINE ORDERS

Marriage certificates cost $14 per copy. That price includes shipping. You will be charged an extra service fee of not more than $0.25, plus 2.15%. That fee goes directly to a third party to pay for the cost of card processing. We have more information about card service fees at the City of Boston.

Step
2

Make a marriage certificate request online

You can place an order online with your credit or debit card. You will not be charged until the order is confirmed and processed, usually within two to three business days. For new marriages, certified copies are usually available 10 days after the record has been returned to City Hall.

We will contact you if we need more information to fulfill the order. If we contact you but do not hear back from you within two business days, we will cancel the order without a charge.

PLACE AN ONLINE ORDER

Step
1

Before you get started by mail

If you filed for a marriage license in Boston, you can get a certified copy of your marriage certificate after you are married. Please note: The license is in the town where you filed, not where the wedding ceremony took place.

A third of copy requests are for restricted marriage records.  A marriage certificate is restricted when either person’s parents weren't married when they were born. If the record is restricted, only those people listed on the marriage certificate can get a certified copy.

Recently married?

For new marriages, certified copies are usually available 10 days after the record has been returned to City Hall.

Step
2

Get your request ready

Complete and print out a marriage certificate request form:

Marriage certificate request

Certificates cost $14 per copy by mail. If you are requesting a copy dated before 1870, include a $10 research fee. Pay by check or money order made payable to the City of Boston. If the record is restricted, please also include a photocopy of a valid ID.

Include a self-addressed stamped envelope so we can mail the copy back to you.

Step
3

Mail your request

Mail your completed form, payment, and self-addressed stamped envelope to:

Registry Marriage
1 City Hall Square, Room 213
Boston, MA 02201-2006

You will receive the copy in about two weeks. If you are looking for a certificate dated before 1870, please allow additional time.

Step
1

Before you go to Boston City Hall

If you filed for a marriage license in Boston, you can get a certified copy of your marriage certificate after you are married. Please note: The license is in the town where you filed, not where the wedding ceremony took place.

A third of copy requests are for restricted marriage records.  A marriage certificate is restricted when either person’s parents weren't married when they were born. If the record is restricted, only those people listed on the marriage certificate can get a certified copy.

RECENTLY MARRIED?

For new marriages, certified copies are usually available 10 days after the record has been returned to City Hall.

Step
2

Prepare for your visit

To save time, complete and print out a marriage certificate request form:

MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE REQUEST

You can also fill out the form in person at Boston City Hall.

A Certified Copy of a marriage record is $12 in person. The record is available about two weeks after it is received back by the Registry after the ceremony. We accept cash, credit cards, pinless debit cards, and checks or money orders made payable to the City of Boston.

If you use a credit card or pinless debit card, there is a non-refundable service fee of 2.5% of the total payment, with a $1 minimum. This fee is paid to the card processor and not kept by the City. If your debit card requires you to enter your pin to process a payment, you CANNOT use it to pay your fee.

PLEASE NOTE:
  • We only have records for marriage where the couple filed for the marriage license in Boston City Hall. Please remember, it is based on where you filed, not where the wedding ceremony took place.
Step
3

Go to City Hall

Bring your $12 and the completed marriage certificate request form to the window labeled “Marriage” at the Registry Division:

1 City Hall Square, Room 213

Boston, MA 02201-2006

Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

If you were married recently, your certificate is available as soon as we receive and register your marriage license.

Keep in mind

Restricted records

Massachusetts General Law only allows certain people to get a copy of a restricted birth, marriage, or death certificate. If a record is restricted, only those people listed on the record can get a certified copy.

You need a court order to get a restricted record when you are not listed on the record. Learn more about the law.

Want to correct or add info on a marriage certificate?

Call the Registry Depositions and Corrections Office at 617-635-4175 for more information. 

Notice of Accommodation

  • English: Interpretation, translation, and disability accommodation services are available to you at no cost. If you need them, please contact us at registry@boston.gov  or 617-635-4175.
  • Spanish - Español: Hay servicios de interpretación, traducción y adaptaciones para discapacidades a su disposición sin costo alguno. Si los necesita, por favor póngase en contacto con nosotros mandando un correo electrónico a registry@boston.gov o llamando al 617-635-4175.
  • Haitian Creole -Kreyòl ayisyen:  Sèvis entèpretasyon, tradiksyon, ak sèvis akomodasyon pou andikape disponib pou ou gratis. Si w bezwen sèvis sa yo, tanpri kontakte nou nan registry@boston.gov oswa 617-635-4175.
  • Traditional Chinese - 繁體中文:  我們可以為您提供免費的口譯, 筆譯, 和殘疾人士合理照顧服務。如有需要,請與我們連絡,發電子郵件至 registry@boston.gov 或致電 617-635-4175.
  • Vietnamese - Tiếng Việt: Các dịch vụ thông dịch, dịch thuật và hỗ trợ người khuyết tật được cung cấp miễn phí cho bạn. Nếu bạn cần họ, vui lòng liên lạc với chúng tôi theo địa chỉ  registry@boston.gov hoặc 617-635-4175.
  • Simplified Chinese -  简体中文:  我们可以为您提供免费的口译, 笔译, 和残疾人士合理照顾服务。如有需要,请与我们联系, 发电子邮件 registry@boston.gov  或致电 617-635-4175.
  • Cabo Verdean Creole - kriolu:  Nu ta oferese-bu sirvisus di interpretason, traduson y sirvisus di komodason pa gentis ku difisénsia di grasa. Si bu meste kes sirvisu la, kontata-nu pa email registry@boston.gov ó pa telefóni, pa númeru 617-635-4175.
  • Russian -Русский: Услуги устного и письменного перевода и по приспособлению инвалидов предоставляются бесплатно. Если Вам они нужны, просьба связаться с нами по адресу электронной почты registry@boston.gov либо по телефону 617-635-4175.
    • Arabic - العربية 

      خدمات الترجمة الشفوية والتحريرية والتسهيلات لذوي الإعاقة متوفرة لك دون تحملك أي تكلفة. إذا احتجت لهذه الخدمات، يرجى التواصل معنا على البريد الألكتروني registry@boston.gov أو على رقم الهاتف 6176354175.

    • Portuguese - Português: Disponibilizamos serviços de tradução e interpretação e adaptações especiais para pessoas com deficiências gratuitamente. Para solicitar, envie email para registry@boston.gov ou ligue para 617-635-4175.
    • French - Français: Les services d'interprétation, de traduction et d'adaptation aux personnes handicapées sont à votre disposition gratuitement. Si vous en avez besoin, veuillez nous contacter à registry@boston.gov ou au 617-635-4175.
    • Somali - Af Soomaali: Si aad u codsato, tarjumaadda iyo / ama adeegyada tarjumaadda, fadlan la xiriir: registry@boston.gov ama 617–635-4175.
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