GUIDE · UPDATED NOVEMBER 2026
How to Get a Death Certificate in Boston
How families and executors order certified death certificates from the City of Boston or the state Registry, what each option costs and how to avoid common delays.
The short answer
The City of Boston Registry issues death certificates for anyone who died in Boston or who listed Boston as their home. Certified copies are also available from the state Registry of Vital Records and Statistics in Dorchester. In many cases the funeral home orders the first copies for the family, and additional copies can be ordered at any time.
Where to order and what it costs
| Where and how | Cost (November 2026) | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| City of Boston Registry, online | $14 per copy, shipping included | Online orders cover deaths from 1956 to the present |
| City of Boston Registry, in person City Hall, Room 213, weekdays 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | $12 per copy | Bring a completed request form and payment |
| City of Boston Registry, by mail | See the current request form | Include a self-addressed stamped envelope |
| State Registry, in person in Dorchester | $20 per copy | Usually processed while you wait |
| State Registry, online through VitalChek | $54 first copy, $42 each additional | Expedited next-day processing available |
Fees are as published in November 2026 and can change. Card payments may carry a processing fee.
Settling affairs abroad or across states?
We retrieve certified copies and handle apostilles and translations for you.
The Social Security number rule
Effective July 1, 2026, Massachusetts death certificates do not show the decedent’s Social Security number unless the requester has a legitimate need for it. Eligible requesters include the surviving spouse, parents, children, siblings, the informant named on the record, the licensed funeral director and the estate’s legal representative, each with documents proving the relationship or appointment. If a bank, insurer or agency requires the number, request that version and bring the supporting documents.
Pending cause of death
When the medical examiner has not yet determined the final cause of death, the record is marked pending. Some banks and insurance companies will not accept a pending certificate, and the City’s mail-in form lets you decline a copy if the cause is still pending. Once the cause is finalized, order new copies for the institutions that require it.
How many copies to order
Order enough certified copies for every institution that will keep one, which commonly includes banks, insurers, pension administrators, the Registry of Motor Vehicles, the probate court and any foreign authority. Ordering several at once usually costs less than ordering again later.
When the death certificate is going abroad
Foreign banks, courts, consulates and pension offices usually require a certified copy with an apostille, and often a certified translation. For repatriation, the consulate may also require additional documents. See our death certificate apostille service and repatriation documents.
Good to know
Who issues it
The City of Boston Registry or the state Registry.
Online in Boston
$14 per copy, shipping included.
SSN on the record
Only for requesters with a legitimate need.
Pending causes
Some institutions will not accept them.
Official sources
- City of Boston: Registry of Birth, Death and Marriage
- Mass.gov: Order a birth, marriage or death certificate
- Mass.gov: Registry of Vital Records service fees
This guide is general information about Massachusetts and federal requirements. It is not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a death certificate in Boston?
Order online from the City of Boston Registry, in person at City Hall, Room 213, or by mail. You can also order from the state Registry of Vital Records and Statistics.
How much is a death certificate in Boston?
As of November 2026, the City of Boston charges $14 per copy online, including shipping, and $12 per copy in person. The state Registry charges $20 in person.
Who can order a death certificate in Massachusetts?
Certified copies are available to the public, but a copy showing the decedent’s Social Security number is limited to requesters with a legitimate need, such as close family, the informant, the funeral director or the estate’s representative.
Does Boston have older death certificates?
Online orders cover deaths from 1956 to the present. Earlier Boston records can be requested by mail or in person.
What does a pending death certificate mean?
It means the final cause of death has not yet been determined. Some banks and insurers will not accept a pending certificate.
Can you get the death certificate and apostille it for us?
Yes. We retrieve certified copies and handle the apostille, certified translation and shipping for use abroad.
Need death certificates for an estate or for use abroad?
Tell us the name, date and city of death and where the certificates are going.