How to get a certified copy of your marriage certificate

Last updated: 10/5/22

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:

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

• 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.

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 617-635-4182 for more information. 

• Need to Know:

  OFFICE HOURS

  Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Closed holidays (see our online options)