You can get a copy of a birth certificate for anyone who was born at a hospital or home in Boston, or whose parents listed Boston as their residence at the time of the birth. You have three options:
Born in Boston? You can order your birth certificate online
Boston has birth records from 1870 to present day. Birth certificates for recently born babies are available at Boston City Hall about two weeks after the baby’s paperwork is completed at the hospital. Boston birth records from 1630-1869 require a $10 research fee, more time, and should be ordered by mail.
If the parents weren’t married when the baby was born, the birth certificate becomes restricted. Only those listed on a restricted record can request it. For online orders, you will need to upload:
- a photocopy of your valid ID (a driver’s License, state ID, or passport), and
- any other required documents when making your request.
Birth 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.
Make a birth 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.
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.
Born in Boston? We can mail your birth certificate to you
Boston has birth records from 1630 to present day. Birth certificates for recently born babies are available at Boston City Hall about two weeks after the baby’s paperwork is completed at the hospital.
If the parents weren’t married when the baby was born, the birth certificate becomes restricted. Only those listed on a restricted record can request it and you need to include a photocopy of your valid ID (a driver’s License, state ID, or passport).
Prepare your request and payment
Complete and print out a birth certificate request form:
Cost of certificates
Certificates cost $14 per copy. If you are requesting a copy dated before 1870, include an additional $10 research fee.
For a request by mail, please pay by check or money order made payable to the City of Boston. Include a photocopy of a valid ID. Please also include a self-addressed stamped envelope so we can mail the copy back to you.
Send us your request
Mail your completed form, payment, self-addressed stamped envelope, and the photocopy of your ID to:
Registry Birth
1 City Hall Square, Room 213
Boston, MA 02201
Can't mail your request? You can also visit Boston City Hall.
Born in Boston? You can pick up your birth certificate at City Hall
Boston has birth records from 1630 to present day. Birth certificates for recently born babies are available at Boston City Hall about two weeks after the baby’s paperwork is completed at the hospital.
If the parents weren’t married when the baby was born, the birth certificate becomes restricted. Restricted means that only those listed on the birth record can get a copy of a restricted birth certificate, and you have to show a valid ID (a driver’s License, State ID, or passport).
Prepare your request and payment
Complete and print out a birth certificate request form:
COST OF CERTIFICATES
Certificates cost $12 per copy when you buy them in person. 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.
PLEASE NOTE:If your debit card requires you to enter your pin to process a payment, you CANNOT use it to pay your fee.
Go to Boston City Hall
Bring your $12 and completed birth certificate request form to the window labeled “Birth” 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.
Keep in mind
Massachusetts General Law only allows certain people to get a copy of a restricted birth certificate. If a record is restricted, only those people listed on the record can get a certified copy. Learn more about the law.
Legal guardians can get a copy of of a child’s birth certificate by showing their court order and a valid ID.
If you legally change your name, that does not change your name on your birth certificate. If you were adopted, your birth certificate after your adoption is the only copy we can give you.
Do you need an Apostille? Some countries require an Apostille for some records being used overseas, for example, when you apply for dual citizenship. Check with their consulate office to see if it is required. If you need an Apostille, request your certified copy of a record from the Boston Registry with a raised seal. You then need to submit it in person or by mail to Mass. Secretary of State’s Office to request an Apostille from them. We don't have to hand sign it, and our office cannot provide the Apostille.
Want to fix or add information on a birth certificate? Call the Registry Depositions and Corrections Office at 617-635-4175, and select option 4, on weekdays, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For any other questions, please email us at registry@boston.gov. You can also check with the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records.
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.
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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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Need to Know:Just want to know the TIME OF BIRTH?- When you complete the Birth Certificate Request Form, check the box “Time of Birth Only.”
- You only need to pay $10 for this type of request.
You’ll need to provide additional documents and come into an RMV service center. The state's website has more information.
Still have questions?We created a page that answers some of the common questions we hear.
Registry information -
Have questions? Contact:
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1 CITY HALL SQUARE, ROOM 213
BOSTON, MA 02201-2006We're open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
