Vital Records

What are Vital Records?

The term Vital Records refers to those records, maintained under government authority, which document certain milestone events, namely birth, death and marriage, in the lives of Massachusetts residents. The Town Clerk serves as the local registrar of births and deaths occurring in Swampscott or involving residents of Swampscott.  However, we will only have marriages if the couple pulled out their intentions to marry in Swampscott.

Official copies of these documents must be certified as such by the Town Clerk and embossed with the Town Seal, the Town Clerk's Office can only provide certified copies of Vital Records.

Obtaining Vital Records

A certified copy of a birth, death or marriage certificate may be obtained, online, in person, or by mail, at a cost of $10.00 per copy.

To apply online: Click here

To apply by mail: Send a written request stating the name(s) (Maiden name if appropriate) and the date of birth, date of death or date of the marriage. Include a stamped, self-addressed envelope and the appropriate fee, $10.00 per copy by check or money order, payable to the Town of Swampscott. Do not send cash. 

Mail to:

Town Clerk Town of Swampscott22 Monument Ave Swampscott, MA 01907  

To apply in person: You may order in person in the Town Clerk's office. Your request will be processed while you wait, if at all possible, or you will be asked to retrieve the certificate the next business day. Payment is requested when the order is placed. Payment can be accepted via cash or check.

• Remember, a child’s birth record is recorded in the community where the parents were living at the time of the birth; the death record is filed in the decedents’ community of residence; the marriage record is filed in the community which issued the marriage license. 
• Remember, also, that not all birth records are considered a public document. A birth record is not accessible to the general public if the parents weren't married at the time the child was born (and have not since married and amended the birth record), or if the father's name does not appear on the record. 
• Remember, also, that not all marriage records are considered a public document. A record is not accessible to the general public if the parents of either the bride or groom weren't married at the time the child was born (and have not since married and amended the birth record). 

Registry of Vital Records and Statistics

If you are unsure what town your vital records are held in the Massachusetts State Registry of Vital Records and Statistics can also provide certified copies of birth, death and marriage records for Lincoln and any other Massachusetts community.

Apostilles

Sometimes official documents intended for use outside the United States require special certification, known as an apostille, from the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Find out how to obtain an apostille here.