Vital Records

On-line order and payment available

Overview
The Town Clerk serves as the Town Registrar of Vital Records and Statistics.  The Clerk accepts for filing and maintains the records of all births, marriages and deaths that occur in North Reading and death certificates of those residents of North Reading whose death occurred elsewhere in Massachusetts.

The Clerk is authorized to issue certified copies of all vital records in his/her custody, as well as to execute adoption and amendment depositions regarding records originating in the Town, in accordance with State Law and compliance with the Department of Vital Records and Statistics procedures.  

Births
Birth records of those children whose parents resided in North Reading at the time of the child’s birth, as well as those children who were physically born in the Town, will be on file with this office.

Marriages
Marriage records of couples who filed their marriage intentions in North Reading will be on file in this office.  It has been the experience of this office that many couples wish to have a certified copy of their marriage certificate to keep with their other important personal documents, as well as to have on hand to show as proof of the marriage when needed.  Many couples require one or more certified copies for insurance purposes, health insurance policies, Social Security benefits, pension benefits, Veteran’s benefits, as well as for documentation for a name change with the Registry of Motor Vehicles, Social Security, credit accounts, bank accounts, etc.

Please Note:  The marriage certificate of a couple who were married in North Reading will only be on file in this office if the couple filed for their license in North Reading.  The marriage certificate exists in the community where a couple filed for their license, and not the community where the marriage took place, if different.

Deaths
Death certificates are maintained in this office for those persons who physically died in North Reading, or for those persons who died elsewhere in Massachusetts and whose legal residence at the time of their death is listed on their death certificate as North Reading.
 
Certified Copies
Certified copies of all the above vital records can be obtained from this office.  There is a minimal turn-around time once the request and payment have been received.   Telephone and e-mail requests will not be accepted as payment is required in advance.   

Record Search
If you are not sure if the record that you are seeking is in North Reading, we can search our files to determine if it is recorded here before you proceed with a request.   If you have the correct information, as listed below, we should be able to research the information relatively quickly.  However, if you are unable to provide the exact date of an occurrence, there will be a search fee of $10 in addition to the cost for the certified copy should the record be found.  Requests and payment may be made in person or in writing.  Payment must be made by check only when the request is made in writing.  It is strongly encouraged to issue separate checks when a search fee is involved.   If the record is not filed here, the search fee will be deposited, but the check for the certified copy will be returned.

Request for Certified Copies
To obtain a certified copy of a record by mail, please provide a check made payable to the “Town of North Reading” in the amount of $10 for each copy requested, together with a self-addressed, stamped envelope and send your request to:

Town Clerk’s Office
Town Hall – 235 North Street
North Reading, MA   01864-1294


The following information is required for each type of record:

BIRTH CERTIFICATEMARRIAGE CERTIFICATEDEATH CERTIFICATE
Child's NameName of 1st PartyName of Deceased
Date of BirthName of 2nd Party        Date of Death
Mother's NameDate of MarriagePlace of Death
Father's NamePlace of MarriageResidence at the time of Death
You can download and mail the Vital Records Request Form with the proper fee paid by check
or
You can connect to our On-Line Payment module to order and pay through your checking account or credit card
[Service charge will be applied]

State Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
If the record you are looking for is not found in North Reading, or if you are not sure where the record is filed, you may contact the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics.  The Registry maintains a central index of all vital record events (births, marriages and deaths) which occurr in Massachusetts.