Marriage records in Worcester, Massachusetts, are available through several channels. WorcesterMACourt.us allows you to quickly find publicly available information about marriage records in the county. Additionally, you can contact the Worcester City Clerk directly — in person, by mail, or through Massachusetts state online portals. Below is a practical guide for searching, ordering, and obtaining marriage certificates and records.
Worcester Marriage Records Search
In Massachusetts, marriage records are maintained and issued by the city or town clerk of the municipality where the marriage license was issued. For the city of Worcester, the responsible party is the City Clerk, who operates out of City Hall. The collection includes marriage licenses (marriage intentions), marriage certificates, and historical records dating back to the 19th century. The clerk registers both new licenses and the signed certificates returned after the ceremony — these become the official record of the marriage.
Contact the clerk's office if you need to verify a marriage or obtain a certified copy.
The state of Massachusetts also keeps centralized copies through the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics. Records older than 50 years are typically available for genealogical research through the Massachusetts Archives.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Worcester
The cost of services depends on the type of copy and the method of ordering. Below is a table of the main fees established according to Massachusetts law (M.G.L. Chapter 262, Section 34).
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Certified copy | $10 |
| Each additional copy (same order) | $10 |
| Search fee, if record not found | $10 |
Payment is accepted by check or money order payable to "City of Worcester." Some online services may charge an additional processing fee. Processing time for in-person requests is typically the same day. Mail requests are usually processed within 4–6 weeks.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Worcester
There are three main ways to obtain a copy of a marriage certificate.
Online
The state of Massachusetts offers a centralized online portal for ordering vital records. You can use the VitalChek service through the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records website. Note: online orders incur an additional processing fee for credit card payments.
In Person
Visit the City Clerk — Certificates and Licenses Division at City Hall:
No appointment is necessary. Bring a valid photo ID. A certified copy is usually issued the same day.
By Mail
Send a written request to the clerk's office address. Include in the letter:
- Full names of both parties to the marriage
- Approximate date of marriage
- Purpose of the request
- Your name, address, and phone number
- A copy of your photo ID
- A check or money order for $10 per copy (payable to "City of Worcester")
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
The mailing address is provided above. Expect a response within a few weeks.
If you need a record not held in Worcester but in another Massachusetts city, contact the clerk of the respective municipality or the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics. For other public records in the city of Worcester, there is a separate request procedure in accordance with the state public records law.