Everett Birth Records
Everett birth records are maintained by the Everett City Clerk, with records going back to 1870. If you need a certified birth certificate for someone born in Everett, you can request it through the city clerk office or through the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, which holds statewide copies from 1926 onward. Access to recent records is limited under Massachusetts law. This page explains both options, who can request a copy, and where to find older historical records.
Everett Overview
Everett City Clerk Vital Records
The Everett City Clerk manages birth records for all births that took place in Everett, with records on file from 1870 to the present. The clerk's office is located at City Hall. You can find current contact details, hours, and more information at the Everett City Clerk vital records page or at the main city site, cityofeverett.com. Call ahead before visiting to confirm hours and any specific requirements for your request type.
In-person requests are typically handled during regular business hours. Bring valid photo ID. The clerk will ask about your relationship to the person on the record, which is required under state law for records less than 70 years old. Most in-person requests can be processed the same day, making it the fastest local option.
Note: Some requests may require you to show a picture ID before the clerk can release the certificate. Have your ID ready regardless of whether you think you will need it.
Everett Birth Certificate Request by Mail
You can send a mail request to the Everett City Clerk at City Hall. Include the full name as it appears on the record, the date of birth, and your return mailing address. Attach a legible photocopy of a valid photo ID. Payment should be by check or money order payable to the City of Everett. Do not send cash through the mail.
Check the current fee with the clerk's office or on the city website before mailing your payment. Local fees are set by the city and can change. Mail processing time is usually several business days to a couple of weeks. If you need the certificate quickly, in-person pickup is a better choice.
State-Level Access Through the RVRS
The Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics at 150 Mt. Vernon Street, Dorchester, MA 02125 holds copies of all Massachusetts birth records filed since 1926. Their phone number is 617-740-2600. For Everett births after 1926, the RVRS is a fully valid alternative to the local clerk. Both offices can issue a certified copy that carries the same legal weight under MGL c.46 §2A.
State fees through the RVRS are higher than most local rates. In-person at the Dorchester office costs $20 per copy. Mail orders are $32 standard or $42 expedited. Online orders through VitalChek cost $54 for the first copy, including the service fee. VitalChek is the state's authorized third-party ordering platform and is available any time at vitalchek.com or by phone at 866-300-8535. The full state fee schedule is at mass.gov/info-details/vital-records-service-fees.
Online Ordering for Everett Birth Records
The most reliable online option for an Everett birth certificate is through VitalChek via the RVRS. The state's ordering guide at mass.gov/how-to/order-a-birth-marriage-or-death-certificate explains each step, what information you need to provide, and how to follow up on your order. Some Massachusetts cities also offer local online ordering through the UniPay system. Check the Everett city website to see if that option is available for Everett clerk requests.
If you are ordering online for the first time, the state guide is worth reading before you start. It clarifies which records qualify for online ordering, what ID types are accepted, and how the process differs from in-person requests.
Who Can Get an Everett Birth Record
Access to birth records less than 70 years old is restricted in Massachusetts. MGL c.46 §2B governs this. Only certain people qualify for a certified copy of a recent record. Those eligible include the person named on the certificate (if 18 or older), their parents, their legal guardian, a spouse, or adult children of the person named. Attorneys with written authorization from the family can also request records. Some government agencies with a lawful need are another eligible category.
You will be asked to show ID and state your relationship to the person on the record, regardless of whether you request in person, by mail, or online. This step is required by state law. Birth records 70 years or older are open to the public without any of these restrictions and do not require proving a family or legal connection.
Records for adoptees are handled separately under MGL c.46 §2B. The RVRS manages those requests and can advise you on what documentation is required.
Historical Everett Birth Records Before 1926
The Everett City Clerk holds local records going back to 1870, which is earlier than the RVRS cut-off date of 1926. For births between 1870 and 1925, the local clerk is often the best source, assuming the records are still on file and in good condition. For births earlier than 1870 or for records from that period that the city does not hold, the Massachusetts State Archives is the place to look.
The archives collection covers Massachusetts vital records from the colonial period through 1925. Access it through the Secretary of State's portal at sec.state.ma.us. Certified copies from the archives cost $3 each. For genealogy work without a need for a certified copy, FamilySearch has indexed a wide range of Massachusetts vital records from the 1800s, including many Middlesex County records. It is free to use and searchable by name and location.
Middlesex County Birth Records
Everett is in Middlesex County, the most populous county in Massachusetts. Birth registration is handled at the city level, but county courts deal with adoption, name changes, and guardianship matters that can intersect with birth records. The Middlesex Probate and Family Court in Woburn handles those cases. The county records page covers additional cities and towns across the county.
Nearby Massachusetts Cities
These cities near Everett each maintain their own birth records through local city clerk offices.