Find Birth Records in Lynn
Lynn birth records are held by the Lynn City Clerk, located at City Hall in downtown Lynn. The clerk keeps birth certificates for anyone born in Lynn or whose parents lived here at the time of birth. You can get a certified copy in person, by mail, or online through the UniPay system. If you need a Lynn birth record and are not sure where to start, the city clerk office at 3 City Hall Square is the direct path to a certified certificate for this Essex County city.
Lynn Overview
Lynn City Clerk Office
The Lynn City Clerk handles vital records for the city, including birth certificates. The office is at 3 City Hall Square, Room 201, Lynn, MA 01901. You can call them at (781) 598-4000 or fax a request to (781) 477-7032. The clerk's office is your primary source for Lynn birth records, and most requests can be processed during a single visit. The main city website is lynnma.gov, and the full city portal is at lynnma.gov.
The clerk keeps records for births that occurred in Lynn and for births where parents were residents of Lynn at the time. If you are not sure whether a particular birth falls under the city's records, call the office first. Bringing the full name on the birth certificate, the date of birth, and the names of both parents will help the clerk locate the record faster. For restricted records, you must show a valid photo ID before the clerk can release a copy.
| Office | Lynn City Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 3 City Hall Square, Room 201 Lynn, MA 01901 |
| Phone | (781) 598-4000 |
| Fax | (781) 477-7032 |
| In-Office Fee | $10.00 per copy |
| Mail Fee | $25.00 per copy |
Note: The clerk charges a research fee of $18.16 per hour when staff must spend significant time locating older or hard-to-find records.
Lynn City Clerk Website
The clerk's department page at lynnma.gov/city_government/departments/cityclerk is where you find the current forms, contact info, and instructions for ordering Lynn birth records.
The page lists what documents you need to bring, which forms to complete, and how to submit a mail request. Check it before your visit to make sure you have everything ready when you arrive at the office.
Lynn Birth Records Online
Lynn uses the UniPay system for online vital records orders. UniPay is available at unipaygold.unibank.com. You can submit your request and pay by credit or debit card through the portal. This avoids the need to mail a check or visit the office in person. UniPay is a secure payment platform used by several Massachusetts cities for online clerk transactions.
When you use UniPay, have the birth details ready before you start. You will need the full name on the birth certificate, the date of birth, and the names of both parents. The system walks you through the form step by step. Processing times may vary, so plan ahead if you need the certificate by a specific date. If you run into trouble with the online form, call the clerk's office at (781) 598-4000 for help.
The city's main portal at lynnma.gov connects to the clerk's department and the UniPay ordering link. Start there if you are not sure which section to use.
How to Get a Lynn Birth Certificate
There are three ways to request a certified copy of a Lynn birth record. In person is the fastest method. Come to Room 201 at City Hall during business hours, bring your photo ID, and pay $10 per copy. Most requests are filled the same day.
Mail requests cost $25 per copy. To order by mail, write to the Lynn City Clerk at 3 City Hall Square, Room 201, Lynn, MA 01901. Include a check or money order payable to the City of Lynn, a copy of your photo ID, and a note listing the name on the certificate, date of birth, and names of both parents. Add your return address and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail orders take longer, so send them with enough lead time before any deadlines you have.
Online orders go through UniPay at unipaygold.unibank.com. That is the third option and is convenient if you cannot make it to City Hall. Massachusetts access rules under MGL c.46 §2B apply to all three methods. Birth records less than 70 years old are restricted and can only be released to certain people.
State Birth Records as a Backup
If you cannot reach the Lynn City Clerk or prefer a state-level source, the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics at 150 Mt. Vernon Street, Dorchester, MA 02125 also holds copies of Lynn birth records. The RVRS phone number is 617-740-2600. The state has records going back to 1926. For births before 1926, the state archives at sec.state.ma.us is the right place to look.
RVRS fees differ from the city clerk fees. In-person requests at the Dorchester office cost $20 per copy. Mail requests run $32 standard or $42 expedited. The full fee schedule is at mass.gov/info-details/vital-records-service-fees. The state also has a complete ordering guide at mass.gov/how-to/order-a-birth-marriage-or-death-certificate that covers both the RVRS path and VitalChek at vitalchek.com.
Under MGL c.46 §2A, all births in Massachusetts must be reported to the local clerk and the state within ten days. This law is why both the city and the state hold the same records.
Note: VitalChek charges $54 for the first copy ordered online, which includes their service fee on top of the standard certificate cost.
Essex County Birth Records
Lynn is part of Essex County. The Essex County page covers other cities and towns in the county and links to additional resources for birth records research in the area.
Nearby Massachusetts Cities
These nearby cities in Essex and Middlesex counties each have their own birth records offices.