Find Birth Records in Dukes County

Dukes County birth records are held by the individual town clerks on Martha's Vineyard, not by the county itself. If you need a certified birth certificate for a birth that took place in Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury, Chilmark, West Tisbury, or Aquinnah, you go directly to the clerk in that town. This guide covers which offices hold records, how to reach each one, and where else to look if the local clerk is not your best first step.

How Birth Records Work in Dukes County

Massachusetts keeps vital records at the local level. The county government in Dukes County does not hold birth, death, or marriage records. Each of the six towns on Martha's Vineyard has its own clerk, and that clerk is responsible for recording and storing births. When a child is born in Edgartown, the record goes to the Edgartown Town Clerk. A birth in Oak Bluffs goes to the Oak Bluffs Town Clerk. That local office is where you start.

Under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 46, Section 2A, births must be registered with the clerk of the city or town where the birth occurred. The clerk then reports to the state, which keeps a secondary copy at the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics. But your first call should always be to the local town clerk on the island.

Dukes County is one of two island counties in Massachusetts, the other being Nantucket. Its remote location means that in-person visits require travel by ferry or air. Plan ahead if you intend to visit a clerk's office in person, and call before you go to confirm hours and any appointment requirements.

Edgartown Town Clerk Birth Records

Edgartown is the county seat of Dukes County and the most established town on Martha's Vineyard. The Edgartown Town Clerk maintains birth records for all births that took place in Edgartown. You can reach the clerk at 70 Main Street, P.O. Box 35, Edgartown, MA 02539. The main phone number is 508-627-6110, and the fax line is 508-627-6119. You can also reach the clerk by email at wwilliams@edgartown-ma.us.

If you were born in Edgartown and need a certified birth certificate, contact the clerk's office first. They can tell you what documents to bring, what fees apply, and whether you can submit your request by mail. Most town clerks in Massachusetts charge between $10 and $15 per certified copy, though fees can vary by town.

The Dukes County Superior Court, which handles legal proceedings for the county, is also located in Edgartown at 81 Main Street, phone (508) 627-4668. The court itself does not issue birth certificates, but it may be relevant if your records request is tied to a legal matter.

Other Martha's Vineyard Town Clerks

Martha's Vineyard has six towns, each with its own clerk who handles vital records including birth certificates. If your birth took place in any town other than Edgartown, contact the appropriate clerk directly. Here is the contact information for each:

• Oak Bluffs Town Clerk: (508) 693-5515
• Tisbury Town Clerk (Vineyard Haven): (508) 696-4215
• West Tisbury Town Clerk: (508) 696-0148
• Chilmark Town Clerk: (508) 645-2107
• Aquinnah Town Clerk (Gay Head): (508) 645-2300

Each of these offices keeps records only for births that occurred within their town limits. If you are not sure which town a birth took place in, the state's Registry of Vital Records and Statistics may be able to help you narrow it down. Call them at 617-740-2600.

Note: Aquinnah, also known as Gay Head, is a small community with limited office hours, so call ahead before visiting or mailing a request.

State Registry of Vital Records

The Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS) is the state agency that maintains a copy of all birth records filed in Massachusetts, including those from Dukes County. The RVRS can issue certified copies for births going back to 1926. If the local town clerk is hard to reach or cannot locate an older record, the RVRS is a strong backup.

The screenshot below shows the RVRS homepage, which is where you can learn about state-level birth record services for Dukes County and all of Massachusetts.

You can also order through VitalChek (866-300-8535), which is an online service that routes your request to the RVRS. VitalChek is useful if you want to order online without calling or visiting an office. Review the Massachusetts vital records fee schedule before you order. A full ordering guide is available at mass.gov, and it walks through each method step by step.

Historical Dukes County Birth Records

Dukes County was founded in 1695, and Martha's Vineyard has a long history of recorded vital events. For researchers looking into older Dukes County births, the Massachusetts State Archives holds vital records going back to the colonial period for many Massachusetts towns, including those on the Vineyard. Many of these older records have been indexed and digitized.

The screenshot below is from the Massachusetts State Archives vital records collection page, which covers historical birth records for Dukes County and the rest of the state.

The New England Historic Genealogical Society, found at americanancestors.org, also holds significant collections of Massachusetts vital records. Their database covers many island communities. FamilySearch, at familysearch.org, offers free access to indexed Massachusetts birth records and is worth checking before you pay for a certified copy if your goal is genealogy research rather than legal documentation.

Note: Certified copies for legal purposes such as passports or name changes must come from the town clerk or the RVRS, not from genealogy databases.

Who Can Access Birth Records

Massachusetts restricts access to recent birth records. Under MGL Chapter 46, Section 2B, birth records for people under 70 years of age may only be requested by the person named on the record, an authorized family member, or someone with a documented legal need. Records for individuals over 70, or who have been deceased for more than 50 years, are generally public.

When you visit a town clerk in Dukes County, bring a valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, or passport all work. If you are requesting a record for a child or another family member, bring documents that show your relationship. Clerks across Dukes County follow state law on access, so the rules are the same no matter which town you contact.

Ordering a Birth Certificate by Mail

Not everyone can make it to Martha's Vineyard in person. Mail requests are accepted by most town clerks in Dukes County. Write to the clerk in the town where the birth occurred, include a copy of your photo ID, a completed request form if the town requires one, and a check or money order for the fee. Call the clerk's office before mailing to confirm their current process and payment preferences.

You can also mail a request directly to the RVRS in Boston for births recorded after 1926. The state handles a large volume of requests, so allow several weeks for processing if you go that route. For anything older than 1926, write to the Massachusetts State Archives or check their online collections first.

If speed matters, the VitalChek online service is often faster than a mail request and does not require a trip to the island.

Nearby Counties

Mainland birth records for Massachusetts residents are available through these neighboring county clerks.