Vital Records

Birth, Death & Marriage Records; Burial Permits.



Certified copies of birth, death, and marriage records may be obtained in person during regular business hours or by mail. The fee is $10 per certified copy. Payment may be made in cash or by check/money order, payable to the Town of Ipswich.

Request a Birth, Marriage, or Death Certificate Online

Birth Certificates

Vital Records - Birth Certificate Request Form (PDF)
Certified copies of birth certificates may be obtained from the Town Clerk’s Office. Birth certificates are on file for those whose parents were residents of Ipswich at the time of the child’s birth or for those who were actually born in the Town of Ipswich. When requesting a birth certificate, please include the name at birth and the date of birth.

Marriage Certificates

Vital Records - Marriage Certificate Request Form (PDF)
Certified copies of marriage certificates may be obtained from the Town Clerk’s Office. The marriage will be recorded in the Town of Ipswich only if the parties filed for the marriage intention (license) in the Town of Ipswich.

Please note: If the marriage occurred in Ipswich, but the intention (license) was filed in another town, the certificate would be on file in that town and not in the Town of Ipswich.


Marriage Intentions

Both parties must appear before the Town Clerk; they must be at least 18 years of age or obtain a court waiver from the Probate Court and they must present a valid state issued ID.
Note: There is a state imposed mandatory 3 day waiting period from the application date and the date the license is issued and can only be waived with a court order. Marriage licenses are valid for 60 days and can be used to marry in any Massachusetts city or town.

Fee is e fee is $30 and includes a certified copy of the marriage certificate.



Death Certificates

Vital Records - Death Certificate Request Form (PDF)

Certified copies of death certificates may be obtained from the Town Clerk’s Office. Death certificates are on file for those decedents who were pronounced in the Town of Ipswich or whose residence at the time of death was in Ipswich. There will be no record of death filed with the Town of Ipswich if the decedent died outside the state. When requesting a death certificate, please include the name and date of death.

Burial Permits
Effective September 1, 2014, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts implemented new policies and procedures for obtaining Burial Permits.

"Opt In" Online System

In compliance with these policies and procedures all Burial Permits for deaths occurring September 1, 2014, and after must be obtained by the Funeral Home through the Commonwealth's "Opt In" online system. This system allows the Funeral Home to obtain a Burial Permit at its convenience, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays.

Payment

The cost of the burial permit is$10. Payment may be remitted in the form of cash or check payable to the Town of Ipswich. Checks may be mailed to:
Town Clerk
25 Green St.
Ipswich, MA 01938

Please note: Certified copies of death certificates will not be issued until the payment of the Burial Permit is received.