Marriage records in Plymouth, Massachusetts, are available through several channels. PlymouthCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about marriage records in the county. Additionally, the original documents are maintained by the Town Clerk — this office in Massachusetts is responsible for issuing marriage licenses and registering certificates. You can contact the clerk in person, send a request by mail, or use the state's online portal to order certified copies.
Plymouth Marriage Records Search
In Massachusetts, marriage records are maintained at the municipal level. For the town of Plymouth, the Town Clerk is responsible for maintaining marriage licenses, applications, and registered marriage certificates. The collection includes both modern records and historical documents dating back to the city's early decades.
Note: The Plymouth public records office explicitly states that requests for birth, death, or marriage certificates are processed exclusively by the Town Clerk. They are the sole local source for certified copies.
If the marriage was registered in another Massachusetts city, the request should be sent to the clerk of the respective municipality or to the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics at the state level.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Plymouth
The state of Massachusetts establishes a uniform fee structure for issuing copies of vital records in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 262, § 34. Below are the standard rates applicable in municipal offices, including the Plymouth Town Clerk.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of marriage certificate | $10 |
| Each additional copy (in the same order) | $10 |
| Record search (if the exact date is unknown) | Included in the copy cost |
Payment is accepted by check or money order made payable to Town of Plymouth. Some municipalities also accept credit cards for in-person requests — confirm in advance by phone.
The processing time for in-person requests is usually the same day. Mail requests take two to four weeks.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Plymouth
There are three main ways to obtain a copy of a marriage certificate.
Online
The Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics offers online ordering through the Mass.gov Vital Records portal. Through this service, you can order a certified copy of any marriage registered in the state. Online orders are more expensive due to the portal operator's service fee.
In Person
Visit the Town Clerk at the address provided above. Bring a photo ID. The clerk will issue a certified copy immediately if the record is in the database. No appointment is necessary.
By Mail
Send a request to the Town Clerk's address with the following documents:
- A written request specifying the full names of the spouses and the approximate date of marriage.
- A copy of your photo ID.
- A check or money order for $10 per copy, payable to Town of Plymouth.
- A self-addressed stamped envelope.
For divorce requests, a different procedure applies. As noted on the Plymouth city FAQ page, a copy of the divorce decree is issued by the court that handled the case, not the Town Clerk.
On the official Plymouth County website, you will find additional links to government resources and contacts for the relevant departments. For a quick search of public marriage record data, you can always start with PlymouthCourt.us.