Birth, Marriage, and Death Certificates and Marriage Licenses

Birth, Marriage, and Death Certificates

Certificates are available for a fee of $15.00 for each certificate. Payment can be made by cash, check, or online. Payment is due at the time you pick up the certificate or must be received before it will be mailed to you. 

Please contact the Town Clerk's Office at townclerk@carlislema.gov or 978-369-6155, before requesting a certificate, or purchasing online.  Contacting the office ensures your certificate is in the town's records before you make a payment. You may also come to the office in person to request a certificate, but if you request the certificate in advance, we can have it ready for you when you come in.

All certificates we issue are certified copies, have the signature of the Town Clerk and a raised Town Seal.

Birth Certificates are recorded and kept both in the city or town where the birth occurred and where the parents resided at that time in Massachusetts. 

Marriage certificates are held by the town/city where a couple obtained their marriage license from, which may be different from the town/city where they were married. Prior to 1980, it was required to file in the city or town of residence for each individual planning to marry.

Death Certificates are kept in the city or town where the death occurred and the city or town of residence, at time of death in Massachusetts.

Intention of Marriage/Marriage License

Before a couple gets married in Massachusetts, they need to fill out their Intention of Marriage paperwork at a Town or City Clerk's Office in Massachusetts to obtain a marriage license. An appointment should be made to do this with the Town Clerk, and both parties need to come in person for the appointment which typically takes 20 minutes. Proof of age, such as a birth certificate, passport, or photo ID is required. Three days after the Intention of Marriage is filled out, the marriage license may be picked up by one or both of the parties. The marriage license is brought to the wedding ceremony for the officiant to fill in and sign. After the wedding, the marriage license is returned to the Town Clerk where it was obtained from. After the Town Clerk receives the license and approves it, the marriage certificate can be issued.

Please contact the Town Clerk at 978-369-6155 or townclerk@carlislema.gov with any questions and for an appointment when you're ready to file your Intention.

The $50.00 Intention of Marriage filing fee includes one marriage certificate. Payment can be made by check, money order, or cash when you come in for your appointment or online by clicking "Click to Pay Now" on the main Town Clerk page before your appointment. 

For details about who can be an Officiant or how to become an Officiant see the Secretary of the Commonwealth's website.