How To Obtain a Certified Copy of a Birth, Marriage, or Death Certificate

Birth Certificate

The Town Clerk's Office is responsible for birth records of all births occurring elsewhere in Massachusetts if the parents were residing in Orleans at the time of the birth or births that have occurred within Orleans.

Marriage Certificate

The Clerk's office also maintains records of marriages when the intentions were filed in Orleans (regardless of the location of the wedding).

Death Certificates

Death certificates are on file in the community the death occurred as well as the decedent's residence community.

• Fee: $10 for the certified copy, cash or check (Sorry, we cannot accept credit card payments at this time).
• Address: 
  Town Clerk's Office
  Town Hall
  19 School Road
  Orleans, MA 02653
• Phone: 508-240-3700, ext. 2405

To Pick up Certificates in Person

Please order your certificates by phone ahead of time and they will be prepared in advance of your arrival.

To Receive Certificates by Mail

Send a check or money order payable to "Town of Orleans." Your request should include the name and date of birth/marriage/death for the applicable certificate, a contact telephone or email address, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope. If the record requires identification the appropriate person must sign the request and include a photocopy of a driver's license or government-issued photo ID.

Records Requiring Identification 

A record is not accessible to the general public if the parents were unmarried at the time the child was born (and have not since married and amended the birth record), or if the father's name does not appear on the record. When this is true, only the mother, father (if listed,) or child may request a certificate. Identification will be required. Identification is not required for other records.

Massachusetts State Registry of Vital Records and Statistics can also provide certificates for Orleans or any other Massachusetts community. Follow the link to their website for more information.