Genealogical Research

Genealogical Research

Vital records (births, marriages, deaths) have been registered in Massachusetts since 1635. 

LAKEVILLE (1853- present)

Lakeville's collection of vital records begins in 1853, the year of our incorporation.  Statewide collection began in 1841, so Lakeville-based records from 1853 - present are available in Lakeville, State Archives and Registry of Vital Records.

Certified copies of Lakeville records from 1853 - present are available from the Town of Lakeville for $10 each (please allow a 10-day fulfillment time).

STATE ARCHIVES

The State Archives is located at 220 Morrissey Blvd, Boston, MA 02125. They may be reached by calling 617-727-2816. You may search their indexes in person after registering as a researcher, copy microfilmed original documents (also after registering). Certified copies of their records are available from the Archives by request for $3 each.

REGISTRY OF VITAL RECORDS & STATISTICS

The Registry of Vital Records maintains the original birth, death and marriage records that have occurred in Massachusetts from 1926 to the present.  RVRS also provides statistics on births, deaths, fetal deaths, divorces, and marriages. These data are used by local and state public health programs and medical researchers to help understand our population, promote wellness, and ensure health equity within the Commonwealth.

The Registry of Vital Records is located at 150 Mount Vernon Street, Dorchester, MA  02125. They may be reached by calling 617-740-2600.  You may search their on-line, microfilm and paper indexes in person during limited hours and for a fee of $9 per hour.  You may also submit records requests same day/over the counter for certified copies for $20 per copy.  When the Lakeville Town Clerk’s Office is open, certified copies of Lakeville residents’ records that occurred from 1853 to the present may be obtained same day/over the counter for $10 each. Please fill out a request form upon your arrival at the office, and provide all related requested information.

In the case of birth or death records, the city or town of occurrence will also have a certified copy, you can go to that city or town and get same day service when they are open.


Obtaining Genealogical Records from the Office of the Town Clerk

Genealogy requests are considered public records requests by the Office of the Town Clerk. To make a genealogy request, please provide the name of the person whose record you are requesting, the date of the record and specify the type of record you are in search of (birth, marriage or death). The more information you are able to provide (name of parents, etc), the better the chances are we'll be able to locate the record in question. If you are unsure of a specific date of the record, an estimated date or year may be sufficient.

Please direct your request to the Office of the Town Clerk:

By PhoneBy EmailBy MailIn Person
508-946-8800

ldrane@lakevillema.org

kdegrazia@lakevillema.org

346 Bedford Street,

Lakeville, MA 02347

346 Bedford Street,

Lakeville, MA 02347

The Town Clerk / Super Records Access Officer will provide you with a good faith estimate on the fee and timeline for your request, in accordance with the Massachusetts public records law.

ITEMFEE

Genealogy

Research Fee

Fees Varies

Please submit records request to 

Town Clerk to obtain a "Good Faith Estimate".

Certified Copy of Birth Certificate$10.00

Certified Copy of Death 

Certificate

$10.00

Certified Copy of Marriage 

Certificate

$10.00

RESOURCES