Access Brockton Death Records
Brockton death records are maintained by the Brockton City Clerk at 45 School Street, with the Death Index covering deaths from approximately 1881 to present. Certified copies can be obtained in person at City Hall or by mail, and the Massachusetts State Archives holds earlier records going back to 1841.
Brockton Overview
Brockton City Clerk - Death Records
The Brockton City Clerk handles death records for deaths that occurred in Brockton or were registered here by Brockton residents. The office is at City Hall, 45 School Street, Brockton, MA 02301. Reach them by phone at (508) 580-7126. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Brockton death records go back to approximately 1881. Before that date, the area was covered by the town of North Bridgewater, which became the city of Brockton in 1881. Records from the pre-city period are in the state system but filed under the earlier town name. If you're looking for a death in the area before 1881, check the State Archives under North Bridgewater.
The state vital records ordering page at mass.gov explains how to order Brockton death records from the state RVRS.
That page covers in-person, mail, and online ordering from the RVRS for records going back to 1926.
Death certificates must be filed within 24 hours of death in Massachusetts. The funeral director typically handles the filing with the city clerk. Once filed locally, a copy goes to the RVRS to become part of the statewide death index.
| Address | City Hall, 45 School Street, Brockton, MA 02301 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (508) 580-7126 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM |
| Records | Approximately 1881 to present |
How to Request a Brockton Death Certificate
Getting a Brockton death certificate is straightforward. The two main options are in person at City Hall or by mail. In person is faster and lets you get the certificate the same day if the record is in the office's files.
To request in person, visit the City Clerk at 45 School Street during regular hours. Provide the deceased's full name and date of death, show valid identification, and pay the fee. The clerk will issue the certificate while you wait if the record is available.
Mail requests require a written letter with the deceased's full name, date of death, place of death, your relationship to the deceased (if applicable), the number of copies needed, and payment. Make checks or money orders payable to the City of Brockton. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail to: City Clerk, 45 School Street, Brockton, MA 02301.
For records from 1926 onward, the state RVRS at 150 Mount Vernon Street, Dorchester can also issue certified copies. In-person copies at the RVRS cost $20. Mail copies cost $32. Online orders through VitalChek cost $54 for the first copy. The RVRS phone number is 617-740-2600.
Under MGL Chapter 46, Section 9, Massachusetts death records are public and available to any person who requests them.
Note: If the exact date of death is unknown, provide the approximate year and any other details about the deceased so the clerk can search the Brockton death index.
Searching Brockton Death Records Online
Free online databases are a good first step before ordering a certified copy. FamilySearch is the best free resource. The Massachusetts Vital Records page on FamilySearch covers what's indexed for Plymouth County and the rest of the state. Many Brockton deaths from the late 1800s and early 1900s appear in these free collections.
The Massachusetts State Archives at 220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston holds death records from 1841 to 1925. Free digital images of records from 1841 to 1924 are available through the State Archives vital records collection. No account is needed. Certified copies from the Archives cost $3 each. Call the Archives at (617) 727-2816 or email archives@sec.state.ma.us for help.
The RVRS main page at mass.gov covers the statewide death index for records from 1926 onward.
That page also shows the RVRS office hours, M-F 8:45 AM to 4:45 PM, and contact information for ordering Brockton records from the state level.
Ancestry.com has digitized Massachusetts vital records. The Brockton Public Library provides genealogy resources and may offer database access on-site for free.
Brockton Historical Death Records
Brockton death records begin in 1881 when the area incorporated as a city. Before that date, the area was the town of North Bridgewater. If you're researching a death in the Brockton area before 1881, search the State Archives under North Bridgewater rather than Brockton. The indexing follows the place name at the time of the event.
Records from 1841 to 1925 are at the Massachusetts State Archives. Free digital images for 1841 to 1924 let you view scanned records without ordering a certified copy. Under MGL Chapter 46, Section 13, Massachusetts has required death registration since the mid-1800s, so Brockton area records from that period should be in the statewide system.
The Brockton Public Library has genealogy resources including historical newspapers and city directories that can help you trace deaths that don't appear in the official indexes. Plymouth County Probate Court records can also supplement death certificates when more detail is needed about survivors or estate matters.
What Brockton Death Certificates Contain
A Brockton death certificate follows the standard Massachusetts format. It shows the deceased's full name, date of birth, date of death, place of death, cause of death, and manner of death. Manner of death is recorded as natural, accident, homicide, suicide, or undetermined.
The certificate also shows the parents' names, the deceased's occupation, Social Security number, and method of body disposition. Certified copies carry the City Clerk's seal and are legally valid for probate, insurance, and property matters. Section 12 of MGL Chapter 46 sets out the rules for certified copies in Massachusetts.
Certain restricted records under MGL Chapter 46, Section 2A may require additional documentation before the clerk releases them. The office will notify you if the record you requested is restricted and what you need to provide.
Note: A Brockton death record covers deaths that occurred within Brockton city limits as well as deaths of Brockton residents who died elsewhere in Massachusetts.
Plymouth County Probate and Estate Records
The Plymouth County Probate and Family Court has an office in Brockton at 72 Belmont Street, Brockton. This court handles estate matters for deaths in Plymouth County, including Brockton. When someone died in Brockton, probate was typically filed at this location. Probate files are public records and often contain useful genealogical detail beyond what appears on a death certificate.
Probate records can show the names of surviving family members, the value and distribution of an estate, and sometimes personal details about the deceased not captured in the official death record. They can help confirm the date and place of death or establish family relationships when other records are incomplete.
If the deceased had real property in Plymouth County, the Plymouth County Registry of Deeds may have records that reference the death as part of estate transfers. These property records are separate from death certificates but can provide useful confirmation of dates and names.
The state ordering page for vital records at mass.gov is a good reference if you need to order Brockton death certificates from the state alongside your probate research.
Nearby Cities
These qualifying cities near Brockton also have local death records through their city clerk offices.
Plymouth County Death Records
Brockton is in Plymouth County. The Plymouth County page covers the probate court and county-level death record resources.