Lynn Death Index Search
Lynn death records date to the 1600s and are maintained by the Lynn City Clerk at 3 City Hall Square. The Death Index covers deaths that occurred in Lynn or were registered here, and certified copies can be requested in person or by mail. Many older Lynn records were published in historical "Tan Books" and are also available through the Massachusetts State Archives.
Lynn Overview
Lynn City Clerk - Death Records
The Lynn City Clerk maintains the Death Index for deaths that occurred in Lynn or that were registered to Lynn residents. The office is at Lynn City Hall, 3 City Hall Square, Lynn, MA 01901. Call (781) 598-4000 to reach the general line. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Lynn death records go back to the 1600s, one of the longest local record histories in Massachusetts. These early records were compiled and published in what genealogists call "Tan Books," a series of volumes covering vital records for Massachusetts towns through about 1850. Lynn's Tan Book entries cover early deaths and can be found at the Lynn Public Library and the State Archives.
The State Archives vital records page at sec.state.ma.us describes the collections held at the state level, including free digital images for Lynn deaths from 1841 to 1924.
That page explains how to access the free images and how to order certified copies from the Archives for $3 each.
| Address | Lynn City Hall, 3 City Hall Square, Lynn, MA 01901 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (781) 598-4000 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM |
| Records | 1600s to present |
How to Request a Lynn Death Certificate
You can get a Lynn death certificate in person at City Hall or by mail. In person is faster. Go to the City Clerk at 3 City Hall Square during regular hours. Complete the request form, provide valid photo ID, pay the fee, and receive the certificate that day if the record is on file.
Mail requests go to: Lynn City Clerk, 3 City Hall Square, Lynn, MA 01901. Include the deceased's full name, the date of death, the number of copies you need, your mailing address, payment (check or money order payable to the City of Lynn), and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
For deaths from 1926 onward, the state RVRS at 150 Mount Vernon Street, Dorchester also holds copies. In-person copies at the RVRS cost $20 each. Mail copies cost $32 each. Online orders via VitalChek through mass.gov cost $54 for the first copy. The RVRS phone is 617-740-2600, email vital.recordsrequest@mass.gov, hours M-F 8:45 AM to 4:45 PM.
Under MGL Chapter 46, Section 9, Lynn death records are public. Any person can request a copy. You don't need to prove a family connection.
Note: For deaths in Lynn before 1841, the Tan Books and Lynn Public Library local history collection are better sources than the statewide death index.
Searching Lynn Death Records Online
FamilySearch is the best free database for older Lynn death records. The Massachusetts Vital Records page on FamilySearch lists what's indexed for Essex County and how to search. Many Lynn deaths from the 1800s and early 1900s appear there at no cost and without creating an account.
The Massachusetts State Archives has Lynn death records from 1841 to 1925. Free digital images for 1841 to 1924 are available through the Archives vital records collection. These free images are for research, not legal use. Certified copies from the Archives cost $3 each. Contact the Archives at (617) 727-2816 or archives@sec.state.ma.us.
The RVRS at mass.gov holds Lynn records from 1926 to present and can issue certified copies.
That page covers RVRS hours, contact details, and how the statewide index connects to local city records like Lynn's.
Ancestry.com has digitized older Massachusetts vital records including Lynn deaths. The Lynn Public Library provides genealogy resources and may offer on-site database access for free.
Lynn Historical Death Records and Tan Books
Lynn death records go back to the 1600s, predating the Massachusetts statewide registration system by centuries. The colonial-era records were compiled and published in the Massachusetts "Tan Books," formally titled "Vital Records of Massachusetts to 1850." Lynn's volume covers early births, marriages, and deaths from the town's founding through 1850.
The Tan Books are available at the Lynn Public Library, the Massachusetts State Archives, and various genealogy libraries around New England. FamilySearch has digitized many of the Tan Book volumes, so you can search them online for free. They're a good starting point for any Lynn death research before 1841.
Under MGL Chapter 46, Massachusetts standardized death registration in the mid-1800s. Lynn records from that point are in the statewide index. Free digital images cover 1841 to 1924 at the State Archives. Earlier records rely on the Tan Books and church or burial records.
The Essex Probate and Family Court at 36 Federal Street, Salem handles estate records for Essex County. When someone died in Lynn, probate was filed in Salem. Those court files can supplement the official death record with additional details about survivors and assets.
What Lynn Death Certificates Contain
Lynn death certificates follow the standard Massachusetts format. Each record 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 categories are natural, accident, homicide, suicide, or undetermined.
Other fields include the parents' names, the deceased's occupation, Social Security number, and the method of body disposition. These fields are the same across all Massachusetts cities and towns because the state sets the certificate form under MGL Chapter 46.
Certified copies carry the City Clerk's official seal and are accepted for probate, insurance, and property transfers. Section 12 of MGL Chapter 46 governs the issuance of certified copies. Section 2A covers restricted records that may require additional documentation before the office will release them.
Note: Lynn death records from the colonial period through the early 19th century may have varying levels of detail compared to modern certificates, which follow a fixed state-mandated format.
Essex County Resources for Lynn Death Records
Lynn is in Essex County. Several county-level offices hold records that complement Lynn death certificates. The Essex Probate and Family Court at 36 Federal Street, Salem handles estate filings for Lynn deaths. Probate records from that court are public and can provide names of heirs, dates, and other details that go beyond a death certificate.
The Southern Essex District Registry of Deeds is in Salem at 45 Congress Street. Real property records there may reference a Lynn death in the context of estate transfers or title changes. These are free to search online through the registry's public system.
The Lynn Public Library has a strong local history room with city directories, old newspapers, and historical records that are useful for death research. Staff can guide you to the right collections, especially for older records that aren't in the statewide indexes.
For ordering copies of recent Lynn death records from the state, the RVRS at mass.gov is available. The RVRS at 150 Mount Vernon Street, Dorchester, can issue certified copies by in-person visit, mail, or online through VitalChek.
Nearby Cities
These qualifying cities near Lynn also maintain local death records through their city clerk offices.
Essex County Death Records
Lynn is in Essex County. The Essex County page covers probate court resources and county-level death record information for the region.