Peabody Death Records Search
The Peabody Death Index covers records from 1752 forward, reflecting Peabody's history as a town that was carved out of Salem in 1855. Death records for Peabody are maintained by the City Clerk's Office at City Hall, while the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics and the State Archives hold additional records going back through the 19th century. This page walks through every source, fee, and step for finding Peabody death records.
Peabody Overview
Peabody City Clerk - Death Records
The Peabody City Clerk's Office at 24 Lowell Street is the local source for Peabody death records. The clerk maintains death certificates for all deaths registered in Peabody from 1752 through the present. Walk-in requests are accepted during regular business hours without an appointment. Staff can search the index before you submit a formal request or pay any fee.
| Address | Peabody City Hall, 24 Lowell Street, Peabody, MA 01960 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (978) 538-5690 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
Peabody was originally part of Salem and was set off as a separate town in 1855. Before that year, deaths in what is now Peabody were registered under Salem. This affects how you search for records from before 1855: look under Salem in the State Archives and other historical databases for that earlier period.
The Massachusetts RVRS main page explains the statewide system for accessing death records from all Massachusetts cities and towns. The following screenshot shows the RVRS site.
The Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics holds Peabody death records from 1926 forward and is the official state source for more recent deaths.
The RVRS page details in-person, mail, and online ordering options along with the identification and information required for each type of request.
Note: For Peabody deaths before 1855, search Salem vital records at the State Archives, since Peabody did not exist as a separate municipality before that year.
How to Request a Peabody Death Certificate
Peabody death certificates are available in person, by mail, or through the state system for records from 1926 onward. Here is how each method works and what you need to bring or include.
In Person: Visit the City Clerk's Office at Peabody City Hall, 24 Lowell Street. Fill out the request form, show a valid photo ID, and pay the fee. In-person requests are typically processed the same day. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. No appointment is necessary.
By Mail: Send a written request to Peabody City Clerk, 24 Lowell Street, Peabody, MA 01960. Include the deceased person's full legal name, the date of death, the number of copies you need, your return address, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and payment. Allow one to two weeks for processing and return delivery.
Online (RVRS/VitalChek): For Peabody deaths from 1926 to the present, you can order through the state's official portal. The state ordering page links to VitalChek online ordering ($54 for the first copy), mail requests through RVRS ($32 per copy), and in-person RVRS requests ($20 per copy). All copies are mailed to you.
Peabody death records are public under MGL Chapter 46, Section 9. Any adult may request them. The law does not require you to state a reason or show a family relationship to access a death certificate. Certified copies under Section 12 carry full legal authority.
Searching Peabody Death Records Online
Several free platforms cover Peabody's historical death records. The right source depends on the time period of the death you are researching.
FamilySearch offers free access to many Massachusetts vital records through their Massachusetts Vital Records guide. Peabody deaths from the 1800s and early 1900s may appear in the indexed collections. The platform is free to use with a basic account and allows you to view scanned images of original records.
The Massachusetts State Archives provides free digital images for deaths from 1841 through 1924 at the vital records collection page. Browse Peabody entries by year at no cost. Certified copies of these records are available from the Archives for $3 each. For deaths from 1841 through 1855, the records may appear under both Salem and Peabody depending on the specific timing of each entry.
For Peabody deaths after 1926, the RVRS at 150 Mount Vernon Street in Dorchester is the statewide source. Phone: 617-740-2600, email: vital.recordsrequest@mass.gov. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:45 AM to 4:45 PM. These records require a formal certified copy request and are not available for free online browsing.
Note: Records from the transitional period around 1855 when Peabody separated from Salem may appear in either or both town's records, so searching both is advisable for deaths close to that date.
Peabody Historical Death Records
Peabody's death records begin in 1752, reflecting the early settlement of the area as part of Salem. The community was known as South Danvers before being renamed Peabody in 1868 in honor of merchant and philanthropist George Peabody. Records from 1752 through 1855 were maintained under Salem. Independent Peabody records begin with the town's separation from Salem in 1855.
The Peabody Institute Library at 82 Main Street maintains a local history collection with resources relevant to Peabody genealogical research. The library holds city directories, town reports, and newspaper archives that can supplement official death records. Staff there can help you navigate the available materials for both the Salem era and the independent Peabody period.
The Essex South Registry of Deeds at 45 Congress Street in Salem handles land records for Peabody. Deed transfers and related records often reference deaths and can help confirm dates and surviving heirs, particularly for properties passed through estates. The Essex Probate and Family Court at 36 Federal Street in Salem handles probate matters for Essex County, including Peabody residents.
For the earliest Peabody-area deaths before 1841, the State Archives in Boston holds physical records. For deaths from 1841 through 1925, the Archives holds the official state copy. The RVRS in Dorchester maintains records from 1926 forward.
Note: Searching under "South Danvers" as well as "Peabody" in genealogical databases may surface additional records for the period between 1855 and 1868 when the town used both names.
What Peabody Death Certificates Contain
A Peabody death certificate follows the standard Massachusetts form. It records the decedent's full legal name, date of birth, date of death, and the specific address in Peabody where the death occurred. Cause of death is recorded as certified by the attending physician or medical examiner.
The form captures manner of death (natural, accident, homicide, or suicide), the decedent's occupation, Social Security number, and both parents' names with the mother's maiden name listed separately. The funeral home name, body disposition method (burial, cremation, or other), and the certifying physician's name and license number are all required.
Under MGL Chapter 46, Section 9, death records are public in Massachusetts. Any adult may request them. Section 12 of that chapter governs how certified copies are issued and the fees that may be charged. Physicians and medical examiners must file the certificate within 24 hours of death under the requirements in Section 2A. Section 13 covers the formal amendment process for correcting errors on a filed death certificate.
Getting a Certified Copy in Peabody
Three official sources can provide a certified Peabody death certificate. The right choice depends on when the death occurred.
The Peabody City Clerk at 24 Lowell Street is the best local source for any death registered in Peabody. Call (978) 538-5690 before visiting to confirm the record exists. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. In-person requests are typically processed the same day.
The RVRS at 150 Mount Vernon Street in Dorchester holds records from 1926 forward. In-person copies cost $20, mail requests are $32, and VitalChek online orders start at $54 for the first copy. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:45 AM to 4:45 PM. Phone is 617-740-2600 and email is vital.recordsrequest@mass.gov.
The State Archives at 220 Morrissey Boulevard in Boston holds records from 1841 through 1925. Certified copies cost $3 each. Free digital images are available online for 1841 through 1924. Contact the Archives at 617-727-2816 for records that may not be in the digital collection. The state ordering page provides links to all official options.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities near Peabody in Essex County and northeastern Massachusetts include the following.
Essex County Death Records
Peabody is located in Essex County. The county page covers the Essex Probate and Family Court, courthouse locations, and death records across the full county.