Plymouth Death Records Lookup
Plymouth holds some of the oldest death records in the country, reaching back to the Plymouth Colony era of the 1620s. The Plymouth Death Index draws from the town clerk's office, the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, the State Archives, and historical collections at Pilgrim Hall Museum and Plymouth Public Library. Whether you need a certified copy for a recent death or are tracing colonial ancestry, this guide covers every source and how to access it.
Plymouth Overview
Plymouth Town Clerk - Death Records
The Plymouth Town Clerk's Office at 11 Lincoln Street handles all locally maintained death records. Plymouth is the county seat of Plymouth County, and the clerk's office holds a deep collection that extends back several centuries. Staff can assist with requests ranging from recent deaths to historical genealogical searches. Walk-in visits are welcome during regular business hours with no appointment needed.
| Address | 11 Lincoln Street, Plymouth, MA 02360 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (508) 747-1620 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
Plymouth town and Plymouth County share a name, which can cause some confusion. The town clerk handles deaths registered in Plymouth town itself. Deaths in other Plymouth County towns (such as Brockton or Taunton) are filed with those towns' clerks, not the Plymouth town clerk.
The RVRS serves as the statewide repository for Massachusetts death records from 1926 forward. The following screenshot shows the RVRS main page, which lists all options for ordering death records statewide, including in-person, mail, and VitalChek online ordering.
Visit the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics for detailed instructions on how to request a Plymouth death certificate through the state system.
The RVRS page covers fees, acceptable forms of ID, and what information to include with your death record request.
Note: Plymouth is both a town name and a county name, so always specify "Town of Plymouth" when contacting the clerk to avoid confusion with county-level offices.
How to Request a Plymouth Death Certificate
You can get a Plymouth death certificate in person, by mail, or online through the state's ordering system. Which path you choose affects the cost and how quickly you receive the certificate.
In Person: Go to the Plymouth Town Clerk's Office at 11 Lincoln Street. Fill out a request form at the counter, present a valid photo ID, and pay the fee. Most in-person requests are processed the same day. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
By Mail: Send a written request to Plymouth Town Clerk, 11 Lincoln Street, Plymouth, MA 02360. Include the deceased person's full name, date of death, the number of copies you want, your return address, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and payment. Processing by mail takes longer than in-person visits.
Online (State System): Deaths from 1926 through the present are available through the state's official ordering portal. The RVRS at 150 Mount Vernon Street in Dorchester charges $20 per copy in person, $32 by mail, and $54 for the first copy through VitalChek. All copies are mailed, not delivered electronically.
For any request, you will need the deceased person's full legal name and an approximate date of death. Massachusetts law under MGL Chapter 46, Section 9 classifies death certificates as public records, so any adult can request them without needing to state a specific reason.
Searching Plymouth Death Records Online
Plymouth's deep historical record set makes it an especially rich source for online genealogical research. Several free platforms cover different time periods, and together they span most of Plymouth's recorded history.
FamilySearch provides free access to digitized Massachusetts vital records, including many Plymouth entries. Their Massachusetts Vital Records wiki page explains the collections and how to navigate them. Many Plymouth deaths from the 1800s and early 1900s are indexed by name and searchable online.
The Massachusetts State Archives offers free digital images of death records from 1841 through 1924 at the vital records collection page. You can browse Plymouth entries by year at no cost. Certified copies of these same records are available from the Archives for $3 each.
The following screenshot shows the State Archives vital records collection page, where the free image browsing feature is described and linked.
The State Archives vital records page is the best starting point for free Plymouth death records from 1841 to 1924.
After reviewing the digital images, you can request a certified copy from the Archives for $3 if you need an official document.
Plymouth Historical Death Records
Plymouth's death records are among the most historically significant in the United States. The town served as the seat of Plymouth Colony from 1620, and records from that early period document the original Pilgrim settlers and their descendants. Very few American communities have a comparable record depth.
Pilgrim Hall Museum at 75 Court Street in Plymouth holds a major collection of documents, books, and artifacts related to the Mayflower passengers and Plymouth Colony settlers. Their archives include records relevant to early Plymouth deaths and genealogical research. Mayflower descendant organizations also maintain detailed records for families tracing their lines to the original colonists.
The Plymouth Public Library has a genealogy and local history collection that includes town reports, newspaper archives, and other materials that supplement official death records. Staff there are familiar with historical Plymouth research and can point you toward relevant resources.
For deaths between 1841 and 1925, the State Archives in Boston holds official records. For deaths before 1841, the State Archives may have physical records, and the Plymouth clerk's office holds the earliest local documentation. The Plymouth County Registry of Deeds at 50 Obery Street in Plymouth holds property records that often reference deaths and can help confirm dates for genealogical research.
Note: Plymouth County Probate Court has a Brockton location at 72 Belmont Street, where probate files may contain additional detail about deaths registered in Plymouth.
What Plymouth Death Certificates Contain
All Massachusetts death certificates use a standardized state form. A Plymouth death certificate includes the decedent's full legal name, date of birth, date of death, and the exact address where death occurred. The certificate also lists the cause of death and the manner of death.
The manner of death field uses one of four categories: natural, accident, homicide, or suicide. Additional fields capture the decedent's occupation, Social Security number, and the names of both parents including the mother's maiden name. The certificate also names the funeral home, the method of body disposition, and the name and license number of the certifying physician or medical examiner.
Under MGL Chapter 46, Section 9, death records are public documents accessible to any adult. The physician or medical examiner must file the certificate within 24 hours of the death. Certified copies issued under Section 12 carry full legal weight for estate proceedings, insurance claims, and government filings. Section 2A covers registration requirements for deaths occurring in Massachusetts.
Note: Cause of death information on a Plymouth death certificate is determined by the attending physician or medical examiner, not the family, and cannot be changed without medical documentation.
Getting a Certified Copy in Plymouth
Plymouth offers multiple certified copy options depending on when the death occurred. For deaths registered locally in recent decades, the town clerk is the fastest source. For older records, the RVRS or State Archives may hold the copy you need.
The Plymouth Town Clerk at 11 Lincoln Street is the best starting point for deaths registered in Plymouth. Call (508) 747-1620 to ask about a specific record before visiting. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
The RVRS at 150 Mount Vernon Street in Dorchester handles records from 1926 to the present. Copies cost $20 in person, $32 by mail, and $54 through VitalChek online. RVRS 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 holds records from 1841 through 1925. Certified copies are $3 each, and free digital images cover 1841 through 1924. For deaths before 1841, contact the Archives directly at 617-727-2816 to determine what is available. The state ordering page links to all official options in one place.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities near Plymouth in southeastern Massachusetts include the following.
Plymouth County Death Records
Plymouth town is the county seat of Plymouth County. The county page covers probate records, court locations, and records for all towns in the county.