Taunton Death Records Search
Taunton death records extend back to 1639, making this Bristol County city one of the oldest continuously recorded municipalities in Massachusetts. The Taunton Death Index covers records held by the City Clerk, the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, and the State Archives. As the county seat of Bristol County, Taunton also has county-level court resources that can supplement death record research. This page covers every method and source for accessing Taunton death records.
Taunton Overview
Taunton City Clerk - Death Records
The Taunton City Clerk's Office at 15 Summer Street manages death records for all deaths registered in Taunton. The current City Clerk is Jennifer L. Leger. Records go back to 1639, reflecting Taunton's status as one of the oldest towns in Massachusetts. Walk-in requests are accepted during regular business hours. Staff can search the index before you submit a formal request.
| Address | 15 Summer Street, Taunton, MA 02780 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 508-821-1024 |
| Fax | 508-821-1202 |
| pbergevin@taunton-ma.gov | |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
Taunton is the county seat of Bristol County, which means the city also hosts the Bristol County Probate and Family Court and the Bristol County Registry of Deeds (Northern District). These nearby resources can supplement death records for research involving estates, wills, and land transfers tied to deceased Taunton residents.
The RVRS ordering portal provides a statewide option for requesting Taunton death certificates from 1926 onward. The following screenshot shows the state's vital records ordering page, which covers the procedures, fees, and identification requirements for ordering a Taunton death record through the state system.
Use the state's vital records ordering page to begin a request for a Taunton death certificate through the RVRS system.
The ordering page walks through the in-person, mail, and online options and explains what documentation you need to include with each type of request.
Note: Taunton is the county seat, so the Bristol County Probate and Family Court at 40 Broadway Street, Suite 240, Taunton, MA 02780 is nearby and may hold estate records relevant to historical Taunton deaths.
How to Request a Taunton Death Certificate
Taunton offers in-person, mail, and online request options. Each has different costs and processing times. Here is what each method requires and what to expect.
In Person: Visit the City Clerk at 15 Summer Street during regular hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM). Present a valid photo ID and complete the request form. Pay the fee and pick up the certified certificate at the counter. Most in-person requests are fulfilled the same day.
By Mail: Send a written request to the Taunton City Clerk, 15 Summer Street, Taunton, MA 02780. Include the deceased person's full legal name, date of death, number of copies, your return address, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and payment. You can also email pbergevin@taunton-ma.gov with questions about the mail process before sending your request.
Online (RVRS/VitalChek): Deaths from 1926 to the present can be ordered through the RVRS at 150 Mount Vernon Street in Dorchester. VitalChek online orders cost $54 for the first copy. In-person at RVRS costs $20, and mail requests cost $32. All certificates are mailed to you, not sent electronically.
Under MGL Chapter 46, Section 9, Taunton death records are public documents available to any adult. Certified copies issued under Section 12 carry legal authority for estate and court proceedings. The attending physician or medical examiner must file the certificate within 24 hours of death.
Searching Taunton Death Records Online
Free online access covers a large portion of Taunton's historical death records. The range of what you can find without paying depends on when the death occurred.
FamilySearch provides free access to many digitized Massachusetts vital records. Their Massachusetts Vital Records guide explains the available collections and how to search by name. Taunton's early records from the 1800s are well represented in this database. Searching by name and narrowing by location is the most effective approach.
The Massachusetts State Archives offers free digital images for deaths from 1841 through 1924 at the vital records collection page. You can browse Taunton entries by year and view scanned originals at no cost. Certified copies of those records cost $3 each from the Archives if you need an official document.
For Taunton deaths before 1841, records stretch back to 1639. These early records are held by the city clerk's office and may also appear in the printed Tan Books series covering Taunton's early vital records. The Taunton Public Library at 12 Pleasant Street has a genealogy collection that includes these published transcriptions.
Note: For Taunton deaths from 1926 to the present that are not yet in the RVRS system, the city clerk's office is the only source, since RVRS requires some time before new records are entered into the statewide database.
Taunton Historical Death Records
Taunton was founded in 1639 and incorporated as a city in 1864. Death records from 1639 onward survive in varying degrees of completeness. The earliest entries are manuscript records, often with inconsistent spelling and limited biographical detail. Still, the sheer depth of the collection makes Taunton a key resource for genealogists tracing southeastern Massachusetts family lines.
As the county seat of Bristol County, Taunton has long been a regional administrative center. The Bristol County Registry of Deeds Northern District at 11 Court Street in Taunton holds land records that often reference deaths, especially in deed transfers after an owner's death. These records can help establish death dates and surviving heirs when official death certificates are incomplete.
The Bristol County Probate and Family Court at 40 Broadway Street, Suite 240, Taunton, MA 02780 handles probate matters for the northern Bristol County area. Phone is (508) 977-6040. Probate files from this court often name the deceased, list the date of death, and identify surviving family members, making them a valuable supplement to official death records.
The Taunton Public Library at 12 Pleasant Street has a local history room with relevant genealogical materials, including published town histories, newspaper archives, and early vital records transcriptions. The library is a good starting point for historical research into Taunton deaths that predate the State Archives collection.
Note: Taunton's colonial-era records from the 1600s and 1700s may use non-standard spelling and date formats consistent with Old Style calendar conventions used before 1752 in colonial Massachusetts.
What Taunton Death Certificates Contain
All Massachusetts death certificates follow a standardized state form. A Taunton death certificate includes the deceased person's full legal name, date of birth, date of death, and the specific Taunton address where death occurred. Cause of death is recorded as certified by the attending physician or the medical examiner.
The form also captures manner of death (natural, accident, homicide, or suicide), the decedent's occupation, Social Security number, and both parents' names including the mother's maiden name. The funeral home name and address, body disposition method (burial, cremation, or other), and the certifying physician's name and license number are all required fields.
Under MGL Chapter 46, Section 9, Taunton death certificates are public records accessible to any adult. Section 12 of the same chapter governs how certified copies are issued. Section 2A establishes the registration requirement that all deaths in Massachusetts be filed within 24 hours with the local city or town clerk. Section 13 covers the amendment process for corrections to vital records.
Getting a Certified Copy in Taunton
Three official sources can provide a certified Taunton death certificate. The right source depends on when the death was registered.
The Taunton City Clerk at 15 Summer Street is the local source for any death registered in Taunton. Call 508-821-1024 before visiting to confirm the record is on file. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. For questions by email, use pbergevin@taunton-ma.gov.
The RVRS at 150 Mount Vernon Street in Dorchester holds records from 1926 to the present. In-person copies cost $20, mail requests are $32, and VitalChek online orders are $54 for the first copy. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:45 AM to 4:45 PM. Phone is 617-740-2600.
The State Archives at 220 Morrissey Boulevard in Boston holds records from 1841 through 1925. Certified copies are $3 each. Free digital images are available online for 1841 through 1924. For deaths before 1841 (which is a large portion of Taunton's earliest records), contact the Archives at 617-727-2816. The state ordering page connects all these options.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities near Taunton in southeastern Massachusetts include the following.
Bristol County Death Records
Taunton is the county seat of Bristol County. The county page covers probate records, court locations, and death records for all Bristol County cities and towns.