Find Death Records in Weymouth
Weymouth is one of the oldest continuously settled communities in Massachusetts, incorporated in 1635, and the Weymouth Death Index reflects that long history. Death records here go back nearly four centuries and are maintained by the Town Clerk's Office, the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, and the State Archives. Whether you need a certified copy for a recent death or are searching for an ancestor who died in Weymouth generations ago, this page covers all your options.
Weymouth Overview
Weymouth Town Clerk - Death Records
The Weymouth Town Clerk's Office at Town Hall, 75 Middle Street, is the primary local source for Weymouth death records. The current Town Clerk is Kathleen A. Deree. The office maintains death certificates for all deaths registered in Weymouth from 1635 to the present. Walk-in visits are welcome during business hours, and no appointment is needed for a death record request.
| Address | Weymouth Town Hall, 75 Middle Street, Weymouth, MA 02189 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (781) 340-5012 |
| Town Clerk | Kathleen A. Deree |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
The clerk's office processes most in-person requests at the counter on the same day. Staff can search the index for a record before you pay any fee. For older records going back several centuries, staff may need additional time to locate the entry, but they can usually confirm whether it exists on a first visit.
The Massachusetts State Archives provides free digital images of Weymouth death records from 1841 through 1924. The following screenshot shows the State Archives vital records collection page, where you can browse by town and year at no cost.
The Massachusetts State Archives vital records collection is the best free starting point for Weymouth deaths from 1841 to 1924.
The RVRS page details how to order Weymouth death records from the statewide system, including current fees and accepted forms of identification.
Note: Weymouth is a town, not a city, despite its substantial population, so official records and correspondence use the designation Town of Weymouth.
How to Request a Weymouth Death Certificate
Weymouth death certificates are available through three main channels: the town clerk's office, the state RVRS system, or the State Archives for older records. Here is what each path involves.
In Person: Visit the Town Clerk's Office at Weymouth Town Hall, 75 Middle Street. Complete a request form, show a valid photo ID, and pay the fee. In-person requests are typically fulfilled the same day. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
By Mail: Write a request to Weymouth Town Clerk, 75 Middle Street, Weymouth, MA 02189. Include the full legal name of the deceased, 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): The RVRS holds Weymouth deaths from 1926 forward. Order in person at 150 Mount Vernon Street in Dorchester ($20 per copy), by mail ($32), or online through VitalChek ($54 for the first copy). Use the state ordering page to start an online request. Copies are mailed, not emailed.
Weymouth death records are public under MGL Chapter 46, Section 9. Any adult may request them without needing to show a family relationship. Certified copies under Section 12 are legally valid for estate proceedings, insurance claims, and court matters.
Searching Weymouth Death Records Online
Free databases cover a wide range of Weymouth deaths without requiring a formal request or any payment. The right source depends on when the person died.
FamilySearch offers free access to digitized Massachusetts vital records through their Massachusetts Vital Records guide. Many Weymouth deaths from the 1800s are indexed and searchable by name. A free account lets you view scanned images of the original records, not just index entries.
The State Archives at 220 Morrissey Boulevard in Boston provides free digital images for deaths from 1841 through 1924 at the vital records collection page. You can browse by town and year. For deaths between 1841 and 1925, certified copies are available from the Archives at $3 each.
For Weymouth deaths before 1841, the records stretch back to the town's founding in 1635. These early records are held by the town clerk's office and may also appear in the Tan Books published volumes covering early Weymouth vital records. The Weymouth Public Library at 46 Broad Street has a local history collection with town reports, newspaper records, and other relevant materials.
Note: Weymouth deaths from 1635 to 1840 are particularly valuable for genealogical research into early colonial Massachusetts families and are not available through RVRS or most online databases.
Weymouth Historical Death Records
Weymouth was incorporated in 1635, making it one of the earliest permanent settlements in Massachusetts. The town's death records reflect nearly 400 years of local history. Few communities in the state have a comparable depth of locally maintained vital records. The earliest entries are handwritten manuscripts in town ledgers, and completeness varies across different eras.
The Tan Books series includes published Weymouth vital records through approximately 1850. These printed volumes transcribe and index early deaths by surname. Copies are held at the Weymouth Public Library, the State Archives, and many regional genealogical libraries. They make it possible to search early Weymouth deaths without examining original manuscripts page by page.
Norfolk County Probate and Family Court at 35 Shawmut Road in Canton, MA 02021 handles probate matters for Weymouth residents. Phone is (781) 830-1700. Probate records from this court often name the deceased, the date of death, surviving family members, and the estate inventory, all of which can supplement or confirm an official death certificate. For very early Weymouth deaths tied to significant estates, probate records can be more informative than the death certificate alone.
For deaths from 1841 through 1925, the State Archives in Boston is the official state source. For deaths from 1926 forward, RVRS in Dorchester holds the statewide copy. For pre-1841 deaths, the town clerk's office and the Weymouth Public Library are the best starting points.
Note: Weymouth's 17th-century death records may use Old Style calendar conventions, where the new year began on March 25 rather than January 1, which can affect date interpretation in genealogical research.
What Weymouth Death Certificates Contain
Massachusetts death certificates are standardized statewide. A Weymouth certificate records the decedent's full legal name, date of birth, date of death, and the specific address in Weymouth where death occurred. The cause of death is listed as certified by the attending physician or medical examiner.
The form captures manner of death (natural, accident, homicide, or suicide), occupation, Social Security number, and parents' names including the mother's maiden name. The funeral home name, body disposition method, and certifying physician's information are also required fields on every Massachusetts death certificate.
Under MGL Chapter 46, Section 9, death records are public in Massachusetts. Any adult may obtain a copy. Section 12 sets the rules for issuing certified copies and permitted fees. Section 2A establishes the statewide registration requirement that every death must be filed with the local clerk within 24 hours. Death certificates from Weymouth carry the same legal authority as any other Massachusetts certified copy.
Getting a Certified Copy in Weymouth
There are three official ways to get a certified Weymouth death certificate. The right source depends on when the death occurred.
The Weymouth Town Clerk at 75 Middle Street is the best local source for any death registered in Weymouth. Call (781) 340-5012 before visiting to confirm the record is on file. Office 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 handles records from 1926 to the present. In-person copies are $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 holds records from 1841 through 1925. Certified copies cost $3 each, and free digital images are available online for 1841 through 1924. For deaths before 1841, contact the Archives at 617-727-2816 or archives@sec.state.ma.us. The state ordering page covers all official options.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities near Weymouth in Norfolk and Plymouth counties include the following.
Norfolk County Death Records
Weymouth is located in Norfolk County. The county page covers probate records, courthouse locations, and death records across all Norfolk County towns.