Massachusetts § 12 - Certified copies of birth certificates and death records; transmission to parents or next of kin; exceptions

Full text of Massachusetts Massachusetts General Laws § 12 — Certified copies of birth certificates and death records; transmission to parents or next of kin; exceptions, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 12. Certified copies of birth certificates and death records; transmission to parents or next of kin; exceptions

Section 12. Except as hereinafter provided, the clerk of a city or town shall forthwith make a certified copy of the record of each birth and death recorded during the preceding month, if the parents of the child born were at the time of said birth residents of any other city or town in the commonwealth, or if the deceased at the time of his death was a resident of any other city or town aforesaid or was a war veteran and was buried in any other city or town aforesaid, and transmit such certified copy to the clerk of the city or town where such parents or deceased person were so resident, setting forth the name of the street and number of the house, if any, where such parents or deceased person so resided and, in the case of a deceased war veteran as aforesaid, to the clerk of the city or town where he was buried, setting forth the cemetery or other place of burial. No birth record of a child born out of wedlock or of a child of abnormal sex shall be so transmitted to any other city or town except with the written authorization of the natural mother at the time of the birth.

Source: official Massachusetts text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts § 12

What does Massachusetts General Laws § 12 cover?

Section 12 ("Certified copies of birth certificates and death records; transmission to parents or next of kin; exceptions") is part of the Massachusetts General Laws, the codified statutory law of Massachusetts. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Massachusetts § 12?

A common citation format is "Massachusetts General Laws § 12" (Massachusetts). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Massachusetts law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Massachusetts official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney.

How does Massachusetts § 12 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Massachusetts can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Massachusetts.