Marriage records in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, are maintained at the municipal level by individual city and town clerks rather than a single county office. BerkshireCourt.us can help you find publicly available marriage record information for Berkshire County. You can also access marriage records through the city or town clerk where the marriage was recorded, in person at the local clerk's office, or by mail. The Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS) serves as the state-level repository for marriage records as well.
Berkshire County Marriage Records Search
In Massachusetts, marriage records are filed and maintained by the clerk of the city or town where the marriage intention was filed and the license was issued. Berkshire County does not have a single county recorder or county clerk that handles vital records — instead, each municipality manages its own records. For example, marriages that took place in Pittsfield are on file with the City of Pittsfield City Clerk's office. Marriages in Dalton are held by the Town of Dalton Town Clerk, and marriages in Williamstown are maintained by the Town of Williamstown Town Clerk.
Each local clerk's collection typically includes:
- Marriage intentions (applications) filed with the clerk
- Marriage licenses issued
- Marriage certificates returned after the ceremony
- Historical marriage records dating back, in many cases, to the town's founding
The Massachusetts RVRS also holds statewide copies of marriage records. Records older than 50 years are generally considered open to the public, while more recent records may have access restrictions under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 46.
Because each town operates independently, contact the specific town clerk where the marriage took place for the most accurate information. Below is the contact information for the Pittsfield City Clerk, which serves the county seat:
Pittsfield City Clerk
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Berkshire County
Fees for certified copies of marriage records in Massachusetts are set by state statute (M.G.L. Chapter 262, Section 34). Municipal clerks charge the following standard fees:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of a marriage record (from city/town clerk) | $10 |
| Each additional copy (same record, same order) | $10 |
| Certified copy from Massachusetts RVRS | $20 |
| Each additional RVRS copy (same record, same order) | $20 |
Processing times vary by municipality. In-person requests at a local clerk's office are often fulfilled the same day if the record is readily available. Mail requests typically take one to two weeks. Orders placed through the state RVRS may take several weeks depending on volume.
Some towns may accept only specific payment methods — check or money order is common for mail requests. Confirm accepted payment types with the issuing clerk before submitting your request.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Berkshire County
There are several ways to obtain a marriage certificate from Berkshire County municipalities:
Online
The Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics offers an online ordering system through its website. You can order certified copies of marriage records from the state repository. Some individual Berkshire County towns may also offer online request options through their own websites — check with the specific town clerk.
In Person
Visit the city or town clerk's office where the marriage was recorded. Walk-in requests are generally accepted during regular business hours. You will need to:
- Provide the full names of both spouses
- Provide the approximate date of the marriage
- Present a valid government-issued photo ID
- Pay the $10 fee per certified copy
For Pittsfield residents, visit the City Clerk at Pittsfield City Hall, 70 Allen Street. For marriages in other Berkshire County towns such as Dalton or Williamstown, contact the respective town clerk directly.
By Mail
To request a marriage certificate by mail, send the following to the appropriate city or town clerk:
- A written request including the full names of both spouses, the date of marriage, and the purpose of the request
- A copy of your government-issued photo ID
- A check or money order for $10 per copy, payable to the city or town
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
For state-level requests, mail your order to:
Include a check or money order for $20 per copy payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Allow several weeks for processing through the state office. If you are unsure which town holds the record, the RVRS can search statewide records for marriages that occurred in Massachusetts.