STEPS TO GET FREE BIRTH CERTIFICATES FOR MASSHEALTH APPLICATIONSTracey A.L. Ingle, Esq., of Garrahan, Barbieri & Garrahan, P.C., reports that obtaining certified copies of birth certificates to be used for MassHealth eligibility without paying a fee is only available through the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, and not through town clerks offices. Clerks offices will still charge regular fee. Further, the fee will only be waived for in-person and by-mail requests. Requests made by telephone or fax still require a fee. At the Registry: The Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, which is located at 150 Mt. Vernon Street, 1st Floor, Dorchester, MA 02125, is open to the public Monday through Friday, 8:45 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. The applicant must present a letter stating the intended use of the birth certificate for MassHealth eligibility for the fee to be waived. By Mail: Provide the information requested on the Mail Order Form (PDF) and mail your request along with a letter stating the intended use of the birth certificate for Medicaid eligibility, to the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (address above.) Be sure to enclose a business-size, self-addressed return envelope. Orders are normally processed within 20-30 business days of receipt. Orders by phone or fax will carry the usual fee. $42.50 for a certified copy from the Registry, and $37.00 for each additional copy of the same record. Orders will be processed within seven to ten business days of receipt. For an additional $13.00, your order can be shipped Federal Express Overnight or for an additional charge of $9.50, your order can be shipped Federal Express 2nd day air.-Adapted From: News from Margolis & Associates, Harry S. Margolis, October 29, 2007.By Phone: Certified copies of records may be ordered by telephone using a major credit card by calling: (617) 740-2606.
By Fax: Certified copies of records may be ordered by FAX using a major credit card by faxing the FAX Order Form to 1-866-881-9699.
10/07