Access Nantucket County Death Records
Nantucket County death records are all held at one location because Nantucket is the only consolidated town-county in Massachusetts, meaning the town government and county government are the same entity. All death certificates, land records, and court records come from 16 Broad Street in Nantucket, which makes this county simpler to navigate than most others in the state.
Nantucket County Overview
How to Get Nantucket Death Records
Nantucket County is unique in Massachusetts. It is the only place in the state where the town and county are fully consolidated. The Town of Nantucket and the County of Nantucket are the same governmental entity. Every record type, including death certificates, land records, and probate records, is held at 16 Broad Street in Nantucket. You do not need to figure out which town office or which county office to contact. There is only one address for all of it.
The Nantucket Town Clerk handles vital records including death certificates. The office is at 16 Broad Street, Nantucket, MA 02554. Phone: 508-228-7216. Fax: 508-325-5313. Email: townclerk@nantucket-ma.gov. The official vital records page is at nantucket-ma.gov. That page has current hours, fee information, and details on how to submit requests.
| Office | Nantucket Town Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 16 Broad Street, Nantucket, MA 02554 |
| Phone | 508-228-7216 |
| Fax | 508-325-5313 |
| townclerk@nantucket-ma.gov | |
| Fee | $15.00 per certified copy |
| Online | Payment via Unipay available |
You can request in person at 16 Broad Street. By mail, send a check for $16 (the extra dollar covers mailing costs) payable to Town Clerk, 16 Broad Street, Nantucket, MA 02554. Online payment is available through Unipay. You will need the name of the deceased, the date of death, and a valid form of ID regardless of which method you use.
Note: Nantucket is the only consolidated town-county in Massachusetts. All town and county functions, including vital records, are handled at the single government building at 16 Broad Street. There is no separate county clerk office or separate county vital records department.
Nantucket Death Certificates: State-Level Options
In addition to the local Town Clerk, the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS) holds Nantucket death records from 1926 to the present. The RVRS is a useful alternative if you are on the mainland and can't easily reach the island office. They are at 150 Mount Vernon St, 1st Floor, Dorchester, MA 02125. Phone: (617) 740-2600. Email: vital.recordsrequest@state.ma.us.
Walk-in service at the RVRS in Dorchester is available Monday through Friday, 8:45 AM to 4:45 PM. In-person copies cost $20 per certificate and are usually ready the same day. Mail requests cost $32. Online orders through VitalChek start at $54 for the first copy, with additional copies at $42 each. That total includes VitalChek's service charge. The full state ordering guide explains every method in detail.
For records before 1926 that are not held locally, the Massachusetts Archives at 220 Morrissey Blvd in Boston holds Nantucket death records from 1841 through 1930. Free digital images from 1841 to 1925 are available online through FamilySearch. Certified copies from the Archives cost $3 each and take 4 to 6 weeks.
The state death certificate page covers eligibility requirements and what to include with your request.
Nantucket County Registry and Land Records
The Nantucket County Registry of Deeds is also at 16 Broad Street, phone 508-228-7250, fax 508-325-5331. The Registry holds land records dating back to 1659, making it one of the oldest continuous land record collections in the United States. The grantor index begins in 1659. These land records are relevant in estate work, particularly when a death involves property on the island.
Land records can be viewed online through masslandrecords.com. Online access is free to view. Copies cost $1.00 per page if you need printed records. The Registry is a distinct function from the Town Clerk, but both operate out of the same building.
The screenshot below shows the Nantucket land records portal, which covers the Registry of Deeds records at 16 Broad Street.
The Nantucket Registry records extend back to 1659 and can be accessed through masslandrecords.com.
This portal provides online access to Nantucket land records, useful for estate research tied to Nantucket County deaths.
Note: The Nantucket County Registry of Deeds grantor index begins in 1659, predating even the county's official formation date of 1695. These records represent some of the oldest continuous land ownership documentation in New England.
What Nantucket County Death Records Show
Nantucket death certificates follow the same standard format used across all of Massachusetts. Every certificate lists the full name of the deceased, date of death, place of death, age, and sex. Cause and manner of death are recorded as provided by the attending physician or medical examiner. Whether an autopsy was conducted is also noted.
Other standard fields include birthplace, occupation, residence at time of death, and parent names. Spouse name appears when applicable. The funeral director's information and the town registrar's signature are part of the completed record. MGL Chapter 46, Section 9 sets out what must appear on every Massachusetts death certificate. The full list of Chapter 46 laws is at the Massachusetts General Laws page.
Historical Nantucket County Death Records
Nantucket has exceptionally deep historical records compared to most Massachusetts counties. The Registry of Deeds holds land records from 1659. The Nantucket Probate and Family Court, also at 16 Broad Street (phone 508-228-2669), holds probate records from 1706 and court records from 1721. These are among the oldest continuously maintained records in New England.
For death records specifically, the Massachusetts Archives holds records from 1841 through 1930. Free digital access to records from 1841 to 1925 is available through FamilySearch. Certified copies from the Archives are $3 each. The Archives are at 220 Morrissey Blvd, Boston, phone 617-727-2816.
The Nantucket Historical Association holds extensive island records going back to the colonial era, including church registers, Quaker meeting records, and family documents. For research on Nantucket families before the official vital records system, the Historical Association's collections can fill in many gaps. The New England Historic Genealogical Society at American Ancestors also maintains strong Nantucket holdings given the island's prominent role in New England whaling history.
Death Records Access and Law in Nantucket County
Nantucket death records are public records under Massachusetts law. MGL Chapter 46, Section 2A makes all Massachusetts vital records open to public inspection. No family relationship or legal purpose is needed to request a copy. That applies whether you are requesting from the Nantucket Town Clerk or from the RVRS.
Amendments to Nantucket death records are governed by MGL Chapter 46, Section 13. Since the town and county are consolidated, all amendment requests go to the Nantucket Town Clerk at 16 Broad Street. Supporting documentation is typically required for corrections. The RVRS handles amendments for records held at the state level.
As an island county, getting here in person requires a ferry from the mainland or a short flight. For most records requests, mail and online methods save time and cost. The local fee of $15 per copy is among the lower fees in Massachusetts. The state RVRS fee of $20 in person or $32 by mail is an alternative for the same records from 1926 onward.
Communities in Nantucket County
Nantucket County and the Town of Nantucket are the same entity. There is one community, Nantucket, which serves as both the town and the county. It does not reach the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. For all death records in Nantucket County, contact the Nantucket Town Clerk at 16 Broad Street or use the state RVRS options described above.
Nearby Massachusetts Counties
- Barnstable County (closest mainland county, accessible by ferry)
- Dukes County (Martha's Vineyard, separate island)