Nantucket is an island county off the south-eastern coast of Massachusetts, and its the smallest county both by population and actual size for the state. It was officially formed as a county in 1695. This creates quite a long time period from which to draw Nantucket County public records.

The very oldest records, starting in 1695 until 1841 are still kept at the county level. These will need to be ordered through the county clerk's office located in Nantucket (the city). Some records are even only found at the local town clerk's office, but getting in touch with the county office is the first step.

After 1841 but only until 1921, you will find all Nantucket County public records housed at the State Archives. They are in Boston and its a public facility where you can do all the research you wish, both in person and online. Once you locate the records you want online, they will do limited photocopying and mailing if you cannot get to the Archives yourself. They don't generally do research for you though.

Then for all recent records after 1921 right up until today, you will have to make your request to the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics in Dorchester. They manage all current Nantucket County public records, and you can put in an application either by mail or at their customer service counter in person.

For mailing in your requests, you can get the forms from the Office of Health and Human Services website. There is one form for all types of vital records, just make sure you are filling out the proper sections.

Nantucket County Birth Records

Anyone can make a request for a copy of a Nantucket County birth record, regardless of your relationship to the person on the record. There are no privacy restrictions in Massachusetts. The cost for each copy is $28 if you make your request through the mail, but it will only be $18 for an in-person records application at the counter. These costs only apply if you are getting your records from one of the government offices. State Archive records are free.

Nantucket County Death Records

All of the same fees apply to Nantucket County death records as just listed above. There are also no privacy or time restrictions on getting copies of these documents, so you can request any one that you'd like.

Nantucket County Marriage Records

Nantucket County marriage records are managed the same way as the other vital records, so you can place a request for any record you wish. The cost is also $28 or $18 for these documents, depending on how you apply for them.

Nantucket County Criminal Records

This is where it changes. Getting a Nantucket County criminal record means sending an application to the state Department of Criminal Justice Information Services in Chelsea. These records are not maintained by the county. Each copy will cost you $30 (even for your own background files), and only certain other files are permitted. Criminal records are considered public domain only in some cases, based on the crime, sentencing and parole status.