Important Announcements

Nondiscrimination Policy Update

Boston Medical Center Health System complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency and primary language), religion, culture, physical or mental disabilities, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity and/or expression. BMCHS provides free aids and services to people with disabilities and free language services to people whose primary language is not English.

To read our full Nondiscrimination Statement, click here.

Birth Registrar Unit

Welcome to the Birth Registrar Unit at BMC! Our dedicated team is here to help you with the legal documentation for your newborn, ensuring a smooth and informed experience during this special time. From birth certificate processing to Social Security card applications, we are committed to handling all documentation with care and efficiency.

Contact information and hours

  • Address: 850 Harrison Avenue - Yawkey Building Basement, Boston, MA 02118
  • Phone: 617.414.4213
  • Hours: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Interpreter Services: For Interpreter Services or any other interpretation assistance, please call 617.414.5549.

Our team is available during these hours to help with any questions or concerns you may have about the birth certificate or Social Security card process. We aim to provide support and clear guidance throughout the entire process, ensuring that your child's legal documentation is completed correctly and in the shortest time possible.

Parent worksheet for certificate of live birth

Upon the birth of your child at Boston Medical Center, our birth registrar will give you a packet with a parent worksheet for certificate of live birth. This form is crucial for creating the necessary documentation required by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for a legal birth certificate.

Birth registration process

  1. Completing the Process: New parents must review and sign the documents provided by the birth registrar during their stay at the hospital. Once these forms are completed, the birth registrar will submit the records to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Boston City Hall for processing.
  2. Ordering a Certified Copy: Birth certificates must be ordered separately either in person, by mail, or online through the City of Boston, Registry Division website. Birth certificates become available for ordering 10 days after the birth is filed with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
  3. Social Security Card Application: You can apply for a Social Security card for your newborn during the birth certificate documentation process. If you opt to apply, the Social Security card will be mailed to your specified address and should arrive within six weeks.

Replacement birth certificates

If you need a replacement birth certificate for someone born at Boston Medical Center, please contact the City of Boston, Registry Division. It is important to note that birth certificates are not issued directly at Boston Medical Center.

Additional information

To avoid complications, we urge parents to complete the birth registration process as soon as possible. The Birth Registrar can only hold onto the form for up to 30 days. If you do not complete the birth registration process during this time, you may need to do independent registration, which can be inconvenient.

Privacy 

HIPAA privacy law ensures that you have a right to access your medical records and prohibits unauthorized use or disclosure of your medical information. For more information on your privacy rights, please reach out to the please reach out to the Privacy Office at privacyofficer@bmc.org or 617.638.7919 for any concerns, including:

  • Break the glass requests, which add an extra layer of protection to your electronic medical records
  • Audit request to audit for unauthorized access to your medical records