Thank you, Elise and Barbara. Sometimes the hardest part of finding information online is knowing what terms to put in the search box. This is especially difficult in FS.org when searching the Help Center; I don't seem to think like the people who enter the tags. So I did google Massachusetts General Law - Out of State Births and did come up with an explanation but I don't think it is what I need: *Section 1B. Any resident of the commonwealth who is the parent of a child born outside the commonwealth may personally present to the town clerk of the town where such parent was domiciled at the time of such birth, or in the case of an adopted child, at the time of such adoption, an original certificate or other written evidence of the birth, and a certified copy of the adoption decree if adopted, or a duly authenticated photostatic copy thereof. The town clerk may file such documents as evidence establishing such birth or adoption, or may make a copy thereof, which he shall attest as a true copy, and which he may then file as such evidence. * There are too many "may"s in this. They "may register" register implies a choice, IMHO. Whereas I think something more "requiring" is involved with the births I have been encountering. I will check the link that Barbara included but can't right now. Just wanted to be sure to say thank you. And, Elise, glad I gave you an opportunity to advertise GRIP. Maybe someday. And Judy Russell is never a disappointment so for those who do get to go, I know they will learn a lot. Thanks Margie Beldin Washington State