SENATE DOCKET, NO. 234        FILED ON: 1/9/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Peter J. Durant

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act to update proof of age documentation.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 234        FILED ON: 1/9/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 990 OF 2023-2024.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act to update proof of age documentation.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Section 33A of Chapter 207 of the General Laws, as so appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out Section 33A and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

Section 33A.  The clerk or registrar shall not issue a certificate under section 28 before receiving proof of age of the parties and verifying that both parties are not less than 18 years of age. Such proof shall be contained in any of the following documents, graded and taking precedence in the following order: (i) a passport issued by the United States of America; (ii) a driver’s license or identification card issued by any of the states of the United States of America, or, its territories, districts, or commonwealths; (iii) an original or certified copy of a record of birth; (iv) an original or certified copy of a baptismal record; (v) a life insurance policy; (vi) an employment certificate; (vii) a school record; (viii) an immigration record; (ix) a naturalization record; or (x) a court record. The clerk or registrar shall not accept documentary evidence of a lower grade unless the clerk or registrar is satisfied that evidence of a higher grade is not readily procurable.