Cambridge Death Index Search

Cambridge death records are maintained by the Cambridge City Clerk at 795 Massachusetts Avenue, and the Death Index covers deaths that occurred in Cambridge, deaths of Cambridge residents who died elsewhere in Massachusetts, and veterans buried in Cambridge. Certified copies cost just $5 each, one of the lowest fees in the state, and can be requested in person or by mail.

Cambridge City Clerk - Death Records

The Cambridge City Clerk maintains death records for the city. The office is at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139. Call (617) 349-4260 to reach the clerk's office. Hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. An important note about payment: the office currently accepts only cash or check for in-person services. No credit cards are taken in person.

Cambridge keeps death records for three types of situations. First, deaths that occurred within Cambridge city limits. Second, deaths of Cambridge residents who died elsewhere in Massachusetts but had Cambridge listed as their home. Third, veterans buried in Cambridge, regardless of where they lived.

The State Archives vital records page at sec.state.ma.us covers what's held at the state level for Cambridge and all other cities.

That page explains how to access the free digital images covering Cambridge deaths from 1841 to 1924 and how to order certified copies from the Archives.

Death records must be filed within 24 hours of death under Massachusetts law. The funeral director typically handles the filing. Once the record is registered with Cambridge, a copy also goes to the state Registry of Vital Records and Statistics.

How to Request a Cambridge Death Certificate

Cambridge offers two ways to get a certified death certificate: in person or by mail. The fee is $5 per copy, which is one of the lowest rates in Massachusetts.

To get a copy in person, visit the City Clerk at Cambridge City Hall during business hours. Complete the request form, pay $5 per copy in cash or by check made payable to the City of Cambridge, and receive your certificate while you wait if the record is available.

For mail requests, write a letter that includes the deceased's full name, the date of death, the number of copies you need, your mailing address, and a check or money order payable to the City of Cambridge for the correct amount. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail to: City Clerk, Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139.

For deaths from 1926 onward, you can also order copies from the state RVRS at 150 Mount Vernon Street, Dorchester. Mail orders from the RVRS cost $32 per copy. Online orders through VitalChek via mass.gov cost $54 for the first copy. The Cambridge City Clerk is cheaper if you only need one or two copies.

Under MGL Chapter 46, Section 9, Cambridge death records are public. Any person can request a copy without needing to explain their reason.

Searching the Cambridge Death Index Online

Free resources cover Cambridge death records going back well into the 1800s. FamilySearch is the best place to start. The Massachusetts Vital Records page on FamilySearch lists what collections are indexed and searchable. Many Cambridge deaths from the 19th and early 20th centuries appear there at no cost.

The Massachusetts State Archives holds death records from 1841 to 1925. Free digital images for 1841 to 1924 are available through the State Archives vital records collection. You don't need to create an account to view these scanned images. The Archives is at 220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, phone (617) 727-2816, email archives@sec.state.ma.us.

The Registry of Vital Records and Statistics holds Cambridge records from 1926 forward. You can search and order copies through the state ordering system or contact them directly at 617-740-2600.

Ancestry.com has digitized older Massachusetts vital records collections. A subscription provides full access, and the Cambridge Public Library offers free on-site access to genealogy databases for library cardholders.

Cambridge Historical Death Records

Cambridge has maintained death records from approximately 1844. That date aligns with when Massachusetts began requiring systematic vital records registration under what became MGL Chapter 46. Cambridge records from that era are available at the Massachusetts State Archives, and free digital images cover 1841 to 1924.

Middlesex County is one of the four original counties of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, making it one of the oldest jurisdictions in the country. Cambridge itself has a very long history of vital record keeping. Some church records and burial records predate the formal registration system and can be found at the Cambridge Public Library's local history collection.

The Cambridge Public Library has genealogy resources and city directories that can help you trace deaths that fall before or just after the formal registration period began. Staff in the local history room can point you to the right collections.

For estate records connected to Cambridge deaths, the Middlesex Probate and Family Court handles those filings. Probate records are public and can supplement information from a death certificate when you need more detail about survivors, property, or the circumstances of a death.

What Cambridge Death Certificates Contain

Massachusetts death certificates are standardized statewide. A Cambridge death certificate shows the deceased's full name, date of birth, date of death, place of death, cause of death, and manner of death. Manner of death is recorded as natural, accident, homicide, suicide, or undetermined.

Other fields include the parents' names, the deceased's occupation, Social Security number, and the method of body disposition. These fields are the same in Cambridge as in every other Massachusetts city and town because the state controls the form.

Certified copies carry the City Clerk's official seal and are accepted for legal purposes. Section 12 of MGL Chapter 46 sets the rules for certified copies of Massachusetts vital records. For probate, insurance claims, or property transfers, you need a certified copy with the seal, not just a printed image.

Records restricted under Section 2A of MGL Chapter 46 may require additional documentation or identification before the office will release them. The City Clerk will let you know if your request involves a restricted record.

Getting Certified Copies of Cambridge Death Records

Cambridge certified copies cost $5 each, making them among the most affordable in Massachusetts. You can get them in person at the City Clerk or by mail. The City Clerk's seal on the copy makes it legally valid for court, insurance, and property purposes.

For deaths before 1926, the Massachusetts State Archives is a parallel source. The Archives charges $3 per certified copy, slightly less than Cambridge's $5 fee. Free digital images cover deaths from 1841 to 1924, so you can view the record before deciding whether to order a certified copy.

For deaths from 1926 onward, both the Cambridge City Clerk and the RVRS can issue certified copies. The RVRS is at 150 Mount Vernon Street, Dorchester, MA 02125. In-person copies at the RVRS cost $20 each, more than double what Cambridge charges. If the price matters, order directly from the Cambridge City Clerk.

The state RVRS main page at mass.gov covers how the state system connects to local records.

That page explains the relationship between city death records and the statewide death index maintained by the RVRS.

Nearby Cities

These qualifying cities near Cambridge also have local death records through their city clerk offices.

Middlesex County Death Records

Cambridge is in Middlesex County. The Middlesex County page has more on probate court resources and county-level death record information.