Framingham Death Records Search
The Framingham Death Index covers records stretching back to the 1700s, making this one of the deeper local collections in Middlesex County. Whether you need a certified copy for legal purposes or are searching for a family member who died in Framingham, the city clerk, the state Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, and the Massachusetts State Archives each hold part of the full record set. This page explains where to look, what to request, and how to get what you need quickly.
Framingham Overview
Framingham City Clerk - Death Records
Framingham became a city in 2018 after operating as a town for over three centuries. The transition did not change how death records are managed. The City Clerk's Office at the Memorial Building still handles all local vital records, including death certificates for deaths that occurred in Framingham or were registered here. Staff can pull records going back to the 1700s for qualified requestors.
| Address | Framingham Memorial Building, 150 Concord Street, Framingham, MA 01702 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (508) 532-5510 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
The clerk's office is the first stop for anyone who needs a Framingham death certificate. Staff can confirm whether a record exists before you submit a formal request. Walk-ins are welcome during regular business hours. You do not need an appointment to request a record in person.
The Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS) provides information about vital records access statewide. The following screenshot shows the main RVRS page, which lists state-level procedures for requesting death records from agencies across Massachusetts.
The Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics maintains the official statewide death record database for all records from 1926 to the present.
The RVRS page details who may request records, what documents to bring, and how to order certified copies by mail or online through VitalChek.
Note: Framingham was a town until 2018, so older records and some historical documents may still reference it as the Town of Framingham rather than the City of Framingham.
How to Request a Framingham Death Certificate
There are three ways to get a certified Framingham death certificate: in person at the clerk's office, by mail, or online through RVRS or VitalChek. Each method works, but costs and wait times differ. In person is fastest if you need a copy the same day.
In Person: Go to the City Clerk's Office at the Memorial Building, 150 Concord Street. Fill out a request form, show a valid photo ID, and pay the fee. You can pick up the certificate before you leave. No appointment is needed.
By Mail: Write a letter or use the state's request form. Include the full name of the deceased, the date of death, and the number of copies you want. Make your payment out to the City of Framingham. Mail everything to the City Clerk at 150 Concord Street, Framingham, MA 01702, and include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Allow one to two weeks for processing and return mail time.
Online (RVRS or VitalChek): For records in the RVRS system (deaths from 1926 onward), you can order online through the state's official portal. VitalChek charges $54 for the first copy. RVRS charges $20 in person or $32 by mail. Online orders are mailed, not delivered digitally.
For any request, you will need to provide the deceased person's full name, approximate date of death, and your relationship to the individual or reason for the request. Massachusetts law under MGL Chapter 46, Section 9 makes death certificates public records, so most adult requestors can access them without restrictions.
Note: Framingham clerk staff can help you find a record even if you only have an approximate date of death, but a narrower date range speeds up the search considerably.
Searching Framingham Death Records Online
Several free databases cover Framingham death records. The range of what is available online depends on when the death occurred. Older records are more likely to be digitized and freely accessible. More recent records require a formal certified copy request.
FamilySearch offers free access to digitized Massachusetts vital records, including many Framingham deaths. Their Massachusetts Vital Records guide explains the collections available and how to search them. Records from roughly 1841 through the early 1900s are well represented in this database.
The Massachusetts State Archives offers free digital images of death records from 1841 through 1924. You can browse them online at the State Archives vital records page. These are browsable by town and year, making it possible to find Framingham entries without a specific date. The scanned images are clear enough for genealogical research.
The following screenshot shows the State Archives vital records collection page, which includes the free digital image access for deaths from 1841 to 1924 across all Massachusetts cities and towns.
The Massachusetts State Archives vital records collection is the best free source for Framingham deaths between 1841 and 1924.
Records from 1841 to 1924 are available as free digital images, while certified copies of those same records cost $3 each from the State Archives.
Note: For Framingham deaths before 1841, the State Archives holds physical records, but the earliest town records from the 1700s may require contacting the clerk's office or Framingham Public Library directly.
Framingham Historical Death Records
Framingham's death records reach back to the 1700s, which is unusual even by Massachusetts standards. The town was incorporated in 1700, and the earliest vital records reflect that era. Many of these older records were transcribed and published in the "Tan Books," the informal name for the state's printed vital records series.
The Tan Books cover Framingham vital records through approximately 1850. These published volumes are available at the Framingham Public Library, the State Archives, and through genealogical libraries. They index deaths by surname, making it easier to trace family lines without searching year by year through original ledgers.
The Framingham Public Library at 49 Lexington Street maintains a local history and genealogy collection. Staff there can assist with research into historical Framingham deaths and related records. The library holds town reports, newspaper archives, and other materials that can supplement official death records.
For deaths prior to 1841, the Massachusetts State Archives at 220 Morrissey Boulevard in Boston holds the official state collection. These records are not all digitized, so older Framingham deaths may require a visit to the Archives or a written request to retrieve. The Archives phone number is 617-727-2816 and email is archives@sec.state.ma.us.
Note: Colonial-era Framingham deaths before 1700 may appear in Sudbury records or early Plymouth Colony records, since the area was part of Sudbury before Framingham's incorporation.
What Framingham Death Certificates Contain
A Massachusetts death certificate follows a standard state form. Every Framingham certificate includes the decedent's full legal name, date of birth, date of death, and the exact location where death occurred. The form also captures cause of death, manner of death (natural, accident, homicide, or suicide), and whether an autopsy was performed.
Personal details on the certificate include the decedent's occupation, Social Security number, and parents' full names, including the mother's maiden name. The certificate also lists the name and address of the funeral home, the method of body disposition (burial, cremation, or other), and the name of the attending physician or medical examiner who certified the death.
Under MGL Chapter 46, Section 9, death certificates are public records in Massachusetts. Any adult may request a copy. Certified copies carry legal weight for estate proceedings, insurance claims, and similar purposes. Under Section 12 of the same chapter, the fee structure and issuance procedures are set by state regulation. The physician or medical examiner is required to file the death certificate within 24 hours of death under Section 9 requirements.
Note: The cause of death field may be listed as "pending" on recently issued certificates if a medical examiner investigation is still ongoing at the time of filing.
Getting a Certified Copy in Framingham
You have three places to get a certified Framingham death certificate, and which one you use depends on when the person died. For recent deaths, the city clerk is the right first stop. For deaths going back decades, RVRS or the State Archives may be easier.
The Framingham City Clerk at 150 Concord Street handles deaths recorded in Framingham. They can issue certified copies for any record in their possession. Bring a photo ID and a completed request form. The clerk office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
The RVRS at 150 Mount Vernon Street in Dorchester holds records from 1926 to the present. You can visit in person (Monday through Friday, 8:45 AM to 4:45 PM), request by mail at $32 per copy, or order online through VitalChek at $54 for the first copy. RVRS phone is 617-740-2600.
The Massachusetts State Archives at 220 Morrissey Boulevard holds records from 1841 through 1925. Certified copies cost $3 each. The Archives is open Monday through Friday. You can also browse free digital images of records from 1841 to 1924 without ordering a certified copy. The state ordering page walks through all options step by step.
Nearby Cities
Other Middlesex County and central Massachusetts cities with qualifying death record pages include the following.
Middlesex County Death Records
Framingham falls within Middlesex County. The county page covers courthouse locations, probate court information, and records maintained at the county level.