Search Medford Death Records
Medford is one of the few Massachusetts cities that clearly maps out where to find death records by time period, making the Medford Death Index especially accessible for researchers. The city clerk holds records prior to 1841, the State Archives covers 1841 through 1905, and the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics maintains records from after 1905. Whether you need a certified copy for legal purposes or are doing genealogical research, this page explains exactly which office to contact based on when the death occurred.
Medford Overview
Medford City Clerk - Death Records
The Medford City Clerk's Office is located in Room 103 at Medford City Hall, 85 George P. Hassett Drive. The clerk maintains Medford death records from before 1841 through the present for deaths registered in Medford. Walk-in requests are welcome during business hours, and no appointment is required to request a certificate.
| Address | Medford City Hall, Room 103, 85 George P. Hassett Drive, Medford, MA 02155 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 781-393-2425 |
| Fax | 781-391-1895 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
Medford has a clearly defined breakdown of which office holds records for each time period. This is the most useful feature of Medford's death records system and makes it easier to know exactly where to go before you make the trip or send a request.
The Medford City Clerk page at the city's official website provides up-to-date contact information and instructions for vital records requests. The following screenshot shows the clerk's page.
Visit the Medford City Clerk's official page for the latest hours, fees, and request procedures for death records in Medford.
The clerk's page confirms office hours and provides direct contact information for death record questions and requests.
Note: The Medford City Clerk office phone for death records is 781-393-2425, but the fax number for written requests is 781-391-1895 if you need to send supporting documents in advance.
How to Request a Medford Death Certificate
Medford death certificates are available through the city clerk, the State Archives, or the RVRS, depending on when the death occurred. Knowing which office covers which period saves time and avoids unnecessary trips.
Records Prior to 1841: Contact the Medford City Clerk's Office, Room 103, 85 George P. Hassett Drive, Medford, MA 02155. Phone: 781-399-2425. These are the oldest locally held records and are not available through RVRS or the standard State Archives digital collection.
Records 1841-1905: Contact the Massachusetts State Archives, 220 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, MA 02125. Phone: (617) 727-2816. Email: archives@sec.state.ma.us. Certified copies cost $3 each. Free digital images are available online for deaths from 1841 to 1924 through the Archives vital records page.
Records After 1905: Contact the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, 150 Mount Vernon St., 1st Floor, Dorchester, MA 02125-3105. Phone: (617) 740-2600. In-person copies cost $20, mail requests are $32, and VitalChek online orders are $54 for the first copy. Use the state ordering page to begin an online request.
All Medford death records are public under MGL Chapter 46, Section 9. Any adult may request them. For in-person visits, bring a valid photo ID and the full name and approximate date of death of the person you are searching for.
Searching Medford Death Records Online
Free online databases cover a significant portion of Medford's historical death records. The time period of the death determines which platform has the most useful content.
FamilySearch offers free access to many Massachusetts vital records through their Massachusetts Vital Records guide. Many Medford deaths from the 1800s and early 1900s are indexed by name and browsable online. A free account lets you view scanned images of original records.
The State Archives provides free digital images for Medford deaths from 1841 through 1924 at the vital records collection page. Browse by town and year at no cost. This covers the key 1841-1905 period that the State Archives officially maintains for Medford, plus an additional 19 years. Certified copies of these records are available from the Archives for $3 each.
The following screenshot shows the State Archives vital records page, which describes the free image access and how to order certified copies.
The Massachusetts State Archives vital records collection includes free digital access to Medford death records from 1841 to 1924.
The State Archives page also explains how to order certified copies by mail if the free digital image is not sufficient for your needs.
Medford Historical Death Records
Medford was settled in the 1600s and incorporated as a town in 1630. It became a city in 1892. The city clerk's office holds records from before 1841, which covers a substantial portion of Medford's early history as a colonial and post-colonial settlement. The Medford Historical Society maintains archives that supplement these official records.
The Medford Public Library has a local history room with city directories, town reports, and newspaper archives that can help fill gaps in the official death record collection. For genealogical research into Medford families from the 1600s through the early 1800s, the library and the historical society are valuable companions to the official clerk's records.
Middlesex County Probate Court has locations in Cambridge, Lowell, and Woburn. Medford probate records filed in those courts can supplement death certificates, particularly for well-documented estates from the 1800s and early 1900s. Probate files typically include the date of death, surviving family members, and an inventory of assets.
The clear breakdown of Medford's record custody by time period is a practical advantage. Researchers who know when the death occurred can go directly to the right office without searching in multiple places first. This structure is less common in Massachusetts cities and makes Medford records relatively easy to access compared to towns without a defined breakdown.
Note: Records from 1841 to 1924 are digitized and available as free images online, but the period from 1905 to 1924 overlaps between what the Archives digitizes and what RVRS holds, so both sources may have copies for that window.
What Medford Death Certificates Contain
A Medford death certificate follows the standard Massachusetts form. It records the decedent's full legal name, date of birth, date of death, and the exact address in Medford where the death occurred. Cause of death is certified by the attending physician or medical examiner.
The manner of death is listed as natural, accident, homicide, or suicide. Other fields include the decedent's occupation, Social Security number, and parents' names including the mother's maiden name. The certificate also names the funeral home, the body disposition method, and the certifying physician or medical examiner with their license number.
Under MGL Chapter 46, Section 9, death records are public in Massachusetts. Any adult may request a copy. Certified copies issued under Section 12 are legally valid for estate, insurance, and court matters. The death certificate must be filed within 24 hours of death under the registration requirements in Section 2A. Amendments to Medford death certificates follow the procedures in Section 13.
Getting a Certified Copy in Medford
Medford's time-period breakdown makes it straightforward to know which office to contact. Here is a summary of each source and when it applies.
For deaths before 1841, contact the Medford City Clerk, Room 103, 85 George P. Hassett Drive, Medford, MA 02155. Phone: 781-393-2425. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
For deaths from 1841 through 1905, contact the State Archives at 220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA 02125. Phone: (617) 727-2816. Email: archives@sec.state.ma.us. Certified copies are $3 each. Free digital images cover 1841-1924 through the Archives website.
For deaths after 1905, contact the RVRS at 150 Mount Vernon Street, 1st Floor, Dorchester, MA 02125-3105. Phone: (617) 740-2600. Email: vital.recordsrequest@mass.gov. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:45 AM to 4:45 PM. In-person copies are $20, mail requests are $32, and VitalChek online is $54 for the first copy. The state ordering page links to all options.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities near Medford in Middlesex County and the greater Boston area include the following.
Middlesex County Death Records
Medford is part of Middlesex County. The county page covers probate records, courthouse locations, and death records for all Middlesex County cities and towns.