Find Death Records in Springfield
Springfield death records go back to approximately 1852 and are maintained by the Springfield City Clerk at 36 Court Street. The Death Index covers deaths that occurred in Springfield or were registered here, and certified copies can be requested in person or by mail during regular business hours.
Springfield Overview
Springfield City Clerk - Death Records
The Springfield City Clerk keeps death records for deaths that occurred in Springfield or were registered by Springfield residents. The office is at 36 Court Street, Ground Floor, Room 8, Springfield, MA 01103. Call (413) 787-6190 or fax (413) 787-6186. You can also email the clerk at goyola@springfieldcityhall.com. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
Springfield death records go back to about 1852. That covers most of the city's history as an incorporated city. Records before that date may exist in older town records, though coverage is not as complete. If you're searching for a Springfield death before the 1850s, the Massachusetts State Archives is a good starting point.
The state RVRS main page at mass.gov explains how the statewide death index works alongside local city records.
The RVRS holds death records from 1926 onward and is the state-level counterpart to what Springfield keeps locally.
| Address | 36 Court Street, Ground Floor Room 8, Springfield, MA 01103 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 413-787-6190 |
| Fax | 413-787-6186 |
| goyola@springfieldcityhall.com | |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:00 PM |
How to Request a Springfield Death Certificate
The fastest way to get a Springfield death certificate is to visit the City Clerk in person. Come to 36 Court Street, Room 8, during business hours. Complete the request form, show a valid photo ID, pay the fee, and you can receive the certificate the same day if the record is available.
Mail requests are also accepted. Write a letter that includes the deceased's full name, the date of death, your relationship to the deceased, your return address, and your payment. Make checks or money orders payable to the City of Springfield. Mail to: City Clerk, 36 Court Street, Ground Floor Room 8, Springfield, MA 01103.
For deaths from 1926 onward, the state RVRS can also issue certified copies. The RVRS is at 150 Mount Vernon Street, Dorchester, MA 02125. In-person copies cost $20 each. Mail orders are $32 each. Online orders through VitalChek cost $54 for the first copy. You can reach the RVRS at 617-740-2600 or at vital.recordsrequest@mass.gov.
The state ordering page at mass.gov walks through how to order from the state.
That ordering page covers all three methods: in person, by mail, and online through VitalChek.
Under MGL Chapter 46, Section 9, Massachusetts death certificates are public records. You do not need to show a family relationship to request one.
Note: Include as much detail as you can when requesting a Springfield death record by mail, since the clerk cannot follow up by phone if information is missing.
Searching Springfield Death Records Online
Free online resources can help you find Springfield death records before you order a certified copy. FamilySearch is the most useful free tool. The Massachusetts Vital Records wiki on FamilySearch covers what's indexed for Springfield and the rest of the state. Many deaths from the 1800s and early 1900s are searchable there at no cost.
The Massachusetts State Archives has death records from 1841 to 1925. Digital scans of deaths from 1841 to 1924 are free to view through the State Archives vital records collection. These free images are great for genealogy, though they're not certified copies and can't be used for legal purposes. Certified copies from the Archives cost $3 each. The Archives is at 220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, phone (617) 727-2816.
Ancestry.com has digitized older Massachusetts vital records. A subscription is needed, but many libraries provide free access to their members on-site or remotely. The Springfield City Library has a local history collection that may include older death-related records and newspapers.
Springfield Historical Death Records
Springfield began keeping death records locally around 1852. Before then, vital records were less systematically maintained. The Massachusetts State Archives is the best place to look for pre-city-clerk records, including those from 1841 onward in the statewide registration system.
Under MGL Chapter 46, Section 13, Massachusetts has required registration of deaths since the mid-1800s. Springfield has been part of that system since the law took effect, though early records can sometimes be incomplete or have transcription errors from the original handwritten entries.
The Hampden County Probate Court handles estate records for Springfield and surrounding towns. Probate records often reference death dates and can help confirm or supplement information from a death certificate. The Springfield City Library has a local history and genealogy section worth visiting for older city records.
What Springfield Death Certificates Contain
Springfield death certificates follow the standard Massachusetts format. Each record 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 categories are natural, accident, homicide, suicide, or undetermined.
Additional fields include the parents' names, the deceased's occupation, Social Security number, and the method of body disposition. These fields are consistent across all cities in Massachusetts because the state sets the form requirements.
Under MGL Chapter 46, Section 12, certified copies of death records must bear the official seal of the issuing office to be legally valid. Copies without the seal are considered informational only. For probate, insurance, or property matters, always ask for a certified copy with the official seal.
Restricted records under Section 2A of MGL Chapter 46 may require additional documentation before the City Clerk will release them. If your request involves a restricted record, the office will let you know what you need to provide.
Note: A Springfield death certificate filed with the city is also reported to the RVRS so that both local and state versions of the record exist and either office can issue certified copies.
Springfield Genealogy Resources
The Springfield City Library has a local history collection with city directories, old newspapers, and other materials that complement death records. These resources can help you piece together details about a person's life and death when the official record alone isn't enough.
The Massachusetts State Archives at 220 Morrissey Boulevard holds Springfield death records from 1841 to 1925. Free digital images covering 1841 to 1924 are available through the Archives vital records page. Staff at the Archives can help you navigate older records and interpret early handwriting.
The Hampden County Probate Court is another source to check. When someone died in Springfield, probate proceedings often started soon after. Those court files include the date of death, names of heirs, and sometimes additional personal details not on the death certificate itself. Probate records are public and can be viewed at the courthouse.
For older records, FamilySearch has volunteer-indexed collections for Massachusetts that include Springfield deaths. The Massachusetts Vital Records page on FamilySearch lists what's available by time period and county.
Nearby Cities
These qualifying cities near Springfield also maintain local death records through their city clerk offices.
Hampden County Death Records
Springfield is the county seat of Hampden County. The Hampden County page covers additional courthouse resources and county-level information.