Find Birth Records in Cambridge

Cambridge birth records are held by the Cambridge City Clerk and cover births that took place in the city or where parents were Cambridge residents at the time. The clerk's office at 51 Inman Street issues certified copies for $5 each, which is notably lower than the standard state rate. The Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics also holds copies for births registered after 1926. This page walks through how to get a Cambridge birth certificate, what it costs, and what to do if the record you need is older or held at the state level.

Cambridge City Clerk Office

The Cambridge City Clerk is located at 51 Inman Street, First Floor, Cambridge, MA 02139. The phone number is 617-349-4361 and the fax is 617-349-4366. You can also reach the office by email at elections2@cambridgema.gov. More details about the clerk's services are available at cambridgema.gov.

Walk-in requests are handled on the first floor of the building. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. The clerk will ask you to state your relationship to the person named on the record. The person on the certificate, their parents, spouse, or adult children can all request a copy. Legal representatives with valid authorization are also eligible. Cambridge processes most in-person requests while you wait, so you can often walk out with your certificate the same day.

Note: The 51 Inman Street address is separate from Cambridge City Hall on Massachusetts Avenue, so check the address before you go.

Cambridge Birth Certificate Fees

Cambridge charges $5.00 per certified copy of a birth certificate. That is lower than the state rate charged by the RVRS, which makes the local clerk's office the more affordable option for Cambridge residents. The fee applies whether you order in person or by mail.

For comparison, the state rate is posted on the Massachusetts vital records fee schedule. If you need multiple copies for legal or administrative purposes, Cambridge's lower rate can add up to real savings. Payment methods vary, so contact the clerk's office before your visit to confirm what they accept.

Mail requests require a check or money order. Include the full name on the record, the date of birth, your own name and mailing address, and a legible copy of your ID. Send to the 51 Inman Street address listed above.

Cambridge City Clerk Records Access

The Cambridge clerk's office holds birth records for all births registered in Cambridge. That includes births at local hospitals as well as home births that were properly registered. If you were born in Cambridge, your record is almost certainly on file there. The clerk also holds records for people born elsewhere if Cambridge was the parents' place of residence at the time, under the registration rules that apply to local vital records offices across Massachusetts.

The state's ordering guide explains your options if you need a record that the local clerk does not have. For births before 1926, the Massachusetts State Archives is the right place to look. Those records are historical documents and may require more time to process.

Who Can Request Cambridge Birth Records

Massachusetts law limits who can get a certified birth certificate. Access is not open to the public at large. The person named on the record can always request their own copy. Parents, spouses, and adult children of the person on the certificate are also eligible. Under MGL c.46 §2A, certified copies have the same legal standing as the original document. That makes them valid for passport applications, school enrollment, and most government agency requests.

If you are requesting on someone else's behalf, bring written authorization or documentation showing your legal authority or family relationship. The clerk will ask. Having this ready before your visit keeps things moving quickly.

State Registry as a Backup Source

The RVRS holds statewide copies of birth records for births registered after 1926. Their main contact number is 617-740-2600. If you cannot reach the Cambridge City Clerk or need a record that predates their local holdings, RVRS is an option. The state and the city both maintain valid copies, and a certificate from either source carries the same legal weight.

The state also accepts online orders through VitalChek at 866-300-8535. VitalChek adds a service fee on top of the certificate cost, which is worth factoring in if you are comparing options. For Cambridge residents, going directly to the City Clerk is usually the cheaper and faster route.

Under MGL c.46 §2B, the state has a process for amending birth records when information needs to be corrected. If you discover an error on your certificate, the RVRS handles the amendment process after you submit the required documentation.

Middlesex County Records

Cambridge is in Middlesex County, the most populous county in Massachusetts. County-level courts in Middlesex handle adoption decrees, name changes, and probate matters that can affect birth records. For more on how birth records connect to county court filings, visit the Middlesex County records page. Birth registration itself is a city function, but amended certificates and adoption-related records often flow through the Middlesex Probate and Family Court.

Nearby Massachusetts Cities

These nearby cities each have their own clerk office for birth record requests.