Find Birth Records in Medford
Medford birth records are kept by the Medford City Clerk at 85 George P Hassett Drive, which is the main local source for certified birth certificates in this Middlesex County city. You can request a Medford birth record in person at the clerk's office, by mail, or through the state's online ordering system. The Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics holds statewide copies for births filed after 1926 and is a reliable backup option. This page covers both paths in full.
Medford Overview
Medford City Clerk Office
The Medford City Clerk is at 85 George P Hassett Drive, Medford, MA 02155. The phone number is (781) 393-2425, and the fax is on file with the office. More details about hours, services, and online options are available at medford-ma.gov. This office handles birth certificate requests for all births that took place in Medford and for births where the parents were Medford residents at the time.
In-person visits are handled during regular business hours. Bring a government-issued photo ID with you. The clerk will confirm your eligibility to receive the record and process your request. Most in-person orders are filled the same day, which is why showing up in person is often the fastest way to get a Medford birth certificate.
Note: The George P Hassett Drive location is the correct address for the Medford City Clerk. Confirm before visiting that this is still the active location, as city offices occasionally relocate.
Medford Birth Certificate Fees and Ordering
Medford's local fee for a certified birth certificate copy is set by the city. Check with the clerk's office or the city website for the current rate. In Massachusetts, local fees vary from one municipality to the next, so the Medford rate may differ from what the state charges. For reference, the state fee schedule at mass.gov/info-details/vital-records-service-fees lists what the RVRS charges, which is $20 in person, $32 by mail, and $54 online through VitalChek.
For mail requests, send a written request to the Medford City Clerk at the Hassett Drive address. Include the full name on the record, the date of birth, your name and return address, and a legible copy of a valid photo ID. Pay by check or money order made out to the City of Medford. Mail processing times vary. If you have a deadline, call the office at (781) 393-2425 to ask about current turnaround times before mailing.
State Birth Records Access for Medford
The Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, located at 150 Mt. Vernon Street in Dorchester, holds copies of every birth registered in Massachusetts since 1926. That includes Medford births. If you cannot reach the Medford City Clerk or prefer to order through the state, the RVRS is a fully valid option. Phone: 617-740-2600.
The state's step-by-step guide at mass.gov/how-to/order-a-birth-marriage-or-death-certificate explains how to order a birth certificate through the RVRS or through VitalChek. VitalChek is the authorized third-party site for online orders. It is available at any time and accepts credit and debit cards. Their phone line is 866-300-8535 for phone orders. The $54 online fee includes VitalChek's service charge on top of the base certificate cost.
Under MGL c.46 §2A, a certified copy from either the city clerk or the RVRS is legally equal to the original registration. Both are accepted for passports, insurance claims, school enrollment, and court use.
Who Can Request Medford Birth Records
Birth records less than 70 years old are restricted in Massachusetts. MGL c.46 §2B defines who is eligible. The person named on the record can always request their own copy, as long as they are 18 or older. Parents listed on the certificate can request it as well. So can the spouse, adult children, or legal guardian of the named person. An attorney with written authorization from the family may also submit a request.
When you arrive at the Medford City Clerk or submit a mail request, you will need to show ID and state your relationship to the person on the record. This step is required by state law, not just local policy. If you are requesting on behalf of someone else, bring documentation of your authority or relationship.
Records 70 years or older are open to the public without restriction. These are available for genealogy research and general public inspection without needing to prove a relationship.
Older Medford Birth Records
For Medford births that took place before 1926, the RVRS does not hold the record. The Massachusetts State Archives at the Secretary of State's office maintains vital records from the colonial era through 1925. You can access those through the archives portal at sec.state.ma.us. The cost for a certified copy from the archives is $3 each. That is a low flat fee for historical vital records, and it applies statewide.
For genealogy work, FamilySearch has indexed a large portion of Massachusetts vital records from the 1800s and early 1900s. Many Medford records from that period are searchable there for free. It is a good place to confirm dates and names before ordering a formal copy.
Middlesex County Birth Records
Medford sits in Middlesex County, the most populous county in Massachusetts. Birth registration is handled at the city level, but county courts play a role in matters like adoption, name changes, and guardianship that often connect to birth records. The Middlesex Probate and Family Court handles those cases. For a broader look at birth records across the county, visit the county page.
Nearby Massachusetts Cities
These cities near Medford each have a local clerk office for birth records.