Medford Public Records Database

Public records in Medford are held by the City Clerk, the Board of Assessors, the Medford Police Department, and various other city agencies that operate under Massachusetts public records law. Residents, researchers, attorneys, and members of the press all have the right to request access to public documents from city offices. This page explains where Medford public records are stored, which departments hold specific document types, how to submit a request, and what fees and timelines apply.

Medford City Clerk Office

The Medford City Clerk is the main records custodian for city documents. The office is located at City Hall, 85 George P. Hassett Drive, Medford, MA 02155. It maintains vital records including birth, marriage, and death certificates, along with business certificates, dog licenses, public meeting minutes, and City Council records. The clerk also keeps official city documents, ordinances, and resolutions. This is the right first contact for most Medford public records requests.

Medford also has a dedicated online public records request portal at medford-ma.gov/city-clerk/pages/public-records-requests. You can submit requests electronically, track the status of your request, and receive documents in digital format. This is often the fastest way to get records that are available in electronic form.

Below is a screenshot from the Medford city website, which provides department pages, service links, and records request information for Medford residents and the public.

The city's website connects you to the clerk's office, the online records portal, and department contact details.

Requesting Medford Public Records

Massachusetts law grants broad access to government records under MGL Chapter 66, Section 10. Medford city agencies must respond to public records requests within 10 business days. The city has a Records Access Officer (RAO) to manage these requests. You can email cityclerk@medford-ma.gov, use the online portal, or call (781) 393-2425 to get started.

No reason is required to make a request. The law applies to anyone, not just Medford residents. Requests can be submitted in writing by email, through the online portal, by mail, or in person. If you are unsure which department holds the records you need, the clerk's office can help route your request to the right place. The RAO must acknowledge your request within 10 days, either providing the records or explaining why they are being withheld or delayed.

Fee structure under state law: the first two hours of staff time are free for cities with over 20,000 residents. Beyond that, hourly fees cannot exceed $25. Copies are $0.05 per page. Electronic format often eliminates copy costs entirely. If Medford denies your request in whole or in part, you may appeal to the Supervisor of Records at One Ashburton Place, Room 1719, Boston, MA 02108, phone (617) 727-2832.

Note: Using Medford's online portal is the recommended method for most requests, as it provides a clear record of submission and allows you to track progress without calling the office.

Vital Records in Medford

The City Clerk issues certified copies of birth, marriage, and death certificates for events registered in Medford. Each copy costs $15. Orders can be placed in person at City Hall, by mail, or through the clerk's office. Mail requests should include a written request, a copy of valid photo ID, and a check or money order payable to the City of Medford.

Access to certified copies is limited to immediate family members, legal representatives, and people with a documented legal need. Genealogy researchers may access older vital records under certain conditions. For records registered elsewhere in Massachusetts, or for historical records not held locally, the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics holds the statewide archive and can fill requests that the city cannot.

Medford Property and Land Records

Property records for Medford are held by the Board of Assessors at City Hall. These records show ownership, assessed value, lot size, building type, and tax information for every parcel in Medford. The Assessors' office can answer questions about valuation and tax classification for specific properties.

For deed records, mortgages, liens, and other recorded land instruments in Medford, the Middlesex South Registry of Deeds in Cambridge is the correct office. The registry is at 208 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA, phone (617) 679-6300. All Medford land records are searchable at no cost through MassLandRecords.com. Use the Middlesex South section. You can search by name, address, or document type. This covers deeds going back well over a century.

Court Records for Medford

Medford is served by the Somerville District Court and Middlesex Superior Court for civil and criminal matters. You can search case records at no charge through MassCourts.org. This statewide system covers most Massachusetts trial courts and lets you look up cases by name or docket number. Docket entries, filings, and case outcomes are available for public cases.

Probate matters for Medford residents are filed at Middlesex County Probate and Family Court in Cambridge. Some court records may be sealed or restricted, and older paper-only records may require an in-person visit. For corporate filings and state-level public documents, the Secretary of the Commonwealth maintains a searchable database online.

The Sex Offender Registry Board provides a public lookup at mass.gov/sorb where you can search for registered offenders by name or location within Medford or across Massachusetts.

Middlesex County Public Records

Medford is part of Middlesex County, one of the largest counties in Massachusetts. County-level records for Medford include land records at the Middlesex South Registry of Deeds in Cambridge, court records at Middlesex Superior Court, and probate records at Middlesex County Probate and Family Court. For a full overview of Middlesex County public records, visit the county page.

View Middlesex County Public Records

Nearby Cities

Medford is in the inner suburbs north of Boston, near several other qualifying cities with their own records offices.