City Clerk

• Certified copies of vital records may be obtained either in person during regular business hours or by mail. Mail requests, except as noted below, are filled by close of business on the day of receipt. Fees listed below are applicable to both in person and mail requests.

  The City Clerk’s Office has birth records for anyone born in Medford and for most people whose parents resided in Medford on the day of birth. To obtain a copy by mail, send your name and date of birth, a stamped self-addressed envelope and a check payable to the City of Medford. Birth certificates cost $10 per copy, payable in cash, by check, or money order. Please note that Medford only offers long form birth certificates.

  How do I obtain a copy of a birth certificate?

  You can obtain a copy of your birth certificate from the City Clerk’s Office in two ways: by mailing a request to the City Clerk’s Office or by visiting the City Clerk’s Office in person.

  A request by mail will be processed and sent out the day it is received at the City Clerk’s Office. You must make sure of four things.

• Your check or money order should be payable to the City of Medford.
• Enclose the payment along with your written request and return telephone number.
• State the birth date and full birth name on the request.
• Send a self addressed stamped envelope.

• Usually identification is not necessary; however, in certain circumstances it is required, for example, if your parents were not married at the time of your birth.

State law requires that any partnership or sole proprietorship, which is using a trade name, file a business certificate (commonly called a “DBA” certificate) in the community where the office is located. The certificate contains the name and address of the business and the names and residential addresses of all partners in the business.

To obtain information on business filings in the City of Medford, call, write or come into the City Clerk’s Office with the name of the business. Please note that business certificates are filed by business name and owner’s name, not address.

To file a business certificate, return this form to the City Clerk’s Office.

A Business Certificate is valid for 4 years from the date of issue and is available for a $30.00 filing fee. Signatures of all partners must be notarized before a filing will be accepted.

Notarization of business certificates is available in the City Clerk’s Office. To have signatures notarized, partners should appear in person with picture identification. Businesses should obtain the approval of the Inspector of Buildings before filing with the Clerk’s Office. This assures that the business is in compliance with the City’s zoning ordinances. Both sides of the business certificate need to filled out.

Click here to view the City’s Code of Ordinances

“Do Not Knock” Ordinance

Click here to access Common Victuallers License form.

The City Clerk’s Office has death records for anyone who died in MEDFORD or who lived in MEDFORD on the date of death. To obtain a copy by mail, send the decedent’s name and date of death (if known), a stamped self-addressed envelope and a check or money order for $10.00 per copy payable to the City of MEDFORD.

Dog owners must license any dog 6 months or older. Licenses are available from the City Clerk’s Office and are valid for the calendar year.

To obtain a dog license, provide the City Clerk’s Office the following information:

• Owner’s name
• Owner’s address
• Telephone number
• Dog’s name
• Dog’s breed, color, and age

Fees:
For a male or female dog, the fee is $15.00. For a neutered male or a spayed female, the fee is $10.00.

Proof of spaying or neutering must be submitted with the initial license application. Verification of rabies vaccination must also be submitted each year, but, in most instances, the information has been sent directly to us from the veterinarian. Renewal applications can be requested and sent to your address or you can access the online Dog License application form below.

• Online dog license application
• PDF dog license application (print, complete, and mail along with check to City Clerk)

To return a lost dog to its owner – Contact the Animal Control Officer at 781-393-2563 or Medford Police 781-396-9400 with the tag number and year.

To determine if a dog is properly licensed – Call or come into the City Clerk’s Office with the owner’s name and address.

Records of vital events occurring before 1940 are generally considered genealogical. Genealogical research is by appointment. Mail requests for genealogical research are filled on a non-priority basis. A research fee in advance is necessary. Please submit a Check or Money Order to City of Medford for $20.00 for 1 hour of research, plus a self addressed stamped envelope.

Please state the names who need to be researched and mail to the City Clerk at:
85 George P. Hassett Drive
Medford, MA. 02155.

The fee is non-refundable. Email requests will not be honored. 

Massachusetts hunting and fishing licenses are not available from the City Clerk’s Office. 

More information is available on the MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife website.

To Obtain a Marriage License
Except in limited instances, both parties to a proposed marriage must appear in the City Clerk’s Office to file a Notice of Intention of Marriage. The intention may be filed no more than 60 days before the marriage is to take place. The fee for filing intentions is $30.00. There is a 3-day statutory waiting period between the time the intention is filed and the date the license can be issued. A marriage license issued in MEDFORD may only be used in a city or town in Massachusetts.

Marriage Records
The City Clerk’s Office has marriage records for anyone who obtained a marriage license in Medford, regardless of where the marriage itself occurred. Certified copies may be obtained by sending names and date of marriage, a stamped self-addressed envelope and a check or money order for $10.00 payable to the City of MEDFORD. 

• Raffle and bazaar permit application information