Crime Numbers
Like other counties in Massachusetts, Hampden County only describes a geographical area and has no county government. It also does not have county-wide crime data but rather crime statistics for the cities and towns that make up the county. Hampden County seat is the City of Springfield. It is also the largest community in the county. Its crime data is representative of overall crime trend in the whole county.
In 2017, Springfield recorded 1,351 violent crimes and 4,594 property crimes. Compared to the 2013 totals for the city, these figures represent a 19.2% dip in violent crime rate and a 35.4% reduction in property crime rate. A closer look at Springfield's 2017 crime data shows that the Police Department recorded 14 murders, 73 rapes, 380 robberies, and 884 aggravated assaults. Reported incidences of property crimes include 1,183 burglaries, 2,902 larcenies, 509 motor vehicle thefts, and 37 arsons.
The five-year crime trend for Springfield shows that reports of all of these crimes declined between 2013 and 2017. Murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault rates fell by 36.4%, 18%, 36.5%, and 8.3% respectively. Similarly, burglary (49.9%), larceny (27.8%), motor vehicle theft (30.7%), and arson (33.9%) rates dipped significantly in the five-year period.
Hampden County Criminal Records
The Department of Criminal Justice Information Services provides background checks for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It offers name-based and fingerprint-based criminal record checks. While the general public can request for named-based criminal history checks, fingerprint-based ones are for pre-approved agencies. Both options require users to register before accessing the service.
Use Massachusetts iCORI System to search the state's court records for an individual's criminal records. Register for the Statewide Applicant Fingerprint Identification Services results (SAFIS-R) to request a fingerprint-based search.
The various police departments in the cities and towns of Hampden County provide incident and accident reports for events that occurred within their jurisdictions. For example, incident reports for the City of Springfield are available from the Springfield Police Department. Visit the Springfield Police Headquarters located at 130 Pearl Street to obtain an incident report in person. Members of the public can request these reports from Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Each report costs $1. Alternatively, send a mail request to:
Springfield Police Department
Clerk's Office
130 Pearl Street
Springfield, MA 01105
Include a check or money order for report fees payable to the City of Springfield.
Sex Offenders in Hampden County
Police departments in Hampden County register sex offenders living, working, and attending institutions of higher learning within their jurisdictions. They pass on these data to the Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB) of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This organization makes information about Level 3 (most likely to reoffender) and some Level 2 (moderate risk) offenders publicly available online. Search the Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry by name, zip code, and street address. You can also restrict your search by selecting Hampden from the county drop-down menu or choosing any of its cities and towns.
Hampden County Inmate Records
The Hampden County Sheriff's Department oversees the operation of the five correctional facilities in the county. Interested members of the public may obtain Hampden County Inmate Records by making in-person or mail-in requests for these documents to the facility where the detainee is held. These are:
Hampden County Correctional Center (Main Institution)
627 Randall Rd, Ludlow, MA 01056
Phone: (413) 547-8000
Western Massachusetts Regional Women's Correctional Center (WCC)
701 Center Street, Chicopee, MA, 01013
Phone: (413) 730-6800
Hampden County Pre-Release Center
325 Alabama St, Ludlow, MA 01056
Phone: (413) 547-8000
Western Massachusetts Wellness and Recovery Center
155 Mill Street, Springfield, MA
Stonybrook Stabilization & Treatment Centers
627 Randall Road, Ludlow, MA 01056
Phone: (413) 858-0701
joann.grkovic@sdh.state.ma.us
155 Mill Street, Springfield, MA 01105
Phone: (413) 547-8000 Ext. 3132
anthony.scibelli@sdh.state.ma.us
To deposit funds in inmates' accounts, visit the Inmate Account offices in these facilities between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday. You can also deposit money at the kiosk located in the Main Institution, via phone by calling (866) 345-1885 or online at www.accesscorrections.com.
Court Records
Hampden County has a Superior Court, five District Courts, three Juvenile Courts, one Probate and Family Court, and one Housing Court. Below are the addresses and contact information of these courts:
Hampden County Superior Court
Hampden County Hall of Justice
50 State Street,
P.O. Box 559, Springfield, MA 01102
Phone: (413) 735-6016
Fax: (413) 737-1611
Chicopee District Court
30 Church Street, Chicopee, MA 01020
Phone: (413) 598-0099
Fax: (413) 594-6187
Holyoke District Court
20 Court Plaza, Holyoke, MA 01040
Phone: (413) 538-9710
Fax: (413) 533-7165
Palmer District Court
235 Sykes Street, Suite 3, Palmer, MA 01069
Phone: (413) 283-8916
Fax: (413) 283-6775
Springfield District Court
Hampden County Hall of Justice
50 State Street,
P.O. Box 2421, Springfield, MA 01102
phone: (413) 748-8600
Fax: (413) 747-4841 (Civil)
Fax: (413) 747-4842 (Criminal)
Westfield District Court
224 Elm Street, Westfield, MA 01085
Phone: (413) 568-8946
Fax: (413) 568-4863
Hampden Probate and Family Court
Hampden County Hall of Justice
50 State Street,
P.O. Box 559, Springfield, MA 01102
phone: (413) 748-7760
Fax: (413) 781-5605
Western Housing Court - Springfield Session
37 Elm Street,
P.O. Box 559, Springfield, MA 01102
Phone: (413) 748-7838
Fax: (413) 732-4607
Holyoke Juvenile Court
121 Elm Street, Holyoke, MA 01040
Phone: (413) 322-6700
Palmer Juvenile Court
235 Sykes Street, Suite 3, Palmer, MA 01069
Phone: (413) 283-1057
Springfield Juvenile Court
80 State Street, Springfield, MA 01103
Phone: (413) 748-7860
Find the records of these courts using the Massachusetts Trial Court Electronic Case Access portal. Case records are also accessible from the public access computer terminals at the courthouses listed above. Note that Juvenile Court records are restricted and not publicly available. To access copies of your juvenile records, contact the Hampden County Juvenile Court where the case was heard.
Vital Records
Divorce records for the county are maintained at the Hampden Probate and Family Court. Download and complete a Request for Copies form and bring it to the courthouse at the address listed above. Alternatively, send the completed form to the courthouse's postal address and include the appropriate payment. The fee for a certified copy of a Judgement of Divorce Nisi is $20. Similarly, a copy of a certificate of Divorce Absolute costs $20. Accepted forms of payment include attorney's, bank certified, and bank cashier's checks as well as money order. Make your check payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Massachusetts' Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS) provides copies of marriage, birth, and death certificates for Hampden County. You can order the certified copies of these records in person by visiting the Registry counter located at 150 Mount Vernon St., 1st Floor, Dorchester, MA 02125 between 8:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. from Monday through Friday. Cash and check are accepted for copy fees when requesting for vital records in person.
To request for these records by mail, start by completing a vital records mail order form. Send this, along with a check or money order payable to Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to:
Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
150 Mt. Vernon St.
1st Floor
Dorchester, MA 02125
Each certified copy of a birth, death, or marriage certificate costs $20 when requested in person. The fee for mail request is $32.
Some cities and towns of Hampden County also provide copies of these vital records on request. For the City of Springfield, you can obtain a certified copy of a birth, death, or marriage certificate by visiting or mailing a request form tothe City Clerk's Office located at:
City Hall Room 123
36 Court Street
Springfield, MA 01103
When ordering for these records by mail, send a completed birth, death, or marriage certificate form. The office opens by 8:30 a.m. from Monday to Friday and closes by 4:00 p.m. except on Thursday when it closes by 6:00 p.m. The fee for each certified copy of these vital records is $20.
Are Property Records Open to the Public in Hampden County?
In compliance with the Massachusetts Public Records Law, anyone can request and obtain copies of Hampden County property records. All interested persons may obtain desired records by visiting the record custodian or sending mail requests.
Where and How to Find Property Records in Hampden County?
The Hampden County Register of Deeds maintains records of all recorded property in the county. Hampden County property records are available for $1 per page. The Register of Deeds also provides $3 plan copies for any sheet or size, while Deed documents cost $155. Interested persons may visit the Register of Deeds or send mail requests using the following information:
Hampden County Register of Deeds
Main Office
4th Floor
50 State Street
Springfield, MA 01103
Phone: (413) 755-1722
Email: hcrodsd@sec.state.ma.us
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays
Satellite Office
1st Floor
59 Court Street
Westfield, MA 01085
Phone: (413) 755-1722, extension 1201
Email: hcrodsd@sec.state.ma.us
Office Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Mondays through Fridays
How to Look Up Hampden County Property Records
The Hampden County Register of Deeds provides a public records search for property records in the county. Interested persons may find desired records by entering names, addresses, book and page numbers, instrument numbers, and date ranges. Parties may view town, reverse party, grantor, and grantee information. A document description, book and page number, address, and recording date are also available.
The public records search also allows access to recorded land plans and the county recording queue. Parties may use the recording queue option to find pre-recorded documents and documents recorded in the last hour.
Locations of Hampden County Property Assessors
Blandford Assessors
1 Russell Stage Road
Blandford, MA 01008
Phone: (413) 848-4279
Fax: (413) 848-0908
Hampden Town Assessors Office
625 Main Street
Hampden, MA 01036
Phone: (413) 566-2151, (ext. 106)
Springfield Assessors Department
Springfield City Hall
36 Court St
Room 10
Springfield, MA 01103
Phone: 311 or (413) 736-3111
Chicopee City Assessors
Chicopee City Hall Annex
274 Front St #101
Chicopee, MA 01013
Phone: (413) 594-1430
Fax: (413) 594-1549
West Springfield Assessors
26 Central Street
West Springfield, MA 01089
Phone: (413) 495-1891
Monsoon Town Assessor's Office
110 Main Street
Monson, MA 01057
Phone: (413) 267-4100, Extension 7
Fax: (413) 267-3726
Southwick Assessors
454 College Highway
Southwick, MA 01077
Phone: (413) 569-0565
Fax: (413) 569-3278
South Hadley Assessor's Office
116 Main Street
Room M7
South Hadley, MA 01075
Phone: (413) 538-5030, ext. 6182
Palmer Assessor's Office
4417 Main Street
Suite 5
Palmer, MA 01069-1133
Phone: (413) 283-2607
Fax: (413) 283-2637
Westfield City Assessor's Office
City Hall
Room 111
59 Court Street
Westfield, MA 01085
Phone: (413) 572-6223
Fax: (413) 562-0945
Holyoke City Assessor's Office
City Hall
536 Dwight Street
Holyoke, MA 01040
Phone: (413) 322-5550
Easthampton Town Assessor's Office
50 Payson Avenue
Easthampton, MA 01027
Phone: (413) 529-1401
Fax: (413) 529-1433
Wilbraham Assessor's Office
240 Springfield Street
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Phone: (413) 596-2800, (ext. 209)
Fax: (413) 596-2820
Ludlow Assessor's Office
Town Hall
3rd Floor
488 Chapin Street
Ludlow, MA 01056
Phone: (413) 583-5600 (ext 1220)
Email: assessors@ludlow.ma.us
Chester Assessor's Office
15 Middlefield Road
Chester, MA 01011
Phone: (413) 354-7760
Fax: (413) 354-6318
Southampton Assessor's Office
210 College Highway
Suite 6
Southampton, MA 01073
Phone: (413) 527-4741
Fax: (413) 529-1004
Email: assessor@townofsouthampton.org
East Longmeadow Assessor's Office
60 Center Square
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Phone: (413) 525-5400 (ext. 1600)
Fax: (413) 525-5322
