What are Cambridge Public Records?
The Massachusetts Public Records Law defines public records to include papers, maps, photographs, documentary materials, and other forms of recorded information that are kept, created, maintained, or used by a public body in the exercise of public functions. Members of the public must be given access to public records upon request unless the records are exempted from disclosure. Some exempted records include:
- Internal personnel rules and practices of government/public bodies
- Inter or Intra agency memoranda
- Investigatory materials whose disclosure might jeopardize an investigation.
Cambridge Crime Statistics
The Cambridge Police Department releases monthly and annual crime reports helping inform the public on the development of crime within the region. In 2019, there were no murders, 36 rape incidences, 105 robberies, and 215 assaults within the city. The department also recorded 322 burglaries, 2,368 thefts, and 121 motor vehicle thefts.
Are Cambridge Criminal Records Public?
Most criminal records in Cambridge are public records and may be obtained by any member of the public. Interested members of the public may obtain records of courts, inmate records and other similar records that are not restricted.
How to Obtain Cambridge Police Reports and Arrest Records?
The Cambridge Police Department issues copies of Cambridge arrest records which include police reports and arrest records. Interested members of the public may obtain copies of the record by sending a completed records request form to records@cambridgepolice.org. Requesters may also visit the police department in person on Mondays from 8:30 a.m. to 8 00 p.m., Tuesdays - Thursdays 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Fridays 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. A requester may also mail in a handwritten request or send a completed records request form and a self-addressed and stamped envelope to:
Cambridge Police Department
Records Unit
125 Sixth Street
Cambridge, MA 02142
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Cambridge?
Sex offenders in Cambridge may be found using the sex offender registry maintained by the Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board. The registry provides details on level 2 and 3 sex offenders classified after July 12, 2013. Searches may be conducted using:
- Offender details - Requesters may provide the first name and last name of the offender alongside the registration status and the classification level of the offender.
- City, County, or Zip search - offenders in Cambridge may be found by selecting Cambridge under this option
- Geographical or Neighbourhood search - Searches may be filtered using the street number or street name, city or town, address, radius, or a zipcode.
How to Find Cambridge Inmate Records?
The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office maintains the Middlesex Jail and House of Correction which houses inmates arrested in Cambridge. To find inmates in the county jail, residents must contact the jail on (978) 667-1711 or visit the jail at:
269 Treble Cove Road
Billerica, MA 01862
Female inmates are housed at South Middlesex Correctional Centre. Inmates may be found by contacting the Deputy Superintendent on (508) 875-2883 or by visiting the center at:
135 Western Avenue
P.O. Box 788
Framingham, MA 01701
How Do I Visit an inmate in Cambridge Jail?
Visits to inmates at the Middlesex Jail and Correctional facility must be booked using the request to visit inmate form. Inmates are only permitted two visitors per visit period which lasts for a maximum of 45 minutes. Visitors that are under 18 years must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. All visitors must be searched before entry and must provide a valid photo ID as well as a confirmation of address. Visitors may use the visitation schedule to find the approved times for visits.
Court Records
Cambridge has a Third District Court which is also referred to as the Cambridge District Court. Located in Medford, the court also serves Arlington and Belmont. The city also has a Juvenile Court which is located within the city and handles matters relating to juvenile delinquency and Juvenile matters raised in Cambridge, Everett, Arlington, Malden, Medford, Belmont, Melrose, Somerville, and Wakefield. The city is also home to the Middlesex Probate and Family Court which has exclusive jurisdiction on Family matters, probate, wills, etc.
Location of Courts
Cambridge District Court
4040 Mystic Valley Parkway
Medford, MA 02155
Cambridge Juvenile Court
121 Third St.,
Cambridge, MA 02141
Middlesex Probate and Family Court
208 Cambridge Street,
Cambridge, MA 0241
Are Cambridge Court Records Public?
The Massachusetts Public Records Law makes most court records accessible to the public as public records. Under the law, any member of the public may request court records. However, not all court records are public, certain records may be restricted by federal or state laws as well as decisions of the court or by the application of the court rules.
Can you look up Cambridge court cases online?
Interested persons may utilize the Massachusetts Trial Court Electronic Case Access portal to find cases online. Requesters would need to provide the court division and the court location to conduct searches. The portal enables parties to search using:
- Name Search
- Case Type
- Case Number
- Ticket/Citation Number
How to Obtain Cambridge Civil Court Case Records?
Members of the public may access unrestricted Cambridge court case records by visiting the Court where the case was held. Alternatively, interested persons may contact the clerk of the court whose records are sought to request records of the case. Details of the case, the parties, and as much information on the case as is known should be provided to help locate the records being sought.
How to Obtain Cambridge Criminal Court Case Records?
Persons that require copies of Cambridge criminal court case records may do so through the clerk of the court where the case was tried. Interested persons may visit the District court at
4040 Mystic Valley Pkwy,
Medford, MA 02155
Inquiries for court records should be directed to the court clerk and should adequately identify the cases sought.
What are Cambridge Vital Records?
Cambridge vital records contain information on life events that occurred within the city. Vital records provide details on events such as marriages, divorces, births, and deaths. Interested persons may obtain vital records.
Where and How to Obtain Cambridge Divorce Records
The Registry of Vital Records may provide interested members of the public with information on the probate court where the divorce was granted and the docket number but is unable to provide actual divorce records. Interested persons may send a completed Application for Divorce Inquiry form by mail to:
150 Mount Vernon Street
1st Floor
Dorchester, MA 02125
Certified copies of a divorce record may be obtained from the Middlesex Probate and Family Court. Interested parties would need to provide the docket number when requesting the record. Docket numbers may be obtained from the state Registry of Vital Records or by calling the Middlesex Probate Court. Complete the Request for Copies Form and either send it by mail or take it to the Middlesex Probate and Family Court at:
208 Cambridge Street
Cambridge, MA 0241
Requests for a certificate of a divorce absolute will cost $25 while a certificate of a divorce nisi will cost $20. Payment of the appropriate fee should be attached to the request.
Where and How to Get Public Cambridge Marriage Records?
Cambridge marriage records may be obtained from the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS) or the City Clerk’s Office. Requests at the RVRS may be made in person or by mail. Requesters will need to provide the names of the parties, the date of the event, the place where the marriage took place, and a valid form of photo ID. A completed Application For Vital Record Form should be sent to:
Executive Office of Health and Human Services
Department of Public Health
150 Mount Vernon Street, 1st Floor
Dorchester, MA 02125-3105
(617) 740-2600
The completed form should be accompanied by a check or money order of $32 for the record. Applications may also be made in person on weekdays between 8 45 a.m. and 4 45 p.m. Payment may only be made by check or money order.
Marriage Records may also be obtained at the Cambridge city clerk’s office in person, online, or by mail. An interested person may obtain the marriage records in person by visiting the clerks’ office at:
City Clerk’s Office
Cambridge City Hall
795 Massachusetts Avenue
Room 103
Cambridge, MA 02139
Visits should be on Monday between 8:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Tuesdays to Thursdays between 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Fridays between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
A request may also be sent in by mail. A completed request form alongside a self-addressed and stamped envelope, $10 payment should be sent to:
Office of the City Clerk
795 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 349-4260
Note that if either of the party’s parents were unmarried at the time of their birth the record will be restricted and will only be available to persons named on the record and such persons will need to provide valid photo identification in addition to other requirements above.
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Cambridge?
Some marriage records in Cambridge may be restricted if either of the parents of both parties were unmarried at the time of their birth. In this case, only persons named on the record may access it. Otherwise, marriage records in Cambridge may be obtained by any member of the public.
Where and How to Find Cambridge Birth Records?
Any member of the public might obtain Cambridge birth records unless the parents of the registrant were unmarried at the time of birth. If the parents were unmarried only the following may access the records:
- The registrant
- A parent listed on the record
- A legal guardian with evidence of guardianship
Birth records may be obtained at the RVRS or at the city clerk’s office. Requests at the RVRS may be made in person or by mail. Requesters will need to provide the names of the parties, the date of the event, the place where the marriage took place, and a valid form of photo ID. A completed Application For Vital Record Form should be sent to:
Executive Office of Health and Human Services
Department of Public Health
150 Mount Vernon Street, 1st Floor
Dorchester, MA 02125-3105
(617) 740-2600
The completed form should be accompanied by a check or money order of $32 for the record. Applications may also be made in person on weekdays between 8:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. Payment may only be made by check or money order. Parties may visit the registry at:
150 Mount Vernon Street
1st Floor, Dorchester, MA 02125
Birth records may also be obtained at the Cambridge city clerk’s office in person, online, or by mail. An interested person may obtain the birth records in person by visiting the clerks’ office at:
City Clerk’s Office
Cambridge City Hall
795 Massachusetts Avenue
Room 103
Cambridge, MA 02139
Visits should be on Monday between 8:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Tuesdays to Thursdays between 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Fridays between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
A completed request form alongside a self-addressed and stamped envelope, $10 payment may be sent by mail to:
Office of the City Clerk
795 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 349-4260
Where and How to Find Cambridge Death Records?
Death records in Cambridge are public records and may be obtained by any member of the public. Death certificates may be obtained from the state’s Registry of Vital Records and Statistics(RVRS) or the City Clerk’s Office.
Requests at the RVRS may be made in person or by mail. Requesters will need to provide the names of the parties, the date of the event, the place where the marriage took place, and a valid form of photo ID. A completed Application For Vital Record Form should be sent to:
Executive Office of Health and Human Services
Department of Public Health
150 Mount Vernon Street, 1st Floor
Dorchester, MA 02125-3105
(617) 740-2600
The completed form should be mailed alongside a check or money order of $32 for the record. Applications may also be made in person on weekdays between 8:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. Payment may only be made by check or money order. Parties may visit the registry at
150 Mount Vernon Street
1st Floor
Dorchester, MA 02125
Death records may also be obtained at the Cambridge city clerk’s office in person, online, or by mail. To obtain the records, an interested person may visit the clerks’ office in person at:
City Clerk’s Office
Cambridge City Hall
795 Massachusetts Avenue
Room 103
Cambridge, MA 02139
Visits should be on Monday between 8:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Tuesdays to Thursdays between 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Fridays between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
A completed request form alongside a self-addressed and stamped envelope, $10 payment may be sent by mail to:
Office of the City Clerk
795 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 349-4260
