Search Hampshire County Death Records
Hampshire County death records are held at the city or town clerk in each of the 20 communities across this Pioneer Valley county, with the state RVRS serving as a centralized backup for records from 1926 forward. This page covers the key offices, ordering methods, historical resources, and the law that governs access in Hampshire County.
Hampshire County Overview
How to Get Hampshire County Death Records
There is no county-level vital records office in Hampshire County. Massachusetts does not centralize death records at the county level. When a person dies in Hampshire County, the town or city clerk where the death occurred records and holds that certificate. Hampshire County has 19 towns and one city, Northampton, making 20 total communities. Each one maintains its own death records independently.
The Northampton City Clerk is one of the most frequently contacted offices for Hampshire County death records since Northampton is the county seat and the most populous community. The office is at 210 Main Street, Room 4, Northampton, MA 01060. Phone: 413-587-1223. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The fee is $15 per certified copy. Payment can be made by cash or credit card; note that the office does not accept personal checks. Online payment is available through Unipay Gold. Records prior to 1970 may not qualify for same-day service, so plan accordingly if you need an older copy.
| Office | Northampton City Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 210 Main Street, Room 4, Northampton, MA 01060 |
| Phone | 413-587-1223 |
| Hours | Mon-Fri 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Fee | $15 per certified copy |
| Payment | Cash or credit card (no personal checks) |
| Online | northamptonma.gov |
For all other Hampshire County towns, contact the town clerk in the specific community where the death happened. Most offices accept in-person and mail requests. Call ahead to confirm current hours, fees, and whether online ordering is available.
Note: Hampshire County is one of the oldest counties in the United States, formed in 1662. Its probate records date back to 1660 and are held at the Hampshire Probate and Family Court in Northampton.
Hampshire Death Certificates: Ordering Options
If you know which town the death took place in, start with that town clerk. That is usually the fastest and least expensive route. For deaths you can't pin to a specific community, or if the local office is difficult to reach, the state provides a central option through the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS). The RVRS holds death records from 1926 to the present for all Hampshire County communities.
The RVRS is located at 150 Mount Vernon St, 1st Floor, Dorchester, MA 02125. Phone: (617) 740-2600. Email: vital.recordsrequest@state.ma.us. Walk-in service runs Monday through Friday, 8:45 AM to 4:45 PM. In-person copies cost $20 each and are usually ready the same day. Mail requests cost $32 per copy. Online orders through VitalChek start at $54 for the first certificate. The state's complete ordering guide explains every available option, including what documents you need to bring or include with your request.
The Hampshire County Registry of Deeds is at 60 Railroad Avenue, Northampton, MA 01060, phone 413-584-3637. That office handles land records from 1812 forward. It does not hold death certificates, but it is relevant if you are tracing property transfers that occurred after a death in the family. Pre-1812 deeds for Hampshire County towns are held in Springfield at the Hampden County Registry.
The Hampshire Probate and Family Court, at 33 King Street, Suite 3, Northampton, MA 01060 (phone 413-586-8500), handles estate proceedings. You will likely need a certified death certificate to open a probate case there, but the court does not issue those certificates itself.
The RVRS homepage is the central state resource for Hampshire County death records from 1926 to the present.
What Hampshire County Death Records Show
Massachusetts death certificates carry a standard set of data fields set by the state. Every certificate lists the full name of the deceased, date of death, place of death, age, and sex. The cause of death and manner of death appear as reported by the attending physician or medical examiner. The record also notes whether an autopsy was performed.
Other fields typically include the decedent's birthplace, occupation, residence at time of death, and the names of parents. Spouse name is included when applicable. The funeral director and the local town registrar both sign off on the record. Under MGL Chapter 46, Section 9, the state specifies what information must appear on a death certificate. Burial or disposition details are also noted. The complete set of Chapter 46 laws governing vital records can be found at the Massachusetts General Laws page.
Historical Hampshire County Death Records
Hampshire County has a particularly deep history when it comes to vital records. The county's probate records go back to 1660, predating the standard vital records system by nearly two centuries. For death records from 1841 through 1930, the Massachusetts Archives at 220 Morrissey Blvd in Boston is the main source. Digital images covering 1841 to 1925 are free to view online through FamilySearch. Certified copies from the Archives cost $3 each and typically take 4 to 6 weeks.
The Hampshire County Probate and Family Court holds probate records from 1660 forward, including pre-1812 records for towns that now belong to Hampden County. If you are tracing a Hampshire County family line and need estate or guardianship records that predate the vital records system, that court's records can be invaluable. The court is at 33 King Street, Suite 3, Northampton.
The New England Historic Genealogical Society at American Ancestors maintains extensive indexes of Massachusetts vital records that can help you narrow down a search. Several Hampshire County town libraries and historical societies also hold town reports and church registers with death-related information going back further than the official vital records system.
Note: Pre-1812 land deeds for Hampshire County towns are held in Springfield, Hampden County. If your research involves property transfers tied to a death in this era, start there.
Death Records Access and Law in Hampshire County
Hampshire County death records are public records under Massachusetts law. MGL Chapter 46, Section 2A makes vital records open to public inspection. There is no requirement to prove family relationship or legal purpose in order to request a copy. This openness has been part of Massachusetts law for a long time and applies to all Hampshire County communities equally.
If a Hampshire County death record contains an error, amendments are governed by MGL Chapter 46, Section 13. Contact the town or city clerk that holds the original record to begin the process. Some corrections require supporting documents such as medical records or a court order. The RVRS can assist with amendments for records they hold at the state level.
Fees are set by each local office and by the state. They are not waived for personal or family requests, but they are modest. The state death certificate information page has current details on fees and what you need to bring.
Cities and Towns in Hampshire County
Hampshire County's communities are all small- to mid-sized towns and one city, Northampton. None reach the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. For death records in any Hampshire County community, use the town or city clerk resources described above, or contact the state RVRS for records from 1926 forward. The towns include Amherst, Belchertown, Chesterfield, Cummington, Easthampton, Goshen, Granby, Hadley, Hatfield, Huntington, Middlefield, Pelham, Plainfield, Southampton, South Hadley, Ware, Westhampton, Williamsburg, and Worthington, plus the city of Northampton.