Find Marriage Records in Framingham
Framingham marriage records date back to 1647, giving this city one of the longest vital records histories in Massachusetts. The Framingham City Clerk's office in Room 105 at City Hall handles all marriage licenses and certified copies for the city. You can search records in person, request copies by mail, or use the clerk's online options. For marriages recorded after 1930, the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics in Dorchester holds statewide copies as well.
Framingham Overview
Framingham City Clerk Marriage Records
The Framingham City Clerk is Lisa Ferguson. Her office is in Room 105 at 150 Concord Street in Framingham. This is the main office for all vital records in the city, including marriage licenses, certificates, and certified copies. Records here go back to 1647, which reflects Framingham's long history as one of Massachusetts' oldest communities. The city clerk office maintains the official local record of every marriage that takes place within city limits.
Regular office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Unlike some city offices, Framingham does not have extended evening hours, so plan your visit accordingly. The phone number is 508-532-5520. If you have questions before visiting, a quick call can save you a wasted trip. The fax number is 508-628-1358 for those sending written requests that way.
Mail requests should go to the clerk at Room 105, 150 Concord Street, Framingham MA 01702. Include both parties' names, the date of the ceremony, your return address, and payment by check or money order made out to the City of Framingham. Attach a self-addressed stamped envelope so the office can return copies to you. Allow a few weeks for mail requests to be processed and returned.
The screenshot below shows the Framingham City Clerk page, where you can find current contact information and links to marriage records forms.
The Framingham City Clerk page at framinghamma.gov is the starting point for all marriage records requests.
Use this page to confirm current hours and find the direct links to marriage license and certificate pages.
| Office | Framingham City Clerk |
|---|---|
| City Clerk | Lisa Ferguson |
| Address | Room 105, 150 Concord Street, Framingham MA 01702 |
| Phone | 508-532-5520 |
| Fax | 508-628-1358 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Records Start | 1647 |
| Website | framinghamma.gov/215/City-Clerk |
Applying for a Framingham Marriage License
Both parties must appear in person at the Framingham City Clerk's office to apply for a marriage license. There is no residency requirement. Couples from anywhere in Massachusetts or out of state can apply in Framingham. The license fee is $30, which is on the lower end compared to many Massachusetts cities. Bring valid photo ID for both applicants when you visit.
Massachusetts requires a 3-day waiting period under MGL c. 207, § 28. The license is not active until three days after you apply. Once it becomes active, it remains valid for 60 days. If your wedding does not happen within 60 days, the license expires and you must apply again. Plan the application date so the waiting period clears before the ceremony.
The Framingham marriage licenses page at framinghamma.gov/218/Marriage-Licenses has detailed instructions on what to bring and how the process works. Both applicants must be 18 or older under MGL c. 207, § 7. If you need to waive the waiting period, apply to a Probate or District Court under MGL c. 207, § 30. The waiver costs $195 and is not automatically granted.
The screenshot below shows the Framingham marriage licenses page.
The Framingham marriage licenses page covers what couples need to bring and what to expect during the application process.
Review this page before your visit so you know exactly what documents to bring.
Framingham Marriage Certificate Copies
Certified copies of Framingham marriage certificates cost $15 each. You can request them in person at the City Clerk's office, by mail, or through whatever online option the city provides. For in-person requests, bring a photo ID. The clerk can usually provide copies the same day during a walk-in visit. Mail requests take longer, so factor in extra time if you have a deadline.
The certificates page at framinghamma.gov/217/Birth-Marriage-Death-Certificates explains the process for all three vital record types. For marriage specifically, you will need the names of both parties and the approximate date of the ceremony. If you do not know the exact date, a year range helps. Staff can search the records and find the entry as long as you have enough identifying information.
The screenshot below shows the certificates page for Framingham birth, marriage, and death records.
The Framingham certificates page outlines how to request copies of marriage records and what fees apply.
Use this page to find the mail-in form and any updated fee information before submitting a request.
For Framingham marriages before 1931, contact the Massachusetts State Archives at 220 Morrissey Boulevard in Boston. Copies there cost $3 each.
Historical Framingham Marriage Records and Research
Framingham's records begin in 1647, making this one of the best cities in Massachusetts for deep genealogical research. The Framingham Public Library has a dedicated "Framingham Room" with vital records going back to 1850 and a complete NEHGS Register collection. The library also provides remote access to HeritageQuest, a genealogy database available to anyone with a valid Framingham library card. These resources are especially useful for researchers looking for pre-1931 marriage data that is not in the state's online system.
The Massachusetts State Archives at 220 Morrissey Boulevard in Boston holds records from 1841 to 1930. Phone is 617-727-2816. Certified copies cost $3. The online search tool at sec.state.ma.us vital records search lets you look up entries before requesting a physical copy. FamilySearch has a free index at Massachusetts vital records 1841-1915 that covers much of this period and is a good first stop for older research.
The Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS) at 150 Mount Vernon Street in Dorchester has records from 1931 onward. Phone is 617-740-2600. Certified copies cost $20 in person or $32 by mail. Their page is at mass.gov RVRS. The New England Historic Genealogical Society at americanancestors.org holds extensive early Massachusetts vital records, including many Framingham entries from the colonial period. Membership is paid, but many libraries provide free access to their databases.
Massachusetts Marriage Law
Marriage law in Massachusetts is in MGL Chapter 207. The key rules apply to every city and town in the state. Both parties must be 18 or older. Both must appear in person. The 3-day waiting period kicks in at the time of application. The license is valid for 60 days after it becomes active. No residency is required to apply in any Massachusetts city or town.
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the issuing clerk. The clerk records it and files it with the state. That record becomes the official certificate of marriage. You can then get certified copies from either the city clerk or the state, depending on the year. Certified copies have a raised seal and are accepted by courts, employers, and government agencies as proof of marriage.
The state's marriage guide at mass.gov getting married guide covers the full process and links to individual town clerk offices for local details. It is a good resource for couples who are unsure about the requirements or who want to double-check fee information before applying.
Middlesex County Marriage Records
Framingham is in Middlesex County. Marriage licenses are issued at the city level, but the Middlesex County page covers court system resources, probate records, and historical archives that serve the broader county area.
Nearby Cities
These nearby cities have their own marriage records pages with local clerk office details and certificate ordering information.