Find Framingham Probate Court Records
Framingham probate court records are filed at the Middlesex Probate and Family Court North in Lowell. This surprises many Framingham residents who assume they would go to the closer Woburn location. Framingham is part of the Middlesex North session, so all probate cases go to the Lowell court at 370 Jackson Street. You can search records online, request copies by mail, or visit the Lowell court in person. The court handles wills, estates, guardianships, conservatorships, trusts, and name changes for Framingham and dozens of other towns in western Middlesex County.
Framingham Overview
Framingham Probate Filing Location
Framingham residents file probate cases at the Middlesex Probate and Family Court North in Lowell. The court is on the 5th floor of the Lowell Justice Center at 370 Jackson Street. This is the assigned location for Framingham and 35 other towns in the Middlesex North session. The Woburn court, which is closer to Framingham, only handles the 18 towns in the Middlesex South session. Framingham is not one of them. Make sure you go to Lowell, not Woburn, or your filing will be directed to the other location.
| Court | Middlesex Probate and Family Court North |
|---|---|
| Address | 370 Jackson Street, 5th Floor Lowell, MA 01852 |
| Phone | (978) 656-7700 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | mass.gov - Middlesex Probate Court |
The drive from Framingham to Lowell is about 35 to 45 minutes on Route 495 or Route 3, depending on traffic. Parking in Lowell is not free. There are daily rate garages on Chelmsford Street and Middlesex Street, plus the Lower Locks municipal garage at 90 Warren Street. Metered street parking is also available near the courthouse. Public transit from Framingham to Lowell requires multiple connections and is not practical for most people. The LRTA Route 18 Downtown Shuttle runs near the courthouse once you are in Lowell.
Important: Framingham files at Lowell, not Woburn. The two Middlesex courts serve different towns. Check which session covers your city before you visit.
Searching Framingham Probate Court Records
The MassCourts portal is the best way to search Framingham probate court records without visiting the courthouse. Select "Probate & Family Court" and "Middlesex" as the court division. Both the Woburn and Lowell sessions appear under the same Middlesex division since they share one docket system. Search by party name or case number. Results include case type, filing date, status, party names, and docket entries. Document images are available for many cases filed from 2009 forward.
Framingham probate records use the same MI prefix as all Middlesex County cases. A typical docket number looks like MI22P0789EA. The MI stands for Middlesex, 22 is the year, P is for probate cases, 0789 is the sequence, and EA indicates estates and administration. The docket search guide on the Trial Court website explains the full format and gives tips for running effective searches.
You can also search the state's guide to historic probate records if you need older Framingham estate or will records. Middlesex County records date back to 1648. Many are digitized and free to view on FamilySearch.org. The Trial Court page shows exactly which years and record types are online for each county.
For cases not in the online system, call the Lowell court at (978) 656-7700 or use the Middlesex virtual registry on Zoom. Staff can check on cases and answer questions about records requests. The virtual registry runs weekday mornings from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Framingham Probate Filing and Fees
The probate filing process for Framingham residents follows state law under M.G.L. Chapter 190B, the Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code. The most common filing is informal probate, which lets the registrar approve a will without a hearing when no one objects. The fee is $375 plus a $15 surcharge for $390 total. Formal probate, which requires a hearing before a judge, costs $405 with the citation fee included. Both types of petition can be filed in person at the Lowell court or online through eFileMA.
Voluntary administration is an option for very small estates. It costs $115 and works when the estate is worth $25,000 or less after funeral costs and debts. Guardianship of a minor has no filing fee. Guardianship for an incapacitated adult costs $255 total, and conservatorship also runs $255. The full schedule of fees is posted at mass.gov. These fees are the same at every probate court in the state.
Getting copies of existing Framingham probate records has its own fee structure. A plain copy is $1.00 per page. Attested copies cost $2.50 per page. Certified copies of specific documents have set prices. For instance, a certified copy of a guardian decree for a minor costs $22.00. Letters of authority cost $25.00 for subsequent copies. You can request copies in person at Lowell, by mail using the PFC 18 form, or through the Trial Court copy request page.
Legal Resources for Framingham
Framingham residents who need help with probate matters can call the Trial Court help line at 1-833-91-COURT. The line is open weekdays from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM and staff can answer general questions about procedures and forms. They cannot give legal advice, but they can point you to the right resources.
All probate court forms are available free at mass.gov. The forms page has everything from informal probate petitions (MPC 150) to inventory forms (MPC 854) to guardianship applications. Each form comes with instructions. The Massachusetts Bar Association referral service at (617) 654-0400 can connect you with a probate attorney. Your first meeting costs $25 for 30 minutes. For people who cannot afford a lawyer, the Middlesex court's virtual registry can help with form completion and answer procedural questions over Zoom.
Note: Framingham became a city in 2018 but has always been part of the Middlesex North probate session in Lowell.
Middlesex County Probate Court Records
Framingham is in Middlesex County. The county probate court runs from two locations. Framingham is assigned to the North session in Lowell, along with 35 other towns. The South session in Woburn serves 18 towns closer to Boston. Both courts handle the full range of probate matters with the same fees and procedures. For a complete overview of the Middlesex County probate system, all towns served by each location, and links to court resources, check the county page.
Nearby Cities
These cities near Framingham have their own probate court record pages with local filing details: