Massachusetts public records
Massachusetts property research may require a town assessor and a registry of deeds, with recorded and registered land kept in different systems. Court dockets and CORI also serve different purposes. Use the relevant Records Access Officer for unpublished agency or municipal records.
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Official record sources
Choose the document you need before searching. A case index, parcel assessment, recorded deed and certified certificate are different records. The links below lead to the responsible government service or its official directory.
| Record / custodian | How to access | Costs and coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Court recordsMassachusetts Trial Court | Choose the appropriate MassCourts or other court docket search. | Online docket access and ordered copies are separate. Search coverage differs by court department; restricted family and criminal information may not appear remotely. |
| Property and land recordsMassachusetts property-record guide | Find the registry of deeds for the property's district and the local assessor. | Registry document and certification fees vary. Recorded land and registered land use different record systems; a town assessment is not a title examination. |
| Business recordsSecretary of the Commonwealth Corporations Division | Search corporation and LLC filings by name or other supported identifiers. | Basic search and certificates are separate services. Local business certificates for sole proprietors may be held by the municipality instead. |
| Birth, death, marriage and divorceMassachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics | Order birth, marriage or death certificates through the state or local clerk. | Certificate and delivery fees depend on the ordering method. Restricted-record rules apply to some records; divorce decrees come from Probate and Family Court. |
| Criminal-history checksMassachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services | Choose personal, organizational or public CORI access according to eligibility. | CORI fees and waivers depend on the requester and service. Different access levels disclose different information; public CORI is not the full authorized employer report. |
A criminal charge is not a conviction. A name match does not establish identity. Use the official case disposition and the appropriate authorized record-check process when those distinctions matter.
Requesting agency records in Massachusetts
Use this process for existing government agency records. Court case copies, vital certificates and criminal-history reports use the separate procedures in the table.
- Who can request
- Anyone may request non-exempt records. Direct a clear request to the agency or municipality's Records Access Officer.
- How to submit
- Identify the Massachusetts agency, municipality or county that maintains the record, then use its published records-custodian contact or accepted request channel. Describe existing documents, identifiers and dates. Keep the submitted request and acknowledgement; court copies and vital certificates use the separate services above.
- Response and delivery
- The Records Access Officer generally must respond within 10 business days. A response can explain exemptions, costs and a lawful production schedule rather than deliver everything immediately.
- Fees and estimates
- Fees depend on the record format, agency or municipality and allowed staff time. Request an itemized estimate; electronic delivery can avoid paper-copy costs.
- If access is denied
- A denial or inadequate response may be appealed to the Supervisor of Records. Supply the original request and response and follow the appeal deadline.
Massachusetts records-request example
Replace the brackets, narrow the dates and send this to the agency that holds the records. Use its required form or portal when applicable. This example requests agency documents; it is not a certificate application or court filing.
To: [the agency's designated records custodian] Subject: Massachusetts public-records request — [record or project identifier] Under the Public Records Law (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 66, § 10), I request electronic copies of the municipality's executed contract and paid invoices for [vendor and project] during [dates]. Please use existing records in their available electronic format. If any material is withheld, identify the legal basis and provide the non-exempt portions. Before incurring charges above [your limit], please send an itemized estimate. Please confirm receipt and the expected response date. [Name and contact details required by the receiving agency] [Requester eligibility or residency information, where required]
Before sending, check requester eligibility above. Keep the submission confirmation, cost estimate, response and any exemption cited so a follow-up or appeal can refer to the same request.
Massachusetts public records FAQ
Where can I find Massachusetts court records?
Choose the appropriate MassCourts or other court docket search. Search coverage differs by court department; restricted family and criminal information may not appear remotely.
Sources: Massachusetts Trial CourtAre Massachusetts public records free?
Fees depend on the record format, agency or municipality and allowed staff time. Request an itemized estimate; electronic delivery can avoid paper-copy costs. Certificate and court-document services follow the separate charges listed above.
Sources: Massachusetts official public-records guidance; Massachusetts Trial Court; Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and StatisticsHow do I get birth, death, marriage or divorce records in Massachusetts?
Order birth, marriage or death certificates through the state or local clerk. Restricted-record rules apply to some records; divorce decrees come from Probate and Family Court.
Sources: Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics; Massachusetts Trial CourtIs a Massachusetts court search a complete criminal-history check?
No. Different access levels disclose different information; public CORI is not the full authorized employer report. Choose personal, organizational or public CORI access according to eligibility.
Sources: Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services; Massachusetts Trial CourtSources and review
Each link identifies the official custodian or its published directory. Portal coverage and fees can change; confirm the current order details before paying. The date below records the source review, not the date a government record was created.
- Massachusetts official public-records guidance — checked
- Massachusetts Trial Court — checked
- Massachusetts property-record guide — checked
- Secretary of the Commonwealth Corporations Division — checked
- Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics — checked
- Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services — checked
Browse other jurisdictions
Public-records access rules vary by jurisdiction. Continue through the directory or return to the full list to choose the agency location you need.
All public-records jurisdictions