Massachusetts criminal records come from two main sources: the state criminal history repository (maintained by the state police or equivalent agency) and individual county court systems. These are separate databases that may show different information.
What this page covers: Massachusetts state-level criminal history searches, county court criminal case lookups, and sex offender registry searches. What it does not cover: Federal criminal cases (those require PACER) or arrest records that did not result in charges.
Where to start: For a broad criminal history check, start with the state repository. For specific case details (charges, dispositions, documents), go to the Clerk of Courts in the county where the case was filed. For sex offenders, use the state sex offender registry.
Common mistake: A state criminal history search and a county court search are not the same thing. The state repository compiles conviction data from across the state. County courts have the actual case files with full detail. You may need both.
Massachusetts Criminal Records — Key Numbers (2026)
State-only check (State Identification Bureau): Returns arrests, dispositions and convictions reported to that one state's repository. It does not include arrests from other states or most federal cases. See the FBI's directory of state agencies: State Identification Bureau Listing.
Multi-state / federal check (FBI Identity History Summary): Returns records contributed by federal, state, local, and tribal agencies through the FBI's Interstate Identification Index (III). See FBI Identity History Summary FAQs and Interstate Identification Index (III).
What state repositories miss: The FBI's national survey of state criminal-history information systems documents known reporting gaps (missing dispositions, delayed updates, sealed/expunged handling). See BJS: Survey of State Criminal History Information Systems.
What Changed in 2026 — Massachusetts Criminal Records
The 4-Step Massachusetts Criminal Records Pathway
Five Things People Get Wrong About Massachusetts Criminal Records
Primary Sources and Official Record Portals
- www.mass.gov — Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) — Official Massachusetts criminal history portal
- fbi.gov — Identity History Summary — FBI fingerprint-based federal check ($18)
- fbi.gov — State ID Bureau listing — FBI listing of every state's repository
- ftc.gov — FCRA basics — Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act rules
- ftc.gov — Background Checks employer guide — FTC + EEOC employer guidance
- bjs.ojp.gov — Bureau of Justice Statistics — Federal stats on state criminal record systems
Related Criminal Records Resources
- Massachusetts Court Records →
- Massachusetts Property Records →
- Massachusetts Vital Records →
- Massachusetts Voter Records →
- Massachusetts Wants & Warrants →
- Massachusetts Licenses →
- Massachusetts Recorded Documents →
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Criminal Records Databases
13 official Massachusetts criminal records sources.
Criminal Records
Massachusetts Counties
All 14 Massachusetts counties. Click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I run an official Massachusetts background check?▼
Massachusetts's official statewide criminal-history check is administered by the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS). Begin the request at www.mass.gov. Most state-level checks require submitting fingerprints (live-scan or ink) plus a processing fee, and the response covers convictions and certain non-conviction data permitted by Massachusetts statute.
Are Massachusetts criminal records public?▼
Most adult criminal-history information in Massachusetts is considered public record, but access is restricted depending on the requester (self, employer, government agency) and the data type (arrest, conviction, sealed, juvenile). The Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) explains who can request what at www.mass.gov. County-court records are also public and searchable through the trial-court system.
What's the difference between a state and an FBI background check in Massachusetts?▼
A state check from the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) (www.mass.gov) covers only criminal activity within Massachusetts. An FBI Identity History Summary (fbi.gov) is the nationwide check covering federal records and contributing states. Employers and licensing boards often require both.
Can I get someone else's Massachusetts criminal record?▼
Generally, no — only the record subject (with their own ID and signature) or a specifically authorized requester (such as a credentialed employer under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a licensing board, or law enforcement) can pull a third-party criminal history from the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS). The Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) documentation at www.mass.gov lists each authorized requester category.
How do I challenge or correct a Massachusetts criminal record?▼
If you find an error on your Massachusetts criminal history, the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) offers a record-review and challenge process. Begin at www.mass.gov — typical steps include fingerprint verification, a written dispute, and supporting court documents (such as a dismissal or expungement order) for each contested entry.