Massachusetts's court, criminal, vital, property, voter, and licensing records are maintained across state agencies and the 14 counties listed below. Use the tabs to filter by record type, or jump directly to any source.
- Courts: The Supreme Judicial Court sits at the top of the system; trial-court business is handled by the Superior Court / Trial Court, District Court, Trial Court divisions. Most courts publish dockets and case lookups online.
- Criminal history: The state's criminal-history repository handles official background checks. Fees and procedures are set by the state agency — see the linked official source.
- Vital records: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are issued by the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics and may also be available locally.
- Property & recorded documents: Maintained at the county level by the Assessor, Recorder, or Clerk's office.
- Business filings: The Secretary of State (or equivalent) operates the official business-entity search.
Vital Records Databases
19 official Massachusetts vital records sources.
Vital Records
Massachusetts Counties
All 14 Massachusetts counties. Click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a free statewide criminal search in Massachusetts?▼
Massachusetts's official criminal-history repository is operated by the state law-enforcement agency. Free public access to a complete criminal history is generally not available; an official background check typically requires fingerprints and a fee. County-level court records can be searched at no cost through individual court websites.
How do I search Massachusetts court cases?▼
Massachusetts's court system is headed by the Supreme Judicial Court. Trial-court business is handled by the Superior Court / Trial Court, District Court, Trial Court divisions. Many Massachusetts courts publish docket searches and case lookups online — see the Court Records tab above for direct links.
Where do I search Massachusetts business entities?▼
The Massachusetts Secretary of State (or equivalent agency) operates the official business-entity search. You can typically search corporations, LLCs, LPs, and other registered entities by name or registration number. See the Licenses or Business tab above.
What is the difference between Assessor and Recorder in Massachusetts?▼
The Assessor determines property values for tax purposes. The Recorder (or Clerk-Recorder) records deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents. Some county offices combine these roles, others keep them separate. Check the specific county page for details.
How do I obtain a Massachusetts birth or death certificate?▼
Massachusetts vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates) are issued by the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics and, in many cases, by local county clerks. Fees and ID requirements are set by the issuing agency.
Are Massachusetts property records free to search?▼
Most county-level property and recorded-document searches are free for basic information through the Assessor or Recorder website. Certified copies of deeds typically have a per-page fee. Direct links are in the Property Records tab above.
How do I check a Massachusetts sex offender?▼
The Massachusetts sex offender registry is maintained by the state law-enforcement agency under the Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Act. The registry is searchable by name, ZIP code, or address.