Massachusetts court records are filed with the Clerk of Courts. The Superior Court / District Court / Probate & Family Court handles trial-level cases. Massachusetts offers a statewide court search through MassCourts, which covers most case types across all counties courts.
What this page covers: Massachusetts state court case records — criminal, civil, family, and probate filings. What it does not cover: Federal court cases (those are on PACER) or sealed/juvenile records.
Where to start: Use MassCourts for online case search. If you need documents beyond docket information, contact the Clerk of Courts in the specific county where the case was filed.
Common mistake: MassCourts covers state courts only. Federal cases filed in Massachusetts (bankruptcy, federal criminal, federal civil) require PACER — a separate federal system.
Court Records Databases
7 official Massachusetts court records sources.
Court 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 / Trial 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.