About Massachusetts Public Records

Massachusetts public records are governed by the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. c. 66, § 10) and Title 950 CMR 32, which makes every record of a state or municipal agency open to inspection unless covered by a statutory exemption. The 14 county registries of deeds hold land records, the State Police Criminal History Systems Board (DCJIS) issues iCORI reports, and the Trial Court publishes docket information.

Massachusetts Public Records

Court Records

Courthouses
Official Free
Courthouse locator for the over 100 courthouses in Massachusetts.
🌐 mass.gov
Courthouses | by Common Name
Official Free
Massachusetts courthouses have official names, but those aren't always the how most people know them. Use this Massachusetts Court System list to find courthouses by the court names as they're kno...
🌐 mass.gov
Court Records | U.S. District PACER
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Provided by: U.S. District Court of Massachusetts. Register with the fee-based PACER system to search for Federal civil & criminal court records by case number, party name, filing date, or last upd...
🌐 ecf.mad.uscourts.gov

Criminal Records

Criminal History (info)
Official Free
Find information here on how to obtain criminal histories from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services.
🌐 mass.gov
Sex Offenders
Official Free
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Safety service Level 2 and 3 registered offender search.
🌐 mass.gov
Well Drillers
Official Free
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection list of certified well drillers.
🌐 mass.gov
Chelsea Property | GIS
Official Free
Use this City of Chelsea service and find property information by owner, address, parcel ID, street, or location. View their GIS maps.
🌐 chelseama.gov
Hanson Property | GIS
Official Free
Click on Search to use this Belchertown service to search for property information by address or MapLot and view interactive GIS maps.
🌐 hanson-ma.gov

Property Records

Cambridge Property
Official Free
Search the Assessor database for property records in Cambridge, Massachusetts by address and property type, or use the advanced feature and search by square feet, assessed value, sale price, parcel...
🌐 cambridgema.gov
Dedham Property | GIS
Official Free
Town of Dedham property information. Query by owner, address, or map - block - lot and view interactive GIS maps. Service includes aerial photographs.
🌐 gis.dedham-ma.gov
Irish Immigrants
Official Free
Search this Boston College database by name, gender, location, port, or date for "advertisements from people looking for 'lost' friends and relatives who had emigrated from Ireland to the United States."
🌐 libguides.bc.edu

Vital Records

Vital Records 1841-1910
Official Free
Use this service from the Massachusetts Archives to search for Massachusetts birth, death, and marriage index records between 1841 and 1910. Includes first and last name, town or city where the eve...
🌐 sec.state.ma.us
Deaths 1841-1915
Official Free
Massachusetts Deaths recorded between 1841 and 1915. View or download images of death registers and certificates.
🌐 familysearch.org
Jewish Genealogy
Official Free
JewishGen Massachusetts genealogy databases, including obituaries, wedding announcements, marriages, and immigrant arrivals.
🌐 jewishgen.org

Business

Uniform Commercial Code Filings
Official Free
Search Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth UCC records by individual name, organization name, or file number. You may also opt to use RA9 exact name logic or search by partial name.
🌐 corp.sec.state.ma.us

Civic

Energy and Environmental Affairs
Official Free
Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs list of databases and indexes covering air quality, clean energy, climate, toxics, hazardous waste, recycling, pollutants, and much more.
🌐 mass.gov
Voters
Official Free
Use this Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth Service to check you voter registration status.
🌐 sec.state.ma.us
Dedham
Official Free
Check to see if you are a registered voter in Dedham. Search by name and date of birth.
🌐 dedham-ma.gov
Legislation
Official Free
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Legislative Tracking System for Massachusetts House and Senate Bills and Bill Histories. Search by house number, keyword, or phrase.
🌐 malegislature.gov
Polling Places
Official Free
Massachusetts Polling Places. Enter your street address to find the ward, precinct, and polling place in your area.
🌐 sec.state.ma.us
Cities & Towns
Official Free
Secretary of State directory of government information and phone numbers for the 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts.
🌐 sec.state.ma.us

Other

Debt Collectors
Official Free
Download a Massachusetts Division of Banks list of licensed debt collectors.
🌐 mass.gov
Driver License Verification
Official Free
Registry of Motor Vehicles online driver license and driver permit, and ID verification. Provides expiration date, renewal method, and any outstanding obligations.
🌐 mass.gov
Elevator
Official Free
Massachusetts Office of Public Safety and Inspections license verification for elevator mechanics, operators, and continuing education providers.
🌐 mass.gov
Hood Cleaning
Official Free
Massachusetts Department of Fire Services license verification for hood cleaning professionals.
🌐 mass.gov
Insurance | Producers
Official Free
Massachusetts Division of Insurance licensed insurance brokers, agents, advisors, managers, appraisers, producers, managers, and agencies.
🌐 mass.gov
Nurses
Official Free
Massachusetts Health Professions license verification for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, clinical nurse specialists, RN anesthetists, nurse practitioners, and nurse midwives.
🌐 mass.gov
Cities & Towns
Official Free
Secretary of State directory of government information and phone numbers for the 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts.
🌐 sec.state.ma.us
Community Reports
Official Free
Department of Revenue Division financial, demographic and economic reports on Massachusetts cities and towns.
🌐 mass.gov
Jobs
Official Free
Browse the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Human Resources Division for employment opportunities.
🌐 mass.gov
Underground Storage Tanks
Official Free
Search this Commonwealth of Massachusetts database for registered Underground Storage Tanks by county, city, facility name, address, owner name, and/or fire department ID.
🌐 mass.gov
Vehicle Titles
Official Free
Enter a VIN or Title Number and track a vehicle title or make sure that a title was sent out correctly.
🌐 mass.gov
Wells
Official Free
Massachusetts \tDepartment of Environmental Protection database of groundwater wells in the Commonwealth.
🌐 mass.gov

Frequently Asked Questions

What public records are available in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts provides public access to court records, criminal histories, vital records (birth/death/marriage), property records, professional licenses, voter registration, and business filings. Each record type has its own page on SearchSystems.net.

Are Massachusetts public records free?

Most online lookups — court calendars, property assessor portals, license verification, voter status — are free. Certified copies and fingerprint-based criminal-history checks typically carry a state fee.

What law governs public records in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts public records are governed by the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.

How do I request a record not available online?

File a written records request with the state or local agency that maintains the record. Most Massachusetts agencies must respond within a fixed statutory window (typically 3–15 business days).