In Massachusetts, recording is handled by the Register of Deeds.
How to Search Massachusetts Court Records (Start Here)
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.
Edited by Sam Rokni — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: all Massachusetts court URLs verified against the official .gov / state-judiciary publisher on the review date. 5 primary .gov / .uscourts.gov sources cited below.
Massachusetts Court Records — Key Numbers (FY2025)
Massachusetts Trial Court FY2025 statistics cover all departments: Boston Municipal, District, Housing, Juvenile, Land, and Probate.
Massachusetts Trial Cour
Court system
Statewide
FY2025
Latest fiscal year
Official .gov data
.gov
Primary source
Never data brokers
Free
Public access
Most case records
June 04, 2026
Last reviewed
By SearchSystems editorial
How to access court records — typical costs
Search online
$0
View docket entry
$0
Download document
$1
Certified copy
$5
Expungement filing
$50
Unit: USD typical fee. Fees and access policies vary by court; see Primary Sources below.
What Changed in 2026 — Massachusetts Court Records
2026
Massachusetts FY2025 caseload report active
The Massachusetts Trial Court publishes its current FY2025 case filings, dispositions, and trends on the official statistics portal.
Lastly, this commendable track record of safeguarding privacy can be seen in · other privacy-related decisions. As early as 2009, this Court held that the installation · and use of a global position system device on a defendant’s vehicle constituted a · seizure under the protections afforded by article 14 of the Massachusetts Declaration
A .mass.gov website belongs to an official government organization in Massachusetts. ... A lock icon ( ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the official website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Original court records in the Judicial Archives include docket books, file papers, and record books documenting cases heard in courts throughout the Commonwealth prior to 1860 . In addition to criminal and civil case files, the Judicial Archives also includes early probate records and pre-1906 ...
A .mass.gov website belongs to an official government organization in Massachusetts. ... A lock icon ( ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the official website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. ... Search basic case information and scheduled court dates Find a courthouse Jobs with the court system Courts, court offices, and court departments contact information Self-help services and information Recently published opinions
CRTR9241-CR · Massachusetts · Fall River District Court · Daily List Report · Tuesday, May 19, 2026 · This Daily List is generated from the Trial Court's case · management system. It is not an official record and data · harvesting is prohibited. Every effort is made to assure · the ...
For a lost password on a PACER account, please contact the PACER Service Center. Notice This is a Restricted Web Site for Official Court Business only. Unauthorized entry or use or any use that attempts to circumvent access controls or PACER billing processes is prohibited and subject to ...
Welcome to the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Massachusetts · District of Massachusetts - Document Filing System ... This is a restricted government website for official court business only. All activities of CM/ECF subscribers or users of this system for any purpose, and all access attempts, may be recorded ...
How do I search Massachusetts court cases online?▼
Massachusetts's trial courts publish case lookups through the Massachusetts Trial Court. Start at www.mass.gov — most case dockets, filings, and hearing calendars are searchable by name, case number, or filing date. County-level clerks publish additional searches; see the cards below for direct county court links.
Is there a free statewide court case search in Massachusetts?▼
The Massachusetts Trial Court operates Massachusetts's official statewide judicial portal at www.mass.gov. Basic case lookups are typically free of charge; certified copies and bulk-data exports may incur a per-document or per-search fee. Federal cases for Massachusetts residents are searched separately through PACER.
What's the difference between trial and appellate courts in Massachusetts?▼
Trial courts in Massachusetts handle the original filing of civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic matters. Appellate courts review questions of law from trial-court decisions. The Massachusetts Trial Court publishes the full court structure, judge rosters, and jurisdiction maps at www.mass.gov.
How far back do Massachusetts court records go online?▼
Online coverage varies by court and case type. Most Massachusetts county courts have digitized records from approximately the late 1990s or early 2000s forward; older case files may require an in-person clerk visit or a written record request. Check the Massachusetts Trial Court portal at www.mass.gov for each court's coverage window.
Are sealed or expunged Massachusetts cases visible in the online search?▼
No. Massachusetts courts redact or remove sealed, expunged, juvenile, and certain confidential records from public-facing searches as required by state statute and court rule. If a record was previously visible and has since been sealed, it will no longer appear in the Massachusetts Trial Court portal. For verification you can contact the county clerk where the case was filed.
