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Suffolk County, Massachusetts State Court Records

Suffolk County court records are files that preserve the history of a legal case in the county. Court records consist of all paper and digital files submitted to or generated by the court during the case. These records are maintained by several court clerks in the county, depending on the case type and the location.

A court record is an invaluable part of the judicial system and the county at large, as it often actively feeds or receives information from other records. For instance, when a housing court rules on a foreclosure, the court judgment is sent to the Suffolk County Registry of Deeds, which then attaches it to the property's deed.

Are Suffolk County Court Records Public?

Yes. Suffolk County court records are generally accessible to the public under the Massachusetts Uniform Rules on Public Access to Court Records. Under this rule, individuals have the right to visit a Clerk of Court's Office (or through any other means provided by the clerk) to inspect a court record in Massachusetts. However, not all court records are subject to public access. Certain records are considered confidential and are typically hidden from the public's view. Examples of these non-public court records include

  • Child welfare records
  • Paternity records
  • Abuse prevention actions
  • Adoption records
  • Sensitive personal identifying information

What Information is Available in Suffolk County Court Records?

Public Suffolk County court records typically furnish researchers with the following information:

  • The case number
  • The filing date
  • The case type and status
  • The names and roles of the parties in the case
  • The docket sheet
  • The court's actions and decisions

Suffolk County Court Records Search

Individuals searching for a court record in Suffolk County may try these options.

Online Access

Online searches are usually the fastest and most convenient way to access a court record. The Massachusetts judiciary operates a statewide centralized portal, the Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access Portal, available to the public for court record searches. Users on the portal first have to select the appropriate court department, division, and location before searching for a record. Searches can generally be made by case type, case number, and party name.

Online researchers should note that not all cases can be found on the portal, and for cases (see Cases Available Online) that can be found, only docket information is available.

In-Person Access

In-person searches for court records are not as quick-yielding as online searches; however, they allow individuals to find more detailed case information and find records that are not published online. In-person searches are to be done at the Clerk of Court's Office where the case was filed. A name or case number will be needed for a search. All courthouses are also equipped with a public kiosk that can be used to access case information if researchers do not prefer direct contact with staff.

Mail and Phone Requests

Individuals who want to obtain a copy of a court record can, instead of visiting the courthouse, send a mail packet to the Clerk of Court's Office with the record. The mail packet should include a written letter containing information that can be used to identify the specific record, such as a case number or party name, a self-addressed, stamped envelope, and a check or money order payment.

Fees for Court Records in Suffolk County

The fees for obtaining court records in Suffolk County are regulated by the Massachusetts Trial Court Uniform Schedule of Fees. The fee schedule is as follows:

  • Unattested (plain) copies: 5 cents per page
  • Attested (certified) copies: $2.50 per page
  • Electronic access to audio recording of a court case: $10 per case, per day
  • Electronically formatted document: $5, including an extra $4 if it is mailed
  • Certificate of orders and decrees: $20
  • Transcript of judgment: $50

Suffolk County Courthouse Locations

The State of Massachusetts operates a unified judicial system that incorporates all the state's counties. The courts functioning in the county include the Boston Municipal Court, the Chelsea District Court, the Superior Court, the Probate and Family Court, the Eastern Housing Court, and the Suffolk County Juvenile Court. The addresses and contact information for the courts are below.

Boston Municipal Court, Brighton Division

52 Academy Hill Road

Brighton, MA 02135

Phone: (617) 782-6540

Boston Municipal Court, Central Division, Boston Juvenile Court, Suffolk Probate and Family Court, and Eastern Housing Court - Boston Division

24 New Chardon Street

Boston, MA 02114

Boston Municipal Court Phone: (617) 788-8600

Boston Juvenile Court Phone: (617) 788-8525

Suffolk Probate and Family Court: (617) 788-8301

Eastern Housing Court Phone: (617) 788-8486

Boston Municipal Court, Charlestown Division

3 City Square

Charlestown, MA 02129

Phone: (617) 242-5400

Boston Municipal Court, Dorchester Division, and Dorchester Juvenile Court

510 Washington Street

Dorchester, MA 02124

Boston Municipal Court Phone: (617) 288-9500

Dorchester Juvenile Court Phone: (617) 288-9500

Boston Municipal Court, East Boston Division

37 Meridian Street

East Boston, MA 02128

Phone: (617) 569-7550

Boston Municipal Court, Roxbury Division

85 Warren Street

Roxbury, MA 02119

Phone: (617) 427-7000

Boston Municipal Court, South Boston Division

535 East Broadway

South Boston, MA 02127

Phone: (617) 268-9292

Boston Municipal Court, West Roxbury Division, and West Roxbury Juvenile Court

445 Arborway

Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

Boston Municipal Court Phone: (617) 971-1200

West Roxbury Juvenile Court Phone: (617) 971-1153

Chelsea District Court, Chelsea Juvenile Court, and Eastern Housing Court - Chelsea Session

120 Broadway

Chelsea, MA 02150

Chelsea District Court Phone: (617) 660-9200

Chelsea Juvenile Court Phone: (617) 660-9226

Eastern Housing Court Phone: (617) 788-8485

Suffolk County Superior Court and Land Court

3 Pemberton Square

Boston, MA 02108

Superior Court Phone: (617) 788-8175 (Civil Clerk), (617) 788-8160 (Criminal Clerk)

Land Court Phone: (617) 788-7470

Criminal Records Access in Suffolk County

Criminal records in Suffolk County are official documents on a person's contact with the law enforcement and justice system of the county. Suffolk County criminal records are created by local law enforcement agencies and the judiciary. Law enforcement agencies create and maintain arrest and incarceration (jail and prison), while the judiciary maintains documents related to the trial.

Individuals looking to access a criminal court record may search the Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access Portal, visit the Clerk of Court's Office, or send a request by mail.

Criminal history records, also called Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) reports, are not issued by the court, but by the state through the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services. Individuals may request their own CORI report through the iCORI Portal. Individuals should allow up to 10 days for their request to be processed.

Suffolk County Probate Records

Suffolk County probate records are files generated by the Suffolk County Probate and Family Court on matters involving estate administration for deceased persons and protective supervision. Probate records include wills, probate petitions, letters of authority, and an inventory of a person's assets.

Probate records are presumptively public in Suffolk County, meaning members of the public can access probate case details, provided that the information is not restricted by law or sealed by the court. Case dockets can be accessed via the Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access Portal, while inspection of the complete record can be done in person at the Probate Register's Office.

Suffolk County Family Court Records

Family court records are documents maintained by the Suffolk County Probate and Family Court in connection with a case involving family members. Common family court records include divorce, paternity, adoption, and child support records.

Suffolk County family court records are public records, so individuals can examine and obtain copies of the records. Family court records can be accessed in person at the Probate and Family Court Register's Office or online through the state's case search portal.

Federal Court Records in Suffolk County

Federal court records are part of the federal judiciary and cover legal cases involving the United States Constitution or federal laws. In Suffolk County, federal records belong to the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

Because federal court records are part of the federal judiciary, they cannot be accessed through local court clerks. Individuals who want to inspect a federal court record may visit the John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse in Boston or search the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system.

Suffolk County Court