About Massachusetts Public Records

About Massachusetts public records

State of Massachusetts public records guide to online resources for conducting a comprehensive public search. Individual agencies link visitors to forms, steps to request official documents, criminal arrest reports, verification of information, case search for any litigation history and other personal and business background data from different government departments. Web based services are offered by the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services, Court-view Access, various state and local registries. Instant searches can be found by linking to Secretary of State business entity search, Division of Professional Licensure verification, registry of deeds land searches and local recent arrest inmate searches.

State background and court information

Massachusetts is one of the original 13 colonies and became the sixth state in the U.S. on February 6, 1788. The first settlement was made by the pilgrims of the Mayflower in 1620 with their arrival to Plymouth, MA. The early economy profited from the textile industry and production of machinery. The official state name is the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is one of the 6 states that comprise New England along with Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Massachusetts has 14 Counties, 50 cities and 301 towns with a population of 6,547,629. The state has 10,555 square miles of territory making it the 44th largest in the U.S. The legislative power is comprised of the Massachusetts Senate and house of representatives. Executive power is held by the governor and other individually elected offices such as the attorney general and secretary of the commonwealth. The judicial division makes up the third branch and is the entire court system of the state. Counties have no government as of the late 1990's and exist solely as geographic regions.  It is the 13th most populous state with 6.5 million residents and the 14th largest by size with a 10,555 square mile territory.

Similar to the federal freedom of information act, the Massachusetts Public Records Act and the Massachusetts Open Meetings Act offers its residents greater government transparency to its voters and general public. The Open Meetings Act opens local decisions and deliberations to its residents with records of the meeting available for public review. Government records in the state are presumed public information with few exemptions.

Criminal records are a vital part of a background check conducted in Massachusetts. Criminal records are provided by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) CORI background check system. This background check covers the entire state and what is included in the report are detailed on the official site. View the most wanted lists from the department of public safety or county sheriffs for a more local search. Locate an inmate in the Massachusetts Department of Corrections system. Requesting court records can reveal past and recent divorce filings. Civil and criminal case files are available from the Massachusetts judiciary.

The Massachusetts probate and family courts have exclusive jurisdiction over estate, support/custody, paternity, marriage dissolution, domestic violence and adoptions. The state's land and housing courts have jurisdiction over real property rights, small claims up to $2,000, misdemeanor, ordinance violation cases and handles preliminary hearings.

Juvenile courts have jurisdiction over miscellaneous domestic relations (TPR), and juvenile cases. The municipal court has jurisdiction over tort, contract, real property rights ($0/no maximum), small claims up to $2,000, mental health, civil trial court appeals, and miscellaneous civil cases. The Boston criminal municipal court hears felony, misdemeanor, domestic violence and traffic cases.

The district court has jurisdiction over tort, contract, real property rights ($0/no maximum), small claims up to $2,000, mental health, civil trial court appeals, hears support/custody, and paternity cases. Criminal division of the district court has jurisdiction over felony, misdemeanor, traffic , domestic violence, criminal appeals cases, traffic/other violation, and juvenile cases.

The state's superior courts have jurisdiction over tort, contract, real property rights ($0/no maximum), civil appeals, and miscellaneous civil cases.

Massachusetts appeals court has mandatory jurisdiction in civil, criminal, administrative agency, juvenile cases, discretionary jurisdiction in interlocutory decision cases. The state's supreme court has mandatory jurisdiction in civil, criminal, judge disciplinary, advisory opinion, original proceeding cases, discretionary jurisdiction in civil, criminal, administrative agency, juvenile and interlocutory decision cases.

Vital records

Statewide Massachusetts vital records. Search births, marriage records and death certificates. Divorces filed with courts. State vital records offices. Link to the agencies in Massachusetts and order vital records. Many records are public information available to the public from private and government entities. You can use information to verify your records. Look up vital statistics and free vital searches in Massachusetts to conduct research online. Use the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics. Find divorce records at the probate and family court department. Search the state archives for vital records. Learn how to make amendments and corrections to vital records.

Property and asset records

Massachusetts assets can be located in various forms of government documentation. The county registry of deeds offers online property ownership information. You can obtain images of the recording or order certified copies for your records. Search business ownerships with a free online search from the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division. This division also offers free instant searches of UCC filings, trademarks and rejected filings. Order bankruptcy filing records and see information such as a person's or companies assets and liabilities.

Government records and agencies

Access Massachusetts government agencies and obtain information on executive branches, legislative branches and jucidial branches within state jurisdiction. Link below to the state government agencies as well as state government information and services. Other state government resources such as codified state law, voters registration and other state government departments

Driving and vehicle records

Free and easy to use direct official Massachusetts government links to driver license and registration sources. Register your vehicle, get your tags, obtain the history of a vehicle. Online forms and processing from your computer anywhere. You can also see the status of your applications at anytime online without having to call the clerk. Locations, hours and office information are also available online.

Expungements and record clearing

Expunge your criminal past of felonies, misdemeanors, D.U.I convictions and more in the state of Massachusetts. Get information regarding expungements and begin to erase your previous Massachusetts criminal records statewide as well as nationwide. Some records can contain inaccurate or erroneous information that can be amended. Both juvenile and adult cases that can be corrected and begin your search for employment without a tainted past showing.

Genealogy and historical research

Massachusetts genealogy related links and topics. Individual state search of your ancestors, start a family tree, browse census records and more online. Resources and data from the Health and Human Services Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, Searchable Collections, New England Ancestors, Historic Genealogical Society, Genealogical Resources, Salem Witch Trials Documentary Archive and Transcription Project, USGenWeb Project and National Archives at Boston Genealogy Resources.

Missing children resources

Massachusetts law enforcement, criminal justice and other public agencies join forces when a child is reported missing in Massachusetts. Local law enforcement may coordinate initial search efforts; however, the Massachusetts Missing Children Clearinghouse plays an important role by providing resources for families, caregivers, and the professionals who serve them in assisting in the recovery of children who go missing from Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Child Amber Alert is an emergency alert system which broadcasts information that could help recover a missing child. The Massachusetts Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force support state and local law enforcement agencies to enhance investigative response to offenders who use the Internet to exploit children. The internet can serve citizens by providing search databases, websites which offer lists, photos, and details of children currently missing in Massachusetts, and safety tips for parents and children to help prevent abduction.