Massachusetts, county records

Dukes County, Massachusetts Public Records

Sponsored

Find the right office in Dukes County. Court cases, deeds and parcels, sheriff and jail records, vital records and county filings, each linked to the office that keeps them, with addresses and phone numbers.

Start here

Most requested Dukes County records

Every card below goes to the government office responsible for that record. Use the category buttons to narrow the list.

Filter by type

Showing 12 official sources

Everything else, organized

More official Dukes County record sources

Secondary links stay collapsed until they are needed, keeping the page useful without turning it into an endless wall of cards.

More county sources

Local record guide

About public records in Dukes County

Useful local context without burying the official record links above.

County profile

Dukes County at a glance

State
Massachusetts
County seat
Edgartown
Population
20,600
Area
104 sq mi
Founded
1695
Cities and towns
7

Dukes County offices and records

Sheriff & Law Enforcement. Dukes County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of Dukes County and operates Dukes County jail.

Police Departments. Dukes County is served by several law enforcement agencies, including Dukes County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments in towns such as Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, and Tisbury.

Law Enforcement & Arrests. Law enforcement in Dukes County is provided by Dukes County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at Dukes County House of Correction and Jail at 200 Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road, Edgartown, MA 02539. Municipal police departments serve each town on Martha's Vineyard: Edgartown Police Department (508-627-4343), Oak Bluffs Police Department (508-693-0750), Tisbury Police Department (508-696-4240), West Tisbury Police Department (508-693-0020), Chilmark Police Department (508-645-3310), and Aquinnah Police Department (508-645-2311). Due to the island's unique geography and relatively small year-round population, law enforcement coordination among the six town police departments and the Sheriff's Office is particularly important.

Arrest Records. Arrest records in Dukes County are maintained by Dukes County Sheriff's Office, which documents all arrests made within its jurisdiction. To obtain these records, individuals must submit a formal request to the Sheriff's Office, which will provide guidance on the process and any associated fees.

Jail & Inmate Records. Inmate lookup services are available through the Sheriff's Office, allowing family members and legal representatives to find information about current detainees.

Mugshots & Booking Photos. Mugshots in Dukes County are taken and retained by Dukes County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the arrest records and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office or via court records, depending on the case status.

The Edgartown District Court (508-627-3751) has jurisdiction over misdemeanors, preliminary hearings for felonies, civil cases up to $25,000, small claims (up to $7,000), summary process (evictions), and certain family matters including harassment prevention orders. Dukes County is served by Dukes County Superior Court and the Edgartown District Court, both located at Dukes County Courthouse, 81 Main Street, Edgartown, MA 02539. The Superior Court (508-627-4668) handles felony criminal cases, civil matters exceeding $50,000, and complex litigation. Dukes County Probate and Family Court (508-627-4703), also at 81 Main Street, handles estates, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, adoptions, paternity, divorce, custody, child support, and name changes. This free online database allows users to search by name, date, book and page, or document type for recorded instruments. Property tax records and assessments are handled by individual town assessors in each of the six Dukes County towns: Edgartown Assessor (508-627-6140), Oak Bluffs Assessor (508-693-3554), Tisbury Assessor (508-696-4270), West Tisbury Assessor (508-696-0104), Chilmark Assessor (508-645-2104). For recent records, residents should contact the town clerk in the county where the vital event occurred: Edgartown Town Clerk (508-627-6160), Oak Bluffs Town Clerk (508-693-3554), Tisbury Town Clerk (508-696-4200), West Tisbury Town Clerk (508-696-0104), Chilmark Town Clerk (508-645-2107), or Aquinnah Town Clerk (508-645-2300). The Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce (508-693-0085, mvy.com) provides business directory services, networking, and economic information for island businesses.

Straight answers

Dukes County public-records FAQs

Open only the answer you need.

Where can I find mugshots or booking photos in Dukes County, Massachusetts?

Mugshots and booking photos in Dukes County, Massachusetts, can be obtained from the Dukes County Sheriff's Office. They may provide access to these records through their office or an online portal. It's advisable to contact the Sheriff's Office directly to inquire about the availability and process for obtaining these images.

How do I get a criminal background check in Dukes County, Massachusetts?

To obtain a criminal background check in Dukes County, Massachusetts, you should contact the Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS). The DCJIS provides CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) checks, which can be requested online or by mail. For local assistance, you may also reach out to the Dukes County Sheriff's Office for guidance on the process.

How can I look up sex offenders in Dukes County, Massachusetts?

To look up sex offenders in Dukes County, Massachusetts, you can use the Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board's online database. This registry provides information on registered sex offenders throughout the state, including those residing in Dukes County. You can search by name, address, or zip code to find relevant information.

How do I register to vote in Dukes County, Massachusetts?

To register to vote in Dukes County, you can register online at RegisterToVoteMA.com, in person at your town clerk's office (Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury, West Tisbury, Chilmark, or Aquinnah), or by mailing a completed voter registration form. You must register at least 20 days before an election to be eligible to vote in that election. Massachusetts residents who are U.S. Citizens and will be 18 by election day are eligible. Absentee ballots can be requested through your town clerk for any election if you will be absent, have a disability, or have religious beliefs preventing polling place voting.

How do I look up property records in Dukes County, Massachusetts?

Property records in Dukes County can be searched for free online through the Dukes County Registry of Deeds at the Massachusetts Land Records portal, where you can view recorded deeds, mortgages, liens, and other land documents dating back many years. For property tax assessments and valuations, contact the assessor's office in the specific town where the property is located (Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury, West Tisbury, Chilmark, or Aquinnah). The Registry of Deeds is located at 81 Main Street, Edgartown, and can be reached at (508) 627-7830 for assistance or to obtain certified copies of documents.

How do I get a birth or death certificate in Dukes County, Massachusetts?

Birth and death certificates in Dukes County are obtained from the town clerk in the municipality where the event occurred (Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury, West Tisbury, Chilmark, or Aquinnah). The cost is $10 for the first certified copy and $5 for additional copies of the same record. You can also order through the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records in Dorchester or online via VitalChek.com with expedited processing fees. Only the person named on the record, parents, legal guardians, or immediate family members may request certified copies, and valid identification and proof of relationship are required under M.G.L. C. 46.

How do I find business license records in Dukes County, Massachusetts?

Business entity records (corporations, LLCs, partnerships) for Dukes County can be searched online through the Massachusetts Secretary of State's Corporations Division at corp.sec.state.ma.us. Local business licenses, including restaurant, lodging, and alcohol licenses, are issued by individual town licensing boards and can be requested from the town clerk or selectmen's office in each municipality. Doing Business As (DBA) certificates are filed with town clerks. Professional licenses are regulated by the Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure at mass.gov/dpl, where you can verify credentials for contractors, healthcare providers, and other licensed professionals.

Same county

Cities, towns and neighboring counties

Use the city page when a record was created by a municipal police department or city office; use the county page for courts, deeds, vital records and jail custody.

West TisburyVineyard HavenOak BluffsChilmarkCuttyhunkMenemshaWest ChopBarnstable CountyBristol CountyNantucket County