About Mattapan — In Depth
Jail & Inmate Records
The Suffolk County Jail, often called the Nashua Street Jail, operates in Boston as the primary detention facility serving Suffolk County. During booking, arrestees undergo fingerprinting and photographing while staff record their personal information. The public can access inmate lookup services through the sheriff's department to find information about current detainees. Visitors must schedule their visits in advance and follow strict guidelines once there.
Massachusetts law allows for bond and bail arrangements that permit detainees to await trial outside custody, with conditions determined by the court. Those seeking information about recently arrested individuals can use the sheriff's online inmate search tool.
Arrest Records
The Suffolk County Sheriff's Department and local police departments maintain arrest records throughout Suffolk County. These files contain arrest details, charges filed, and booking information. Both residents and attorneys may request access to arrest records from the relevant law enforcement agency, typically through a formal request under the Massachusetts Public Records Law. An arrest record in Suffolk County generally includes the individual's personal information, the nature of charges brought against them, and which agency made the arrest.
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Suffolk County covers felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. Residents can run a background check through the DCJIS, which provides access to criminal history records under the Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) system.
Vital Records
The Mattapan Community Health Center, at 1575 Blue Hill Avenue, is a vital resource for Mattapan's residents, offering public health services, vital records, and community outreach programs. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health's Mattapan office, situated at 1010 Blue Hill Avenue, also provides access to birth, death, and other vital records for the neighborhood.
Business & Licensing Records
For zoning, permitting, and other public records related to commercial and residential development, the Boston Planning & Development Agency's Mattapan office at 1210 Blue Hill Avenue oversees these functions.
Economy & Demographics
The Mattapan Economic Development Initiative, a collaboration between community organizations and local government, provides public data and resources related to the neighborhood's economic development, employment, and community investment. Their office is located at 1575 Blue Hill Avenue. The Boston Redevelopment Authority's Mattapan office, at 1210 Blue Hill Avenue, also oversees economic and community development projects in the area.
Elections & Voter Records
The Boston Election Department serves Mattapan voters from City Hall at One City Hall Square, Room 241, Boston, MA 02201. Residents can reach the office at (617) 635-4635 or visit www.boston.gov/elections. Massachusetts residents have multiple options for voter registration: online through the state's Online Voter Registration portal at www.sec.state.ma.us/ovr (operated by the Secretary of the Commonwealth), by mail, or in person. Registration must be completed 20 days before any election.
Voters need to provide either a Massachusetts driver's license or state ID number, or the last four digits of their Social Security number. As a Boston neighborhood, the area participates in citywide municipal elections for Mayor and City Council. The neighborhood falls within Boston City Council District 5, which covers portions of Dorchester, Hyde Park, and Roslindale as well. District 5 City Council elections take place every two years. The Secretary of the Commonwealth's polling place locator at www.sec.state.ma.us/wheredoivotema helps voters identify their assigned polling location, or they can contact the Boston Election Department directly. Massachusetts makes various election records available to the public, including voter registration lists (accessible to campaigns and researchers under certain restrictions), campaign finance reports through the Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF) at www.ocpf.us, candidate filings available from local election offices, and precinct-by-precinct results published following elections. Massachusetts will hold elections for Governor and Lieutenant Governor (four-year terms), all state constitutional offices including Attorney General, Secretary of the Commonwealth, State Treasurer, and State Auditor, the entire 160-member Massachusetts House of Representatives, and 40 Massachusetts Senate seats (all serving two-year terms). Local voters will elect their State Representative (currently representing the 12th Suffolk District) and State Senator (currently the 2nd Suffolk District). County-wide elected offices do not exist in Suffolk County because Suffolk County government was abolished in 1999, transferring its functions to state government. Massachusetts voters can request absentee ballots, officially called "vote by mail" ballots, for any reason through the state's online portal at www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/elections/vote-by-mail.htm or by submitting an application to their local election office. Applications must arrive by the fourth business day before the election. Ballots go out starting 45 days before elections and must be returned by 8:00 PM on Election Day.
Public Records Resources for Mattapan, Massachusetts
Official government websites for Mattapan, Massachusetts and the surrounding area. We prioritize official government sources (.gov, .us, or .mil) and supplement with verified municipal, county, or statewide portals (.org or .com) where the agency uses a non-government domain.
- Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information ServicesRequest your own or another persons criminal offender record information.
- Massachusetts Most WantedSearch the most wanted fugitives and absconders in the State of Massachusetts.
- Massachusetts Inmates and Offender SearchFind the location and release information of individuals incarcerated with the Massachusetts Dept of Corrections.
- Massachusetts Sex OffendersSearch the Massachusetts Public Safety Sex Offender Registry Board for registered offenders by name or location.
- How to Seal Juvenile Criminal Records in MassachusettsRules and information for sealing juvenile criminal records
- Massachusetts State Police DepartmentLaw enforcement, traffic, criminal investigations and more
- Massachusetts Department of Fish & GameLicenses, permits, information and more
- Massachusetts Attorney GeneralCivil, criminal and appellate courts
- Massachusetts Department of Public SafetyLaw enforcement, traffic, reports and more
- Massachusetts Business & Corporation SearchFind active and inactive corporations by name from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
- Massachusetts Unclaimed PropertySearch property and claim status by individual name or business through the state treasurer.
- Massachusetts Department of Early Education and CareLicensing, background checks, investigations of child care providers.
Nearby Cities in Suffolk County, Massachusetts
Search public records in neighboring cities within the same county:
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register to vote in Mattapan, Massachusetts?
To register to vote in Mattapan, Massachusetts, residents can register online through the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth's website, by mail, or in person at the Suffolk County elections office. Massachusetts requires voters to be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and residents of the state. The registration deadline is typically 30 days before an election. Voters can verify their registration status and find polling locations through the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth's voter lookup tool. For local municipal elections in Mattapan, contact the Suffolk County Clerk's office for schedules and ballot information.
How do I look up property records in Mattapan, Massachusetts?
Property records for Mattapan, Massachusetts are maintained by the Suffolk Board of Assessors's Office and the Suffolk County Register of Deeds. The Assessor's Office is responsible for discovering, listing, and valuing all taxable property within Suffolk County, including parcels in Mattapan. Records available include property ownership, assessed values, legal descriptions, parcel maps, and tax history. The Suffolk County Register of Deeds maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements. Many Massachusetts counties provide online property record searches through their county websites. The Suffolk County Treasurer handles property tax payments and tax sale information.
How do I get a birth or death certificate in Mattapan, Massachusetts?
Birth, death, and marriage records for Mattapan, Massachusetts residents are available through both county and state offices. The Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, located in Boston, maintains statewide vital records and can issue certified copies of birth and death certificates for events occurring anywhere in Massachusetts. Orders can be placed online, by mail, or in person. Locally, the Suffolk County Clerk's office issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for Suffolk County. Birth and death certificates may also be available through local vital records offices. Requestors typically need to provide valid photo identification and proof of their relationship to the person named on the record. Processing times and fees vary by office and record type.