Nantucket County

Nantucket County, Massachusetts is a unique island county located approximately 30 miles south of Cape Cod in the Atlantic Ocean. It is both a county and coterminous with the Town of Nantucket, making it one of only two remaining consolidated city-county governments in Massachusetts. Nantucket County seat and only municipality is Nantucket, with a year-round population of approximately 14,255 residents as of recent estimates, though this number swells significantly during summer months with seasonal residents and tourists. Nantucket County includes roughly 48 square miles of land area plus extensive surrounding waters. Nantucket area is renowned for its historic whaling industry heritage, pristine beaches, iconic lighthouses including Brant Point Light and Sankaty Head Light, and its remarkably preserved 19th-century downtown with cobblestone streets and cedar-shingled buildings. The entire island was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966. County government offices are consolidated under the Town of Nantucket area structure. The Nantucket area Town & County Building at 16 Broad Street is the central location for many governmental functions. The Registry of Deeds, which serves Nantucket County's recording functions, is located at 16 Broad Street, Nantucket County, MA 02554. The Town Clerk's office, handling vital records and business filings, operates from the same building. The Board of Assessors, responsible for property tax assessments, maintains offices there as well. Nantucket area's isolation, distinctive architecture, and carefully preserved character make it one of the most unique counties in the United States.

The Nantucket County Courthouse serves Nantucket County and is located at 2 Fairgrounds Road. The court handles civil, criminal, family, and probate cases for this county. Court records and case filings can be requested in person or through the Massachusetts online court portal.

The Nantucket County Courthouse in Nantucket County has jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases arising within the county, including family law, probate, small claims, and felony proceedings. Appeals from lower courts are also heard at this level. Case records are maintained by the county Clerk of Courts and are accessible to the public under Massachusetts open records law.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

• To request arrest records, citizens may submit a written request to the Nantucket area Police Department's Records Division, specifying the individual's name and date of birth if known.
• There may be fees associated with copying and processing records.
• Requests for booking photos must typically be made through formal public records requests.
• The island's unique geography means all law enforcement operates within a single, compact jurisdiction, allowing for coordinated response and unified record-keeping systems.

Jail & Inmate Records

• Bail and bond processes follow Massachusetts state guidelines, allowing detainees to be released pending trial under certain conditions.

• The Massachusetts Trial Court offers online case lookup through MassCourts (masscourts.org), which provides access to civil, criminal, and other case information.
• While basic case information is available free online, certified copies of court documents require payment of fees and must be requested from the clerk's office.
• The fee schedule includes $2.50 per page for most documents, with certified copies requiring an additional certification fee.
• The Nantucket area District Court Clerk-Magistrate's office, reachable, can provide guidance on accessing specific records, fee schedules, and proper procedures for obtaining certified documents.
• Documents can be requested in person at the courthouse or by mail with appropriate payment and identification.

• While searching and viewing are free, there are fees for printing documents ($1.00 per page) and obtaining certified copies ($3.00 for the first page, $1.00 for each additional page).
• The town also maintains a GIS mapping system accessible through the website that provides visual parcel identification and property information.
• Certified copies of assessment records can be requested from the Assessors' office with appropriate fees.

Vital records for this county include birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates issued under state vital statistics law.

• Processing time is typically same-day for in-person requests and 1-2 weeks for mail requests.
• Death certificates follow the same fee structure and eligibility requirements, with authorized persons including family members, legal representatives, and those with direct and tangible interest.
• Marriage licenses must be obtained from the Town Clerk's office in person by both parties at least three days before the intended marriage date; the fee is $30 and the license is valid for 60 days.
• Marriage certificates (copies of recorded marriages) cost $15.
• Divorce records are not maintained at the local level; certified copies must be requested from the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics or the Probate Court that issued the divorce decree.

Business records, licenses, and permits for this county are processed by the County Clerk and local government offices.

• The Secretary of State maintains a full online business entity search at corp.sec.state.ma.us where anyyou can search for Massachusetts businesses by name, identification number, or registered agent.
• This database includes formation documents, annual reports, and registered agent information.
• Nantucket County Chamber of Commerce, located at Zero Main Street, phone, website nantucketchamber.org, provides resources for businesses and maintains a directory of island businesses.