Start with MassCourts at masscourts.org for court case searches. For criminal background checks, use iCORI through the Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services ($25 fee for public access). For property, go to the County Registry of Deeds (Massachusetts has both Registry of Deeds districts and Land Court for registered land). For vital records, go to the City or Town Clerk.
Sources curated and maintained by SearchSystems.net since 1997.
Massachusetts Counties — Most Searched
Statewide Databases
Official government databases.
Sex Offender Registry — SORB
DOC — Inmate Search
Vital Records — Birth, Death, Marriage
Business Entity Search — SOS
How to Search Massachusetts Criminal Records
Massachusetts makes criminal record searching harder than it needs to be. There's no free statewide court search — you have to know which specific court (District, Superior, BMC) in which county handled the case. But there's a workaround: iCORI at mass.gov/cori gives the public access to Criminal Offender Record Information for $25 per search. That pulls statewide conviction and pending case data by name. It's the fastest path to useful information. The DOC inmate search covers state prisons. The Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB) maintains the offender list. Skip the court-by-court approach and go straight to iCORI unless you need specific case documents.
How to Search Massachusetts Court Records
Use MassCourts for court records. Superior Court handles felonies and civil over $25,000. District Court handles misdemeanors, civil under $25,000, small claims under $7,000. Boston Municipal Court handles cases within Boston. Housing Court handles landlord-tenant statewide. Probate and Family Court handles estates, wills, divorce, and custody.
How to Search Massachusetts Property Records
Go to the County Registry of Deeds for deeds, mortgages, and liens. Massachusetts has a unique dual system — most land uses the standard recording system, but some uses the Land Court registration system (Torrens system). For property valuations, go to the City or Town Assessor. Suffolk County (Boston) and Middlesex County have the best online tools.
How to Get Massachusetts Vital Records
Go to the City or Town Clerk where the event occurred for birth, death, and marriage records. Massachusetts handles vital records at the MUNICIPAL level. For statewide records older than certain dates, contact the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records. Marriage licenses are issued by City/Town Clerks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I search Massachusetts court records? ▼
Use the Trial Court Electronic Case Access at masscourts.org. It covers district, superior, housing, probate, and juvenile courts.
Is there a free statewide criminal search? ▼
No free statewide criminal database. CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) checks require authorization and a fee through the DCJIS iCORI system.
How are Massachusetts property records organized? ▼
Each county has a Registry of Deeds for recorded documents. Some counties are registered land (Torrens) systems. Municipal Assessors handle property valuations at the city/town level.
What is iCORI? ▼
iCORI (Internet Criminal Offender Record Information) is Massachusetts's online criminal background check system at mass.gov/cori. It costs $25 and provides conviction and pending case information. Available to the general public — no special authorization required.
Does Massachusetts still have county government? ▼
Only partially. 8 of Massachusetts's 14 counties have been abolished. The remaining 6 (Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Nantucket, Norfolk, Plymouth) still have some county functions. Registries of Deeds continue to operate in all counties regardless of abolition.
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