Hampden County Court Records
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Hampden County sits in the western part of Massachusetts and includes the cities of Springfield, Chicopee, Holyoke, Westfield, and several smaller communities. Its court system covers a significant volume of cases each year — criminal, civil, family, and probate — across a Superior Court, five District Courts, a Probate and Family Court, a Housing Court session, and Juvenile Court sessions. Knowing which court holds the records you need, and how each office handles requests, will save you a lot of time.
Court records in Massachusetts can be found through clerks' offices, public-access computer terminals at courthouses, remote online tools, and mail-based requests. MassachusettsCourts.us can help you identify the right court and find publicly available case information for courts across the state, including those that serve Hampden County.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Hampden County?
Start with the Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access portal — a free tool that provides electronic docket information for Superior Court, District Court, Probate and Family Court, Housing Court, and other Trial Court departments. You can search by case number, or by party name for civil matters.
To search by case number:
- Visit the Trial Court Case Access portal.
- Complete the CAPTCHA verification.
- Click Search Public Records.
- Select the case number tab.
- Enter the full docket number and click search.
To search by name (civil cases):
- Navigate to the court docket search page.
- Select the name tab.
- Enter the party's last name, then first name.
- For business entities, enter the company name in place of individual names.
- Filter results by court department and location if needed.
For in-person lookups, go to the clerk's office at the relevant courthouse. Public computer terminals running the Massachusetts eAccess application are available at courthouses throughout the county. Attorneys can also access records through the eAccess Attorney Portal.
Hampden County is served by the following courts:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Hampden Superior Court | 50 State Street, Springfield, MA 01102 | (413) 735-6016 |
| Springfield District Court | 50 State Street, Springfield, MA 01102 | (413) 748-8600 |
| Chicopee District Court | 30 Church Street, Chicopee, MA 01020 | (413) 598-0099 |
| Holyoke District Court | 20 Court Plaza, Holyoke, MA 01040 | (413) 538-9710 |
| Palmer District Court | 235 Sykes Street, Suite 3, Palmer, MA 01069 | (413) 283-8916 |
| Westfield District Court | 224 Elm Street, Westfield, MA 01085 | (413) 568-8946 |
| Hampden Probate and Family Court | 50 State Street, Springfield, MA 01102 | (413) 748-7760 |
| Western Housing Court Springfield Session | 37 Elm Street, Springfield, MA 01102 | (413) 748-7838 |
| Springfield Juvenile Court | 80 State Street, Springfield, MA 01103 | (413) 748-7714 |
| Holyoke Juvenile Court | 121 Elm Street, Holyoke, MA 01040 | (413) 322-6700 |
| Palmer Juvenile Court | 235 Sykes Street, Suite 3, Palmer, MA 01069 | (413) 283-1057 |
Records can also be requested by mail or email. Written requests should specify the case number (if known), the names of the parties, the type of document needed, and any applicable fees. The Superior Court clerk's office can be reached by email at Hampden.clerksoffice@jud.state.ma.us. Most clerks' offices operate Monday through Friday — the Superior Court from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and the Probate and Family Court main office from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Are Court Records Public in Hampden County?
Massachusetts operates under a strong presumption of openness for court records. The Massachusetts Public Records Law gives the public the right to access government records, and the Trial Court's own rules extend that principle to case files held by clerks' offices statewide. Under the Uniform Rules on Public Access to Court Records, court documents are generally accessible unless a specific statute, court order, or rule restricts them.
Records generally open to the public include:
- Criminal and civil docket sheets
- Complaints, answers, and motions
- Judgments, orders, and decrees
- Probated wills and estate inventories
- Divorce decrees (though some associated financial documents are restricted)
- Land and property filings
Records typically excluded from public access include:
- Juvenile delinquency records
- Grand jury minutes
- Domestic violence case files and victim address information
- Medical and autopsy records submitted in court proceedings
- Records sealed by court order or by the Commissioner of Probation
- Impounded materials
Anyone filing court documents is responsible for redacting sensitive personal information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and complete dates of birth — before submission. If you believe a record should be impounded or sealed, you can file the appropriate motion with the court, which will weigh the public's interest in access against the relevant privacy concerns.
Copies of court documents are available at standard rates set by the Uniform Schedule of Fees:
| Copy Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Attested (certified) copy | $2.50 per page |
| Unattested copy | $0.05 per page |
| Certificate of orders, decrees, or judgments | $20.00 |
| Transcript of judgment | $50.00 |
| Electronic audio recording access | $10.00 per case, per day |
| PDF or electronic document | $5.00 (plus $4.00 if mailed on CD) |
Hampden County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Hampden County are divided between the Superior Court and the District Courts based on the severity of the charges. All felony cases fall under the jurisdiction of the Hampden Superior Court, while misdemeanors, motor vehicle offenses, city and town ordinance violations, and certain lower-level felonies go to one of the five District Courts spread across the county. Specialty sessions — including an Adult Drug Court, a Mental Health Court, a Family Treatment Court, and an Emerging Adult Court of Hope (E.A.C.H.) — operate within the district court system to address cases involving substance use disorders and behavioral health needs.
Searching Criminal Case Dockets
Criminal docket information can be accessed through the Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access portal by entering the case number. In-person searches are available at the clerk-magistrate's office in the courthouse where the case was heard. You can also submit requests by email to the Superior Court clerk's office or by mail to the appropriate district court.
Criminal History (CORI) Reports
For a broader criminal history check, the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) manages the statewide Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) system. You can obtain your own CORI report for $25 through the iCORI online portal, which requires a valid Massachusetts driver's license or ID. Those who cannot afford the fee may submit an Affidavit of Indigency. DCJIS can be contacted at:
Department of Criminal Justice Information Services
Address: 200 Arlington Street, Suite 2200, Chelsea, MA 02150
Phone: (617) 660-4600
Email: dcjis.rao@state.ma.us
Public records requests to DCJIS can also be submitted through the agency's online request form.
Hampden County Sheriff's Department
The Hampden County Sheriff's Department maintains information on individuals currently incarcerated in county facilities. The department's main facility is located at 627 Randall Road, Ludlow, MA 01056, and can be reached at (413) 858-0000. Media and public inquiries about inmates or arrest-related records may be directed to the department's Public Information Officer at (413) 858-0022.
Criminal Record Sealing
Under M.G.L. c. 276, §100A, individuals may petition to seal certain criminal records after a waiting period that varies by offense type. Misdemeanor convictions generally become eligible for sealing three years after the disposition; felony convictions require a seven-year wait. Offenses that are no longer classified as crimes may be sealed immediately. Petitions can be submitted administratively to the Commissioner of Probation or filed directly with the court for a judicial determination.
Hampden County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Hampden County range from small claims disputes to large commercial lawsuits. Which court handles a matter depends largely on the dollar amount at stake and the type of relief being sought.
The District Courts handle civil claims up to $50,000, including small claims (up to $7,000), landlord-tenant summary process actions, contract disputes, and motor vehicle tort claims. Hampden Superior Court handles civil lawsuits where the amount in controversy exceeds $50,000, as well as cases seeking equitable or injunctive relief, medical malpractice tribunal hearings, and business litigation. The Western Housing Court Springfield Session hears housing-specific civil and criminal matters involving residential property.
Accessing Civil Records
Civil case dockets are searchable by name through the Trial Court Case Access system. To retrieve actual documents rather than just docket entries, you'll typically need to contact or visit the clerk's office at the courthouse where the case was filed. Copies follow the standard fee schedule: $2.50 per page for attested copies and $0.05 per page for unattested copies.
For older records that may not appear in the online system, the court archives maintain historical civil and criminal case files. Some of these records have been digitized and made available through FamilySearch.org. Records not available online may be requested from the judicial archivist using the Court Archives Information Request Form.
Civil Court Forms
Commonly used civil forms — including small claims statements, summary process summons and complaints, and various motion templates — are available for download from the Massachusetts Trial Court forms page. Filing fees for civil matters vary by court department and case type.
Property Records
Although not part of the court system, the Hampden County Registry of Deeds maintains deeds, liens, mortgages, and other property interest documents dating back to 1636. The Registry offers online deed searches, though records filed before 1948 require the book and page number for retrieval. In-person access is available at:
- Springfield Office: 436 Dwight Street, Room B042, Springfield, MA 01103 — Phone: (413) 755-1722
- Westfield Satellite Office: 59 Court Street, Room 104, Westfield, MA 01085
Hampden County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Hampden County are heard by the Hampden Probate and Family Court, which operates from its main office at the Hampden County Hall of Justice in Springfield and a satellite office at Chicopee City Hall (274 Front Street, Chicopee, MA 01013). The main office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and the satellite office operates 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Note: the Chicopee satellite office has been temporarily closed for renovations as of November 2024; contact the court for current status.)
The court handles divorce, separate support, annulment, child custody, child support, paternity, adoption, guardianship of minors, termination of parental rights, and domestic violence prevention orders.
Divorce Records
Divorce filings are maintained by the Probate and Family Court. Massachusetts recognizes two primary types of divorce: a joint (1A) no-fault divorce, which takes 120 days to become final after judgment, and a contested (1B) fault divorce, which takes 90 days. To search for a divorce case, use the Trial Court Case Access tool, selecting the Probate and Family Court department and the Hampden County location. Copies of divorce decrees can be obtained by completing the Request for Copies Form (PFC-18) and submitting it to the court with payment for copies.
The Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS) can provide a docket number or court location for a divorce record but does not issue the decree itself. If you don't know your docket number, complete and mail an Application of Divorce Inquiry to RVRS.
Selected Domestic Relations Filing Fees:
| Filing Type | Fee | Surcharge |
|---|---|---|
| Complaint for Divorce | $200 | $15 |
| Complaint for Custody-Support-Parenting Time | $100 | $15 |
| Complaint for Parentage | $100 | $15 |
| Modification (child support, custody, parenting time) | $50 | None |
| Modification (non-child-related issues) | $150 | None |
| Complaint for Separate Support | $100 | $15 |
| Annulment | $200 | $15 |
Domestic Violence Prevention Orders
Abuse prevention orders under M.G.L. c. 209A are available at no filing cost through the Probate and Family Court, District Courts, and Superior Court. Certain details in these records — particularly victim address information — are restricted from public access to protect safety.
Virtual Registry
The Hampden Probate and Family Court operates a Virtual Registry through Zoom, available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This lets members of the public interact with registry staff remotely for filing inquiries and other administrative matters. The call-in number is (646) 828-7666 (Meeting ID: 1600424858).
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued by city and town clerks rather than the court, though annulments and related legal actions fall within the Probate and Family Court's jurisdiction. Marriage records can be obtained through the RVRS or through the local town clerk in Hampden County. The Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth also offers an online search tool for certain vital records.
Hampden County Probate Court Records
The probate division of the Hampden Probate and Family Court oversees estate administration, will probate, trusts, conservatorships, guardianships of incapacitated persons, and equity petitions. The register's office at 50 State Street in Springfield holds all probate filings for the county.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case information can be accessed through the Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access website. Estate cases from 2009 onward are generally available in the system. For records not found online, contact the register's office directly at (413) 748-7760 or visit during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.).
Historic probate records that predate the electronic system may be requested through the Court Archives Information Request Form. Some older records have been digitized and are accessible through the Secretary of the Commonwealth's digital records collection.
Common Probate Matters and Filing Fees
Massachusetts adopted the Uniform Probate Code (M.G.L. c. 190B), which allows for both informal and formal probate proceedings. Informal probate — suitable for uncontested estates — involves less court supervision, while formal probate requires a hearing and a judicial determination.
Key Probate and Family Court filing fees include:
| Petition Type | Filing Fee | Surcharge |
|---|---|---|
| Informal Probate of Will and/or Appointment | $375 | $15 |
| Formal Probate of Will and Appointment | $375 | $15 |
| Appointment of Conservator | $240 | $15 |
| Appointment of Guardian | No fee | None |
| General Petition (Probate) | $150 | $15 |
| Allowance of Account | $75 | $15 |
| Filing a Will for Safekeeping | $75 | None |
| Voluntary Administration | $100 | $15 |
Guardianship and Conservatorship
Petitions for guardianship of incapacitated adults and conservatorship of individuals unable to manage their financial affairs are filed with the Probate and Family Court. Medical certificates and certain financial disclosures in these cases are treated as confidential and are not available to the general public. Guardianship appointments carry no filing fee; conservatorship petitions require a $240 filing fee plus a $15 surcharge.
Wills and Estate Administration
Once a will is admitted to probate, it becomes part of the public record and can be inspected or copied at the register's office. Estate inventories, accounts, and closing statements filed by the personal representative are also accessible. Copies follow the standard fee structure of $2.50 per page for attested copies. Checks should be made payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.