Hampden County Court Records Search
MassachusettsCourts.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports. All searches conducted on MassachusettsCourts.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.
Hampden County sits in the western part of Massachusetts and includes the cities of Springfield, Chicopee, Holyoke, Westfield, and several smaller communities. The county court system encompasses a Superior Court, five District Courts, a Probate and Family Court, a Housing Court session, and Juvenile Court sessions — all of which generate records that may be of interest to attorneys, litigants, researchers, and the general public. Navigating the different courts and their individual record-keeping practices can be challenging, but multiple access channels exist for those who know where to look.
Court records in Massachusetts can be located through a combination of official clerk’s offices, public access computer terminals at courthouses, remote online tools, and mail-based requests. MassachusettsCourts.us can serve as a starting point for identifying the appropriate court and finding publicly available case information across the state system, including courts that serve Hampden County.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Hampden County?
The most direct way to find case information is through the Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access portal, a free tool that provides electronic docket information for cases filed in Superior Court, District Court, Probate and Family Court, Housing Court, and other Trial Court departments. Searches can be run by case number or, for civil matters, by party name.
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, visit the clerk’s office at the relevant courthouse. Public computer terminals running the Massachusetts eAccess application are available at courthouses throughout the county. Attorneys may 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 may 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 clerk’s offices operate Monday through Friday. The Superior Court keeps hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., while the Probate and Family Court main office is open 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 grants the public a right of access to government records, and the Trial Court’s own rules extend this principle to case files maintained by clerk’s offices across the state. Under the Uniform Rules on Public Access to Court Records, court documents are accessible unless a specific statute, court order, or rule provides otherwise.
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
Individuals who file court documents bear the responsibility of redacting sensitive personal information — such as Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and complete dates of birth — before submission. Anyone who believes a record should be impounded or sealed may file an appropriate motion with the court, which will weigh the public’s interest in access against the privacy concerns at stake.
Copies of court documents are available at standard rates established 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 depending 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 are handled by 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. Requests can also be submitted 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. Individuals can obtain their 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 regarding 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 based on the type of offense. Misdemeanor convictions generally become eligible for sealing three years after the disposition, while 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 span everything from small claims disputes to large commercial lawsuits. The court that handles a particular matter depends largely on the dollar amount at issue and the type of relief being sought.
The District Courts handle civil matters involving 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 exercises jurisdiction over 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 affecting 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 docket entries alone — requesters 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. There are two primary types of divorce in Massachusetts: 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. Individuals who do not know their docket number should 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 ensure 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 allows members of the public to 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, but annulments and related legal actions are 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 provides 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 is the custodian of 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 provides for both informal and formal probate proceedings. Informal probate, suitable for uncontested estates, involves less court supervision, while formal probate requires a court hearing and 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 associated with these cases are treated as confidential and are not available to the general public. The appointment of a guardian carries no filing fee, while 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 may 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.