Hampshire County Court Records Search

Hampshire County is located in western Massachusetts, with its county seat in the city of Northampton. The county’s court system operates under the unified Massachusetts Trial Court, which administers justice through several departments that each handle distinct categories of cases. Hampshire County is served by a Superior Court, a District Court (Eastern Hampshire District Court in Belchertown), a Housing Court (Western Division), a Probate and Family Court, and a Juvenile Court. Each of these departments maintains its own records and has its own clerk’s office, though the Massachusetts Trial Court provides centralized administrative oversight. The Hampshire County Registry of Deeds, housed in Northampton, handles real property recordings separately from the court system.

For anyone trying to locate court case information in Massachusetts, several resources are available at both the county and state levels. The MassachusettsCourts.us website can help users identify publicly available case information across the state’s trial courts. In addition, the Massachusetts Trial Court maintains its own electronic case access system, clerk offices offer in-person record searches during business hours, and public access terminals are available at courthouse locations. The specific court department that handled a case determines where its records are maintained, so identifying the correct court is the essential first step before attempting any search.

How to Look Up a Court Case in Hampshire County?

There are three primary methods for locating court records in Hampshire County: online searches, in-person visits, and written requests.

Online Case Search

The Massachusetts Trial Court offers a free public portal called MassCourts Case Search (also known as the eCourts portal), which allows users to look up case information from most Trial Court departments. Searches can be conducted by party name, case number, or attorney name. The system displays basic docket information including case type, filing date, parties, scheduled events, and disposition. Not all case types are available online — sealed, impounded, and certain confidential matters are excluded from public display.

In-Person Searches

Each courthouse maintains a clerk’s office where members of the public may search indexes and review case files during business hours. The principal court locations in Hampshire County are:

Court	Address	Phone
Hampshire Superior Court	15 Gothic St., Northampton, MA 01060	(413) 586-7400
Eastern Hampshire District Court	205 State St., Belchertown, MA 01007	(413) 323-5275
Hampshire Probate and Family Court	15 Gothic St., Northampton, MA 01060	(413) 586-8500
Western Housing Court (Springfield session)	37 Elm St., Springfield, MA 01103	(413) 748-7838

Visitors may inspect publicly available case files and request copies from the clerk. It is helpful to have the case number, party names, or approximate filing date before visiting.

Mail Requests

Written requests for copies of court records should be directed to the clerk of the appropriate court. Each request should include the case number (if known), the full names of the parties, a description of the documents needed, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Payment for copy fees should be made by check or money order payable to the clerk’s office. Requests should be mailed to the court address listed above.

Copy Fees

Standard copy charges across Massachusetts Trial Court departments are established by statute and court rule:

Paper copy: $1.00 per page
Certified copy: $2.50 per document
Attestation fee: $2.50 per document

Credit and debit card payments are accepted at most clerk windows, and some courts accept electronic payment for certain services.

Are Court Records Public in Hampshire County?

Massachusetts follows a general presumption that court records are accessible to the public. The Massachusetts Public Records Law (G.L. c. 66, § 10) and the common-law right of access both establish that records maintained by government agencies — including court records — are open for inspection. The Supreme Judicial Court has further reinforced this principle through its Superintendence Rule 1:19, which specifically governs access to case records in the Trial Court.

Under Trial Court Rule VIII and the related Uniform Rules on Public Access to Court Records, most case filings, docket entries, and orders in criminal, civil, family, and probate matters are available for public review. However, several significant categories of records are restricted or sealed:

Impounded records — A judge may order impoundment of a case file or individual documents under Trial Court Rule VI, removing them from public access. Only parties or individuals with a court order may view impounded materials.
Sealed records — Criminal records that have been sealed pursuant to G.L. c. 276, § 100A are not available to the general public. Only law enforcement agencies and certain authorized entities may access them.
Juvenile records — Proceedings in the Juvenile Court are confidential under G.L. c. 119, § 65, and records are not open to public inspection except in limited circumstances specified by statute.
Adoption records — Files related to adoption proceedings are sealed and require a court order for access.
Domestic violence records — While abuse prevention orders (209A orders) are generally part of the public docket, certain personal information and addresses of victims may be impounded.
Mental health and substance abuse records — Records involving civil commitments and treatment orders contain sensitive information that is subject to statutory confidentiality protections.
Grand jury materials — Grand jury proceedings and related records remain confidential unless disclosed by court order.

The Supervisor of Records within the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office handles appeals when a public records request is denied, though court records are primarily governed by the judiciary’s own access rules rather than the general public records statute.

Hampshire County Criminal Court Records

Criminal cases in Hampshire County are adjudicated in two primary courts depending on the seriousness of the offense.

Where Criminal Cases Are Heard

Hampshire Superior Court, located at 15 Gothic St., Northampton, handles all felony cases and certain serious misdemeanors that are indicted by a grand jury. The Hampshire Superior Court clerk’s office maintains records for these proceedings. Contact the clerk at (413) 586-7400.

Eastern Hampshire District Court at 205 State St., Belchertown, handles arraignments, misdemeanors, certain felonies within its jurisdictional authority, motor vehicle offenses, and violations of local ordinances. The Eastern Hampshire District Court clerk’s office can be reached at (413) 323-5275.

Searching Criminal Records

Criminal case docket information is available through the MassCourts eCourts portal, where users can search by defendant name or case number. In-person access to criminal case files is available at the respective clerk’s office during regular business hours, generally Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI)

For formal background checks, the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) administers the Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) system. CORI reports are not available through the courts. Instead:

Individuals may request their own CORI report through the iCORI online portal for $25.00 per request.
Organizations with an approved CORI agreement may run background checks on employees or volunteers through DCJIS.
Fingerprint-based state and FBI checks are available through authorized agencies for an additional fee.

CORI access is regulated under G.L. c. 6, §§ 167–178B, which defines who may access criminal history data, what information may be disclosed, and the timeframes after which certain offenses are no longer reported.

Sealing Criminal Records

Massachusetts law allows individuals to petition for the sealing of criminal records under G.L. c. 276, § 100A. Misdemeanor convictions may be sealed three years after the disposition, and felony convictions after seven years (with certain exceptions for sex offenses and other serious crimes). A petition to seal is filed with the Commissioner of Probation. Sealed records do not appear in standard CORI checks and are removed from public case search results.

Sheriff’s Office

The Hampshire County Sheriff’s Office is located at 205 Rocky Hill Rd., Northampton, MA 01060, and can be contacted at (413) 584-5911. The Sheriff’s Office manages the county correctional facility and may provide limited inmate information upon request.

Hampshire County Civil Court Records

Civil litigation in Hampshire County is distributed across multiple court departments based on the type of dispute and the amount in controversy.

Court Jurisdiction

Hampshire Superior Court has general civil jurisdiction and hears cases involving claims that typically exceed $50,000, equity actions, and appeals from certain administrative agencies. The District Court handles small claims (up to $7,000), civil actions within its monetary jurisdiction, and summary process (eviction) cases. The Western Division Housing Court handles landlord-tenant disputes, housing code enforcement, and related matters for Hampshire County.

Searching Civil Records

Civil case information is accessible through the MassCourts portal for most departments. Users can search by party name, case number, or filing date. For more detailed documents — such as complaints, motions, and judgments — an in-person visit to the clerk’s office or a written request is necessary.

Filing Fees

Civil filing fees in the Massachusetts Trial Court are established by G.L. c. 262, § 4 and related statutes. Representative fees include:

Superior Court civil entry fee: $240.00
District Court civil entry fee: $195.00
Small claims filing fee: $40.00 (for claims up to $500), $50.00 (for claims $501–$2,000), $75.00 (for claims $2,001–$5,000), $150.00 (for claims $5,001–$7,000)
Summary process (eviction) entry fee: $195.00
Appeal of small claims: $125.00 (District Court), $275.00 (Superior Court)

Real Property Records

Land records, deeds, mortgages, liens, and other instruments affecting real property in Hampshire County are recorded at the Hampshire County Registry of Deeds, located at 33 King St., Northampton, MA 01060. The Registry can be reached at (413) 584-3637. Online searches of recorded documents are available through the Massachusetts Registry of Deeds online portal, which provides free access to indexes and document images for most Hampshire County recordings.

Hampshire County Family Court Records

Family law matters in Hampshire County — including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and adoption — fall under the jurisdiction of the Hampshire Probate and Family Court.

Court Location and Contact

Hampshire Probate and Family Court
Address: 15 Gothic St., Northampton, MA 01060
Phone: (413) 586-8500

Office hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The Hampshire Probate and Family Court page on the Massachusetts court system website provides information about court procedures, forms, and scheduled sessions.

Divorce and Custody Records

Divorce complaints, separation agreements, custody orders, and modification judgments are filed with and maintained by the Register of Probate at the Hampshire Probate and Family Court. These records are generally public, though certain financial statements filed under Supplemental Probate and Family Court Rule 401 are treated as confidential and are not available for public inspection. Copies of divorce decrees and related orders can be requested in person or by mail from the Register’s office.

Domestic Violence Protective Orders

Abuse prevention orders under G.L. c. 209A are issued by the District Court, Superior Court, or Probate and Family Court. The filing fee for a 209A petition is waived by statute. While the docket entry for a protective order is part of the public record, certain identifying information about the petitioner (including home and work addresses) may be impounded to protect the safety of the individual.

Adoption Records

Adoption proceedings are heard by the Probate and Family Court. Upon finalization, adoption records are sealed and are not open to public inspection. An individual who was adopted may petition the court for access to their own records under G.L. c. 210, § 5D, or may contact the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families for information about voluntary adoption registries.

Marriage Records

Marriage licenses in Massachusetts are issued by city and town clerks rather than the courts. In Hampshire County, couples apply for a marriage license at the town clerk’s office in the municipality where either party resides. The Probate and Family Court does not issue marriage licenses but does hear cases involving the annulment or validity of a marriage.

Court Forms

The Massachusetts Trial Court publishes a comprehensive library of Probate and Family Court forms for use in divorce, custody, guardianship, and other proceedings. These include the Joint Petition for Divorce (CJD 101A), Complaint for Divorce (CJD 101B), Financial Statement (short and long forms), and various motions and affidavits. All forms are available for download in PDF format and may also be obtained in person at the clerk’s office.

Hampshire County Probate Court Records

The Hampshire Probate and Family Court handles all probate matters for the county, including the administration of estates, the allowance of wills, appointments of personal representatives, conservatorships, guardianships of incapacitated persons and minors, and trust matters.

Court Location

Hampshire Probate and Family Court
Address: 15 Gothic St., Northampton, MA 01060
Phone: (413) 586-8500

The Register of Probate maintains all case files and is responsible for docketing, filing, and issuing certified copies of probate documents.

Searching Probate Records

Probate case information can be searched online through the MassCourts eCourts system by selecting the Probate and Family Court department and entering a party name, case number, or decedent name. In-person searches are available at the clerk’s window during regular business hours.

How to File or Access Probate Records

Identify the case number or the name of the decedent, ward, or protected person.
Search the online docket or visit the Register’s office at 15 Gothic St., Northampton.
Request copies of specific documents (e.g., will, letters of authority, inventory, accounts) from the Register.
Pay applicable copy fees: $1.00 per page for paper copies, $2.50 for a certified copy.
For mail requests, include the case number, a description of the documents needed, a check or money order for estimated fees payable to the Register of Probate, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Estate Administration

When a person dies domiciled in Hampshire County, the estate is generally administered through the Probate and Family Court. Massachusetts adopted the Uniform Probate Code (G.L. c. 190B) effective March 31, 2012, which governs intestate succession, the execution and revocation of wills, estate administration, and the rights of heirs and beneficiaries. There are three tracks for estate proceedings:

Informal probate — An expedited process for uncontested estates, handled administratively by the Register of Probate without a court hearing.
Formal probate — Requires a court hearing before a judge, used when the validity of a will is contested or when other disputes arise.
Late and limited proceedings — Available when informal probate was not initiated within three years of death or when specific issues require judicial resolution.

Filing fees for probate petitions are set by statute and vary by petition type. The court’s forms page provides fillable PDFs for petitions for formal and informal probate, appointment of personal representative, and related filings.

Guardianship and Conservatorship Records

Petitions for guardianship of an incapacitated person or a minor, and petitions for conservatorship, are filed with the Probate and Family Court. These proceedings are governed by G.L. c. 190B, Articles V and V-A. Guardianship records are generally public, though the court may impound medical or psychological evaluations submitted in support of a petition. The Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code provides the statutory framework for all guardianship and conservatorship matters in the county.

Trust Matters

The Probate and Family Court has jurisdiction over trust disputes, petitions for instructions, accountings by trustees, and related proceedings under G.L. c. 203E (the Massachusetts Uniform Trust Code). Trust instruments that are filed with the court become part of the public case file unless the court orders otherwise.