Norfolk County Court Records Search
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Norfolk County sits south of Boston and includes twenty-eight cities and towns — among them Quincy, Brookline, Dedham, Braintree, Weymouth, and Canton. The county’s court system spans a Superior Court, six District Courts, a Probate and Family Court, Housing Court sessions, and Juvenile Courts, all of which produce records that attorneys, litigants, researchers, and everyday residents may need to access. Whether the goal is verifying a case outcome, running a background check, or obtaining certified copies of a judgment, knowing which office holds a particular record and how to retrieve it makes all the difference.
Those searching for court records in Massachusetts can draw on several resources, including clerk’s offices, in-person public access terminals at courthouses, and online lookup tools maintained by the state judiciary. MassachusettsCourts.us can help users identify the right court and locate publicly available case information for proceedings held anywhere in the Commonwealth, including Norfolk County.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Norfolk County?
The Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access portal is a free online tool that provides electronic docket information for cases handled by Norfolk County’s Superior Court, District Courts, Probate and Family Court, Housing Court, and Juvenile Court. The system supports searches by case number, party name, case type, and citation or ticket number.
To search by party name:
- Open the Trial Court Case Access portal and click “Search Public Records”
- Select the desired Court Department (e.g., Superior Court, District Court, or Probate and Family Court) from the dropdown menu
- Choose the Norfolk County Court Division or specific court location
- Set the number of results to display per page
- Click the name tab and enter the party’s last name, then first name (use an initial capital letter followed by lowercase)
- For a business, type the company name in the last name field
- Click Search and review the results
To search by case number:
- Open the portal and click “Search Public Records”
- Select the case number tab
- Enter the full docket number
- Click Search
Docket searches and viewing basic case information online are free. Obtaining physical copies of court documents requires payment per the Uniform Schedule of Fees:
| Document Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Attested (certified) copy | $2.50 per page |
| Unattested copy or printout | $0.05 per page |
| Certificate of orders, judgments, or decrees | $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) |
| Blank summons or blank writ | $5.00 |
Checks should be made payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In-person visitors can also use public terminal computers at several Norfolk County courthouses to search for and print case records.
Norfolk County Court Locations:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Norfolk Superior Court | 650 High Street, Dedham, MA 02026 | (781) 326-1600 |
| Brookline District Court | 360 Washington Street, Brookline, MA 02445 | (617) 232-4660 |
| Dedham District Court | 631 High Street, Dedham, MA 02026 | (781) 329-4777 |
| Milford District Court | 161 West Street, Milford, MA 01757 | (508) 473-1260 |
| Quincy District Court | 1 Dennis Ryan Parkway, Quincy, MA 02169 | (617) 471-1650 |
| Stoughton District Court | 1288 Central Street, Stoughton, MA 02072 | (781) 344-2131 |
| Wrentham District Court | 60 East Street, Wrentham, MA 02093 | (508) 384-3106 |
| Norfolk Probate and Family Court | 35 Shawmut Road, Canton, MA 02021 | (781) 830-1200 |
| Dedham Juvenile Court | 55 Allied Drive, Dedham, MA 02026 | (781) 329-1500 |
| Quincy Juvenile Court | 1 Dennis Ryan Parkway, Quincy, MA 02169 | (617) 376-7505 |
The Superior Court and most District Courts are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Probate and Family Court in Canton follows the same schedule. Mail requests for records should be directed to the clerk’s office at the courthouse where the case was heard, accompanied by enough detail to identify the record — including case number, party names, case type, and the specific documents sought.
Are Court Records Public in Norfolk County?
Most court records generated by Norfolk County courts are open to public inspection. The Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. c. 66, § 10) establishes a broad right of access to records created or maintained by government agencies, and the Massachusetts Trial Court’s rules reinforce this presumption of openness for judicial records. Any member of the public may submit an oral or written request to a clerk’s office for access to court documents.
Certain categories of records are, however, restricted or exempt from public disclosure by statute or court order:
- Juvenile court records — delinquency proceedings and youthful offender cases
- Adoption and child welfare records — protected by statute; access requires court authorization
- Grand jury proceedings — secret under Massachusetts law
- Sealed or impounded records — restricted by judicial order or statute
- Medical and mental health records — when submitted as part of court proceedings
- Abuse prevention records — including protective order case files containing victim address and contact details
- Financial documents — certain financial statements in divorce and family law matters
Under Massachusetts court practice, “impounded” records remain visible to the court, attorneys of record, and the parties but are shielded from the general public. “Sealed” records are closed to everyone except authorized court personnel. A party may request impoundment by filing a motion and demonstrating good cause. Filers are responsible for redacting sensitive personal identifiers — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and taxpayer IDs — before submitting documents to the court.
Norfolk County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Norfolk County are prosecuted through the Superior Court and the six District Courts. The Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham handles all indictable felonies, bail petitions, and cases involving the most serious charges. District Courts handle misdemeanors, certain felonies punishable by up to five years, traffic violations, and violations of city or town ordinances.
Searching Criminal Dockets
Criminal docket information can be looked up through the Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access portal. Select the court department (Superior or District), choose the Norfolk County division, and search by case number, case type, or party name. Public terminal computers at courthouses also provide access through the eAccess application.
In-person requests for criminal records can be directed to the clerk’s office at the courthouse where the case was adjudicated. Written or mailed requests should include the defendant’s full name, the case number (if known), and the type of document needed.
Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI)
The Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) maintains the statewide CORI database. Individuals with a valid Massachusetts driver’s license or ID can obtain their own criminal history report through the iCORI online portal for a $25 fee. Those who cannot afford the cost may submit an Affidavit of Indigency. DCJIS does not accept personal checks for mail requests — money orders payable to the Commonwealth are required.
Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office
The Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office maintains inmate records from the county’s House of Corrections and related criminal documentation. The office can be contacted at:
Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 200 West Street, P.O. Box 149, Dedham, MA 02026
Phone: (781) 329-3705
Email: records_request@norfolksheriffma.org
Public records requests for criminal information held by the Sheriff’s Office can be submitted by email, by mail, or in person.
Criminal Record Sealing
Massachusetts law allows certain criminal records to be sealed under M.G.L. c. 276, § 100A. Misdemeanor convictions generally become eligible three years after the disposition date, while felony convictions require a seven-year waiting period. Sex offenses carry a fifteen-year wait. Offenses that are no longer classified as crimes may be sealed immediately. Requests may be submitted administratively to the Commissioner of Probation or by petition to the court for judicial determination.
Norfolk County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Norfolk County are split between the Superior Court and the District Courts based on the nature of the claim and the amount in controversy.
| Court | Case Types | Dollar Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| District Court (Small Claims) | Consumer disputes, minor claims | Up to $7,000 |
| District Court (Civil) | Contracts, landlord-tenant, personal injury, administrative appeals | Up to $50,000 |
| Superior Court | Complex litigation, eminent domain, medical malpractice, business disputes | Over $50,000 or equitable relief |
Accessing Civil Records
Civil case dockets are searchable by party name through the Trial Court Case Access portal. To retrieve the actual documents behind a docket entry, contact or visit the clerk’s office at the courthouse where the case was filed. The Superior Court in Dedham can be reached at (781) 326-1600, and individual District Courts are listed in the court locations table above.
Filing fees for civil actions in Superior Court include a $240.00 charge per plaintiff (combining a base filing fee, a $20.00 security fee under G.L. c. 262, § 4A, and a $15.00 surcharge under G.L. c. 262, § 4C). Issuance of an injunction or restraining order costs $90.00 in Superior Court.
Small claims actions in District Court carry tiered filing fees based on the claim amount. Civil filings at the District Court level also involve fees that vary by case type. Current fee schedules are available on the Court Filing Fees & Payment Information page maintained by the Massachusetts Court System.
Property Records
Land records in Norfolk County are separately maintained by the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High Street, Dedham, MA 02026. The Customer Service Center is open weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and can be reached at (781) 461-6101. Property deeds, mortgages, liens, homestead declarations, and other instruments can be searched through the Registry’s online search tool.
Copies of recorded documents cost $1.00 per page for in-person requests. Documents ordered by mail cost $1.00 per page plus $1.00 postage per document. The Registry’s full fee schedule lists recording fees for various document types — deeds ($156.00), mortgages ($206.00), declarations of homestead ($36.00), and others.
Norfolk County Family Court Records
All family law matters in Norfolk County are handled by the Norfolk Probate and Family Court, located at 35 Shawmut Road, Canton, MA 02021. The court is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Register’s Office can be reached at (781) 830-1200, and the Probation Office at (781) 830-1249.
The court serves all twenty-eight cities and towns in Norfolk County, including Avon, Bellingham, Braintree, Brookline, Canton, Cohasset, Dedham, Dover, Foxborough, Franklin, Holbrook, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Milton, Needham, Norfolk, Norwood, Plainville, Quincy, Randolph, Sharon, Stoughton, Walpole, Wellesley, Westwood, Weymouth, and Wrentham. The court exercises jurisdiction over divorce, annulment, separate support, child custody and support, paternity, adoption, guardianship of minors, termination of parental rights, and abuse prevention orders.
Divorce Records
Divorce petitions, decrees, separation agreements, and related filings are maintained by the court’s register’s office. To obtain copies, complete the Request for Copies form (PFC-18) and submit it to the Norfolk Probate and Family Court in person or by mail. Inquiries about divorce records can also be directed to norfolkprobate@jud.state.ma.us.
Key filing fees for family matters include:
| 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 |
| Complaint for Annulment | $200 | $15 |
| Complaint for Separate Support | $100 | $15 |
| Abuse Prevention/Protection | No fee | None |
| Adoption | No fee | None |
Virtual Registry
The Norfolk Probate and Family Court offers a Virtual Registry through Zoom, operating Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This allows members of the public to interact with registry staff remotely. The phone call-in number is (646) 828-7666 (Meeting ID: 1617846497).
Domestic Violence Prevention Orders
Abuse prevention petitions under M.G.L. c. 209A carry no filing fee and no surcharge. Case files involving protective orders often contain restricted information — particularly the plaintiff’s residential address and contact details — that is not disclosed to the public.
Marriage and Birth Records
Marriage certificates are issued and held by the city or town clerk where the marriage license was obtained, not by the Probate and Family Court. Birth and death certificates relevant to family proceedings (paternity cases, for example) can be obtained from the local city or town clerk or ordered from the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS). The RVRS maintains records from 1931 to the present and accepts requests at 150 Mount Vernon Street, 1st Floor, Dorchester, MA 02125. In-person requests are accepted weekdays between 8:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. A vital records mail order form is available for those who prefer to request certificates by mail.
Norfolk County Probate Court Records
Probate matters — including estate administration, wills, trusts, guardianships of incapacitated persons, and conservatorships — are handled by the same Norfolk Probate and Family Court at 35 Shawmut Road in Canton. The register’s office serves as the custodian of all probate filings and provides paper copies to interested individuals.
Searching Probate Records Online
Probate case dockets can be searched through the Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access portal:
- Click “Search Public Records”
- Select Probate and Family Court as the Court Department
- Choose Norfolk County Probate and Family Court as the Court Division
- Set the number of search results per page
- Enter your search criteria — party name, case number, or case type
- Click Search and review the results
Not all records appear in the electronic system. Older or archived probate files may require an in-person visit to the register’s office or a mail request.
Probate Filing Fees
Key filing fees for probate matters 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 |
| General Petition (Trust) | $375 | $15 |
| Allowance of Account | $75 | $15 |
| Filing a Will for Safekeeping | $75 | None |
| Voluntary Administration | $100 | $15 |
| Order of Complete Settlement | $75 | None |
Account fees are tiered by the gross value of assets reported in Schedule A. For accounts where the gross value exceeds $10,000 but does not exceed $100,000, the fee is $100 per year or fraction thereof. The fee rises to $150 for estates between $100,000 and $500,000, and increases further in increments for larger estates, reaching $3,500 for estates exceeding $10,000,000.
Wills and Estate Administration
Massachusetts operates under the Uniform Probate Code (M.G.L. c. 190B), which permits both informal and formal probate. Informal probate is designed for uncontested estates with clear documentation, requiring less court supervision. Formal probate involves a hearing and is required when the validity of a will is disputed or other contested issues arise. Once a will is admitted to probate, it becomes a public record and can be inspected or copied at the register’s office.
Guardianship and Conservatorship
Guardianship petitions for incapacitated persons carry no filing fee, while conservatorship petitions require $240 plus a $15 surcharge. Medical certificates and clinical evaluations filed in connection with these petitions are confidential and not accessible to the public. Orders expanding, modifying, or limiting a guardian’s powers also carry no fee; similar modifications for conservators cost $150.
Attested copies of any probate document cost $2.50 per page, and unattested copies cost $0.05 per page, consistent with the statewide Uniform Schedule of Fees.