Plymouth County Court Records Search
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Plymouth County occupies the southeastern portion of Massachusetts and includes twenty-seven municipalities — among them Brockton, Plymouth, Hingham, Marshfield, Wareham, and Scituate. The county’s judicial system operates through multiple court departments with locations spread across Brockton, Plymouth, Hingham, and West Wareham. Each court generates records that may be relevant to attorneys, litigants, researchers, employers, and the general public, from criminal docket sheets and civil complaints to probate filings and family law orders.
For those trying to track down court records in Massachusetts, a combination of official resources makes the process manageable. Clerk’s offices at individual courthouses, public access computer terminals within courthouse buildings, and online databases maintained by the state judiciary all provide different levels of access to case information. MassachusettsCourts.us can assist individuals in identifying the appropriate court and accessing publicly available case data for proceedings held throughout Plymouth County and the rest of the Commonwealth.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Plymouth County?
The Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access portal is the primary free tool for looking up case docket information across all Plymouth County trial courts. The system covers Superior Court, District Court, Probate and Family Court, Housing Court, and Juvenile Court records and supports searches by case number, party name, case type, and ticket or citation number.
To search by party name:
- Open the Trial Court Case Access portal
- Click “Search Public Records”
- Select the Court Department from the dropdown (e.g., Superior Court or District Court)
- Choose “Plymouth” as the Court Division
- Click the “Name” tab
- Enter the party’s last name (initial capital followed by lowercase), then first name
- For a company, enter the business name in the last name field
- Click Search
To search by case number:
- Open the portal and click “Search Public Records”
- Select the case number tab
- Enter the full docket number and click Search
Online docket searches are free. The portal displays basic case information including docket entries, hearing dates, case status, and party names. However, this is not the official record of the court, and not all case types are available remotely. Visitors to the courthouse can access additional case types through designated public computer terminals running the eAccess application.
Physical copies of court documents carry fees set by 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 | $10.00 per case, per day |
| PDF or electronic document | $5.00 (plus $4.00 if mailed on CD) |
Checks should be made payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Mail requests for court records should be directed to the clerk’s office at the courthouse where the case was heard and should include the case number (if known), full names of the parties, case type, and payment for applicable fees.
Plymouth County Court Locations:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Plymouth Superior Court | 52 Obery Street, Plymouth, MA 02360 | (508) 747-8566 |
| Plymouth Superior Court – Brockton | 72 Belmont Street, Brockton, MA 02301 | (508) 583-8250 |
| Plymouth District Court | 52 Obery Street, Plymouth, MA 02360 | (508) 747-8400 |
| Brockton District Court | 215 Main Street, Brockton, MA 02301 | (508) 587-8000 |
| Hingham District Court | 28 George Washington Blvd., Hingham, MA 02043 | (781) 749-8580 |
| Wareham District Court | 2200 Cranberry Highway, West Wareham, MA 02576 | (508) 295-5200 |
| Plymouth Probate and Family Court | 52 Obery Street, Plymouth, MA 02360 | (508) 747-6204 |
| Brockton Juvenile Court | 215 Main Street, #270, Brockton, MA 02301 | (508) 987-4900 |
| Hingham Juvenile Court | 28 George Washington Blvd., Hingham, MA 02043 | (781) 741-6007 |
| Plymouth Juvenile Court | 52 Obery Street, Plymouth, MA 02360 | (508) 747-0858 |
| Wareham Juvenile Court | 2200 Cranberry Highway, West Wareham, MA 02576 | (508) 291-8407 |
| Metro South Housing Court – Brockton | 215 Main Street, Suite 160, Brockton, MA 02301 | (508) 894-4170 |
| Southeast Housing Court – Plymouth | 52 Obery Street, Plymouth, MA 02360 | (508) 747-8550 |
The Superior Court and Probate and Family Court are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. District Court hours generally follow the same schedule.
Are Court Records Public in Plymouth County?
Massachusetts law establishes a strong presumption of public access to court records. Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, the public has the right to access records created and maintained by governmental entities, including the courts. Court clerks in Plymouth County are statutorily required to provide copies of public court records within 10 days of receiving a proper request.
The Massachusetts Trial Court Rules further specify which records are presumptively open and which are exempt from public inspection. Records available to the public include criminal and civil docket sheets, complaints, motions, orders, judgments, and most probate filings.
Records typically excluded from public access include:
- Adoption records — sealed by statute
- Juvenile delinquency records — with exceptions for youthful offender proceedings conducted under indictment
- Mental health examination and commitment records
- Probation records — maintained by probation departments, not by the clerk’s office
- Sealed or impounded records — restricted by judicial order
- Abuse prevention filings — certain victim-identifying information is withheld
Impounded records remain accessible to the court, attorneys of record, and the parties, but not the general public. Sealed records are closed to everyone except authorized court personnel. Filers are responsible for redacting sensitive personal information, including Social Security numbers and financial account numbers, before submitting documents.
Plymouth County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Plymouth County are handled by both the Superior Court and the four District Courts. The Plymouth County Superior Court hears serious felony cases, with criminal sessions held at the Brockton location (72 Belmont Street). The District Courts — in Brockton, Plymouth, Hingham, and Wareham — adjudicate misdemeanors, violations of city and town ordinances, traffic offenses, and felonies carrying a maximum sentence of five years.
Searching Criminal Case Dockets
Criminal docket information is accessible through the Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access portal by selecting the appropriate court department and Plymouth County division, then searching by case number, case type, or party name. In-person visitors to courthouses can use public access terminals to search additional criminal case types that are not available remotely, including abuse protection orders and certain infraction records.
Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI)
For comprehensive criminal history checks, the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) administers the statewide CORI system. Under M.G.L. c. 6, § 167, criminal offender record information is defined and its dissemination regulated. Local police departments and the Sheriff’s Office are generally prohibited from furnishing criminal records directly to the public.
Individuals can request their own CORI through two methods:
- Online: Register and search through the iCORI portal using a valid Massachusetts driver’s license or ID. The fee is $25 per report.
- By mail: Submit a completed personal CORI request form with a $25 money order payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to DCJIS at 200 Arlington Street, Suite 2200, Chelsea, MA 02150. Phone: (617) 660-4600
Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office
The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office maintains inmate records and certain pre-trial documentation from county correctional facilities. The office is located at:
Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department
Address: 24 Long Pond Road, Plymouth, MA 02360
Phone: (508) 830-6200
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Criminal Record Sealing
Under M.G.L. c. 276, § 100A, individuals may petition to seal eligible criminal records. Misdemeanor convictions generally become eligible three years after the disposition, 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.
Plymouth County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Plymouth County is divided between the Superior Court and the District Courts, depending on the nature and value of the dispute.
| Court | Case Types | Dollar Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| District Court (Small Claims) | Consumer disputes, minor contract claims | Up to $7,000 |
| District Court (Civil) | Contracts, landlord-tenant, personal injury, summary process | Up to $50,000 |
| Superior Court | Complex civil actions, torts, real property, business litigation, equitable remedies | Over $50,000 or equitable relief |
The Superior Court also handles actions involving the state or municipalities, medical malpractice tribunals, and eminent domain cases. Filing fees for civil actions in Superior Court total $240.00 per plaintiff, which includes 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.
Accessing Civil Records
Civil case dockets can be searched by party name on the Trial Court Case Access portal. The online system covers criminal, civil, summary process, supplementary process, and small claims case types. Additional case categories — including environmental civil infractions and municipal ordinance infractions — are accessible only through public terminals at the courthouse.
To obtain copies of filed documents, contact or visit the clerk’s office at the relevant courthouse. Attested copies cost $2.50 per page and unattested copies cost $0.05 per page under the statewide fee schedule.
Property Records
Land records in Plymouth County are maintained separately by the Plymouth County Registry of Deeds, which records documents affecting the county’s twenty-seven municipalities. Property deeds, mortgages, liens, and other instruments can be searched using the Registry’s TitleView online search tool. Searches can be conducted by party name, business name, document type, town, and recording date.
Plymouth County Family Court Records
All family law matters in Plymouth County are handled by the Plymouth Probate and Family Court, located at 52 Obery Street, Plymouth, MA 02360. The court is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Register’s Office can be reached at (508) 747-6204.
The court serves all twenty-seven Plymouth County communities, including Abington, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Hingham, Hull, Kingston, Lakeville, Marion, Marshfield, Mattapoisett, Middleborough, Norwell, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rochester, Rockland, Scituate, Wareham, West Bridgewater, and Whitman.
The court exercises jurisdiction over divorce, child custody and support, paternity, adoption, guardianship of minors, termination of parental rights, and abuse prevention orders.
Divorce Records
Divorce records — including petitions, decrees, and settlement agreements — are maintained by the Probate and Family Court. For divorces finalized after 1922, requesters can complete and submit the Request for Copies form (PFC-18) along with applicable fees either in person or by mail to the courthouse. While divorce certificates are issued by the state’s Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS), the court maintains the actual divorce decree.
Historical divorce records predating 1922 are housed in the state’s judicial archives. To request these records, submit a Court Archives Information Request Form or contact the judicial archives at (617) 557-1087.
Key filing fees for family law 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 |
| Adoption Complaint/Petition | No fee | None |
| Abuse Prevention/Protection | No fee | None |
Virtual Registry
The Plymouth Probate and Family Court offers a Virtual Registry via Zoom, operating Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Members of the public can connect through the Zoom video link or call in by phone at (646) 828-7666 (Meeting ID: 1606727074). Staff assist with filing inquiries, copies, and other registry business.
Marriage Records
Marriage certificates are maintained by the city or town clerk where the license was issued. The RVRS can also issue certified copies. In-person requests at the RVRS office cost $20.00 per copy. Alternative methods carry higher fees: standard mail requests cost $32.00, expedited mail $42.00, and online/telephone orders through VitalChek start at $54.00 for the first copy.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates relevant to family court proceedings — paternity cases, for instance — can be obtained from the local city or town clerk or from the RVRS. Records from 1931 to the present are held by the RVRS at 150 Mount Vernon Street, 1st Floor, Dorchester, MA 02125. Requesters can order by mail using the vital records mail order form or visit the counter in person during business hours. On-site genealogical research at the RVRS is available at a rate of $4.50 per person for 30 minutes.
Plymouth County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Plymouth County — including estate administration, wills, trusts, conservatorships, and guardianships of incapacitated adults — are administered by the Plymouth Probate and Family Court at 52 Obery Street in Plymouth.
Searching Probate Records Online
Recent probate case dockets are searchable through the Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access portal. Select “Probate and Family Court” as the Court Department and “Plymouth County” as the Court Division, then search by party name, case number, or case type. For guidance on obtaining a specific document, the court’s page on how to get a copy of a will provides step-by-step instructions.
Historical Probate Records
Plymouth County has an extensive archive of historic probate records available online, including indexes (1633–1967), docket books (1685–1987), file papers (1686–1881), and record books (1686–1903). These digitized records are accessible for free and are valuable for genealogical research and historical case review. For records not found online, contact the Probate and Family Court directly or submit the Court Archives Information Request Form.
Filing Fees for Probate Matters
| 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 |
| Voluntary Administration | $100 | $15 |
| Order of Complete Settlement | $75 | None |
Account fees scale upward based on the gross value of the estate assets reported. Estates valued between $10,000 and $100,000 pay $100 per year covered, while estates exceeding $10,000,000 pay $3,500 per year.
Requesting Probate Documents
Visit the Register’s Office during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) to inspect or obtain copies of probate records. Attested copies cost $2.50 per page, and unattested copies cost $0.05 per page. Requests can also be submitted by mail to the court at 52 Obery Street, Plymouth, MA 02360, accompanied by identifying information and a check payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Massachusetts operates under the Uniform Probate Code (M.G.L. c. 190B), which offers both informal and formal probate pathways. Informal probate suits uncontested estates with straightforward documentation. Formal probate requires a hearing and is used for contested matters or when the validity of a will is challenged. Once admitted to probate, a will becomes part of the public record and can be inspected or copied at the register’s office.