Suffolk County Court Records Search
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Suffolk County covers the urban core of eastern Massachusetts and includes the City of Boston along with the municipalities of Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop. As the state’s most densely populated county and the seat of state government, Suffolk County maintains an extensive court system that processes a high volume of cases each year. The judicial apparatus includes a Superior Court, a Probate and Family Court, a District Court, eight divisions of the Boston Municipal Court, a Housing Court session, and multiple Juvenile Court locations. Together, these courts generate an enormous body of records — criminal dockets, civil filings, probate matters, family law orders, and more — that individuals may need to access for legal, professional, or personal purposes.
People seeking court records in Massachusetts have several avenues available, including in-person visits to clerk’s offices, public access computer terminals inside courthouses, telephone and mail requests, and online databases operated by the state judiciary. MassachusettsCourts.us can be useful for identifying the relevant court and locating publicly available case information for proceedings held in Suffolk County and elsewhere across the Commonwealth.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Suffolk County?
The Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access portal is the primary free online resource for searching case docket information across all Suffolk County trial courts. The system covers cases filed in the Superior Court, Boston Municipal Court, Chelsea District Court, Probate and Family Court, Housing Court, and Juvenile Court. Searches can be performed by case number, party name, case type, or ticket/citation number.
To search by name:
- Open the Trial Court Case Access portal
- Click “Search Public Records”
- From the Court Department dropdown, select the relevant court (e.g., Superior Court, BMC, Probate and Family Court)
- Under Court Division, select the Suffolk County option
- Click the “Name” tab and enter the party’s last name, then first name (initial capital letter followed by lowercase)
- For businesses, enter the company name in the last name field
- Click Search
To search by case number:
- Open the portal
- Click “Search Public Records”
- Select the case number tab
- Enter the full docket number and click Search
Viewing docket information online is free. Obtaining physical copies of documents requires payment based on 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) |
| Order of notice, citation, or precept (BMC, District, Probate) | $15.00 |
Checks should be made payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Requests by mail should be directed to the clerk’s office at the court where the case was heard, accompanied by sufficient identifying details — case number, party names, case type, and the specific documents needed.
Principal Court Locations in Suffolk County:
| Court | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suffolk Superior Court | 3 Pemberton Square, Boston, MA 02108 | (617) 788-8175 (Civil) / (617) 788-8160 (Criminal) | Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
| Chelsea District Court | 120 Broadway, Chelsea, MA 02150 | (617) 660-9200 | Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
| Suffolk Probate and Family Court | 24 New Chardon Street, Boston, MA 02114 | (617) 788-8301 | Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
| Eastern Housing Court – Boston | 24 New Chardon Street, Boston, MA 02114 | (617) 788-8485 | Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
| Boston Juvenile Court | 24 New Chardon Street, Boston, MA 02114 | (617) 788-8525 | Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
The Boston Municipal Court operates from eight divisions throughout the city:
| Division | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Central | 24 New Chardon Street, Boston, MA 02114 | (617) 788-8600 |
| Brighton | 52 Academy Hill Road, Brighton, MA 02135 | (617) 782-6540 |
| Charlestown | 3 City Square, Charlestown, MA 02129 | (617) 242-5400 |
| Dorchester | 510 Washington Street, Dorchester, MA 02124 | (617) 288-9500 |
| East Boston | 37 Meridian Street, East Boston, MA 02128 | (617) 569-7550 |
| Roxbury | 85 Warren Street, Roxbury, MA 02119 | (617) 427-7000 |
| South Boston | 535 East Broadway, South Boston, MA 02127 | (617) 268-9292 |
| West Roxbury | 445 Arborway, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 | (617) 971-1200 |
All BMC divisions are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Are Court Records Public in Suffolk County?
Court records in Suffolk County are presumptively accessible to the public. The Uniform Rules on Public Access to Court Records grant members of the public the right to view and request court records in the custody of a clerk of court, provided those records are not sealed by law or court order. Massachusetts General Laws also support public access to government records broadly, reinforcing open inspection of judicial files.
Certain categories of court records are, however, exempt from public access:
- Juvenile records — delinquency proceedings and related filings
- Adoption records — sealed by statute
- Medical and mental health records — when filed as part of court proceedings
- Financial account numbers — redacted from public filings
- Confidential personal identifiers — Social Security numbers and driver’s license numbers
- Sealed or impounded records — restricted by court order or statute
- Juror identifying information and confidential informant details
- Records protected by specific state or federal privacy laws
Filers bear responsibility for redacting sensitive personal information before submitting documents. Impounded records remain accessible to the court, attorneys of record, and the parties, but not the general public. Sealed records are closed entirely except to authorized court personnel.
Suffolk County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Suffolk County are prosecuted through the Suffolk Superior Court, the Chelsea District Court, and the eight divisions of the Boston Municipal Court. The Superior Court holds exclusive jurisdiction over major felonies, medical malpractice tribunals, and abuse prevention proceedings. The Chelsea District Court handles lesser felonies, misdemeanors, and cases involving Chelsea and Revere. The BMC divisions adjudicate criminal matters arising within the City of Boston and Winthrop, including misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and municipal ordinance violations.
Searching Criminal Case Dockets
Criminal docket information for all Suffolk County courts is available through the Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access portal. Select the appropriate court department, choose the Suffolk County Criminal division (for Superior Court cases) or the specific BMC or District Court division, and search by case number, party name, or case type.
The Superior Court clerk’s office for criminal business can be reached at (617) 788-8160 (fax: (617) 788-7798). In-person visitors can access public terminal computers at the courthouse for on-site searches.
Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI)
The Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) manages the statewide CORI database. Individuals can request their own CORI online through the iCORI portal for $25, which requires a valid Massachusetts driver’s license or ID. Mail requests can be submitted using the personal CORI request form to DCJIS at 200 Arlington Street, Suite 2200, Chelsea, MA 02150. Phone: (617) 660-4600
Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department
The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department maintains arrest records, inmate records, and other pre-trial documentation from county correctional facilities. The department can be contacted at:
Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department
Address: 20 Bradston Street, Boston, MA 02118
Phone: (617) 635-1000
Records (House of Correction): (617) 635-1000 x2017
Records (Jail): (617) 635-1100 x3005
FOIA requests for sheriff’s records should be directed to the Records Access Officer at 200 Nashua Street, Boston, MA 02114, or by email to psullivan@scsdma.org.
Certain criminal records may also be obtained from the Massachusetts Department of Correction for individuals who served time in state facilities.
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 wait. Offenses no longer classified as crimes may be sealed immediately. Requests can be submitted administratively to the Commissioner of Probation or by court petition.
Suffolk County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Suffolk County is distributed across several courts based on subject matter and the amount in controversy.
| Court | Case Types | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Chelsea District Court / BMC | Misdemeanors, civil claims, small claims, landlord-tenant, traffic | Up to $50,000 (civil); up to $7,000 (small claims) |
| Suffolk Superior Court | Complex civil matters, labor disputes, equitable relief, business litigation | Over $50,000 or equitable relief |
| Eastern Housing Court | Landlord-tenant disputes, housing code violations, residential property matters | No minimum |
The Superior Court also handles eminent domain, medical malpractice tribunals, and actions involving the state or a municipality. Filing fees for civil actions in Superior Court total $240.00 per plaintiff (including a $20.00 security fee under G.L. c. 262, § 4A, and a $15.00 surcharge under G.L. c. 262, § 4C).
Accessing Civil Records
Civil case information can be searched on the Trial Court Case Access portal by selecting the appropriate court and division, then searching by name, case number, or case type. To obtain copies of filed documents rather than just docket entries, contact or visit the clerk’s office. The Superior Court civil clerk’s office is at 3 Pemberton Square, Boston, MA 02108, and can be reached at (617) 788-8175.
Portions of certain public civil records may be redacted to protect sensitive information such as financial account numbers or personal identifiers.
Property Records
Land records for Suffolk County are maintained by the Suffolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 24 New Chardon Street, Boston, MA 02114 — Phone: (617) 788-6221 Online searches of property documents including deeds, mortgages, and liens are available through the Massachusetts Land Records website.
Suffolk County Family Court Records
All family law matters in Suffolk County are adjudicated by the Suffolk Probate and Family Court, housed in the Edward W. Brooke Courthouse at 24 New Chardon Street, Boston, MA 02114. The Register’s Office can be reached at (617) 788-8301, and the Probation Department at (617) 788-8210. The court is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The court serves Boston (including Brighton, Charlestown, Dorchester, East Boston, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, and South Boston), Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop. Its jurisdiction encompasses divorce, annulment, separate support, child custody and support, paternity, adoption, guardianship of minors, termination of parental rights, spousal support, and domestic violence prevention orders.
Divorce Records
Divorce petitions, decrees, settlement agreements, and custody orders are maintained by the Register’s Office. To obtain copies of a divorce record, complete and submit the Request for Copies form (PFC-18) along with the applicable fees, either in person or by mail to the court. While divorce certificates are issued by the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS), the actual divorce decree is maintained by the Probate and Family Court.
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 Complaint/Petition | No fee | None |
Virtual Registry
The Suffolk Probate and Family Court operates a Virtual Registry via Zoom on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Members of the public can connect by video or call in by phone at (646) 828-7666 (Meeting ID: 16037953870). Staff assist with filings, copies, and general inquiries. For additional questions, call (617) 788-8300.
Marriage and Vital Records
Marriage certificates are issued and maintained by the city or town clerk’s office where the marriage occurred, not by the Probate and Family Court. The RVRS under the Department of Public Health can also provide certified copies of marriage records. Birth and death certificates can be obtained from the RVRS at 150 Mount Vernon Street, 1st Floor, Dorchester, MA 02125, or from the local city or town clerk. In-person requests at the RVRS cost $20.00 per copy, while standard mail requests cost $32.00 and expedited mail requests cost $42.00.
Adoption records in Suffolk County are sealed by law and not accessible to the general public without court authorization.
Suffolk County Probate Court Records
Probate matters — including estate administration, wills, trusts, conservatorships, and guardianships of incapacitated adults — are handled by the same Suffolk Probate and Family Court at 24 New Chardon Street in Boston. The Register’s Office serves as custodian of all probate filings.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case dockets are searchable through the Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access portal. Select “Probate and Family Court” as the Court Department and the Suffolk County division, then search by case number, party name, or case type. In-person visitors can also inspect records at the Register’s Office during regular business hours.
For historic probate records not available online, submit the Court Archives Information Request Form to request materials from the state’s judicial archives.
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 |
| Voluntary Administration | $100 | $15 |
| Filing a Will for Safekeeping | $75 | None |
| Order of Complete Settlement | $75 | None |
Account fees scale with the gross value of estate assets reported in Schedule A. Estates valued between $10,000 and $100,000 pay $100 per year covered, rising in increments to $3,500 per year for estates exceeding $10,000,000.
Wills and Estate Administration
Massachusetts operates under the Uniform Probate Code (M.G.L. c. 190B), providing both informal and formal probate procedures. Informal probate is appropriate for uncontested estates and operates with minimal court supervision. Formal probate involves a judicial 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 part of the public record and can be inspected or copied at the Register’s Office. Attested copies cost $2.50 per page and unattested copies are $0.05 per page.
Guardianship and Conservatorship
Petitions for guardianship of an incapacitated person carry no filing fee. Conservatorship petitions require $240 plus a $15 surcharge. Medical certificates and clinical evaluations filed in connection with these proceedings are treated as confidential and are not available to the general public. The Suffolk County Probate and Family Court also maintains a satellite office with limited hours (Tuesday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.); contact the main office at (617) 788-8301 for the satellite location and current availability.