Massachusetts Court Records Public Access
Start with the Massachusetts Trial Court online case search for criminal and civil dockets; use the courthouse clerk for files not online.
Find Massachusetts court case records and dockets.
Massachusetts Trial Court online case search for District/Superior/Boston Municipal cases.
Page Sections:
Massachusetts official court-record paths
| Official Path | Best For | How to Access | What You May Find |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trial Court criminal & civil dockets (District, Superior, Boston Municipal) — online | Active and recent criminal and civil case lookups | Search by case number or party on the Trial Court online case search. | Docket entries, charges/claims, status, event dates, basic party data. |
| Probate & Family Court case lookup | Divorce, guardianship, estate, and related matters | Select Probate & Family and search by name or case number; contact the Clerk if not listed. | Docket summaries, hearings, case status; some filings may be unavailable online. |
| Appellate courts docket search (Appeals Court, Supreme Judicial Court) | Appeals docket tracking and decisions | Use the appellate online docket search by case number or party; request copies from the appellate clerk as needed. | Docket sheets, case events, opinions/decisions; brief access may vary. |
| Housing Court and Land Court case lookup | Eviction, housing code, and land-related case tracking | Choose the court department and search by case number, party, or property reference. | Dockets, scheduling, case status; detailed filings often via the clerk. |
| Clerk of Court at courthouse records counter | Complete files, certified copies, and records not online | Visit or contact the courthouse of record and submit a records request to the Clerk’s Office. | Case files for inspection, file copies, certified copies, older records when available. |
Massachusetts access help
How do I look up a Massachusetts criminal or civil case online?
Use the Trial Court online case search and enter a case number or party name; filter by District, Superior, or Boston Municipal Court.
Where can I get certified copies of a case record?
Request certified copies from the Clerk’s Office at the courthouse where the case was filed; provide the case number or party details.
How do I track an appeal in Massachusetts?
Search the appellate online docket for Appeals Court or Supreme Judicial Court by case number or party, then contact the appellate clerk for copies if needed.
What if my case is not found online?
Contact the courthouse of record and ask the Clerk’s Office about in-person or mail requests; some older or restricted records are not listed online.