Search New Bedford Court Records

New Bedford court records are held at multiple courts serving Bristol County's largest city, including the New Bedford District Court at 75 North 6th Street, the Southeast Housing Court at 139 Hathaway Road, the New Bedford Probate and Family Court at 505 Pleasant Street, and the Bristol County Superior Court at 441 County Street. Civil case records are searchable for free at MassCourts at any hour of the day.

New Bedford District Court

The New Bedford District Court at 75 North 6th Street handles criminal, civil, small claims, summary process, and motor vehicle cases. First Justice Hon. Joseph P. Harrington and Clerk Peter J. Thomas lead the court. It serves Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Freetown, New Bedford, and Westport. The court is accessible by the Southeastern Regional Transit Authority (SRTA) bus system, with several routes serving downtown New Bedford. Metered street parking and a paid garage are also available near the courthouse.

Public Wi-Fi is available at the New Bedford District Court, which is helpful if you need to check case information or review documents while waiting. The courthouse also has a public access terminal for searching MassCourts on site during business hours. The SRTA provides bus transit to and from the courthouse, making it reachable without a car.

New Bedford District Court runs an Adult Drug Court and a Mental Health Court. These specialty programs provide alternative paths for eligible defendants. Records from specialty programs are subject to the same public access rules as standard court records, though some portions may be confidential. Contact the clerk for details on how program records are maintained.

Under M.G.L. c. 66, § 10, public records must be produced within ten business days of a written request. Court records that are not sealed are public by default. To search civil case records from New Bedford District Court online, go to masscourts.org, select the court from the dropdown, and enter a party name. Criminal records require the case number.

When criminal records are sealed under M.G.L. c. 276, § 100A, they will not appear in standard public searches. The clerk can confirm whether a case exists but is sealed, without sharing the sealed contents. Sealing generally requires a waiting period and an application to the court after the case closes.

Southeast Housing Court - New Bedford Session

Housing matters in New Bedford go through the Southeast Housing Court, New Bedford Session at 139 Hathaway Road, New Bedford. The phone is (508) 990-3227. This is a separate address from the District Court building, so make sure you go to the right place for housing-related cases. The Southeast Housing Court handles landlord-tenant disputes, eviction cases, housing code violations, and related civil matters for the New Bedford area.

Housing court records are public in Massachusetts and can be searched by party name on MassCourts for civil matters. Summary process (eviction) cases use the code SU in the docket system. Entering a date range helps you find specific cases more quickly, especially if a party name is common.

The Southeast Housing Court offers a Housing Specialist Department and other assistance programs. If you have a housing case coming up and do not have an attorney, check whether a Lawyer for the Day program is scheduled for your session. Ask the clerk's office when you call or arrive. These services are free and can significantly affect how a housing case goes.

New Bedford Probate Court and Superior Court

The New Bedford Probate and Family Court at 505 Pleasant Street, New Bedford, MA 02740 can be reached at (508) 999-5249. This court handles divorce, guardianship, adoption, wills, and estate matters for the New Bedford area. Probate records are generally public and can be searched on MassCourts by party name. Some sensitive family court records may be impounded. The clerk can tell you whether a file is restricted and what process applies if you are a party to the case.

The Bristol County Superior Court at 441 County Street, New Bedford, (508) 996-2051, handles major felony criminal cases and civil matters over $50,000 in the New Bedford area. Civil case records from the Superior Court are searchable on MassCourts by party name. Criminal records require the docket number. The New Bedford Juvenile Court is at 75 North Sixth Street, the same building as the District Court. Juvenile records are confidential. Parties to a case can request access through the clerk.

Copy fees at all New Bedford courts are the same as statewide fees. Unattested copies cost $0.05 per page. Certified copies are $2.50 per page. A certificate of disposition is $20. A summons is $5. Payments must be made to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Legal help is available at MassLegalHelp.org for those navigating the court system without an attorney. Court Service Centers at mass.gov/court-service-centers offer free walk-in help at many Massachusetts courthouses.

How to Search New Bedford Court Records

Start at masscourts.org. The portal is free and available 24 hours a day. Select the court you need from the dropdown, then enter a party name for civil case searches. Criminal records require the docket number. Public access terminals are available at the courthouse during business hours. You can also search on your own device using the courthouse's free Wi-Fi.

For certified copies, go to the clerk at the relevant court in person or send a written request by mail. Include the case number, party names, year, and document type. Attach a check or money order made out to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Mail requests take longer. If you need help finding the right court or understanding the process, Court Service Centers at mass.gov/court-service-centers provide free guidance.

Nearby Cities

Other qualifying cities near New Bedford with court records pages:

For county-level court records, visit the Bristol County court records page.