Search Taunton Court Records

Quick Facts

Taunton District Court

Taunton District Court sits at 40 Broadway and handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil claims under $50,000, small claims, restraining orders, and other matters for Taunton and nearby communities. It is the most active trial court for day-to-day legal matters in the city. If you need a record from a routine criminal or civil case filed in Taunton, this is your first stop.

The Taunton District Court page on mass.gov lists current court hours, clerk contact info, and links to online case search tools.

The court clerk's office manages the case docket. Staff can look up docket numbers, confirm hearing dates, and tell you what documents are on file. You can call 508-977-6000 or walk in during business hours. Free parking is available at the Taunton courthouse complex. GATRA bus service connects downtown Taunton to the courthouse area, and MBTA commuter rail stops nearby for those coming from the Boston area or Providence.

Small claims cases are a common reason people visit Taunton District Court. These involve disputes up to $7,000, and you don't need a lawyer to file. The clerk's office has forms at the counter, and staff can walk you through the steps. Cases are typically heard within 30 to 60 days of filing.

The District Court also handles harassment prevention orders and abuse prevention orders. These can be filed at the clerk's office and are heard the same day in most cases. If the court is closed, emergency orders can be issued through the on-call judge. Records related to these orders are generally not public, but the existence of an order may appear on background checks.

Bristol Superior Court in Taunton

Bristol Superior Court handles the most serious civil and criminal matters in Bristol County. Its Taunton location is at 9 Court Street, just a short walk from the District Court. Superior Court handles felony criminal cases, civil disputes over $50,000, and jury trials. If you are looking for records from a major civil lawsuit or a felony case, this is where those files are kept.

Phone: 508-823-6588. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Superior Court records are also searchable through MassCourts.org, though some older files may require an in-person visit to the clerk's office. The clerk can provide certified copies of court documents for a fee set by state schedule.

Bristol County has three courthouse locations spread across the county, but Taunton holds the Superior Court for the county. Cases from Fall River, New Bedford, Attleboro, and other Bristol County communities may end up here for trial or appeal. Searching by case number or party name on MassCourts will tell you which session and location your case is assigned to. Grand jury proceedings and some sealed filings are not searchable through the public portal.

Bristol Probate and Family Court

The Bristol Probate and Family Court is located at 40 Broadway, Suite 240, in the same building as Taunton District Court. This court handles divorce and separation, child custody and support, adoption, guardianship, conservatorship, and the probate of wills and estates. Phone: 508-977-6040. You can also reach the court by email at bristolprobate@jud.state.ma.us.

The Bristol County probate court offers online tools and a virtual registry for reviewing case files without making the trip to Taunton.

The court offers a Virtual Registry, open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. This means you can review case files remotely without traveling to the courthouse. There is a limit: the Virtual Registry can handle up to three probate files in a single same-day session. If you need to review four to twelve files, you must submit a Research Request Form. Submit that form by 3:00 PM for next-day access. For larger research projects, contact the clerk's office directly to work out a schedule.

Divorce records in Massachusetts are generally available to the parties involved and their attorneys. Some records may be sealed by court order, particularly those involving minors or sensitive financial matters. The clerk can tell you whether a file is open or restricted before you make the trip. Certified copies of divorce decrees carry a fee per page set by the court. If you only need basic case status, MassCourts.org often has that information for free.

Juvenile Court and Housing Court

Taunton Juvenile Court is at 9 Court Street and handles cases involving minors, including delinquency, child in need of services (CHINS), and care and protection matters. Phone: 508-747-8588. Most juvenile records are confidential and not available to the public. If you have a legitimate need to access a sealed juvenile record, you would need to file a petition with the court explaining the reason.

The Southeast Housing Court in Taunton also operates from 40 Broadway, phone 508-977-6040. It handles eviction cases, housing code violations, and related disputes for the southeastern Massachusetts region, including all of Bristol County. Housing court records are generally public but some details may be restricted. You can search housing court cases through MassCourts.org by selecting the Southeast Housing Court division.

If you are involved in an eviction case in Taunton, the housing court clerk can provide forms and information about the process. The court has a mediation program that helps landlords and tenants resolve disputes without a full hearing. Ask the clerk about scheduling options when you file or respond to a case. Many housing court cases are resolved through these voluntary mediation sessions before they reach a judge.

Searching Taunton Records Online and In Person

MassCourts.org is the main portal for searching Massachusetts court records, including all cases from Taunton courts.

MassCourts.org lets you search by party name, case number, or attorney name across most Massachusetts Trial Court departments. Select Bristol County and the specific court (District, Superior, Probate, Housing, or Juvenile) to narrow your results. The database includes civil, criminal, and family cases filed in recent years. Some older records are not in the electronic system and require an in-person or mail request to the clerk's office.

For cases not found online, you can submit a written request to the clerk's office at the relevant courthouse. Include the party's full name, approximate case dates, and the type of case if known. The clerk's office will search available records and respond by mail or phone. Certified copies can be mailed if you include a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment. Fees are set by the state and vary by document type.

The Bristol Law Library at 9 Court Street is another useful resource for people who want to do their own research. Open Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:00 AM to noon and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, the library offers access to Westlaw and Lexis legal databases as well as research help from library staff. Phone: 508-824-7632. This is a good option if you need help understanding court procedures or locating specific statutes tied to your case.

Legal Aid and Self-Help in Taunton

Southeastern Massachusetts Legal Assistance provides free civil legal help to low-income residents in the Taunton area. Phone: 508-990-9682. They can assist with family court matters, housing cases, benefits issues, and other civil legal problems. You do not pay for their services if you qualify based on income guidelines.

The Massachusetts Trial Court also maintains self-help resources where you can get forms and guidance for common legal tasks like filing for divorce, responding to an eviction notice, or modifying a child support order. Ask the clerk at any Taunton courthouse about available self-help materials. Many forms are also available for download through mass.gov. The court's website has plain-language guides for people who do not have a lawyer.

Nearby Cities

Other Massachusetts cities with court record pages:

Taunton court records fall under Bristol County. Visit the Bristol County court records page for superior court, probate court, and housing court information.