Find Court Records in Essex County
Essex County was established in 1643 and is one of four original counties in Massachusetts. The county spans northeastern Massachusetts with 35 cities and towns, and court operations are spread across three locations: Salem, Lawrence, and Newburyport. This page covers how to search and request court records from Superior Court, Probate and Family Court, and the county's several District Courts.
Essex County Court Overview
| Established | 1643 (one of the original four Massachusetts counties) |
|---|---|
| Cities and Towns | 35 |
| County Seat | Salem |
| Superior Court Locations | Salem, Lawrence, Newburyport |
| Probate Court Locations | Salem (main), Lawrence |
| Probate Register | Pamela Casey O'Brien |
How to Search Essex County Court Records
The main online tool is MassCourts, the free statewide case search portal from the Massachusetts Trial Court. It lets you search civil cases by name, case number, case type, or citation. Criminal cases cannot be searched by name through the online system. You must go in person or mail a request to the relevant clerk's office to access criminal case information.
For Essex County specifically, the Salem courthouse is the central records location. Even though there is a Probate office in Lawrence, all Essex probate records are kept in Salem. If you visit the Lawrence office, staff can accept filings and assist with administrative tasks, but the actual records are housed at 36 Federal Street in Salem.
Public access terminals at all Essex courthouses let you view case information at no cost. These terminals are the best option for looking at a case in person without paying copy fees. If you need document copies, you can ask the clerk at the terminal for assistance.
The image below comes from the official mass.gov page for Essex Probate and Family Court.
The Salem location at 36 Federal Street is the main records repository for all Essex County probate and family law matters.
Note: The Lawrence office accepts filings for communities in the northern part of the county, but all Essex probate records are stored and maintained at the Salem main office.
Essex County Superior Court
The Essex Superior Court operates from three locations: Salem, Lawrence, and Newburyport. Cases may be assigned to any of these locations depending on case type, case load, and where parties are located. All three locations are part of the same Superior Court division. Civil dockets from all sessions are searchable through MassCourts.
| Superior Court (Salem) | 56 Federal Street, Salem, MA 01970 |
|---|---|
| Phone (Salem) | 978-744-5500 | Fax: 978-741-0691 |
| Superior Court (Lawrence) | 43 Appleton Way, Lawrence, MA 01840 |
| Phone (Lawrence) | 978-242-1900 |
| Superior Court (Newburyport) | 145 High Street, Newburyport, MA 01950 |
| Phone (Newburyport) | 978-462-4474 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
The Salem courthouse is accessible by public transit. It is about a 30-minute commuter rail ride from Boston North Station, and just a 2-minute walk from Salem Station. This makes it one of the more accessible courthouse locations in Massachusetts for people coming from Boston or the surrounding area.
For copy requests from the Superior Court, fees are the same across all locations. Unattested copies are $0.05 per page. Attested certified copies are $2.50 per page. A certificate of orders or judgments starts at $20. All payments must be made to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by money order, certified check, or attorney's check.
Essex Probate and Family Court
The Essex Probate and Family Court handles wills, estate administration, guardianships, conservatorships, adoptions, and family law cases. The main office is in Salem at 36 Federal Street. There is also a satellite location in Lawrence at the Fenton Judicial Center. As noted above, all records are kept in Salem regardless of where a filing was submitted.
| Court (Salem Main) | Essex Probate and Family Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 36 Federal Street, Salem, MA 01970 |
| Phone | 978-744-1020 |
| Essexcorrespondences@jud.state.ma.us | |
| TTY | 978-745-0350 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Court (Lawrence) | Essex Probate - Fenton Judicial Center |
|---|---|
| Address | 2 Appleton Street, Lawrence, MA 01840 |
| Phone | 978-686-9692 |
The image below is from the Essex County court records resource page, which summarizes court locations and access options across the county.
This resource page covers all Essex court divisions and is useful for identifying which court to contact for a specific type of case.
Essex County District Courts
District Courts in Essex County serve specific geographic areas and handle a broad range of matters including misdemeanor and lower-level felony criminal cases, civil claims under $25,000, small claims, and restraining orders. Here are the main District Courts in the county:
| Haverhill District Court | 45 Ginty Boulevard, Haverhill, MA 01831 | 978-521-7300 |
|---|---|
| Lawrence District Court | Fenton Judicial Center, 2 Appleton Street, Lawrence, MA 01840 | 978-687-7184 |
| Peabody District Court | 1 Lowell Street, Peabody, MA 01960 | 978-531-3400 |
| Salem District Court | 56 Federal Street, Salem, MA 01970 | 978-744-5500 |
| Newburyport District Court | 188 State Street, Newburyport, MA 01950 | 978-462-2652 |
The Lawrence District Court and the Lawrence Probate satellite office share the Fenton Judicial Center building at 2 Appleton Street. The official mass.gov page for Lawrence District Court has current contact information and hours. The Northeast Housing Court also holds sessions at the Fenton Judicial Center, with a main number of 978-689-7833.
Court Records: Public Access and Fees
Under M.G.L. c. 66, § 10, any person has the right to inspect public court records. You do not need to show ID or explain your reason for wanting to see records. You can view them in person at the clerk's office or at public access terminals in each courthouse during business hours.
Copies come at a set cost. Unattested copies are $0.05 per page. Certified copies are $2.50 per page. A blank summons costs $5. A citation or order of notice runs $15. Certificates of court orders start at $20. Make payment by money order or certified check to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Some records are restricted from public access. These include records in juvenile cases, sealed criminal records, adoption records, and cases involving certain domestic matters. Criminal records may be sealed under M.G.L. c. 276, § 100A. Expungement of criminal records became available in 2018 under M.G.L. c. 276, §§ 100E-100U. Expunged records are fully removed and cannot be confirmed by the clerk's office.
The image below comes from the mass.gov courthouse directory, which lists all court locations sorted by county.
This directory is kept current by the Trial Court and is a reliable reference for court addresses and contact information.
Legal Aid and Self-Help Resources
If you need help with a court matter in Essex County but cannot afford a lawyer, several free resources are available. MassLegalHelp.org covers many common legal topics with plain-language guides. The Massachusetts Legal Resource Finder at masslrf.org can match you with a legal aid organization near you. Court Service Centers at nearby courthouses provide free help with forms and procedures, and the staff there can direct you to the right office for your case.
Cities in Essex County
The following cities in Essex County have dedicated court records pages: