Plymouth County Court Records

Searching Plymouth County Court Records Online

The main tool for online case searches is MassCourts, the Massachusetts Trial Court's free statewide portal. Civil cases can be searched by party name, case number, case type, or citation. The portal is available at all hours and does not require registration. Criminal case name searches are restricted. To look up a criminal case, you must contact the clerk's office or go to the courthouse in person.

Document images are generally not available through MassCourts. The portal provides case status and docket information, but if you need copies of specific filed documents, you will need to request them from the clerk's office by mail or in person. Public access terminals at each Plymouth County courthouse are available during business hours and allow you to view case information for free.

Plymouth County is notable for having one of the longest court record histories in Massachusetts. Records go back to 1686. The most ancient materials, from 1686 to 1859, are held by the Pilgrim Society and may not be at the courthouse. For records from 1860 forward, the Plymouth Probate and Family Court is the right place to start for estate and family matters.

The image below is from the official mass.gov page for Plymouth County Superior Court.

The Obery Street complex in Plymouth houses multiple courts in one location, making it the main hub for Plymouth County court records.

Plymouth County Superior Court

Plymouth Superior Court handles serious civil and criminal matters for the county. This includes major felony criminal cases, large civil claims, and jury trials. The court is at 52 Obery Street in Plymouth, sharing the building complex with the Probate and Family Court, Juvenile Court, and Plymouth District Court.

Copy fees follow the statewide schedule: $0.05 per page for unattested copies, $2.50 per page for certified copies. Certificates of orders and judgments start at $20. For mail requests, include the case name, docket number, filing date, all party names, the specific documents needed, a return address, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Payment should be by money order, certified check, or attorney's check made to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Expect 7 to 14 business days for processing.

Plymouth Probate and Family Court

The Plymouth Probate and Family Court handles estates, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, adoptions, and family law matters including divorce and child custody. The main office is at 52 Obery Street in Plymouth. A separate Probate office in Brockton at 215 Main Street handles domestic abuse records and paternity matters specifically. For general probate and family law records, start at the Plymouth location.

The image below is from the official mass.gov page for Plymouth Probate and Family Court.

The main probate office at 52 Obery Street handles most Plymouth County estate and family law records, while Brockton handles specific domestic categories.

Plymouth and Brockton District Courts

Plymouth County has several District Courts serving different areas. District Courts handle misdemeanor and lower criminal cases, civil matters under $25,000, and small claims. Each court has its own clerk and its own records for cases filed in its jurisdiction.

The Plymouth Juvenile Court is also at 52 Obery Street (phone 508-747-8650) and handles matters involving minors within the county. Note that juvenile records are confidential and are not available to the general public.

The Metro South Housing Court Brockton Session is at 215 Main Street (phone 508-894-4170) and handles evictions and housing code matters for Plymouth County communities in the Brockton area.

The image below is from the official mass.gov page for Plymouth District Court.

The Plymouth District Court is co-located with the Superior and Probate courts on Obery Street, making it easy to reach multiple divisions in one visit.

Public Records Access and Copy Fees

Under M.G.L. c. 66, § 10, Plymouth County court records are public. Anyone can inspect them. You do not need to be a party to a case or have any special status. In person, you can view records at no cost on public access terminals. Copy fees apply when you request printed documents: $0.05 per page for unattested copies, $2.50 per page for certified copies, $5 for a blank summons, $15 for a citation or order of notice, and $20 or more for a certificate of orders or judgments.

Some records are not open to the public. Juvenile records, sealed criminal cases, expunged cases, and certain family matters are restricted. Criminal records may be sealed under M.G.L. c. 276, § 100A after a waiting period. For eligible offenses, expungement became available in 2018 under M.G.L. c. 276, §§ 100E-100U. Expunged records are removed entirely from the system and cannot be confirmed by the clerk.

The image below is sourced from massachusettscourtrecords.us/plymouth/, which provides a helpful overview of Plymouth court divisions and access options.

This resource covers all Plymouth County courts and helps identify the right division for a specific records request.

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

Free legal help is available for Plymouth County residents. MassLegalHelp.org offers plain-language guidance on many common legal issues. The Massachusetts Legal Resource Finder at masslrf.org can connect you with legal aid offices serving Plymouth County. Court Service Centers at nearby courthouse locations provide free walk-in help for people who need assistance with forms or court procedures. The Judicial Case Manager for Plymouth Probate, Benjamin Harley, can be reached at benjamin.harley@jud.state.ma.us for specific probate inquiries.

Cities in Plymouth County

The following cities in Plymouth County have dedicated court records pages:

Nearby Counties