Suffolk County Court Records

Searching Suffolk County Court Records

Start at MassCourts, the Massachusetts Trial Court's free online case search tool. Civil cases can be searched by party name, case number, case type, or citation number. The system is free and available at all hours. Criminal case name searches are not available through the public portal. To find a criminal case, you will need to visit a courthouse or submit a written request to the relevant clerk's office.

The mass.gov docket search guide explains how to use MassCourts and what information it provides. Document images for most cases are not available online. If you need copies of filed documents, you will have to contact the clerk directly.

Public access terminals at all Suffolk courthouses allow you to view case information for free during business hours. The Brooke Courthouse (24 New Chardon Street) is not near public parking. It is a 5-minute walk from Haymarket Station on the Green and Orange Lines. Plan accordingly if you are coming to review records in person.

The image below comes from the official mass.gov page for Suffolk Probate and Family Court.

The Edward W. Brooke Courthouse at 24 New Chardon Street houses the Probate Registry on the third floor, along with Probation and the fourth-floor courtrooms.

Suffolk County Superior Court

Suffolk Superior Court handles serious civil and criminal matters for the county. Civil cases here include large claims, complex litigation, and matters that require a jury trial. Criminal cases include major felonies and cases transferred from lower courts. The court is at 3 Pemberton Square in Boston, near City Hall Plaza.

Copies from the Superior Court follow the standard state fee schedule. Unattested copies are $0.05 per page. Certified copies are $2.50 per page. Certificates of orders or judgments start at $20. For mail requests, include the case name, docket number, filing date, party names, a list of specific documents, and a return address. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment by attorney's check, certified check, or money order to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Suffolk Probate and Family Court

The Suffolk Probate and Family Court handles wills, estate administration, guardianships, conservatorships, adoptions, and all family law matters for the county. The court is at the Edward W. Brooke Courthouse at 24 New Chardon Street. The Registry of Deeds is on the first floor of the same building. The Probate Registry and Probation office are on the third floor, and the courtrooms are on the fourth floor.

The Virtual Registry is a convenient option if you need to submit documents or handle administrative matters without visiting the courthouse. It runs Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8 AM to 1 PM. There is no public parking at the Brooke Courthouse, so the Virtual Registry or transit access via Haymarket Station are typically the best options for most visitors.

Boston Municipal Court

The Boston Municipal Court is a court division unique to Suffolk County. It has multiple divisions located throughout Boston and handles a wide range of matters: criminal cases, civil claims, small claims, restraining orders, and some appeals. The BMC is distinct from the regular District Court in that it was established specifically for Boston. The main administrative office is at 24 New Chardon Street, phone 617-788-8600.

BMC case numbers follow a specific format: four-digit year, court code, case type abbreviation, and sequence number (for example, 1401CV001026). Knowing the case number is the fastest way to pull up a specific BMC record in MassCourts. Civil BMC dockets are searchable by name through the online portal, but criminal matters require a direct inquiry to the clerk's office.

The image below is from the mass.gov Boston Municipal Court page, which provides an overview of divisions and services.

The BMC serves Boston residents and handles a large share of the criminal caseload in Suffolk County.

Chelsea District Court and Chelsea Satellite Office

The Chelsea District Court serves the City of Chelsea at 120 Broadway, Chelsea, MA 02150, phone 617-660-9200. In May 2024, a new Suffolk Probate and Family Court satellite office opened at the same address. The Chelsea satellite office is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. It accepts filings, collects fees, and handles administrative reviews, but no court hearings take place there. If your matter requires a hearing, you will need to go to the main Probate court at 24 New Chardon Street in Boston.

The Eastern Housing Court operates at 24 New Chardon Street (phone 617-788-8485) and handles housing matters in Suffolk County, including evictions, code enforcement complaints, and rent withholding cases. The Boston Juvenile Court is at the same address, phone 617-788-8525.

The image below is sourced from massachusettscourtrecords.us/suffolk/, which covers all Suffolk County court divisions.

This resource provides a useful overview of all court divisions serving Suffolk County and the communities within it.

Public Records Access and Restricted Cases

Under M.G.L. c. 66, § 10, court records in Suffolk County are public by default. Any person can request to inspect them. The clerk may charge copy fees but cannot deny you the right to look at records without a specific legal basis. Criminal records may be sealed under M.G.L. c. 276, § 100A after waiting periods tied to the type of case and disposition. Expungement became available in 2018 for certain offenses under M.G.L. c. 276, §§ 100E-100U. Expunged records are fully erased from the public record.

Juvenile records, adoption records, and sealed probate matters are restricted. If you believe your own record qualifies for sealing or expungement, contact MassLegalHelp.org or Greater Boston Legal Services at gbls.org for free guidance.

Cities in Suffolk County

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

Nearby Counties