Suffolk County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Suffolk County in 2026
SuffolkMARecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Suffolk County, Massachusetts. Members of the public may use this resource to locate data pertaining to a range of record categories, including property transactions, court filings, vital records, and business registrations. The information available through such resources reflects what government agencies have made accessible under state law, and completeness may vary depending on the record type and the custodial agency.
Record categories that may be located through official channels include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Vital records (birth, death, and marriage certificates)
- Business licenses and permits
- Property tax and assessment records
- Voting and election records
- Meeting minutes and government agendas
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted)
- Land use and zoning records
Records in Suffolk County may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by state and county agencies.
Online Access: The Massachusetts Trial Court's online case search portal allows members of the public to search civil and criminal case information. The Suffolk County Registry of Deeds online search provides access to recorded land documents. Some records require account registration or in-person verification before full access is granted.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the relevant custodial office directly. For court records, the Suffolk County Superior Court Clerk's Office is located at 3 Pemberton Square, Boston, MA 02108. For recorded land documents, the Suffolk County Registry of Deeds is located at 24 New Chardon Street, Boston, MA 02114. Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo identification and be prepared to complete a written request form.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should include the requestor's full name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, § 10, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within ten business days.
Phone/Email:
- Suffolk County Registry of Deeds: (617) 788-8575
- Suffolk County Superior Court Clerk's Office: (617) 788-8175
Official public records request forms are available through the Massachusetts Secretary of State's Public Records Division.
What Are Public Records in Suffolk County?
Public records in Suffolk County are defined under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 4, § 7, Clause 26 as all books, papers, maps, photographs, recorded tapes, financial statements, statistical tabulations, or other documentary materials or data, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received by any officer or employee of any agency, executive office, department, board, commission, bureau, division, or authority of the Commonwealth. The following record types are maintained by specific offices within Suffolk County:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family): Suffolk County Superior Court, Probate and Family Court, and District Court
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens): Suffolk County Registry of Deeds
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage): Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics; local city and town clerks
- Business records (licenses, permits, fictitious names): Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division
- Tax and assessment records: City of Boston Assessing Department and municipal assessors in Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop
- Voting and election records: Massachusetts Secretary of State, Elections Division
- Meeting minutes and agendas: Individual municipal clerks and county boards
- Law enforcement records: Boston Police Department and municipal police departments, subject to applicable exemptions
- Land use and zoning records: Boston Planning & Development Agency and municipal planning departments
The City of Boston Archives and Records Management serves as a central repository for many historical and administrative records generated by Boston city agencies.
Is Suffolk County an Open Records County?
Suffolk County follows the Massachusetts Public Records Law, which mandates broad public access to government-held information. Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, § 10, any person has the right to inspect or obtain copies of public records maintained by state and local agencies. The law applies to all municipalities within Suffolk County, including Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop.
As stated by the Massachusetts Secretary of State's office, "The Public Records Law provides a mechanism for any person to request access to public records from a government entity." Agencies are required to acknowledge requests within ten business days and may not require requestors to state a reason for seeking records.
The Massachusetts Attorney General's Office provides guidance on the application of the Public Records Law and handles appeals when agencies deny access. The Secretary of State's Public Records Division also has authority to order agencies to comply with valid requests. Suffolk County agencies are subject to the same statutory obligations as all other Massachusetts governmental bodies, with no county-specific ordinances that restrict or expand upon the baseline requirements established by state law.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Suffolk County?
Current fees for public records in Suffolk County are governed by the Massachusetts Public Records Law and the regulations promulgated by the Supervisor of Public Records. The standard fee structure is as follows:
| Fee Type | Standard Rate |
|---|---|
| Black-and-white paper copies | $0.05 per page |
| Color or oversized copies | Actual cost of reproduction |
| Electronic records (standard format) | No charge for the first four hours of search/retrieval |
| Certification of records | Varies by office |
| Search and retrieval (beyond four hours) | $25.00 per hour (for most agencies) |
Agencies may not charge for the first four hours of employee time spent fulfilling a request. For requests requiring more than four hours of work, agencies may charge $25.00 per hour, except for state agencies, which may charge up to the hourly rate of the lowest-paid employee capable of fulfilling the request.
Accepted payment methods vary by office but typically include cash, check, and money order. Some offices accept credit or debit cards. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or for requests determined to be in the public interest, at the discretion of the records custodian. The Massachusetts Secretary of State's Public Records Division publishes current fee schedules and guidance for requestors.
Does Suffolk County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at the offices of the custodial agencies during regular business hours. Under Massachusetts law, agencies may not charge a fee solely for allowing a member of the public to inspect records on-site. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records in person carries no charge, obtaining paper or electronic copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.
The following resources provide free online access to certain Suffolk County records:
- The Suffolk County Registry of Deeds provides free online search and viewing of recorded land documents, including deeds, mortgages, and liens.
- The Massachusetts Trial Court's online case search allows free access to basic case information for civil and criminal matters.
- The City of Boston's open data portal offers free access to a range of municipal datasets, including property assessments, permits, and public meeting records.
- The Massachusetts Secretary of State's Corporations Division provides free online search of business entity records.
Vital records such as birth, death, and marriage certificates are not available for free; certified copies carry a statutory fee set by the Commonwealth.
Who Can Request Public Records in Suffolk County?
Any person may request public records from Suffolk County agencies, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Massachusetts law does not require requestors to be residents of the Commonwealth, to provide identification, or to explain why they are seeking records. This broad eligibility reflects the Commonwealth's commitment to government transparency.
As the Massachusetts Secretary of State's office affirms, "Any person has the right to request public records from a government entity in Massachusetts." This includes individuals, corporations, nonprofit organizations, members of the media, and researchers.
Certain record types carry additional requirements. For example, requestors seeking their own criminal history records through the Criminal History Systems Board must provide identification and complete a specific request process. Requests for records containing personal identifying information about third parties may result in partial redaction of exempt content before disclosure. Non-residents retain the same rights as Massachusetts residents under the Public Records Law, with no distinction made based on geographic origin.
What Records Are Confidential in Suffolk County?
Not all government-held records are subject to public disclosure. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 4, § 7, Clause 26 enumerates specific categories of records that are exempt from the Public Records Law. The following categories are currently withheld from public access in whole or in part:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order, including certain criminal records following expungement or sealing under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 276, § 100C
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to delinquency proceedings involving minors
- Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records that, if disclosed, would interfere with an active investigation
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data
- Medical records: Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
- Adoption records: Sealed by statute except under specific court-ordered circumstances
- Child welfare and protective services records: Maintained as confidential by the Department of Children and Families
- Personnel records: Employee records exempt from disclosure except as specifically provided by law
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Submitted to agencies under confidentiality agreements
- Security plans and infrastructure details: Records whose disclosure could compromise public safety
When an agency withholds records, it is required to identify the specific exemption relied upon and, where feasible, provide a redacted version of the document with non-exempt portions disclosed. Requestors who believe a denial is improper may appeal to the Supervisor of Public Records within the Secretary of State's office or seek judicial review.
Suffolk County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
The principal offices responsible for maintaining public records in Suffolk County are listed below with complete contact information.
Suffolk County Registry of Deeds
24 New Chardon Street
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: (617) 788-8575
Suffolk County Registry of Deeds
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Suffolk County Superior Court Clerk's Office
3 Pemberton Square
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 788-8175
Suffolk County Superior Court
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
150 Mount Vernon Street, 1st Floor
Dorchester, MA 02125
Phone: (617) 740-2600
Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:45 AM – 4:45 PM
City of Boston Archives and Records Management
201 Rivermoor Street
Boston, MA 02132
Phone: (617) 635-1194
Boston Archives and Records Management
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Massachusetts Secretary of State, Public Records Division
One Ashburton Place, Room 1719
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 727-2832
Public Records Division
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM