Massachusetts Public Records

To find vital records in Barre, MA (Worcester County), contact the Town of Barre Town Clerk at 40 West Street, Barre, MA 01005 (978-355-5004). Statewide vital records are at the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics at https://www.mass.gov/orgs/registry-of-vital-records-and-statistics. Births and deaths recorded since 1921 are at the state level; older records are at the local clerk. Certified copies cost $20 each. Only the registrant, immediate family, or legal representatives can obtain certified copies under M.G.L. c.46 §2A. Older records (75+ years) are open at the Massachusetts State Archives at https://www.sec.state.ma.us/arc/. Sources: MA RVRS (https://www.mass.gov/orgs/registry-of-vital-records-and-statistics), MA Archives (https://www.sec.state.ma.us/arc/).

Arrest records in Holyoke, MA (Hampden County) come primarily from the Holyoke Police Department at 138 Appleton Street, Holyoke, MA 01040 (413-322-6900). Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. c.66 §10) makes adult arrest reports public; submit a written records request. The Hampden County Sheriff's Department at https://www.hcsdmass.org/ maintains current inmate rosters. The Massachusetts iCORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) at https://www.mass.gov/cori provides statewide criminal history (subject's own record free; standard employer iCORI $25). Court charges tied to arrests are searchable at https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-court-system. Sources: Holyoke PD (https://www.holyoke.org/police-staff/), MA iCORI (https://www.mass.gov/cori).

In Worcester, MA (Worcester County), it IS possible to obtain a police report online for some cases. The Worcester Police Department Records Section at 9-11 Lincoln Square, Worcester, MA 01608 (508-799-8651) accepts requests in person, by mail, or via the City of Worcester records request system at https://www.worcesterma.gov/. Online ordering of accident reports is available through the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles for crashes involving an investigation. Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. c.66 §10) requires response within 10 business days. Standard fees: $5 for incident reports, $5-$10 for accident reports. Sources: Worcester PD (https://www.worcesterma.gov/police), MA Public Records (https://www.sec.state.ma.us/pre/preidx.htm).

To find arrest records in Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Criminal History Systems Board iCORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) at https://www.mass.gov/cori provides statewide criminal history. Subjects can request their own record online for free; standard employer iCORI is $25, open-access (limited) is free. The MA Department of Correction inmate search at https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-correction shows state prisoners. Local arrest reports come from the city/town police department; MA Public Records Law (M.G.L. c.66 §10) governs disclosure. Court charges tied to arrests are searchable at https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-court-system. Sources: MA iCORI (https://www.mass.gov/cori), MA Courts (https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-court-system).

To search property ownership in Massachusetts, use the Massachusetts Land Records site at https://www.masslandrecords.com/, which provides free statewide deed and mortgage searches at all 21 county Registries of Deeds. The MassGIS Property Tax Parcels at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massgis-data-property-tax-parcels provides statewide GIS-based ownership data. Each city/town Assessor maintains current ownership and assessed values; many post online (e.g., Boston at https://www.boston.gov/departments/assessing). Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. c.66 §10) makes deeds and assessments public. Recording fees average $155 first page; certified copies cost $1 per page plus $5 certification. Sources: MA Land Records (https://www.masslandrecords.com/), MassGIS (https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massgis-data-property-tax-parcels).

To look up probate records in Massachusetts, contact the Probate and Family Court in the county where probate was opened. The MA Probate and Family Court directory is at https://www.mass.gov/orgs/probate-and-family-court. Major counties: Suffolk (Boston) at https://www.mass.gov/locations/suffolk-probate-and-family-court, Middlesex at https://www.mass.gov/locations/middlesex-probate-and-family-court, Worcester at https://www.mass.gov/locations/worcester-probate-and-family-court. Once a will is admitted to probate it becomes a public court record under M.G.L. c.66 §10. Online access is via Massachusetts Trial Court e-Access at https://www.masscourts.org/. Certified copies cost $5 first page, $1 each additional. Sources: MA Trial Court (https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-court-system), MA Probate and Family Court (https://www.mass.gov/orgs/probate-and-family-court).