Bristol County Court Records
The legal files and documents generated during the administration of justice in Bristol County are known as the court records of Bristol County. These official records, managed by custodians, document the entire process of criminal and civil cases, from their inception to final judgment.
The courts in Bristol County operate as five independent departments within the Massachusetts Trial Courts system, and each department has its own record custodian. The Clerk of Court maintains Superior Court records, Clerk-Magistrates oversee District Court files, separate clerks handle Juvenile Court records, and the Register of Probate manages Probate and Family Court matters. Collectively, they oversee the records of civil disputes, criminal proceedings, probate hearings, family law actions, and juvenile matters.
Massachusetts Trial Court Rule XIV governs public access to court records in both physical and electronic formats. However, these records do not exist in isolation; they often intersect with other public records across Bristol County, such as vital records held by local clerks and filed during probate, domestic relations, and related issues. Law enforcement arrest information is also often linked to court records, especially when charges follow formal arrests.
Are Bristol County Court Records Public?
Yes. Mass. Trial Ct. R. XIV declares the right of the general public to inspect or duplicate court records regardless of individual motivation or identity. Members of the public can approach any court custodian to request access to official documents in general civil cases, adult criminal proceedings, and probate matters.
However, this right is not absolute. Certain court records are restricted, in whole or in part, to respect the privacy of parties in sensitive matters, including:
- Juvenile delinquency - M.G.L. c. 119, § 60A
- Adoption - M.G.L. c. 210, § 5C
- Mental health commitments - M.G.L. c. 123, § 36
- Identity of sexual assault victims - M.G.L. c. 265, § 24C
- Personal identifying information - S.J.C. Rule 1:24
- Financial statements - Supp. Prob. & Fam. Ct. R. 401
What Information is Available in Bristol County Court Records?
As outlined by Mass. R. Civ. P. 79, Mass. Trial Ct. R. XIV, Rule 1, and other statutes, a typical court record in Bristol County may consist of the docket sheet, the case documents, and a judgment or disposition record.
The docket sheet is the case summary document that outlines the particulars of the case, including the docket number, case type, filing date, and schedules. It also includes the name of case participants, their legal representatives, and the presiding judge(s).
Case documents consist of materials submitted over the course of the case, including filed forms, tendered papers, and evidentiary exhibits. They vary in volume and complexity and can be in physical, electronic, or a combination of both forms, depending on the filing method and case type.
The judgment or disposition record represents the court’s final determination in a case. It can take the form of an execution, a sentencing order, or a decree.
Bristol County Court Records Search
The courts in Massachusetts share a centralized trial court case access portal that hosts case dockets for the major types of criminal and civil proceedings. For civil case searches, members of the public may conduct online queries by name or docket number. For criminal case searches, access is available only with the exact docket number. To ensure accuracy, portal users must select the relevant court for the case type and then the county/court division where the case occurred.
Where an individual requires a copy of case documents, they can visit the courthouses at Taunton, Fall River, New Bedford, or Attleboro, depending on which custodian oversees the desired records. These courthouses house public access computers that may provide access to case files unavailable online. Mass. Trial Ct. R. XIV. Rule 2 permits individuals to directly copy public court files with their phone or camera, or request a printout (usually for a fee).
Additionally, parties can request physical copies from the custodian of records for the specific court department. This may occasionally require the individual to present a valid photo ID, particularly when requesting sensitive documents or files limited to the parties directly involved.
Finally, court records may also be requested by mail. Typically, this requires submitting a written request (or a Request for Copies form for certain case types) to the clerk of the appropriate court, accompanied by a check or money order and a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE).
Fees for Court Records in Bristol County
Fees for court records in Bristol County are set by the state’s Uniform Schedule of Fees. This schedule outlines the statutory payments required to obtain documents from the Superior, District, and Probate & Family Courts.
The costs for copies include:
- Plain Copies: 5 cents per page.
- Attested Copies (with official court seal): $2.50 per page.
- Triple Certification: An additional $50 per document, plus the plain copy charges.
A discretionary search fee, typically ranging from $15 to $30, may also be charged if a manual search by the custodian is required.
Obtaining standard judgment certificates, such as a divorce decree or certificate of proceedings, typically costs $20, while judgment transcripts and audio recordings cost $50 and $10 per file, respectively. Fees for vital records, such as birth, death, and marriage certificates, are set by the relevant town or city within the county (where the event occurred) and typically range from $10 to $15.
Here is a fee summary table:
| Record Type | Managing Office | Fee Type | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Court Documents (Criminal/Civil) | Clerk of Courts (Superior/District) | Uncertified Copy | 5 cents to 50 cents per page |
| Court Documents (Criminal/Civil) | Clerk of Courts (Superior/District) | Certified Copy | $2.50/page |
| Court Documents (Criminal/Civil) | Clerk of Courts (Superior/District) | Manual Search Fee | $15 (varies) |
| Divorce Records | Probate & Family Court | Certificate of Divorce (Absolute) | $20 flat fee |
| Separation Agreement | Probate & Family Court | Document Copy | $20 (1st page) plus $1 additional page |
| Vital Records (Birth/Death/Marriage) | City/Town Hall (e.g., New Bedford, Fall River) | Certified Copy | $10 to $15 per copy |
Bristol County Courthouse Locations
Below are the various courts that serve Bristol County and their physical addresses.
Superior Courts
Fall River Superior Court (Criminal Only)
186 South Main Street
Suite 302
Fall River, MA 02720
Phone: (508) 491-3300
New Bedford Superior Court (Civil Only)
441 County Street
1st Floor
New Bedford, MA 02740
Phone: (508) 996-2051
Taunton Superior Court (Mainly Criminal)
9 Court Street
Taunton, MA 02780
Phone: (508) 823-6588
District Courts
(Covers Attleboro, Mansfield, North Attleboro, and Norton)
88 North Main Street
Attleboro, MA 02703
Phone: (508) 222-5900
(Covers Fall River, Freetown, Somerset, Swansea, and Westport)
186 South Main Street
2nd Floor
Fall River, MA 02720
Phone: (508) 491-3200
(Covers Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Freetown, New Bedford, and Westport)
75 North Sixth Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
Phone: (508) 999-9700
(Covers Berkley, Dighton, Easton, Raynham, Rehoboth, Seekonk, and Taunton)
40 Broadway
Taunton, MA 02780
Phone: (508) 977-6000
Probate and Family Courts
Bristol Probate and Family Court
40 Broadway
Suite 240
Taunton, MA 02780
Phone: (508) 977-6040
Fall River Probate and Family Court
289 Rock Street
Fall River, MA 02720
Phone: (508) 672-1751
New Bedford Probate and Family Court
505 Pleasant Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
Phone: (508) 999-5249
Juvenile Courts
289 Rock Street
Fall River, MA 02720
Phone: (508) 676-0090
75 North Sixth Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
Phone: (508) 999-9700
40 Broadway
Taunton, MA 02780
Phone: (508) 977-4905
88 North Main Street
Attleboro, MA 02703
Phone: (508) 222-5350
Housing Courts
Southeast Housing Court (Fall River Session)
289 Rock Street
Fall River, MA 02720
Phone: (508) 677-1505
Criminal Records Access in Bristol County
Bristol County courts do not have jurisdiction over comprehensive criminal history records, even for individuals born in the county or longtime residents. Their custodial authority is limited to case dockets and documents arising from local proceedings. Individuals can visit the relevant court records custodian to view or inspect criminal case documents or search the MassCourts.org portal for online case summaries.
The Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) is responsible for maintaining Criminal Offender Record Information, commonly known as CORI. To conduct a search of this information (which includes criminal history information from Bristol County), individuals must first register with a photo ID and then utilize the online request portal.
The public can also request a CORI report by mail. A personal report costs $25, while a request for another person’s CORI report attracts a $50 fee. The mail should be sent along with a cashier’s check or money order to:
Attn: CORI Unit
Department of Criminal Justice Information Services
200 Arlington Street
Suite 2200
Chelsea, MA 02150
Bristol County Probate Records
Bristol County probate records comprise documents concerning the application of family and estate law to the administration or disposition of assets belonging to deceased or incapacitated individuals.
While probate case dockets may be viewed on the statewide MassCourts.org website, individuals generally need to visit the Register of Probate at 40 Broadway, Suite 240, Taunton, MA 02780 to view or copy estate records, such as:
- Guardianship documents
- Conservatorship petitions
- Wills and probate filings
- Trusts
However, probate court records pertaining to minors and incapacitated individuals are restricted by law, such as in Mass. Prob. & Fam. Ct. Standing Order 1-09 and Mass. Prob. & Fam. Ct. Standing Order 2-08, to protect the privacy of vulnerable groups. For this category of probate documents, access is only granted to the case parties, their families, or their legal representatives.
Bristol County Family Court Records
The Register of Probate in Bristol County is the custodian of family court records, which originate from cases such as divorce, custody, adoption, and child support. Individuals can use the statewide trial court case access portal to view extensive case summaries of family court cases. However, the law bars court custodians from displaying restricted records online, including those involving minors and paternity documents.
Individuals may visit the Probate and Family Court’s main location in Taunton to inspect or copy family court files to which they are entitled. A standard family law document, such as a divorce certificate or annulment decree, typically costs $20. In lieu of a physical visit, an individual may complete and mail the appropriate form, along with a check or money order and a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) to 40 Broadway, Suite 240, Taunton, MA 02780.
Federal Court Records in Bristol County
At the federal level, Bristol County falls under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Division of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. This division handles federal matters such as interstate drug trafficking, civil rights violations, bankruptcy, and tax evasion.
To access federal court records online, individuals may use the nationwide PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) system. Once registered, users can search the database by case number or party name. Each query is billed at 10 cents per search, regardless of results, and fees are waived for those who accrue less than $30 per quarter.
Requests can also be made in person at:
John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse
1 Courthouse Way
Suite 2300
Boston, MA 02210
Phone: (617) 748-9152
