Massachusetts Public Records

To begin, add a public record or view a list of counties, locations and resources for Massachusetts public records.

According to the Guide for Massachusetts Public Records Law, public records in Massachusetts are defined as: ?Every document, paper, record, map, photograph, etc., as defined by law, that is made or received by a government entity or employee is presumed to be a public record."

While there is a list of all exceptions and exemptions to the law, it also states that those exemptions are at the discretion of the records custodian who may without records from the general public. If the custodian withholds a record from public view, the burden falls upon them to explain why it should be withheld.

The Secretary of the Commonwealth explains that any public records in Massachusetts may be requested verbally in person but that it is always best to request Massachusetts public records in writing to avoid any confusion as well as to create a record of the documentation you are looking for.

To lookup Massachusetts public records information, contact:

The Office of the State Secretary is the first place that you should look when you're doing a Massachusetts public records search. This is because it is at that location that all of the documents, pictures, certificates, case files, and other important sources of information. They are responsible for keeping them and maintaining them, and making them available to you upon your request.

Massachusetts County Public Records