Massachusetts Record Lookup
Locate Massachusetts sources for criminal history (CORI), court cases, arrests and inmate status, police reports, and warrants, and learn which offices to check first to confirm results.
On This Page:
Choose the source that matches your purpose to avoid incomplete or unverified results.
Employment, licensing, or personal review of Massachusetts criminal history
CORI is the official statewide criminal-history source for eligible access levels and is the best path for certified history tied to arraignments and dispositions.
Confirm a specific case outcome or sentence
The court docket is the record of authority and shows the final disposition, including dismissals, convictions, and sentencing details.
Check if someone is currently in jail after an arrest
County sheriffs maintain booking and custody status for local jails and pretrial detention.
Verify whether a warrant may exist or was recalled
Courts issue and recall warrants; sheriffs may serve them. Definitive status is confirmed by the court.
Obtain a police incident or accident report
Police departments create and hold incident reports and can provide report numbers and redacted copies when eligible.
| Source Or Office | Best For | Helpful Search Input | Verification Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (CORI) | Authorized statewide criminal history (arraignments and dispositions); employment/licensing checks; personal review. | Full legal name, date of birth, prior names, and purpose/authorization when required. | Access level controls what is returned; sealed or juvenile matters are restricted. Arrests without arraignment generally do not appear; confirm case outcomes with the Trial Court if needed. |
| Massachusetts Trial Court (State Court Portal) | Docket details, filings, hearings, judgments, sentencing, and certified copies of criminal case records. | Defendant name, date of birth, docket or case number, court location, and approximate filing date. | Court dispositions govern the official status. Contact the Clerk for certified copies or when online details are incomplete. |
| County Sheriff’s Office / Jail | Recent arrests, bookings, inmate custody status, and release information. | Name, date of birth, booking date, booking or inmate number, and arresting agency if known. | Rosters update frequently. Verify current status with the jail and review the court docket for charges and outcomes. |
| Massachusetts Department of Correction | State prison inmates and post-sentencing custody or release status. | Name, date of birth, and any DOC inmate number. | DOC covers sentenced offenders. For pretrial or county-level sentences, check the appropriate Sheriff’s Office. |
| Local Police Records Unit | Incident and offense reports, accident reports, and report numbers. | Report number, incident date and location, involved names, and responding officer or precinct if known. | Report access may be limited or redacted. Charging decisions and dispositions must be confirmed through the court. |
| Court Clerk or Sheriff (Warrants) | Verifying active, recalled, or quashed warrants tied to a case. | Name, date of birth, docket number, issuing court, and approximate warrant date. | Definitive warrant status is held by the court. Some information is not posted online and requires direct confirmation. |
Use these checks to avoid relying on incomplete or mistaken results.
Official Massachusetts sources are best for certified criminal history (CORI), final court dispositions, active jail or prison custody, police incident reports, and warrant status. Background check services can help locate possible matches across counties and past addresses, but results should be verified with the Trial Court, DCJIS, Sheriff, Police Records Units, or the Department of Correction.
Depending on access level, CORI typically includes Massachusetts criminal arraignments, charges, and dispositions. Sealed and juvenile matters are restricted. Arrests without arraignment generally do not appear.
Search the Massachusetts Trial Court portal using a name or docket number, or contact the Clerk’s Office for assistance. Request certified copies from the court when you need official proof.
Check the appropriate County Sheriff’s jail roster for local custody and the Massachusetts Department of Correction for state prison inmates. If you cannot find a listing, contact the facility directly.
Warrant details are controlled by the courts. Some information may not be posted online. Confirm status with the issuing Court Clerk or the Sheriff serving that jurisdiction.
No. An arrest or booking shows a person was taken into custody. A conviction is a court finding of guilt, shown by the court disposition and, when eligible, via CORI.