Suffolk County, MA Public Records
Suffolk County public records include all documentary materials produced, received, and maintained by employees of local agencies. Anyone can access them unless one of the main statutory restrictions applies. Births, deaths, marriages, and divorces fall under vital records. They are only accessible to eligible requesters who include immediate family members, legally authorized individuals, and the person on the record. These parties may also access them from the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics in person or via mail. The office charges $20 per record copy and $32 for certified documents. Property records are available to the public as well. These are available from the Suffolk County Register of Deeds, which accepts requests in person, via mail, or by mail.
Courts in Suffolk County
Court Records in Suffolk County, Massachusetts
Suffolk County court records are presumed available for public viewing and inspection unless they fall under legal exemptions. Interested parties may access them from the Suffolk County District attorney’s office. Record seekers must be as specific as possible when submitting a request to the office. Residents may also get copies of the Suffolk Probate and Family courts by going to the courthouse or issuing the request via mail. Records with restricted access include ongoing criminal investigations, grand jury minutes, and materials protected by the attorney-client privilege. Alternatively, requesters may utilize online court records platforms such as the Supreme Judicial Court and Appeals Court of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Trial Court Electronic Case Access portal. The same restrictions apply for online searches unless one is a registered party to the case.
Jails and Prisons in Suffolk County
Find Inmate Search and Jail Records in Suffolk County, Massachusetts
Suffolk County inmate records are also available to any record seekers. This information is maintained by the County Sheriff’s Department. Unfortunately, the office does not provide an online search tool, but interested parties can contact them for inmate information. That includes the person’s physical well-being, criminal charges, parole dates, sentencing information, and the detaining facility. The Sheriff’s department also oversees visits to inmates. Visitors may schedule with the department days in advance before visits. They must also adhere to correctional facility regulations, including clothing, number of adults, and accessories. Suffolk County has ten jails and prisons, serving a population of 771,245. It is ranked 10th out of 14 in jails per capita.
Police Departments and Sheriff Offices in Suffolk County
Arrest Records in Suffolk County, Massachusetts
Suffolk County arrest records are available to the public following the Freedom of Information act. There are exemptions, depending on the nature of the information. They are also maintained by law enforcement agencies such as the county Sheriff’s department. Incidents that include juveniles, domestic abuse, ongoing criminal investigations, and child custody may only be accessible to certain parties. Requesters may attain such records by sending written requests with the details to the law enforcement department. Record seekers may also get information from the Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services, which is the central database for background check services. Suffolk County has 41 police departments, and the crime rate is 38.11 per 1,000 residents.
Other Counties in 
Popular Cities in Suffolk
- Allston
- Boston
- Brighton
- Charlestown
- Chelsea
- Dorchester
- Dorchester Center
- East Boston
- Hyde Park
- Jamaica Plain
- Mattapan
- Readville
- Revere
- Roslindale
- Roxbury
- Roxbury Crossing
- South Boston
- West Roxbury
- Winthrop