Common Questions About Norfolk County Court Records
How do I search Norfolk County court records online?
Use the Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access portal, known as MassCourts eAccess. It is free and open to the public. Start by selecting the court department, division, and Norfolk location, then search by name, case type, date range, case number, or ticket/citation number. One important note: case-number searches require exact capitalization, spacing, and leading zeros, so pull a copy before you type. The portal shows docket entries and case details, but it does not produce certified copies. For official paper records, you must contact the clerk, register, or recorder where the case was filed. See the full walkthrough on the court records page.
Is there one Norfolk County Clerk of Court for all cases?
No. Massachusetts does not use a single county clerk. Each Trial Court department has its own clerk or register. Norfolk Superior Court has a Clerk of Courts in Dedham. The five District Court divisions each have a Clerk-Magistrate in Brookline, Dedham, Quincy, Stoughton, and Wrentham. Norfolk Probate and Family Court has a Register in Canton. Land records are at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, and marriage licenses are issued by city and town clerks, not by any county office. Knowing which court handled your case tells you which clerk to call. The Clerk of Court page explains each office and its contact information.
Where is the main Norfolk County courthouse?
The countywide Superior Court is at 650 High Street, Dedham, MA 02026. The Clerk's Office phone is 781-326-1600, and hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The court serves all cities and towns in Norfolk County. The jury pool and probation offices are nearby at 649 High Street. Public parking is in a paid lot behind the Registry of Deeds. For more courthouse details, including transit directions and ADA contacts, see the District Court page, which also covers the five local District Court divisions across the county.
Can I get certified court copies from the MassCourts portal?
No. MassCourts is a public electronic case-access tool, not a document-delivery system. To get official copies of public case documents, you must visit or contact the clerk, register, or recorder where the case was filed. For Norfolk Superior Court cases, contact the Clerk's Office in Dedham at 781-326-1600. For probate or divorce cases, contact the Register's Office in Canton at 781-830-1200. District Court certified copies go through the Clerk-Magistrate at the specific division that holds the case. See the court records page for a full breakdown of how to request copies from each office.
Why can't I find a criminal case by name online?
The Name tab on MassCourts is for civil cases only. Criminal cases may need to be searched by case number, case type, or date range. Some criminal history is governed by the state's CORI framework and does not appear like a simple name search in public access. Sealed records, expunged records, juvenile cases, and impounded documents will not show up in public results at all. If a name search returns nothing, try searching by case number if you have it, or contact the clerk at the court where you believe the case was filed. The arrest records page covers CORI, sealing, and what is and is not publicly visible in Massachusetts.
Does Norfolk County publish a public jail roster?
No official public jail roster was found on the Sheriff's website. The Norfolk County Sheriff's Office publishes visitor information, mail rules, bail and parole guidance, and reentry resources, but not a searchable public inmate list. To check whether someone is currently in custody, call the Norfolk County Correctional Center at 781-329-3705. You can also check MassCourts for public criminal docket information, which may reflect custody status on the case record. For more on how to search for current and former inmates, visit the inmate records page.
How do I visit someone at Norfolk County Correctional Center?
Visitors must be pre-approved. Allow three to five days for processing before your first visit. Visitors should arrive 15 minutes before their scheduled check-in time. The official visiting schedule gives unit-specific 45-minute slots and distinguishes contact from non-contact visits. Children may visit on weekends under the ratios stated in the schedule. Rules can change, so confirm current hours and procedures before traveling. The inmate records page has visiting contact details and links to the Sheriff's official visitor information.
Where do I send mail to an inmate?
Personal mail goes to the Securus DMC Tampa address. You need the incarcerated person's name and their ID number. The Sheriff states that personal mail is scanned and transferred to tablets rather than delivered as physical paper. Legal mail, publications, and money orders go directly to Norfolk County Correctional Center, 200 West St., P.O. Box 149, Dedham, MA 02027-0149. Legal and privileged mail is opened in the inmate's presence. For phone calls, the facility uses Securus Technologies. Full mailing and phone rules are on the inmate records page.
How do I search for recently released Norfolk County inmates?
No official recently-released list is published by the Norfolk County Sheriff. To confirm a release, call the jail at 781-329-3705. You can also check MassCourts for case status, which may note a release or case disposition. For custody-change notifications, VINELink offers a notification service if the relevant Massachusetts agency participates. For anyone in state prison, use Massachusetts DOC resources. For federal custody, use the BOP inmate locator. The released inmates page covers all of these options in detail.
Where do I file for divorce in Norfolk County?
Divorce is filed in Probate and Family Court. For Norfolk County residents, that means Norfolk Probate and Family Court at 35 Shawmut Road, Canton, MA 02021. Massachusetts allows you to file in the state if you lived here for one year, or if the reason the marriage ended happened in Massachusetts while you lived here as a couple. You can file as no-fault 1A, no-fault 1B, or fault divorce, depending on your situation. For certified copies of divorce decrees, contact the Register's Office at 781-830-1200. See the marriage and divorce records page for filing steps, fees, and forms.
Are marriage records handled by Norfolk County?
Marriage licenses in Massachusetts are issued by city and town clerks, not by a Norfolk County office. You can apply at any Massachusetts city or town clerk. There is a three-day waiting period after you apply, and the license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. For fees, appointment rules, and certified marriage certificate requests, contact the clerk in the specific city or town where you plan to apply. For more on marriage and divorce record searches and certified copy requests, visit the marriage and divorce records page.
How do I search probate records for Norfolk County?
Open MassCourts and select Probate and Family Court, then the Norfolk location. You can search by case number, case type, date range, or name options available in the portal. For certified copies, official probate files, or filing help, contact the Register's Office at Norfolk Probate and Family Court, 35 Shawmut Road, Canton, MA 02021, phone 781-830-1200. The virtual registry is also available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. via Zoom or phone. The probate records page has contact cards, a fee summary, and guidance on informal probate and estate searches.
What types of court records are confidential in Norfolk County?
Several categories of records are withheld from public view. Juvenile delinquency records are generally closed to public inspection under M.G.L. c. 119, Section 60A, except for youthful offender indictment proceedings. Adoption records are confidential under M.G.L. c. 210, Section 5C unless a probate judge orders access for good cause. Sealed and expunged criminal records, impounded case materials, medical and mental health data, financial identifiers, and some abuse-prevention details are also restricted or redacted. See the court records page for a fuller list of what is and is not publicly available.
How do I seal a criminal record in Massachusetts?
Conviction sealing is governed by M.G.L. c. 276, Section 100A. Misdemeanor convictions are generally eligible after three years and felony convictions after seven years, measured from conviction or release, whichever is later, subject to statutory exclusions. Cases that ended in not guilty, no probable cause, dismissal, or nolle prosequi may qualify for non-conviction sealing under Section 100C. Expungement is narrower and requires specific grounds such as false identification or official error. After sealing or expungement, Massachusetts notifies the FBI and DOJ under Section 100T. The arrest records page explains the full process and links to the Mass.gov eligibility guide.
How do I find out if I have an outstanding warrant?
No official public warrant search exists for Norfolk County. Start with the clerk at the court where the case was filed. If you know a docket number, check MassCourts. Speaking with an attorney before making contact with any court is strongly recommended. One important local warning: the Norfolk County Sheriff's Office reported in 2025 that scam calls were demanding immediate payment under threat of arrest for missed jury duty. Real law enforcement does not call to demand immediate payment. Legitimate warrant issues are handled through the courts. For more on how warrants work and what to do, see the warrant records page.
Which Norfolk court handles traffic tickets?
Traffic and non-criminal motor vehicle matters are generally handled in the District Court division for the location where the ticket was issued. Some parking or ordinance matters use local municipal processes. MassCourts has a Ticket/Citation Number tab you can use to pull up a traffic case if you have the citation number. RMV driver records are a separate file from court traffic case records and are not obtained through MassCourts. Check the ticket itself for the court or agency named and the payment or appearance instructions. The traffic court records page explains the difference between court records and state driver records and covers payment and appeal options.
Where are Norfolk County land records kept?
Land records are at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, not at the court clerk. The registry handles deeds, mortgages, discharges, homesteads, plans, and registered land. Copy and recording fees are listed in the registry fee schedule. Some court-related land matters may also involve the Land Court, which is a separate statewide department, but recorded instruments are registry records rather than court case files. For court-based property matters, start with court records on this site, then contact the appropriate clerk or the Land Court for specifics.
Is the Norfolk County courthouse accessible?
Yes, and each court location has a designated ADA coordinator. For Norfolk Superior Court, contact Mary Hickey at 781-326-1600 x354 or mary.hickey@jud.state.ma.us. For Norfolk Probate and Family Court, contact Jay Fielding at 781-830-1221 or jay.fielding@jud.state.ma.us. If you need an interpreter, hearing assistance, or mobility accommodation, contact the specific courthouse before your hearing date. Do not wait until the day of your appearance. The District Court page lists ADA and transit information for all five local District Court divisions.
What specialty courts exist in Norfolk County?
Three specialty court programs operate in the county. Dedham District Court hosts a Veterans Treatment Court. Quincy District Court has both an Adult Drug Court and a Mental Health Court. These are problem-solving sessions within the District Court, not separate courts. Each combines court oversight, probation monitoring, treatment referrals, and compliance reviews. Eligibility depends on charge type, criminal history, clinical needs, and program capacity. Prosecutors and the court both have a role in approval. For more on the District Court divisions and the courts that serve specific cities and towns, see the District Court page.
Who prosecutes criminal cases in Norfolk County?
The Norfolk District Attorney's Office prosecutes criminal cases from the cities and towns of Norfolk County. DA Michael W. Morrissey leads the office. Victim and witness services are available through the DA's office and can be reached through the statewide DA victim-witness program page. Some cases are handled by the Massachusetts Attorney General rather than the local DA. Federal cases are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts. For arrest records, booking details, and CORI-related questions, the arrest records page is the place to start.
How do I get a public defender in Norfolk County?
Massachusetts indigent defense is handled by the Committee for Public Counsel Services and court-appointed bar advocates, not a county public defender office. If you are charged with a crime and cannot afford a lawyer, tell the court at arraignment and ask about appointed counsel. A judge decides eligibility. CPCS also covers youth advocacy, mental health litigation, and civil cases where there is a right to counsel. If you need legal help before a court date, the Massachusetts Legal Resource Finder can route you to free or low-cost civil legal aid in Norfolk County and nearby areas.
Can I access federal cases connected to Norfolk County?
Yes, but federal cases are entirely separate from Norfolk state-court records and do not appear in MassCourts. Use PACER to search dockets and documents filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Federal criminal cases, civil-rights matters, and immigration cases live in that system. Bankruptcy cases are in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Massachusetts. Appeals from federal trial court go to the First Circuit Court of Appeals. The court records page covers both state and federal record sources for Norfolk County matters.
What if MassCourts has incorrect information about my case?
Mass.gov instructs users to complete the Request for Correction form, save it as a PDF, and email it to the court department email address for the court that holds the case. You can also print it and mail or deliver it to the court. For Norfolk Superior Court, use the Clerk's Office email listed on Mass.gov. For Probate and Family Court, contact norfolkprobate@jud.state.ma.us. Corrections go through the clerk or register, not through MassCourts itself. The court records page has clerk contact details for each Norfolk court department.
How do I find old or historic Norfolk County court records?
For modern case dockets, start with MassCourts and the appropriate clerk or register for official copies. For older probate records, Mass.gov has historic probate access guidance. Land records going back many decades are at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds. For well-known historical cases, such as the Sacco and Vanzetti trial that took place in Dedham, Mass.gov law-library and state archives materials provide curated historical records. The probate records page includes guidance on reaching the Register's Office for older estate and will files.
Need Free Legal Help?
If you have a question that goes beyond record access and you need legal advice or court representation, several free and low-cost options serve Norfolk County residents. The Massachusetts Courts Self-Help hub covers divorce, small claims, guardianship, housing, probate, and other common pro se needs.
The official Court Service Centers page covers free in-person and virtual help. Staff can assist you with court forms, explain court procedures, and connect you with community resources. They do not give legal advice and are not lawyers, but they are an official first step before a clerk visit.
Visit the Massachusetts Legal Resource Finder to get matched with civil legal aid offices and court programs based on your situation. For low-income families, Greater Boston Legal Services handles civil matters including housing, family law, consumer issues, and criminal record sealing assistance. Phone intake is 617-371-1234, Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The Massachusetts Courts Self-Help page is shown below, captured from the official Mass.gov site.
The courts self-help hub at Mass.gov groups resources by topic and is the starting point for anyone navigating a Norfolk County court matter without a lawyer.
The self-help resources shown above link directly to court forms, guides, and local referral programs that serve Norfolk County and the surrounding Greater Boston area.
For civil legal aid routing by case type and county, the Massachusetts Legal Resource Finder is a good tool.
You can explore the Massachusetts Legal Resource Finder to find programs that may offer free or low-cost help for your specific legal issue.
The Legal Resource Finder connects Norfolk County residents with civil legal aid offices, court programs, and government agencies based on the type of help they need.
Still Have Questions?
For the right office, see Clerk of Court. For broader access rules, see public records. For records by topic, browse court records, arrest records, inmate records, warrant records, marriage and divorce, or probate records.