Dukes County Court Records

Dukes County court records are official documents received or created when cases are adjudicated in county courts. Such records provide a public record of court proceedings and allow the public to scrutinize judicial decisions. Court records are also helpful when conducting background checks on individuals and verifying legal information.

Are Court Records Public in Dukes County?

Yes. Dukes County court records are considered public under the Massachusetts Public Records Law. As such, record custodians must provide records they maintain unless specifically exempted by law. However, the same law permits the courts to withhold records with statutes specifically forbidding their disclosure. Some examples of these confidential records include financial records, records involving minors, adoption and child welfare records, medical records, trade secrets, and personal identifying records such as social security numbers and bank accounts.

Dukes County Court Records Search

Record custodians make Dukes County court records available online, via mail, and at the courthouse. Interested parties may search the database available on the county website. Public terminals at the courthouse also enable requesters to look up records. To get physical copies, they may submit a request to the clerk's office in person or by mail.

Dukes County Courts

The court system in Dukes County consists of a Superior Court, a District Court, a Probate and Family Court, and a Juvenile Court. The locations of the courts are listed below:

Dukes County Superior Court
81 Main Street, P.O. Box 1267,
Edgartown, MA 02539
Phone: (508) 627-4668

Edgartown District Court
81 Main Street, P.O. Box 1284,
Edgartown, MA 02539
Phone: (508) 627-3751

Dukes Probate and Family Court
81 Main Street, P.O. Box 237,
Edgartown, MA 02539
Phone: (508) 627-4703

Edgartown Juvenile Court
12 Mariner's Way, Unit 4, P.O. Box 550,
Edgartown, MA 02539
Phone: (508) 627-8983

Dukes County Criminal and Civil Records

Dukes County criminal records document misdemeanors and felonies committed in the county. Criminal records are in the custody of the Duke's County Sheriff's Office, the Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Service (DCJIS), and the Clerk's office for each court. Some confidential criminal records, such as sealed records and records involving juveniles, are accessible only to authorized individuals.

The county sheriff's office manages the criminal records of individuals awaiting trial, including Dukes County arrest records. Dukes County Civil Court records officially document civil cases resolved in the different courts in the county. These records cover personal injury cases, property disputes, contract breaches, small claims, and guardianships.

Dukes County Marriage Records

Dukes County marriage records are official documents related to the union of individuals in the county. They are regarded as public records. Interested parties may get certified copies of Dukes County marriage records online, by phone, or by mail. They may also visit the office of the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics in person. Record seekers must pay the applicable fees and provide valid identification to obtain marriage records. Also, they must fill out the appropriate request form and submit it to:

Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS)
150 Mount Vernon St.,
1st Floor, Dorchester, MA 02125
Phone: (617) 740-2600

Dukes County Divorce Records

Dukes County divorce records are official documents regarding the legal dissolution of marriages in the county. Requesters must provide the case type and the spouses' full names to search. To get Dukes County divorce records, fill out the Request for Copies form and mail or deliver it to the Dukes County Probate and Family Court at:

81 Main St.,
P.O. Box 237,
Edgartown, MA 02539
Phone: (508) 627-4703

Dukes Birth Records

Duke County birth records document the birth of a child in the county. Such records are essential for identity verification, travel document processing, and genealogical research. Access to Duke County birth records is limited to the subject of the record, parents, legal guardians, and legal representatives. After confirming they fulfil eligibility requirements, record seekers must pay the requisite fees and submit a government-issued ID. They must also fill out the birth records request form and submit it to the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics.

Dukes Death Records

Individuals seeking Dukes County death records may obtain them through the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS). They may also get certified copies of the death records. Alternatively, interested persons may go to the location where the death occurred. To obtain a death record, record seekers must provide the subject's name, the event date, location, and a government-issued identification. They may also need to provide documentation of evidence of their relationship with the subject, particularly for legal guardians and representatives. The application form and a check should be sent to the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics.

Dukes County Probate Court Records

Probate records relate to the management of an individual's estate after their passing, adoptions, vital record corrections, name changes, wills, and court-ordered guardianships. In Dukes County, the Probate and Family Court handles such matters. Record seekers may visit the courthouse to obtain probate records. They must include the deceased's name or date of death to facilitate locating the records. They may also visit the Court Clerk's website.

Dukes County Property Records

Dukes County property records document the details of property ownership and changes within the county. They provide information about parcel numbers, previous owners, liens, plat maps, zoning, and property assessment.

Property records in Dukes County are available to the public. Record seekers may access these records online or visit in person. To access the documents online, requesters may use the Dukes County Registry of Deeds for registered properties. They may search with the business name or the last name for which the property is registered. Searchers must also choose the Party Type Option and navigate to the search tab for more results. For in-person visits, the office hours are Monday to Friday, 8.30 am to 4 pm.

Dukes County Registry of Deeds
81 Main Street,
P.O. Box 5231,
Edgartown, MA 02539
Phone: (508) 627-4025

Dukes County Court Records Online

Third-party websites like Massachusettscourtrecords.us let record seekers search Dukes County court records. They may provide information on felonies and contract disputes, as well as arrest warrants and lawsuits. These websites may provide access to several aggregated records in one repository. However, these third-party services may not cover every record. Also, record seekers should always verify their data against official sources, as the accuracy of information obtained on such sites cannot be guaranteed.