Essex County Court Records

When legal proceedings occur in Essex County, the official documents and files created at the County Courthouses are preserved as court records. Essex County court records contain vital case information, including the following:

• Charges
• Case status
• Personal information of the parties involved
• Attorney information
• Judgments and jury verdicts
• Court transcripts
• Disposition details

Essex County court records are essential to keep courts accountable and ensure transparency in the judicial system. They also enlighten the public about court proceedings by providing important case information. Furthermore, court records are used to verify people’s legal standing (background checks) for employment or tenancy purposes.

Are Court Records Public in Essex County?

Court records in Essex County are public records in compliance with Massachusetts Public Records Law. This legislation ensures that Essex County public records, including court records, are available to anyone. However, the following court records are exempted or restricted from public disclosure:

• Grand jury minutes
• Personal identifying information in court records
• Juvenile records
• Adoptions and child welfare records
• Paternity case records

Some publicly available court records in Essex County are provided in redacted form to adhere to statutory laws exempting such information.

Essex County Court Records Search

Custodians of court records in Essex County provide several options for individuals interested in searching them. Typically, record seekers may search court records via online databases maintained by the government agency keeping the records. Individuals who prefer in-person court record searches may visit the custodians’ offices or use the public terminal computers at the courthouses. In addition, they can contact the custodians by phone, postal mail, or email to inquire about court record searches.

Essex County Court Records Search by Name

Anyone seeking court records in Essex County can search them by the names on the documents/files. By taking the following steps, interested persons can use the Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access portal to perform name-based court records searches:

• Click the designated button to search public records
• Select the Court Department and Court Division (Essex County)
• Select the Court Location in the county if applicable
• Enter the individual’s last and first name in the required fields (Initial capital letter followed by lowercase letters)
• To search by business name, enter the company name instead in the required field
• Lastly, click the Search button at the bottom left corner for search results

Public terminal computers at Essex County Courthouses also allow name-based court record searches.

Individuals may be required to pay some fees to access court records. The cost varies and usually covers the process involved in searching for or obtaining copies of documents. Also, requesters will need to create accounts on the Case Access portal to process name-based searches online.

Essex County Courts

Essex County court system comprises five trial court departments. These are the Superior Court, District Court, Housing Court, Juvenile Court, and Probate and Family Court. The court departments operate in multiple locations and handle different cases under their jurisdictions. While the Superior Court is the general jurisdiction court, the District Court also adjudicates several legal matters.

Superior Courts in Essex County
Essex County Superior Court - Lawrence
43 Appleton Way
Lawrence, MA 01841
Phone: (978) 242-1900
Fax: (978) 687-7869

Essex County Superior Court - Newburyport
145 High Street
Newburyport, MA 01950
Phone: (978) 462-4474
Fax: (978) 462-0432

Essex County Superior Court - Salem
J. Michael Ruane Judicial Center
56 Federal Street
Salem, MA 01970
Phone: ( 978) 744-5500
Fax: (978) 741-0691

District Courts in Essex County
Gloucester District Court
197 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930
Phone: (978) 283-2620
Fax: (978) 283-8784

Haverhill District Court
45 Ginty Boulevard,
Haverhill, MA 01831
Phone: (978) 521-7300

Ipswich District Court
188 State Street
Newburyport, MA 01950
Phone: (978) 462-2652
Fax: (978) 462-5641

Lawrence District Court
Fenton Judicial Center
2 Appleton Street
Lawrence, MA 01840
Phone: (978) 687-7184
Fax: (978) 975-3171 (Civil)
Fax: (978) 687-0794 (Criminal)

Lynn District Court
580 Essex Street
Lynn, MA 01901
Phone: (781) 598-5200
Fax: (781) 598-4350

Newburyport District Court
188 State Street
Newburyport, MA 01950
Phone: (978) 462-2652

Peabody District Court
1 Lowell Street
Peabody, MA 01960
Phone: (978) 532-3100
Fax: (978) 531-8524

Salem District Court
J. Michael Ruane Judicial Center
56 Federal Street
Salem, MA 01970
Phone: (978) 744-1167

Probate and Family Courts in Essex County
Essex Probate and Family Court - Salem
36 Federal Street
Salem, MA 01970
Phone: (978) 744-1020

Lawrence Probate and Family Court
Fenton Judicial Center
2 Appleton Street
Lawrence, MA 01840
Phone: (978) 686-9692
Fax: (978) 687-3694

Housing Courts in Essex County
Northeast Housing Court - Lawrence Session
Fenton Judicial Center
2 Appleton Street
Lawrence, MA 01840
Phone: (978) 689-7833

Northeast Housing Court - Lynn Session
J. Michael Ruane Judicial Center
56 Federal Street
Salem, MA 01970
Phone: (978) 689-7833

Northeast Housing Court - Salem Session
J. Michael Ruane Judicial Center
56 Federal Street
Salem, MA 01970
Phone: (978) 825-4920

Juvenile Courts in Essex County
Lawrence Juvenile Court
Fenton Judicial Center
2 Appleton Street
Lawrence, MA 01840
Phone: (978) 725-4900

Lynn Juvenile Court
139 Central Avenue
Lynn, MA 01901
Phone: (781) 586-0415

Newburyport Juvenile Court
188 State Street
Route 1, Traffic Circle
Newburyport, MA 01950
Phone: (978) 462-0617

Salem Juvenile Court
J. Michael Ruane Judicial Center
56 Federal Street
Salem, MA 01970
Phone: (978) 745-9660

Essex County Superior Court Case Search

As trial courts of general jurisdiction, the Superior Courts in Essex County have authority over all criminal and civil cases, particularly those outside other county courts’ jurisdiction. Cases handled by the Superior Courts include:

• Felony criminal cases
• Civil actions where the monetary claims exceed $50,000
• Medical malpractice tribunals
• Matters where a party seeks equitable or injunctive remedies
• Appeal cases from the lower courts

To search for Superior Court cases in Essex County, use the Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access and follow these steps:

• Click the search public records button
• Choose The Superior Court as the Court Department and Essex County as the court division from the dropdown menu
• Select the number of search results to view
• Perform the case search by name, case number, case type, or ticket/citation number
• Click the search button at the bottom left corner for results

Individuals can also search Superior Court records in Essex County using the public terminal computers at the Superior Courthouses.

Essex County District Court Records

Essex County District Courts exercise jurisdiction over a wide range of cases except those exclusive to the Superior Court. Generally, the District Courts adjudicate cases related to the following:

• Felonies and misdemeanors
• Municipal ordinance violations
• Civil actions with claims less than $50,000
• Small claims matters
• Traffic violations

Essex County District Court Records are publicly accessible on the Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access portal. Users can obtain such records with the following steps:

• Open the Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access portal
• Choose District Court as the Court Department and Essex County as the Court Division from the dropdown menu
• Choose the District Court location in the custody of the records
• Perform the case search by name, case number, case type, or ticket/citation number
• Click the Search button at the bottom left corner for results

Alternatively, record seekers can visit the District Court where the case was adjudicated to request physical copies of the court records from the Clerk’s Office or use the public terminal computers.

Essex County Criminal Records

Essex County criminal records contain criminal case information or files created through the activities of law enforcement agencies. The Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) maintains criminal records in Massachusetts. Likewise, the Essex County Sheriff’s Department maintains Essex County arrest records, jail records, accident reports, and other criminal records it creates. Essex County criminal records may be requested from the Sheriff's Office in person or via mail at:

20 Manning Avenue
P.O. Box 807
Middleton, MA 01949
Phone: (978) 750-1900
Email - ggrosky@essexsheriffma.org

Essex County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Interested individuals can look up criminal court case information in Essex County through the following ways:

Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access

Anyone can use the Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access portal to look up criminal cases maintained by the District Courts or Superior Courts in Essex County. Users can search criminal court cases by case numbers, citation numbers, case types, or names of the parties/companies.

Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS)

The Massachusetts iCORI Service, managed by the DCJIS, provides access to criminal offender information and arrest records in Massachusetts, including Essex County. However, users must register on the portal in order to look up Essex criminal records.

Clerks of the County Courts

The Clerks of the District and Superior Courts in Essex County may provide criminal court case files upon request. Interested persons can visit the office of the clerk in custody of the required records to look up such case information. Alternatively, they can look up criminal court cases on the public terminal computers located at the courthouses in Essex County.

Get Essex County Civil Court Records

Essex County civil court records consist of files and documents created while filing non-criminal actions and throughout the subsequent court proceedings. Civil cases that are heard in the county include the following:

• Small claims
• Housing disputes
• Damage to property
• Personal injury
• Breaches of contract
• Divorces
• Property disputes
• Landlord and tenant issues
• Consumer complaints

Civil court records in Essex County are typically available at the courthouses where the cases were filed. Inquirers can visit the Clerk’s Offices maintaining these records and obtain copies or inspect them. Alternatively, some Essex County courts have public access computers that visitors may use to search and get physical copies of civil court records. Record seekers may also use the Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access portal to search for civil court records maintained by any Essex County court.

Essex County Family Court Records

Essex County Family Court records contain case information, files, and documents relevant to family law-related proceedings within the county. In addition to probate matters, the Probate and Family Courts adjudicate family-related cases in Essex County, such as matters relating to the following:

• Divorce
• Paternity establishment
• Child support and custody
• Parenting time
• Adoption
• Termination of parental rights
• Abuse prevention
• Alimony
• Annulment

Interested parties may obtain family court records in Essex County from the Clerk of the Probate and Family Court Department where the case was filed. However, the Clerks may not provide confidential Family Court records, such as those containing children's personal information. Record seekers may also use the Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access to obtain family court records in Essex County.

Essex County Family Court records ensure transparency in the Probate and Family Court’s judicial procedures. Such records also allow Judges to understand the parties’ best interests and make impartial and equitable decisions.

Essex Dissolution of Marriage Records

Essex County dissolution of marriage records are managed by the Probate and Family Courts. Such records contain official documents related to the legal termination of marital unions, such as divorce decrees, divorce separation agreements, child custody arrangements, and property division arrangements within the county.

Individuals can visit the Clerk's Office of the Essex County Probate and Family Court that granted marriage dissolutions to obtain such records. Alternatively, the Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access portal allows users to search for dissolution of marriage records in Essex County Probate and Family Court using names, case types, or case numbers.

Essex County Marriage and Divorce Records

Essex County marriage records are the official documents of the marital union between couples, while divorce records are created during the dissolution of marriage proceedings. Divorce records are available at the Essex County Probate and Family Court. Any interested individual can mail a completed Request for Copies Form or take it in person to the Probate and Family Court to obtain copies of divorce records.

Essex County marriage records can be obtained from the Town or City Clerk's Offices where the marriage ceremonies occurred. The clerks may provide certified copies of Essex County marriage certificates at a fee in person or by mail. Some custodians also manage online databases of marriage records where interested persons can access them.

Essex Birth and Death Records

In Essex County, birth and death records can be obtained from the town/city Clerk's Office or Massachusetts’s Registry of Vital Records and Statistics. Such records are essential for identification and genealogical research.

Essex County birth or death records can be obtained in person or by mail from the town or city's Clerk’s Office. Interested individuals can visit the Clerk’s Office to request such records or use any online database managed by the Clerk’s Office.

The Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS) also allows interested persons to order Essex County birth certificates and death records by mail or in person. However, requesters must provide documentation to prove their relation to the subject of the record. To obtain certified records, individuals can submit completed vital records mail order forms to:

Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
150 Mount Vernon Street
1st Floor
Dorchester, MA 02125

The office processes requests for vital records over the counter on weekdays between 8:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. The RVRS provides copies of Essex County vital records from 1931 to date. However, Massachusetts State Archives provides older vital records between 1841 and 1930.

Essex County Probate Court Records

In Essex County, Probate Court records are official documents from Probate and Family Court proceedings concerning wills, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, and estates and administrations. Probate Court records are available at the Clerk’s Office of the Probate and Family Court in custody of the documents. Interested persons can contact the Clerk’s Office to request such records. The public terminal computers at the courthouses also provide access to public probate records in Essex County.

Likewise, Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access allows users to look up probate court records in Essex County with the following steps:

• Open the Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access portal
• Click the button to search public records
• From the dropdown menu, select Probate and Family Court as the Court Department and Essex County Probate and Family Court as the Court Division
• Select the number of search results to view per page
• Perform the case search by name, case number, or case type
• Click the search button at the bottom left corner to view the search results

Essex County Property Records

Essex County property records are official documents relating to properties within the county’s boundaries. Such documents include:

• Homestead Declaration
• Declaration of Trust
• Property Deeds
• Mortgage Foreclosure Deeds
• Discharge/Release of Mortgage
• Municipal Lien Certificate
• Uniform Commercial Code documents
• Federal Tax Liens
• House Plans and Blueprints

Interested persons can search Essex County property records online or request them in person from the Registry of Deeds Offices located at:

Essex North
Lawrence Office

1 Union Street Suite #402
Lawrence, MA 01843
Phone: (978) 557-1900
Fax: (978) 688-4679
Email: northernessexcustomerservice@sec.state.ma.us

Essex South
Beverly Office

100 Cummings Center
Suite 206-C
Beverly, MA 01915

Salem Office

Salem Civil Process Office
35 Congress Street
Suite 2100A
Salem, MA 01970
Phone: (978) 542-1704
Fax: (978) 744-7679
Email: southernessexcustomerservice@sec.state.ma.us

Essex County Court Records Online

Essex County court records are available online through third-party resources like Massachusettscourtrecords.us. These sites allow users to access a wide range of court records electronically. However, they may require users’ subscriptions and, in many cases, obtaining court records through them is expensive. In addition, some records aggregated on such platforms may be outdated or incomplete.