Hampshire County Court Records

Land deeds, marriage licenses, civil and criminal case files, probate records, and court dockets are just a few examples of the many records in the Hampshire County court system. These records are kept in physical paper documents, microfilm, and digital records.

Depending on the kind of document, these records hold different types of information. Details, including the parties' names, the nature of the case, the dates of the court proceedings, verdicts, and penalties, are usually included in civil and criminal case files. Information regarding wills, estates, and guardianships may be found in probate records. Land deeds contain information on real estate transactions, such as the buyer and seller's names, property descriptions, and dates of the transactions. Marriage licenses document the names, ages, places of residence, and dates and times of the couple's union. (Mass. Uni. Rules to Access Pub. Rec. Rule 1(e) )

In addition to being an essential source for legal proceedings and historical research, these records also help ensure transparency and accountability in the judicial system by providing the public with access to legal decisions and proceedings. Genealogists and historians frequently utilize these records to trace family histories and gain an understanding of local history.

Are Court Records Public in Hampshire County?

Yes, Hampshire County court records are considered public records under the Massachusetts Public Records Law and Uniform Rules on Public Access to Court Records. This means that, unless otherwise ordered by a court or prohibited by law, court records held by a clerk shall be accessible to the public during regular business hours. The following are only a few of the exemptions that may apply to the disclosure of court records under these specified rules, unless a specific court order is in place:

• Documents and materials with consent to abortion ("Mary Moe" materials).
• Orders for the Prevention of Abuse.
• It shall not be possible to see any adoption petitions, reports filed under them, pleadings, papers, or documents filed in conjunction with them, docket entries in the permanent docket, or record books.
• Program and treatment records for drug and alcohol misuse.
• The Sex Offender Registry Board appeals.
• Proceedings of the Board of Bar Overseers.
• Mental Health and Civil Commitment Reports.
• hearings of the Commission on Judicial Conduct.
• Proceedings for Delinquency.
• Expunged Records.

Hampshire County Court Records Search

The following resources are available to members of the public who are interested in searching Hampshire County court records:

• Hampshire County Superior Court
• Hampshire County Probate and Family Court
• Northampton District Court
• Eastern Hampshire District Court (Belchertown)
• Amherst Town Hall (Town Clerk's Office)
• Hampshire County Registry of Deeds
• Online Massachusetts Trial Court Electronic Case Access

Hampshire County Court Records Search by Name

In Hampshire County, a name-based search for court records may be conducted using official custodians' resources.

The requester may need to complete a records request form, including the name of the case subject, and pay any applicable fees for the search to be completed properly. Any court record duplication or provision will incur a cost from the clerk per the Trial Court's Uniform Schedule of Fees.

To perform a Hampshire County court records search by name, utilize the Massachusetts Trial Court Electronic Case Access system. This website allows users to enter a person's name to search for court cases. Records from the District Courts, Probate and Family Courts, and Superior Courts are accessible through it. However, users must typically provide pertinent case information in the search fields to facilitate the search.

Hampshire County Courts

When looking for court documents in Massachusetts, it helps to know how the state court system operates. Superior Courts, District Courts, Probate and Family Courts, Housing Courts, Juvenile Courts, Boston Municipal Courts, and Land Courts make up the trial court system in Massachusetts.

Seven trial court departments make up the unified trial court system in Massachusetts. Although different court departments share jurisdiction over specific case categories, jurisdiction over cases is often distributed among the courts according to the kind of case. Although they typically take on issues that are outside the purview of lower trial courts, superior courts have universal jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases. Certain types of matters are limited to the jurisdiction of District Courts, Boston Municipal Courts, Probate and Family Courts, Housing Courts, and Juvenile Courts. The Land Court hears matters for the entire state from one location and has restricted jurisdiction over specific categories of civil cases. The Hampshire County court locations are listed below:

Hampshire County Superior Court
15 Gothic Street, P.O. Box 1119
Northampton, MA 01061
Phone: (413) 584-5810
Fax: (413) 586-8217

Eastern Hampshire District Court
205 State Street, Route 202, P.O. Box 1490
Belchertown, MA 01007
Phone: (413) 323-4056
Fax: (413) 323-6803

Northampton District Court
15 Gothic Street
Northampton, MA 01060
Phone: (413) 584-7400
Fax: (413) 584-9479 (Civil)
Fax: (413) 586-1980 (Criminal)

Hampshire Probate and Family Court
33 King Street, Suite 3
Northampton, MA 01060
Phone: (413) 586-8500
Fax: (413) 584-1132

Western Housing Court - Hadley Session
116 Russell Street
Hadley, MA 01035
Phone: (413) 748-7838
Fax: (413) 732-4607

Western Housing Court - Springfield Session
37 Elm Street, P.O. Box 559
Springfield, MA 01102
Phone: (413) 748-7838
Fax: (413) 732-4607

Belchertown Juvenile Court
205 State Street
Belchertown, MA 01007
Phone: (413) 323-4056

Hadley Juvenile Court
116 Russell Street, Route 9
Hadley, MA 01035
Phone: (413) 584-7686

Hampshire County Superior Court Case Search

Superior Courts in Hampshire County have authority over all civil and criminal issues. They also take on situations that fall outside the purview of other courts. Although some authority is shared with other courts, major felonies or crimes with a potential sentence of more than five years are often handled by superior courts. Except for situations that result exclusively from a dating or engagement relationship, most Abuse Prevention actions are also handled by Superior Courts.

To get court records, interested parties can contact the superior court in person, over the phone, or online. Inquirers may also visit the courthouse at the specified address and ask to view public records at no cost. Meanwhile, visitors can examine court dockets, calendars, and other case information for free on the online case information site.

Hampshire County District Court Records

The District Court Department in Hampshire County handles a wide range of cases, including criminal, civil, housing, juvenile, mental health, and other cases. The criminal jurisdiction of the District Court includes all felonies with sentences up to five years in prison as well as numerous other specific felonies with sentences up to five years, all misdemeanors, and all violations of town and city ordinances and by-laws. The District Court also handles civil cases where the damages are not expected to exceed $50,000 and small claims cases up to $7,000.

District court documents can be obtained at any of the district court clerk's offices at the court sites listed in the above address section. Applicants can obtain records by simply filling out a request form or utilizing the courthouse computer terminal. The state judiciary's online case information site allows users to browse district court data as well.

Hampshire County Criminal Records

Law enforcement organizations, including the county sheriff's office, are responsible for maintaining complete criminal history records in Hampshire County, Massachusetts. The public can obtain basic records information, including Hampshire county arrest records, charges, convictions, and any other relevant criminal history, online, by mail, or in person. However, only the subjects of the record or those with legal authorization may view the complete criminal history.

Authorized individuals can obtain criminal history records through the state central repository, the Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS), by conducting a Statewide Applicant Fingerprint Identification Services (SAFIS) search or a name-based criminal record check (CORI).

Information on accessible Massachusetts trials can be obtained using a name-based criminal record check (CORI). To do this kind of criminal history check, an individual must provide their name and birthdate. Then, to see whether there may be a record for that individual, that information is cross-referenced with court data. This kind of criminal history check does not support fingerprints and only includes data from Massachusetts.

For the purpose of processing fingerprint-based criminal record checks for approved Massachusetts non-criminal justice entities, the Statewide Applicant Fingerprint Identification Services (SAFIS) program was developed. This criminal record check with fingerprint support provides details on arrests that may have occurred in other states in addition to Massachusetts. The process of doing this kind of criminal record check involves comparing an individual's fingerprints with those gathered by Massachusetts and other states.

Through its website, phone number (617) 660-4600, or mail address, the organization provides the public with the ability to seek public records. Here is the mail address:

Agapi Koulouris, Primary RAO
Department of Criminal Justice Information Services
200 Arlington Street, Suite 2200
Chelsea, MA 02150

To comply with a public records request, the agency will provide the first four hours of labor for free. Beyond that, the agency may charge up to $25 per hour.

Hampshire County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Those interested in looking up a criminal court case in Hampshire County might start by contacting the court clerk's office, where records are maintained, and submitting requests. The Hampshire Superior Court, Northampton District Court, Eastern Hampshire District Court (Belchertown), and Housing Court have authority over this matter.

It is important to remember that records requests can be made at the Clerk's Office of each court. The case number, names of the parties, and the case's date are all useful information. Additionally, the majority of courthouses have public access terminals where people can look up and examine case information. These terminals may provide limited access to case details.

The Massachusetts Court System offers an online service called MassCourts through its website. This tool allows users to search for criminal cases by name, case number, and other parameters.

How to Get Hampshire County Civil Court Records

The Superior Court, Hampshire County's principal civil court, has general authority over all civil cases heard there, including those involving contracts, personal injury claims, property disputes, and probate issues. According to state law, interested parties may view these records upon request.

Hampshire County Family Court Records

The Probate and Family Court Department is responsible for managing family law cases in Hampshire County, Massachusetts. This court handles cases including guardianship, adoption, divorce, child custody, spousal support, paternity, division of marital property, and restraining orders against domestic abuse.

To get family court records, a person can visit the Hampshire County Probate and Family Court in Northampton, send a letter request, or use the Massachusetts Trial Court's web portal. Although most documents are accessible to the public, some may not be, such as juvenile and adoption records. Applicants must fill out request forms, and there are costs associated with certification and copying.

Hampshire Dissolution of Marriage Records

In Hampshire County, Massachusetts, dissolution of marriage records serve as official documentation of a marriage's dissolution. These records include the names of the parties, the dissolution date, and the divorce terms. They are basically the same as divorce records. The Hampshire County Probate and Family Court is where these records are kept and can be accessed upon request, usually for a charge.

Hampshire County Marriage and Divorce Records

The Hampshire County Probate and Family Court in Hampshire County, Massachusetts is normally in charge of keeping divorce records. The town or city clerk's office, where the marriage license was issued, is the custodian of marriage records. To receive any of these records, one only needs to get in touch with the county clerk's office, which is where the records are kept, and request access.

Marriage and divorce certificates are among the documents kept centrally in the Registry of Vital Records (RVRS). The Vital Records of Massachusetts from 1931 to the present are managed and distributed by RVRS. Anyone who wants to view these documents can do so by mail, phone, in person, or online. Applicants must include the subject's name, the event's date, location, and identification (ID) to confirm identity. Before accessing the records, requestors must complete the form and pay the applicable costs. Forwarded mail requests should be sent to:

Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
150 Mt. Vernon St.
1st Floor
Dorchester, MA 02125

State Archives holds records for events that took place between 1841 and 1930. Public access is granted to all records held by the State Archives. At the town or city where the incident occurred, earlier records might be accessible. As early as 1635, certain city and town documents are accessible.

Hampshire County Birth and Death Records

The Registry of Vital Records (RVRS) also keeps birth and death records for Hampshire County, which are available to approved individuals. Since all these records are vital, the access restrictions are the same as those for marriage and divorce records.

Hampshire County Probate Court Records

In Hampshire County, Massachusetts, records pertaining to guardianships, conservatorships, and family law cases including divorce and child custody are kept in the probate court. These documents provide important details regarding the allocation of a deceased person's property, the designation of guardians for minors or the mentally incompetent, and the court cases that settle family conflicts.

To get these records, people can go to the Hampshire County Probate and Family Court in Northampton. Requests for records may be made in person, by mail, or occasionally online via the Massachusetts Court System's website. It is advisable to contact the clerk's office to find out the precise requirements and costs involved in acquiring copies of records. Furthermore, privacy regulations may restrict access to some records, requiring identification or a valid legal interest.

Hampshire County Property Records

The Hampshire County Registry of Deeds provides access to property records in Hampshire County, Massachusetts. People can view these records online or in person at the registry office. There are several kinds of property-related data that are accessible, such as land records, mortgages, liens, and deeds. Information regarding property ownership and transfer history can be found in deeds. Liens are any formal claims or debts against real estate, whereas mortgages provide information on loans secured by the property.

Land records also contain property descriptions, plats, and surveys, all essential for determining a property's borders and other details. These documents are necessary for many different things, including historical research, court cases, and real estate transactions. Usually, users can search by property address, owner name, or document type in the registry's online database to access these records.

Hampshire County Court Records Online

Hampshire County, Massachusetts, court records are easily accessible through third-party web organizations such as Massachusettscourtrecords.us. By streamlining the search procedure, these platforms enable people to obtain papers without physically going to the courthouse. The benefits include being reachable around the clock, saving time, and reducing expenses related to travel and copying charges. They are especially helpful for scholars, lawyers, and those keeping tabs on the status of cases.

There are, nevertheless, restrictions. Due to their reliance on timely digitization and uploading material, online databases might not be comprehensive or current. Privacy concerns can also arise, particularly regarding the ease of access to sensitive data. In addition, third-party websites may charge for their services, and there is no guarantee that the records are accurate; it may be necessary to confirm the information with official court sources. Because of this, even if they are handy, these resources should only be utilized sparingly and complemented by official records as needed.