Massachusetts Arrest Records Search | Criminal Records
Massachusetts · Police arrests, county custody, MassCourts and CORI
Trace a Massachusetts Arrest From Police Booking to the Final Criminal Record
Massachusetts does not offer one public statewide jail-booking search. Recent custody begins with the arresting police department or county sheriff, while formal criminal cases appear through the Trial Court.
Use this guide to locate a person, request an arrest report, search the court docket, obtain CORI, verify the disposition and correct, seal or expunge an eligible record.
MASSACHUSETTS RECORD ROUTE
VERIFYING
POLICE / SHERIFF
ARREST + CUSTODY
COURT + CORI
FINAL RECORD
IDENTITY + DISPOSITION CONFIRMED
Arrest does not mean arraignment or conviction. A police log, booking entry or mugshot proves only that an agency recorded an arrest or custody event. Check the court docket to learn whether a complaint or indictment was filed and how every charge ended.
Recent arrest
Contact the arresting police department.
County custody
Contact the sheriff serving the booking county.
Court outcome
Use MassCourts and the filing courthouse.
Personal CORI
$25; indigency waiver may be available.
Official review
Procedures checked July 31, 2026.
Four Massachusetts systems answer four different questions
POLICE DEPARTMENT
What did officers record?
Arrest log, incident report, arrest report, probable-cause information and agency supplements.
Request from the department that created the report.
COUNTY SHERIFF
Where is the person held?
Current custody, booking number, house of correction, bail status, visitation and inmate services.
There is no uniform statewide county-jail search.
MASSCOURTS
What happened in court?
Complaint or indictment, docket events, bail, hearings, plea, verdict, sentence and disposition.
Most remote criminal searches require the docket number.
iCORI / DCJIS
What appears on a Massachusetts CORI?
Name-based Massachusetts arraignment information released according to the requester’s legal access level.
Not a national or fingerprint-supported search.How to search Massachusetts arrest and criminal records
Identify the arrest location
Determine the city or town, county and approximate arrest date.
Identify the arresting agency
The report may belong to local police, Massachusetts State Police, campus police or another agency.
Check immediate police custody
A newly arrested person may remain at the police station before transfer or arraignment.
Identify the county sheriff
If the person was transferred to a jail or house of correction, contact the sheriff serving that county.
Confirm the legal booking name
Use the full name, date of birth, arrest date and booking or commitment number when available.
Save the police incident number
This is the strongest identifier for requesting the arrest report.
Obtain the court docket number
Ask the police department, sheriff, defendant, attorney or courthouse criminal clerk.
Search MassCourts by exact docket number
Most criminal cases cannot be found through the public internet name-search field.
Open Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access
Read every docket event
Find arraignment, bail, complaint, indictment, dismissal, plea, verdict and sentence entries.
Obtain the actual disposition
Request a court-certified docket when a summary screen is incomplete or formal proof is needed.
Use iCORI for an authorized statewide report
Choose Personal CORI for yourself or Open Access when requesting legally available information about another person.
Correct or restrict the record when appropriate
Use correction for factual errors, sealing for eligible restricted access and expungement for qualifying permanent destruction.
Find the sheriff responsible for a county jail booking
No single county-jail portal covers Massachusetts. Sheriff departments use different booking-search, records, visitation, phone and deposit systems. Always use the current sheriff website or facility telephone number.
| County | Primary custody route | Search action | Important note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable | Barnstable County Sheriff / Correctional Facility | Check the sheriff site or call inmate information. | Cape Cod arrests may begin with a town police department. |
| Berkshire | Berkshire County Jail and House of Correction | Contact the Berkshire County Sheriff. | Use Pittsfield-area court and police identifiers. |
| Bristol | Bristol County Sheriff facilities | Call the sheriff inmate-information line. | Confirm whether the person is in Dartmouth or another Bristol facility. |
| Dukes | Dukes County Sheriff | Confirm current custody and any transfer destination. | Island arrests can involve off-island court or custody movement. |
| Essex | Essex County Sheriff’s Department | Use the sheriff family and public-information pages. | Confirm the specific Essex correctional facility. |
| Franklin | Franklin County Sheriff | Contact the jail and house of correction directly. | Save the arresting town and District Court division. |
| Hampden | Hampden County Sheriff | Use the sheriff inmate and family-information service. | Springfield-area arrests may involve several local departments. |
| Hampshire | Hampshire County Sheriff | Confirm the facility and booking status directly. | Do not confuse Hampshire and Hampden County custody. |
| Middlesex | Middlesex Sheriff’s Office | Check current inmate and family-service instructions. | Court location depends on the arresting municipality. |
| Nantucket | Nantucket County Sheriff / transfer routing | Call to confirm where the person was transported. | Nantucket does not operate a traditional inmate-housing population. |
| Norfolk | Norfolk County Sheriff | Contact the county correctional center. | Confirm county custody versus a nearby DOC prison. |
| Plymouth | Plymouth County Sheriff | Use the sheriff booking and family-information process. | The Plymouth County Correctional Facility is separate from DOC facilities in Plymouth. |
| Suffolk | Suffolk County Sheriff | Check Nashua Street Jail or House of Correction custody. | Boston arrests commonly route through Suffolk County custody. |
| Worcester | Worcester County Sheriff | Use the sheriff inmate-information process. | Confirm the city or town police department that made the arrest. |
Open the Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Association directory
Choose the county connected to the arrest.
Open the sheriff’s official website
Look for Inmate Information, Family Services, Jail, House of Correction or Records.
Call when no online inmate search exists
Provide the full legal name, date of birth and arrest date.
Ask about transfer status
The person may still be at a police station, at court, in another county or in DOC custody.
Understand Massachusetts arrest, custody and court fields
| Field | What it identifies | What it does not prove | Next action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Police incident number | The arresting agency’s report file. | The court filed a criminal complaint. | Use it for the police-record request. |
| Booking number | A county custody or intake event. | A conviction or final charge. | Use it for sheriff questions and services. |
| Commitment number | A person in Massachusetts DOC custody. | The complete court history. | Use it for VINELink, mail and deposits. |
| Arrest date | When law enforcement recorded the arrest. | The date of arraignment or disposition. | Match it to the police report and docket. |
| Arrest charge | The allegation used at arrest. | What the prosecutor or court ultimately used. | Read the complaint or indictment. |
| Docket number | The criminal court case. | That every arrest created only one case. | Search MassCourts exactly as written. |
| Arraignment | The first formal court appearance on a criminal charge. | Guilt or conviction. | Review bail and later docket events. |
| Nolle prosequi | The prosecutor stopped pursuing the identified charge. | Every related charge ended the same way. | Check all counts and sealing eligibility. |
| Dismissed | The court ended the identified charge or complaint. | The public record has already been sealed. | Review sealing procedures. |
| Closed | The docket is no longer active. | How the case ended. | Locate the exact disposition entry. |
Verify identity before relying on a Massachusetts record
Full legal name is consistent
Middle name, suffix or alias is consistent
Date of birth matches
Arrest date matches the known event
Police department matches the location
Booking or commitment number matches
Court docket follows the same arrest
Charges and timeline are consistent
Use at least two independent identifiers. A common name or similar photograph is not enough for employment, housing, publication, financial decisions or sending inmate funds.
Why a Massachusetts arrest may be missing
The person is still at the police station
A county sheriff may not have received the person yet.
The person was released before transfer
A bail magistrate may have released the defendant from police custody.
The legal name is different
Try a maiden name, former surname, suffix, alias or alternate spelling.
The wrong county was searched
Search the place of arrest, not only the home address.
The docket has not been created
A recent arrest may not appear until arraignment or court data entry.
The online criminal search requires a docket number
MassCourts generally does not permit public internet criminal-name searches.
The case began by summons
A criminal case may exist without county-jail booking.
The record is sealed, expunged or juvenile
Restricted information will not appear through ordinary public access.
Custody-verification script
I am trying to confirm the custody status of [full legal name], date of birth [date]. The arrest may have occurred on [date] through [police department] in [city or town]. Can you confirm whether the person is at the police station, in county custody, released, transferred or listed under another identifier?
Request a Massachusetts arrest or incident report
Send the request to the agency that created the report. A county sheriff may hold the person without possessing the arresting officer’s narrative.
Identify the arresting department
Use the police log, booking record, bail paperwork or court docket.
Find the department’s Records Access Officer
Look for Public Records, Records Division or Records Access Officer on the agency website.
Name the exact documents
Request the arrest report, incident report, booking sheet, probable-cause statement and identified supplements.
Provide narrow identifiers
Include the full name, date, time, location, incident number and docket number.
Ask for electronic delivery
PDF delivery can reduce copying and postage.
Set a cost ceiling
Ask for a written estimate before the cost exceeds a stated amount.
Keep the written response
Massachusetts agencies generally provide an initial response within 10 business days.
Ask for the legal reason for redactions
Active-investigation, witness, victim, medical, juvenile and privacy information may be withheld.
Copy-ready police-record request
Under the Massachusetts Public Records Law, I request an electronic copy of the releasable arrest report, incident report, probable-cause documentation, booking record and releasable supplements concerning [full legal name] for the incident on or about [date and time] at [location]. Known identifiers are incident number [number], booking number [number] and court docket number [number]. Please provide a written estimate before processing if the cost will exceed $[amount], and identify the legal basis for any withheld or redacted material.
Common reasons for withholding material
Active or ongoing investigation
Witness or victim identifying information
Juvenile information
Medical or mental-health information
Confidential informant information
Security-sensitive law-enforcement methods
Sealed or expunged records
Request is excessively broad
Search a Massachusetts criminal court docket
Most criminal cases require the exact docket number for remote access. The public internet name-search tab is generally for civil cases. A courthouse public terminal may provide broader criminal access.
Obtain the docket number
Ask the police department, sheriff, courthouse clerk, attorney or defendant.
Open MassCourts
Check the “I’m not a robot” box and select public-record search.
Open Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access
Select the court department
Choose Boston Municipal, District or Superior Court as appropriate.
Select the court division and location
Use the court named on the bail, summons or arraignment paperwork.
Select Case Number Search
Criminal cases are most reliably retrieved with the exact docket number.
Enter the number exactly
Preserve capitalization, leading zeros, spaces and department formatting.
Open the case hyperlink
Review parties, charges, docket events and disposition details.
Read events chronologically
Later entries can change bail, warrants, charges and case status.
Use a courthouse terminal when necessary
Public-access terminals are available at Massachusetts courthouses.
Request the official record from the clerk
The courthouse clerk maintains the official public case file and hard-copy documents.
A no-result search does not prove that no criminal case exists. Check the docket format, court division, filing date and whether the matter is juvenile, sealed or unavailable remotely.
Choose the correct Massachusetts criminal court
District Court
Handles most criminal arraignments, misdemeanors and many felony matters within its jurisdiction. Some serious felony cases begin here before Superior Court indictment.
Boston Municipal Court
Handles criminal cases arising within its Boston divisions and functions similarly to District Court for many criminal matters.
Superior Court
Handles serious indicted felony cases, dangerousness matters, bail appeals and other proceedings within its jurisdiction.
| Term | Meaning | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Pending | The case has not reached final disposition. | Newest docket event and next court date. |
| Nolle prosequi | The prosecutor stopped pursuing that charge. | Whether every count ended. |
| Dismissed | The court ended the identified charge or complaint. | Whether dismissal involved probation and whether sealing requires a petition. |
| Not guilty | The defendant was acquitted of the resolved charge. | Whether automatic sealing was completed. |
| No bill | The grand jury declined to return an indictment. | Whether another complaint or charge remained. |
| Guilty | The court entered a finding or judgment of guilt. | Offense level, sentence and sealing eligibility date. |
| Continued without a finding | The case was continued under conditions without an immediate guilty finding. | Whether conditions were completed and the later dismissal entered. |
| Closed | The case is no longer active. | The exact event that caused closure. |
Follow a Massachusetts case in the correct order
Police arrest or summons
The agency creates an incident record and identifies the alleged offense.
Police-station booking
Identity, fingerprints, property and initial charge information may be recorded.
Out-of-court bail review
When court is closed, a bail magistrate may consider personal recognizance or cash bail.
County custody
A person who is not released may be transferred to a sheriff facility or held for court.
Probation interview
Before arraignment, probation verifies identity, criminal history and eligibility for appointed counsel.
Arraignment
The charge is read, a plea is entered and the judge addresses counsel and release conditions.
Complaint or indictment
The case proceeds in BMC, District Court or Superior Court according to jurisdiction.
Pretrial proceedings
The docket can contain discovery, motions, bail review, dangerousness proceedings and plea discussions.
Disposition
Each charge can end by dismissal, nolle prosequi, acquittal, plea, guilty finding or another order.
CORI update and record relief
Court information is transmitted to criminal-record systems and may later qualify for correction, sealing or expungement.
How release works after a Massachusetts arrest
Bail is not punishment and does not indicate guilt. Its primary purpose is to help ensure that the defendant appears for future court dates.
Personal recognizance
The defendant is released on a promise to appear without paying cash bail.
Cash bail
A specified amount must be deposited before release.
Surety bond
An equivalent surety-company bond may be used when cash bail is required.
Dangerousness detention
The prosecution may request detention or restrictive conditions under the applicable dangerousness law.
Confirm the arresting police station
A person may remain there while awaiting a bail magistrate.
Ask whether bail was set
Confirm personal recognizance, cash amount and any release conditions.
Ask whether another warrant or hold exists
Payment on one case may not clear another matter.
Use an accepted payment instrument
Out-of-court bail may be accepted as cash, bank check, treasurer’s or cashier’s check, or U.S. government money order under applicable rules.
Obtain the recognizance and receipt
Save the court date, amount paid and name of the person posting bail.
Attend arraignment
A person who is not released must be brought to court when it is next in session.
Request counsel when needed
The duty lawyer can assist with the bail hearing, and the court decides eligibility for continued appointed representation.
Appeal unaffordable bail
A defendant may request reconsideration or seek the appropriate bail appeal.
Published appointed-counsel assessment: Massachusetts court guidance lists a minimum $150 counsel fee when the defendant qualifies for a court-appointed lawyer. Ask the court about assessment, waiver or payment questions.
Recovering cash bail after the case
The defendant appeared for required proceedings
The criminal case has ended
The original bail receipt is available
The person who posted bail has photo identification
Court-appointed counsel obligations are resolved
The clerk confirms that the bail is returnable
Unclaimed bail is transferred to the Massachusetts State Treasurer after three years. Keep the original receipt and update the clerk if the surety’s address changes.
Visitation, mail, calls and money at a sheriff facility
County procedures are not uniform. Do not use another county’s visitation provider, mailing address or deposit account. Confirm every instruction on the current sheriff website.
County jail visitation steps
Confirm current custody and facility
A person may be at a police station, courthouse, county jail or transferred elsewhere.
Open the sheriff visitation page
Check whether visits are contact, non-contact, onsite video or remote video.
Complete visitor approval
Provide the required identity, birth-date and background information.
Check appointment rules
Some facilities require advance scheduling and limit visits by housing unit.
Bring valid government identification
The name must match the approved visitor record.
Recheck before traveling
Court movement, lockdown, release, discipline or medical restrictions can cancel a visit.
Common county visitation restrictions
Visitors and property may be searched
Weapons and contraband are prohibited
Phones, cameras and recording devices may be prohibited
Clothing must comply with the local dress code
Minors require adult supervision and documents
Disruptive or intoxicated visitors can be denied
Visits may be monitored and recorded
Rule violations can suspend future visits
Personal mail
- Use the exact legal name and inmate number.
- Copy the mailing address from the sheriff site.
- Check whether mail is scanned by a vendor.
- Do not send cash or irreplaceable originals.
Telephone calls
- Inmates normally initiate outgoing calls.
- Use only the provider linked by the sheriff.
- Ordinary calls may be monitored and recorded.
- Do not discuss confidential defense strategy.
Deposits and commissary
- Verify the inmate and booking number.
- Review provider and transaction fees.
- Keep the receipt and confirmation number.
- Do not use links sent by unknown callers.
Find someone housed by Massachusetts DOC
Massachusetts VINE covers Department of Correction facilities, not every county sheriff facility. Use the county sheriff process for pretrial or county-sentenced custody.
Open VINELink
Select Massachusetts as the state.
Open the inmate locator
Search the full first and last name
Use the commitment number when known for a more precise result.
Verify the person
Compare age, commitment number, institution and custody information.
Record the commitment number
Use it for mail, phone, email, deposits and facility inquiries.
Confirm the institution directly
Transfers can occur after classification, security review or program placement.
VINELink telephone search: 866-277-7477
Search by full name or commitment number.
Search by full name or commitment number.
Get approved for an in-person or video prison visit
Ask the incarcerated person to add your name
The person in custody begins the pre-approved visitor-list process.
Complete the DOC Visitor Application
Mail the completed form to the specific institution.
Open the visitor application and rules
Wait for approval
The visitor and incarcerated person are notified after processing.
Check the institution-specific schedule
Hours and procedures differ by institution and can change.
Bring valid photo identification
Accepted identification includes a driver’s license, passport, military ID or official state or federal photo ID.
Prepare documents for a minor
Children must be accompanied by an approved adult and may require a birth certificate or consent form.
Request medical-device approval in advance
Life-saving medication and medical devices require written approval from the superintendent.
Complete screening
Visitors can be searched and may encounter random narcotic-detection dog screening.
Create a Securus account for video visitation
Video visitors must also be pre-approved and listed.
Open Securus video visitation
DOC visitor-list limits
| Institution level | General maximum | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum security | 8 visitors | The superintendent may approve an exception. |
| Medium security | 8 visitors | Children use separate minor-visitor rules. |
| Minimum security or pre-release | 10 visitors | A visitor list may generally be revised three times per year. |
Refusing a required search results in denied entry. Drugs, contraband, recording, false identity or serious rule violations can result in a statewide visitor bar and criminal investigation.
Contact someone in Massachusetts DOC custody
Postal mail
- Use the full legal name.
- Include the commitment number.
- Use the complete institution address.
- Incoming mail is opened for inspection.
Secure email
- Family and friends can use CorrLinks.
- The incarcerated person can respond.
- Messages are not privileged legal communications.
- Content is subject to review.
Telephone
- Create an account through Securus.
- Incarcerated people initiate calls.
- Ordinary calls may be recorded.
- Use approved attorney channels for privileged calls.
Confirm the current institution
Recheck VINELink before mailing or funding an account.
Copy the institution address exactly
Do not rely on an old letter after a transfer.
Include the commitment number
Missing identifiers can delay or return mail.
Create CorrLinks for email
Use the official DOC contact page to reach the approved service.
Open DOC communication instructions
Create Securus for telephone calls
Review rates and account types before depositing funds.
Open Securus
Securus support: 800-844-6591
Deposit money through Access Corrections
Confirm the commitment number
Match the full name and institution before paying.
Create an Access Corrections account
Deposits can be made online, through the mobile app or by telephone.
Open Access Corrections
Review the transaction charge
Confirm the fee and deposit total before submitting.
Use a U.S.-based payment source
DOC states that deposits and accepted checks must meet U.S.-fund and financial-institution requirements.
Ask before dropping off a money order
Some institutions permit lobby drop-off, while others use different procedures.
Keep the confirmation
Save the commitment number, amount, date and transaction ID.
Access Corrections: 866-345-1884
Bilingual representatives are available 24 hours a day.
Bilingual representatives are available 24 hours a day.
How to obtain a Massachusetts public defender
Massachusetts court-appointed criminal defense is provided through the Committee for Public Counsel Services, using staff public defenders and certified private bar advocates.
Ask for counsel before discussing the case
A person may invoke the right to remain silent and request a lawyer.
Request appointed counsel at arraignment
The probation department collects financial information for the court’s indigency decision.
Speak with the duty lawyer
A duty lawyer can generally assist with the arraignment bail hearing.
Complete financial eligibility information accurately
Include income, assets, expenses and household obligations.
Save the attorney-assignment information
Record the attorney’s name, office, telephone number and next court date.
Contact the assigned CPCS or bar-advocate office
Search by court or office location.
Open CPCS public-defender offices
Do not discuss facts on recorded jail calls
Use the attorney’s approved confidential communication process.
Find and verify a Massachusetts lawyer
Search for criminal-defense experience
Ask whether the lawyer regularly practices in the specific BMC, District or Superior Court.
Verify active attorney status
Use the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers attorney lookup.
Open official lawyer-finding resources
Ask who will appear in court
Confirm whether the lawyer you consult will personally handle arraignment, bail and trial.
Request a written fee agreement
Identify whether hearings, motions, trial and appeal are included.
Provide the complete record
Share the police incident number, booking number, docket number, bail information and court date.
Find a Massachusetts victim advocate
Police advocate
Contact the investigating police department for immediate referrals, report information and safety planning.
District Attorney advocate
After charges are filed, the county District Attorney’s victim-witness program provides case and court support.
Post-conviction notification
DOC, Parole and DCJIS victim services provide eligible custody, release and parole information.
Have the police incident and docket numbers ready
These identifiers connect the investigation, court and custody records.
Contact the District Attorney serving the court county
Ask for the Victim-Witness Assistance Program.
Search AskMOVA for local services
Filter by crime type, ZIP code or Massachusetts county.
Find local victim services
Register for post-conviction notification when eligible
Victims, witnesses, certain family members and people concerned for safety may qualify.
Ask about compensation
Eligible violent-crime victims may receive help with uninsured medical care, counseling, funeral costs or lost income.
Call 911 for immediate danger. An online booking or court page is not a substitute for a personal safety plan.
Request your own CORI or an open-access report
CORI begins with arraignment information. An arrest that never reached arraignment may not appear. CORI contains Massachusetts information only and is not fingerprint supported.
Personal CORI
- Used to review your own Massachusetts record.
- Current fee: $25 per request.
- Online registration requires a valid Massachusetts driver’s license or ID.
- Paper request is available without a Massachusetts ID.
- An indigency affidavit may waive the personal-request fee.
Open Access CORI
- Used by an individual requesting legally available information about another person.
- Current fee: $50 per request.
- Returns only the records allowed under open-access law.
- Does not provide the subject’s complete personal CORI.
- Sealed and juvenile records are excluded.
Choose Personal Self or Open Access
Do not choose Open Access when requesting your own record.
Register through iCORI
Follow the training and account instructions.
Start an individual CORI request
Use the legal name and date of birth
A name-based result can be affected by aliases and similar identities.
Review the request before payment
Submitted requests cannot be cancelled and duplicate or mistyped requests are not refundable.
Check the Results tab
iCORI does not necessarily send a notification when the result is ready.
Allow up to 10 business days
Many requests finish sooner, but candidate identity review can add time.
Download and save the result
Online results are not retained indefinitely in the account.
| Request type | Current fee | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Personal CORI | $25 | Review your own Massachusetts criminal record. |
| Open Access CORI | $50 | Request limited legally available information about another person. |
| Organization CORI | $25 | Authorized employment, volunteer, licensing or housing use. |
| Personal indigency request | $0 when approved | Fee waiver for a qualifying personal request. |
DCJIS Civil Background Screening Services
Phone: 617-660-4640
Email: icori.info@mass.gov
Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Phone: 617-660-4640
Email: icori.info@mass.gov
Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Why two CORI requesters may receive different results
| Access category | Information generally returned | Information excluded |
|---|---|---|
| Personal access | Adult and youthful-offender convictions, non-convictions, pending cases, and separate civil or non-incarcerable sections. | Sealed and juvenile offenses. |
| Open access | Certain recent convictions and specified murder, manslaughter or sex-offense convictions regardless of age. | Most older convictions, non-convictions, sealed records and juvenile records. |
| Required access | The information authorized for a specific employer, licensing agency, volunteer program or other statutory purpose. | Records outside that legally authorized access level. |
| Criminal-justice access | Broader information for authorized criminal-justice purposes. | Not available to ordinary public requesters. |
A “no record” open-access response does not prove that the person has never been arrested, arraigned or convicted. It means no information was released under that request’s access rules.
Know when a name-based CORI is not enough
Name-based CORI
- Uses name and date of birth.
- Contains Massachusetts court-based information.
- Can produce same-name questions.
- Does not search other states.
Fingerprint-supported check
- Matches the person’s fingerprints.
- Can return Massachusetts arrests and authorized interstate information.
- Used for specific authorized purposes.
- Not an unrestricted public people-search service.
Use fingerprint-supported review when identity accuracy is critical, another person may have used the subject’s name, or an authorized employment or licensing process requires fingerprints.
Correct an inaccurate Massachusetts arrest or CORI entry
Obtain your Personal CORI
Save the complete report before requesting changes.
Identify the exact incorrect field
Note the court, docket number, charge, disposition, arrest date and error.
Obtain a certified docket sheet
Request it from the criminal clerk’s office in the court that handled the case.
Contact court probation for a case shown as open
Ask the probation department at the charging court to update the closed case.
Report a wrong disposition
Contact the Chief Probation Officer or the Office of the Commissioner of Probation’s CARI Unit.
Correct state or national arrest data
Submit the certified docket and Massachusetts State Police Record Correction Form when required.
Open official correction instructions
Correct local police information separately
The arresting department must address errors in its own arrest or incident report.
Recheck every system
Court, CORI, fingerprint and private background systems may update on different schedules.
Office of the Commissioner of Probation
1 Ashburton Place, Room 405
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-727-5300
Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
1 Ashburton Place, Room 405
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-727-5300
Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Copy-ready correction request
I am requesting correction of inaccurate or incomplete criminal-record information associated with [full legal name and date of birth]. The disputed entry is court [court name], docket [number], charge [charge] and displayed disposition [current entry]. The correct disposition is [correct result], as shown by the attached certified docket dated [date]. Please confirm receipt, the agency responsible for the correction and any additional documentation required.
See who requested your Massachusetts CORI
A CORI self-audit shows non-criminal-justice organizations and individuals that requested your CORI through DCJIS. Criminal-justice agency inquiries are excluded.
Open the self-audit request page
Use the DCJIS online form.
Request a CORI self-audit
Provide the required identity information
Follow the verification instructions carefully.
Review every requester and date
Compare the entries with employment, housing, licensing or volunteer applications.
Report suspected unauthorized access
Contact DCJIS when an inquiry appears improper or unfamiliar.
One self-audit may be requested every 90 days without a fee. Additional requests during the same 90-day period currently cost $25 each.
Restrict public access to an eligible criminal record
Sealing does not destroy the record. Courts and authorized criminal-justice or licensing entities may retain access permitted by law.
Misdemeanor conviction
Many eligible records can be sealed three years after conviction or release from incarceration, whichever is later.
Felony conviction
Many eligible records can be sealed seven years after conviction or release, whichever is later.
Dismissal or nolle prosequi
File a petition in the court connected to the non-conviction record.
Automatic non-conviction sealing
Not-guilty, no-bill and no-probable-cause records are subject to statutory sealing.
Obtain your Personal CORI
Identify every record and disposition before filing.
Obtain certified dockets
Use the criminal clerk’s office for each case.
Identify conviction versus non-conviction records
The filing office and form differ.
Use the conviction petition for eligible convictions
File through the Massachusetts Probation Service.
Use the dismissal or nolle-prosequi petition
File in the court where the case originated.
Attach supporting information
Explain employment, housing, education, family and rehabilitation effects when a hearing is required.
Attend the hearing when scheduled
The court may weigh good cause against public access.
Verify the update
Request a new CORI after processing is complete.
Filing charge: Massachusetts does not charge a court filing fee to request criminal-record sealing.
Expunge an eligible Massachusetts criminal record
Expungement permanently destroys the qualifying court and agency record. Obtain every document you may need before the judge grants expungement because the court cannot later provide a destroyed file.
Time-based expungement
- No more than two qualifying records.
- Multiple charges from one incident count as one record.
- Misdemeanor sentence completed at least three years earlier.
- Felony sentence completed at least seven years earlier.
- Strict offense exclusions apply.
Non-time-based expungement
- False identification or identity theft.
- Unauthorized use of identity.
- Law-enforcement, witness or court error.
- Fraud upon the court.
- An offense that is no longer a crime.
Major time-based exclusions
Death or serious bodily injury offense
Offense committed with a dangerous weapon
Offense against an elderly or disabled person
Sex offense or sexually violent offense
Operating under the influence
Firearm violation or illegal firearm sale
Restraining or harassment-order violation
Domestic assault or household-member battery
Obtain your CORI and court documents
Identify every charge connected to the incident.
Choose time-based or non-time-based relief
Do not combine different legal grounds without reviewing the correct form.
Complete the correct petition
Include all charges connected to the case.
Open expungement eligibility and forms
Attach supporting documents
Include proof of identity theft, error, decriminalization or time-based eligibility.
File in the court where the case was heard
Separate cases generally require separate petitions.
Serve the prosecuting District Attorney
For non-time-based expungement, provide the prosecutor a copy on or before the filing date.
Request a hearing when appropriate
Explain why the statutory ground applies and why expungement serves the interests of justice.
Keep the expungement order
Save a certified copy in a secure location.
Verify connected systems
Check CORI and address any private background report separately.
Expungement petitions and hearings receive special confidentiality protections. The general public is excluded from expungement hearings.
Massachusetts criminal-record contacts
DCJIS Main Office
200 Arlington Street, Suite 2200
Chelsea, MA 02150
Chelsea, MA 02150
iCORI Information
Commissioner of Probation
1 Ashburton Place, Room 405
Boston, MA 02108
Boston, MA 02108
DOC Headquarters
50 Maple Street
Milford, MA 01757
Milford, MA 01757
VINELink
Use for Massachusetts DOC custody.
DOC Victim Services
CPCS
75 Federal Street, 6th Floor
Boston, MA 02110
Boston, MA 02110
MassCourts Help
Use for electronic docket-access questions.
Map to the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services
Map to the Office of the Commissioner of Probation
Confirm before traveling: Many services are online or handled by mail. Call the court, police department, sheriff, DCJIS or DOC before visiting an office.
What this Massachusetts guide brings into the page
Arrest and court routing
Police reports, county sheriff custody, docket-number limits, courthouse terminals, court levels, bail, arraignment and final-disposition verification.
Custody and family services
County jail routing, DOC locator, visitor approval, minor rules, mail, CorrLinks, Securus telephone accounts and Access Corrections deposits.
CORI and record relief
Current request fees, access levels, fingerprint differences, self-audits, correction procedures, sealing periods and expungement eligibility.
Massachusetts arrest and criminal-record questions answered
How do I search Massachusetts arrest records?
Start with the arresting police department or the sheriff serving the booking county. Obtain the docket number, search MassCourts and use iCORI when an authorized statewide criminal-record report is needed.
Is there a statewide Massachusetts jail search?
No. County sheriffs operate separate custody systems. Massachusetts VINELink currently covers Department of Correction custody rather than every county jail.
Is iCORI the same as an arrest record?
No. iCORI is a name-based report of available Massachusetts arraignment information. An arrest that never reached arraignment may not appear.
How much does a personal CORI cost?
The current personal CORI fee is $25. A qualifying requester may submit an affidavit of indigency.
How much does an open-access CORI cost?
The current open-access fee is $50 per request. It returns only information legally available to the general public.
Can I search a criminal case by name on MassCourts?
Most criminal cases are remotely available only by exact docket number. Broader criminal access may be available at a courthouse public terminal.
Does an arrest prove guilt?
No. An arrest or booking is not a conviction. Review the court complaint, docket and final disposition.
How do I correct a wrong CORI disposition?
Obtain a certified docket and contact the probation department at the charging court or the Office of the Commissioner of Probation.
When can a conviction be sealed?
Many eligible misdemeanors can be sealed after three years and many eligible felonies after seven years, measured from conviction or release from incarceration, whichever is later.
How is expungement different from sealing?
Sealing restricts ordinary public access. Expungement permanently destroys an eligible record and uses stricter qualification rules.
