Massachusetts Public Records (2026 Guide)

As one of the oldest states in the Union, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has a long-standing commitment to government transparency and the rights of its citizens. Among those rights is the freedom to access information held in the public record — a cornerstone of any functioning democracy. Whether you need criminal history, court filings, vital records, or government meeting minutes, Massachusetts law provides a framework for requesting and receiving that information. This comprehensive 2026 guide walks you through every major category of Massachusetts public records, explaining who can access them, where to find them, and how to appeal if your request is denied.

What Are Public Records?

Public records refer to a broad category of government documents, proceedings, and personal data held by state or local agencies. In Massachusetts, this includes everything from city council meeting minutes to individual criminal history files, property deeds, business filings, and vital records like birth and death certificates.

The specific legal definition of public records in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts can be found in MGL c.4 s. 7 cl. 26, which defines a public record as any written or recorded information made or received by a government agency in the conduct of its official business — unless that record falls within one of the law’s specific exemptions.

Understanding what qualifies as a public record is the first step toward exercising your rights. If a government agency created it, stored it, or used it in the course of official duties, there is a strong presumption that it belongs to the public.

Public Records Laws in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Public Records Law is the foundation that guarantees freedom of information and judicious access to government records across the state.

MGL c.66 governs public records broadly, while MGL c.66A, the Fair Information Practices Act, outlines the state government’s specific obligations to help citizens access those records while protecting individual privacy.

A landmark update came with St. 2016, c.121 (H4333) — the Act to Improve Public Records — which took effect in January 2017. This legislation made sweeping changes to how records can be accessed, required every government agency to designate a Records Access Officer (RAO), established clearer timelines for agency responses, and strengthened enforcement mechanisms for citizens whose requests are wrongfully denied.

Key provisions of the 2017 reform include:

• Every state and municipal agency must designate a Records Access Officer (RAO)
• Agencies must respond to requests within 10 business days
• Fees for producing records are now capped and regulated
• Requesters can appeal denials to the Supervisor of Public Records or pursue court remedies
• Courts may award attorney’s fees to successful appellants

At the federal level, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) also applies to federal agency records that pertain to Massachusetts residents and federal activities within the state.

Who Has Access to Public Records

In Massachusetts, the presumption is that public records are open to any person — resident or nonresident, individual or organization — unless a specific exemption applies. You do not need to state a reason for your request in most cases.

Legislative proceedings, council minutes, government budgets, and agency reports are generally accessible to any member of the public. However, access to certain personal records — such as criminal history, sealed court files, or vital records — is more restricted.

For records containing sensitive personal information, you generally must demonstrate one of the following:

• You are the subject of the record (accessing your own file)
• You are an authorized third party (such as an employer in a regulated industry with the subject’s written consent)
• You are a government agency with a legitimate need
• You are an attorney representing a party in a relevant legal proceeding

The Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth provides detailed rules and regulations governing access to Massachusetts public records, including exemptions and special categories.

What Happens If I Am Denied Access?

If a government agency denies your public records request in Massachusetts, you have clear legal options. The most common reasons for denial include failure to provide proper identification, unpaid fees, or the agency claiming the record falls under an exemption.

You can appeal a denial of access to public records to the Supervisor of Public Records within the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Appeals may be submitted by email or written letter.

If your appeal is successful, the agency may be ordered to produce the records. If the agency continues to refuse, you may seek judicial review in Superior Court. Under the 2017 reform law, courts have the authority to award attorney’s fees to prevailing appellants — a significant deterrent against agencies that improperly withhold records.

Tips for a successful appeal:

• Clearly identify the specific records requested and the agency that denied you
• Cite the relevant section of MGL c.66 that entitles you to the record
• Document all correspondence with the agency
• File your appeal within 90 days of the denial

Privacy Protections in Massachusetts

Massachusetts public records law strikes a deliberate balance between transparency and individual privacy. While government activity must be open to scrutiny, personal data held by agencies is subject to careful protections.

Section 2 of 950 CMR 32 — the Public Records Access Regulations — extensively addresses privacy rights and the conditions under which personal information may be disclosed.

In practice, this means that records such as fingerprint databases, sealed juvenile records, medical information, certain investigative files, and personal financial data are generally exempt from public disclosure. If you believe your personal records were unlawfully accessed or released, Massachusetts law gives you the right to file a complaint and seek remedies.

Why Access Public Records

People access Massachusetts public records for a wide variety of reasons. Some of the most common include:

• Researching a potential business partner, employee, or contractor
• Verifying someone’s background before entering a personal relationship
• Conducting genealogy or historical research
• Gathering evidence for a civil legal matter
• Reviewing government spending, meeting minutes, or agency decisions
• Checking property ownership, deed history, or land use records
• Accessing your own criminal, vital, or financial records
• Screening tenants as a landlord (within legal limits)
• Applying for professional licenses or certifications
• Supporting immigration or citizenship applications

The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides direct access to many government records, making it a good starting point for most research.

Criminal Records and Arrest Records

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts maintains two distinct types of criminal records systems, each with its own access rules and purposes.

1. Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI)

The primary name-based criminal background check system in Massachusetts is the Criminal Offender Record Information system, commonly known as CORI. Maintained by the Massachusetts Courts in coordination with the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS), CORI records contain information about arrests, charges, and dispositions for criminal cases in the state.

Importantly, CORI is a name-based check and does not include biometric data such as fingerprints. If you are an authorized party, you can conduct a CORI name-based criminal background check through the iCORI online system. If you are accessing your own criminal history, you will need to use the Self-Audit CORI form.

Massachusetts has tiered access levels for CORI records. The level of detail visible to a requester depends on their authorization category — employers in sensitive sectors such as childcare, education, and elder care typically have broader access than members of the general public.

2. Statewide Applicant Fingerprint Identification Services (SAFIS-R)

The second criminal records system uses biometric data. Local police departments collect fingerprints and submit them to the state Criminal Justice Information Service. The resulting database, SAFIS-R, is accessible only to employees of approved agencies — primarily within the criminal justice system — and is not considered a public record.

If you believe your criminal justice background information was unlawfully released or accessed by an unauthorized party, you can file a formal complaint using the DCJIS complaint form.

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