Bristol County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Bristol County?
Public records in Bristol County, Massachusetts are defined as materials created or received by a government agency in the transaction of public business, pursuant to Massachusetts Public Records Law § 7(26). These records document the activities, decisions, and functions of government bodies operating within Bristol County.
Bristol County maintains a diverse collection of public records that are accessible to citizens, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court proceedings maintained by the Bristol County Superior Court and District Courts
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property transfers recorded by the Bristol County Registry of Deeds
- Vital Records: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates maintained by the city/town clerks within Bristol County
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations
- Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax liens
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance reports
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Documentation of Bristol County Commission meetings and other public boards
- Budget and Financial Documents: County expenditures, financial statements, and audit reports
- Law Enforcement Records: Police logs, arrest records, and incident reports (with statutory exemptions)
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning decisions, and building permits
The Bristol County Registry of Deeds maintains property records, while the Bristol County Superior Court oversees court records. Vital records are primarily maintained by individual municipal clerks within the county's cities and towns.
Is Bristol County an Open Records County?
Bristol County adheres to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, codified under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, Section 10, which establishes the right of public access to government records. This statute mandates that "every person having custody of any public record shall, at reasonable times and without unreasonable delay, permit it to be inspected and examined by any person."
The law presumes that all government records are public unless specifically exempted. As stated in the statute: "A records access officer appointed pursuant to section 6A, or a designee, shall at reasonable times and without unreasonable delay permit inspection or furnish a copy of any public record."
Bristol County operates in compliance with the state's open meeting laws, often referred to as "sunshine laws," which require governmental bodies to conduct their business in open, public sessions. The county follows the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law § 20, which ensures transparency in government operations.
The Bristol County Commission has adopted policies that align with state requirements for records access, retention, and disclosure. These policies reflect the county's commitment to governmental transparency and public accountability.
How to Find Public Records in Bristol County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Bristol County may follow these procedures to access various document types:
For Property Records:
- Visit the Bristol County Registry of Deeds in person or access their online database
- Search by name, property address, or document number
- Request copies of relevant documents from registry staff
- Pay applicable fees for certified or uncertified copies
For Court Records:
- Determine which court holds the records (Superior, District, Probate)
- Contact the appropriate clerk's office or use the Massachusetts Trial Court Electronic Case Access
- Provide case number or party names
- Request to view files or obtain copies
For Vital Records:
- Contact the city or town clerk where the event occurred
- Complete the required application form
- Provide identification and establish eligibility (if required)
- Pay the statutory fee
For General County Records:
- Submit a written request to the appropriate department's Records Access Officer
- Clearly identify the records sought
- Allow up to 10 business days for a response as required by state law
- Arrange for inspection or copying of approved records
The county provides standard public records request forms that can be submitted in person, by mail, or electronically to the relevant department. Requestors should be specific about the records they seek to facilitate prompt processing.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Bristol County?
Bristol County follows the fee structure established under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, Section 10(d), which permits reasonable fees for copying and providing access to public records. Current standard fees include:
- Black and white paper copies or printouts: $0.05 per page (single or double-sided)
- Color copies: $0.10 per page
- Electronic records: No fee when records are available electronically and can be transmitted without cost
- Storage media (CD/DVD/USB drive): Actual cost of the media
- Delivery: Actual cost of postage or courier service
For specialized records, the following fees apply:
- Certified copies of vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates): $10.00 per copy
- Certified copies of deeds: $1.00 per page plus $1.50 for certification
- Court records: Varies by document type and certification requirements
The county accepts payment by cash, check, money order, and credit card (where available). Some departments may have specific payment requirements.
Under state law, fees may be waived or reduced if disclosure would be in the public interest or if the requestor lacks the financial ability to pay. Additionally, the first two hours of search time are typically provided at no cost for standard requests, though agencies may charge for search time beyond this threshold at the hourly rate of the lowest paid employee capable of performing the search.
Does Bristol County Have Free Public Records?
Bristol County provides free inspection of public records during regular business hours in accordance with Massachusetts Public Records Law. Citizens may examine non-exempt records without charge at the office where such records are maintained, though advance notice may be required for voluminous or archived materials.
The following resources are available at no cost:
- In-person inspection of public records at the custodial office
- Online access to the Bristol County Registry of Deeds index
- Public meeting minutes and agendas on municipal websites
- Basic property assessment information through municipal online databases
- Voter registration verification through the Secretary of the Commonwealth's website
The Massachusetts Trial Court Electronic Case Access system provides free basic case information, though detailed documents may require fees. Additionally, many municipalities within Bristol County maintain websites where certain public records are freely accessible, including meeting minutes, budgets, and annual reports.
Who Can Request Public Records in Bristol County?
Under Massachusetts Public Records Law, any person may request access to public records in Bristol County regardless of citizenship or residency status. As specified in M.G.L. c. 66, § 10(a), "every person having custody of any public record shall, at reasonable times and without unreasonable delay, permit it to be inspected and examined by any person."
Key provisions regarding requestor eligibility include:
- Requestors are not required to provide identification for most record types
- Requestors need not state the purpose of their request
- Requests may be submitted anonymously, though contact information is necessary if copies are to be provided
- Non-residents have the same rights of access as Massachusetts residents
For certain restricted records, additional requirements may apply:
- CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) requests require proper identification and authorization
- Vital records may require proof of relationship or legal interest
- Medical records may require patient authorization or legal standing
- Personnel records have specific access limitations under privacy laws
Government agencies may not inquire about a requestor's motives or intended use of records except in limited circumstances where such information is relevant to determining whether an exemption applies or whether a fee waiver is appropriate.
What Records Are Confidential in Bristol County?
Bristol County maintains certain records that are exempt from public disclosure pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 4, Section 7, Clause 26. These exemptions protect privacy, security, and other important interests. Confidential records include:
- Personnel and medical files that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
- Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) with limited exceptions
- Ongoing law enforcement investigations that could prejudice effective law enforcement
- Trade secrets or commercial/financial information provided voluntarily and in confidence
- Policy positions under development (deliberative process materials)
- Juvenile court records and reports
- Adoption records and related documents
- Records pertaining to ongoing contract negotiations
- Security-related information including emergency preparedness plans
- Attorney-client privileged communications
- Home addresses and personal contact information of public safety personnel
- Test questions, scoring keys, and other examination data
- Records related to sexual assault or domestic violence victims
When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the county must provide the non-exempt portions with exempt material redacted, as required by law. The burden of proving that a record falls within an exemption rests with the records custodian.
Massachusetts law requires agencies to apply a balancing test for privacy exemptions, weighing the public interest in disclosure against privacy interests. This test is applied on a case-by-case basis.
Bristol County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Bristol County Northern District Registry of Deeds
11 Court Street
Taunton, MA 02780
(508) 822-2552
Bristol County Northern District Registry of Deeds
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Bristol County Southern District Registry of Deeds
25 North 6th Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 993-2605
Bristol County Southern District Registry of Deeds
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Bristol County Fall River District Registry of Deeds
441 North Main Street
Fall River, MA 02720
(508) 673-2910
Bristol County Fall River District Registry of Deeds
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Bristol County Superior Court Clerk's Office
9 Court Street
Taunton, MA 02780
(508) 823-6588
Bristol County Superior Court
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays