Court records in Bristol County, Massachusetts, can be searched through several channels. BristolCourt.us can help find publicly available information about court cases in the county. You can also access records through the Massachusetts Trial Court's online portals, by visiting a clerk's office in person, or by using public-access terminals available at courthouse locations. The specific court you need depends on the type of case — criminal, civil, family, probate, or housing.
Bristol Court System & Jurisdictions
Bristol County is served by several divisions of the Massachusetts Trial Court. Each court handles specific case types, so knowing where to search matters.
- District Court — Bristol County has multiple District Court locations (Taunton, Fall River, New Bedford, and Attleboro). These courts hear criminal misdemeanors, small claims up to $7,000, civil cases up to $50,000, housing disputes, and motor vehicle violations.
- Superior Court — The Bristol County Superior Court, located in Fall River and Taunton, handles serious felonies, civil actions above $50,000, and jury trials in both criminal and civil matters.
- Probate & Family Court — The Bristol County Probate and Family Court in Taunton handles divorce, custody, guardianship, adoption, name changes, wills, estates, and trusts.
- Juvenile Court — Bristol County Juvenile Court addresses delinquency cases, children in need of services (CHINS), and care and protection proceedings.
- Housing Court — The Southeast Housing Court covers Bristol County and handles eviction actions, code enforcement disputes, and other landlord-tenant matters.
If you are unsure which court holds the docket you need, start by searching the Massachusetts Trial Court eServices portal, which provides case lookups across multiple court departments.
Bristol Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find today's, tomorrow's, or this week's court calendar in Bristol County, you have several options:
- Massachusetts Trial Court eServices — Visit masscourts.org to search for scheduled hearings by case number, party name, or attorney name. Daily calendars for District, Superior, and Probate & Family courts are often posted here.
- Contact the Clerk's Office directly — Each courthouse posts daily session lists. Call the specific clerk's office for the court division where your case is scheduled to confirm hearing dates and courtroom assignments.
- In-person terminals — Public-access computer kiosks at Bristol County courthouses display the day's calendar and allow case lookups.
Calendars can change on short notice due to continuances or judicial reassignments. Always verify your hearing time with the clerk's office the business day before your scheduled appearance.
How to Get a Copy of a Bristol Court Document
You can obtain court documents from Bristol County courts in several ways, depending on whether you need a certified or uncertified copy.
Certified vs. Uncertified Copies
- Uncertified copies are plain photocopies of court documents. They are generally sufficient for personal reference.
- Certified copies bear the court's official seal and clerk's signature. These are typically required for legal proceedings, government agencies, or real estate transactions.
How to Request
- In person — Visit the clerk's office at the courthouse where the case was filed. Bring the case number or enough identifying information (party names, approximate filing date) for staff to locate the record.
- By mail — Send a written request to the appropriate clerk's office. Include the case number, document title, your contact information, and a check or money order for the applicable fee. For Bristol County Superior Court, mail requests to:
For Probate & Family Court documents:
- Online — Some documents are viewable through the Trial Court eServices portal. However, certified copies generally must be obtained in person or by mail.
Restricted Records
Certain records are not publicly accessible, including impounded cases, sealed records, juvenile proceedings, and cases involving abuse prevention orders (G.L. c. 209A). Ask the clerk whether the document you need is subject to any access restrictions.
Bristol Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court documents in Massachusetts are set by statute and court administrative orders. The following table reflects standard fees under G.L. c. 262, § 4 and related schedules. Fees may vary slightly by court department — always confirm with the specific clerk's office before sending payment.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy of a court document (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certification of a document | $2.50 per document |
| Appeal entry fee (Superior Court) | Varies by case type |
| Civil case filing fee (Superior Court) | $240.00 |
| Civil case filing fee (District Court) | $195.00 |
| Small claims filing fee | $40.00–$150.00 (based on claim amount) |
| Probate case filing | Varies by petition type |
Payment Methods
- In person — Most clerk's offices accept cash, personal checks, money orders, and credit/debit cards.
- By mail — Send a check or money order payable to the specific court (e.g., "Clerk of Courts, Bristol Superior Court"). Do not send cash.
- Online — Some fees can be paid through the Massachusetts Trial Court eServices system when filing electronically.
If you cannot afford court fees, you may file an Affidavit of Indigency (Supplement to Rule 3:10) to request a fee waiver. Forms are available at any clerk's office or on the Mass.gov court forms page.