What are Worcester Public Records?
By the Massachusetts Public Information Act, Worcester public records include all documents regardless of their physical form or characteristics, created, kept, or received by any officer of any Massachusetts governmental entity. They include papers, books, maps, images, and tape recordings. They also include financial statements, tabulated statistics, or other documentary materials or data. However, there are exemptions from this provision of law, some of which include:
- Records related to the internal personnel rules and practices of a government entity;
- Personnel and medical documents, information, or records;
- Any material or data relating to an individual that the disclosure may constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy;
- Inter-agency or intra-agency preliminary memoranda or letters relating to policy positions are being developed;
- Notebooks and other materials prepared by a government official that is personal and not maintained as part of the files of the governmental unit;
- Investigatory materials collated by law enforcement or investigatory officials that their disclosure will prejudice the possibility of effective law enforcement;
- Trade secrets, commercial or financial information;
- Information about proposals and bids to enter into any contract or agreement prior to a decision to enter into negotiations with or to award a contract to, a particular person;
- Appraisals of real property acquired or to be acquired until a final agreement is entered into, or any litigation relative to that appraisal has been terminated, or the time within which to commence such litigation has expired;
- The personal information of individuals in any application for licenses to carry or possess firearms;
- Student records;
- Contracts for hospital or related health care services;
- Attorney-Client communications;
Worcester Crime Statistics
The Massachusetts State Police Crime reports the statistics of crime in the state, including Worcester, on an annual basis. In 2019, it reported that Worcester experienced a total number of 3,039 crimes, including 1,172 violent crimes and 1,867 property crimes. The violent crimes include 14 murders, 40 rapes, 230 robberies, and 889 aggravated assaults. The property crimes include 717 burglaries, 772 larcenies, 372 motor vehicle thefts, and six arsons.
Compared to the 2015 figures, the five-year crime trend in Worcester City shows that was a significant decline in crimes. Robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft rates fell by 44%, 22%, 44%, 48%, and 8% respectively. In contrast, murder, rape, and arson rates increased by 63%, 21%, and 100% respectively.
Are Worcester Criminal Records Public?
Under Massachusetts Law, Worcester criminal records are generally accessible to the public. There are two types of Worcester criminal records, namely: name-based criminal records and fingerprint-based criminal records. They are made available to interested persons by the Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS). This state body specifies the levels of name-based criminal record check access and levels of fingerprint-based criminal record check access.
How to Obtain Worcester Police Reports and Arrest Records?
The Worcester Police Department is the primary custodian of Worcester arrest records and police reports. Access to police reports and arrest records is restricted to the victim and other persons authorized to get police reports. A requester outside this category may present a hard copy notarized letter giving their relationship to the case, as well as other relevant information about the case/report. This information includes the date, time, and location of the incident. Send the notarized letter to:
Worcester Police Department
Attn: Records Bureau
Police Headquarters
9-11 Lincoln Square
Worcester, MA 01608
Phone: (508) 799-8630
Fax: (508) 799-8680
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Worcester?
The Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB) provides online access to sex offender via an online platform. Residents can search information about Worcester sex offenders through the name search feature. Results can also be filtered by city/county/zip code and address to find sex offenders residing in Worcester or surrounding neighborhoods.
How to Find Worcester Inmate Records?
The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office maintains all records of inmates incarcerated in Worcester. To access jail or inmate records, requesters must submit a public records request. Alternatively, requesters can obtain information using the inmate locator tool. It allows searches by name or inmate number. The search tool also provides the locations of inmates and allows the public to search for visiting times for inmates. There is also a Spanish alternative available.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Worcester Jail?
The operations of the Worcester County Jail are administered by the Sheriff’s Office. To visit an inmate in the jail facility, contact the jail center with the information below:
Worcester County Jail
5 Paul X Tivnan Drive
West Boylston, MA 01583
(508) 854-1800
Court Records
The Worcester court system consists of one Superior Court, 12 District Courts, one Probate and Family Court, four Housing Courts, and five Juvenile Court. These courts handle cases ranging from civil matters and claims, criminal cases, family matters, divorces, real property related matters, small claims, traffic cases, mental health, enforcement of money judgments, and appeals from administrative agency decisions.
The courts maintain records of all the cases they deal with and provide the public with access to them in accordance with the state laws. These court records contain notes, affidavits, case files, indexes, transcripts of the proceedings, and proof submitted.
Location of Courts in Worcester
Worcester County Superior Court
Worcester County Superior Court
225 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608
Phone: (508) 831-2000
Phone: (508) 831-2370 (Probation Department)
Worcester County District Courts
Clinton District Court
300 Boylston Street
Clinton, MA 01510
Phone: (978) 368-7811
Fax: (978) 368-7827
Dudley District Court
279 West Main Street
Dudley, MA 01571
Phone: (508) 943-7123
East Brookfield District Court
544 East Main Street
East Brookfield, MA 01515
Phone: (508) 885-6305
Fax: (508) 885-7623
Fitchburg District Court
100 Elm Street
Fitchburg, MA 01420
Phone: (978) 345-2111
Fax: (978) 342-2461
Gardner District Court
108 Matthews Street
Gardner, MA 01440
Phone: (978) 632-2373
Fax: (978) 630-3902
Leominster District Court
25 School Street
Leominster, MA 01453
Phone: (978) 537-3722
Fax: (978) 537-3970
Milford District Court
161 West Street
Milford, MA 01757
Phone: (508) 473-1260
Fax: (508) 634-8477
Orange District Court
1 Court Square
Orange, MA 01364
Phone: (978) 544-8277
Fax: (978) 544-5204
Uxbridge District Court
261 South Main Street
Uxbridge, MA 01569
Phone: (508) 278-2454
Fax: (508) 278-2929
Westborough District Court
186 Oak Street
Westborough, MA 01581
Phone: (508) 366-8266
Fax: (508) 366-8268
Winchendon District Court
Gardner District Court
108 Matthews Street
Gardner, MA 01440
Phone: (978) 632-6326
Fax: (978) 632-3580
Worcester District Court
225 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608
Phone: (508) 831-2010
Worcester County Probate and Family Court
Worcester Probate and Family Court
225 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608
Phone: (508) 831-2200
Fax: (508) 752-6138
Worcester County Housing Courts
Central Housing Court - Dudley Session
Dudley District Court
279 West Main Street
Dudley, MA 01571
Phone: (508) 831-2050
Central Housing Court - Leominster Session
Leominster District Court
25 School Street
Leominster, MA 01453
Phone: (508) 831-2050
Central Housing Court - Marlborough Session
Marlborough District Court
45 Williams Street
Marlborough, MA 01752
Phone: (508) 831-2050
Central Housing Court - Worcester Session
225 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608
Phone: (508) 831-2050
Worcester County Juvenile Courts
Dudley Juvenile Court
100 West Main Street
Dudley, MA 01571
Phone: (508) 949-3070
Fitchburg Juvenile Court
120 Elm Street
Fitchburg, MA 01420
Phone: (978) 345-7620
Greenfield Juvenile Court
Franklin County Justice Center
43 Hope Street
Greenfield, MA 01302
Phone: (413) 775-0014
Milford Juvenile Court
161 West Street
Milford, MA 01757
Phone: (508) 478-8638
Worcester Juvenile Court
225 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608
Phone: (508) 831-2000
Are Worcester Court Records Public?
Worcester court records are generally open to the public. There are however certain limitations when it involves confidential cases, where the record contains confidential information, or the access to the record is restricted by law or a court order. Instances that require confidentiality and denial of public access include:
- Juvenile delinquency cases (when a minor is charged with committing a crime)
- Juvenile dependency cases (where a kid is separated from parents)
- Civil harassment cases
- Child custody cases
- Certain divorce cases with confidential information
Can you look up a Worcester Court Case Online?
The records of Worcester courts are available on the Massachusetts Trial Court Electronic Case Access portal and the website of the Supreme Judicial Court and Appeals Court of Massachusetts. These online portals contain court dockets, electronic case information, and court calendars.
How to Obtain Worcester Civil Court Case Records?
To obtain Worcester civil court case records, the requester has to determine what court handled the civil case of interest. Then visit the court in person to make a request or submit a written request with relevant information about the case by mail to the court. The Worcester courts that handle civil cases include: the Superior Court, District Courts, the Probate and Family, and Housing Courts.
How to Obtain Worcester Criminal Court Records?
Worcester criminal court records are in the custody of the Worcester court that decided the case. To get copies of Worcester criminal records, visit or contact the court that decided the case. Or submit a written request by mail to the court, providing information about the case. The Worcester courts that handle criminal cases include the Superior Court, District Courts, and Housing Courts.
What are Worcester Vital Records?
Worcester vital records are official documents produced over a lifetime for people living in Worcester. They log important events, such as births, deaths, marriages, and divorce. Worcester's divorce documents are maintained by the Worcester County Probate and Family Court. Worcester residents can apply for marriage, birth, and death recorded between 1926 to date from the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS). For historical vital records recorded between 1841 and 1921, search and order from the State Archives.
Where and How to Obtain Worcester Divorce Records?
The Worcester Probate and Family Court maintains copies of Worcester divorce records, including divorce judgments and guardianship rulings. Divorce records are available upon request to interested persons. To request copies of divorce records, fill out the Request for Copies form. Submit it in person or by mail to the Probate and Family Court:
Worcester Probate and Family Court
225 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608
Include payment (check or money order) for the number of copies requested in mail requests. Make them payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. For in-person requests, cash payments are accepted. The court a fee of $22 for a certified copy of a decree and order of appointment of a guardian. The first page of each certified copy of a judgment of divorce nisi is $20. The rate for additional pages is $1 per page.
Where and How to Get Public Worcester Marriage Records?
The RVRS keeps Worcester marriage records from 1926 to date. Worcester residents may request Worcester marriage records by mail or in-person requests. Interested persons should complete the vital records mail order form, and provide a copy of a valid ID and payment. Submit them in person or by mail to:
Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
150 Mount Vernon Street
1st Floor
Dorchester, MA 02125
Make in-person requests from Monday to Friday, between the hours of 8:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. A Worcester marriage certificate costs $20 when requested in person and $32 when requested by mail. The accepted payment method for mail requests include checks and money orders. In-person requests are paid for in cash.
Where and How to Find Worcester Birth Records?
The state’s Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS) maintains and issues copies of Worcester birth records. It possesses records registered between 1926 to date. To apply for a certified copy of a Worcester birth certificate, complete the vital records mail order form. Submit the completed form with a valid ID and payment in person or by mail to:
Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
150 Mount Vernon Street
1st Floor
Dorchester, MA 02125
The RVRS is open to receive and process in-person requests from Monday to Friday between 8:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. The state department charges $20 for a certified copy of a Worcester birth record requested in person. Cash and checks are accepted for in-person requests. For mail requests, each certified copy costs $32. A requester can pay with a check or money order.
Where and How to Find Worcester Death Records?
Records of death registered in Worcester between 1926 to date. Persons interested in obtaining copies of Worcester death records may order them in person or by mail. To order a Worcester death record, complete the vital records mail order form. Enclose payment and a valid ID and submit it to:
Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
150 Mount Vernon Street
1st Floor
Dorchester, MA 02125
Make in-person requests from Monday to Friday between 8:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. The cost of a death record requested in person is $20 per copy, while mail requested death records cost $32 per copy, Pay for in-person requests with cash and checks. For mail requests, the accepted payment methods are money orders and checks.
