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Plymouth County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Plymouth County?

Public records in Plymouth County encompass a wide range of documents and information created, received, or maintained by government agencies in the course of official business. According to the Massachusetts Public Records Law § 7(26), public records are defined as "all books, papers, maps, photographs, recorded tapes, financial statements, statistical tabulations, or other documentary materials or data, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received by any officer or employee" of the Commonwealth or its political subdivisions.

Plymouth County maintains numerous categories of public records, including:

  • Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases processed through the Plymouth County Superior Court
  • Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments maintained by the Plymouth County Registry of Deeds
  • Vital Records: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates available through town clerks' offices and the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
  • 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 Plymouth County Commission meetings and other county boards
  • Budget and Financial Documents: County financial statements, budgets, expenditure reports, and audits
  • Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with legally required redactions), and police statistics
  • Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning decisions, and environmental impact reports

The Plymouth County Commissioners' Office serves as the central administrative body overseeing county operations and maintains many of these records. Specific record types are maintained by their respective departments, such as the Registry of Deeds for property records or the Superior Court for judicial proceedings.

Is Plymouth County an Open Records County?

Plymouth County adheres to the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. c.66) which establishes the right of public access to government records. This law operates under the presumption that all government records are public unless specifically exempted by statute.

Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, § 10(a), "every person has a right, at reasonable times and without unreasonable delay, to inspect public records." The statute further requires that custodians of records must "at reasonable times and without unreasonable delay permit inspection or furnish a copy of any public record."

Plymouth County has implemented specific procedures to comply with these state requirements. Each county department designates a Records Access Officer (RAO) responsible for coordinating responses to public records requests. The county maintains a public records request portal that centralizes the request process.

Additionally, Plymouth County operations are subject to the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law (M.G.L. c.30A, §§ 18-25), which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public, properly noticed, and that accurate records of these meetings be maintained and made available.

The county's commitment to transparency is reflected in its proactive disclosure of many records online, including meeting minutes, financial reports, and property records, reducing the need for formal requests in many cases.

How to Find Public Records in Plymouth County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records from Plymouth County may utilize several methods to access information. The county currently maintains a structured process for obtaining various record types:

  1. Online Access: Many records are available through the county's official websites:

  2. Submit a Formal Request: For records not available online, individuals may submit a public records request:

    • Complete the county's Public Records Request Form
    • Specify the records sought with reasonable detail
    • Submit the request via email, mail, or in person to the appropriate department

  3. Visit in Person: Records may be inspected during regular business hours at the relevant county office:

    • The Registry of Deeds maintains public terminals for property record searches
    • The County Clerk's office provides access to county commission records
    • The Superior Court Clerk's office allows review of non-confidential court files

  4. Contact the Records Access Officer: Each department has a designated RAO who can assist with locating specific records:

    • Provide a clear description of the records sought
    • Allow up to 10 business days for a response as required by M.G.L. c.66, § 10(a)

  5. Specialized Records: Certain record types require specific procedures:

The county strives to fulfill requests promptly, with most standard requests processed within 10 business days as required by state law.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Plymouth County?

Plymouth County assesses fees for public records in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, § 10(d), which permits reasonable charges for reproduction, search time, and segregation of exempt information. The current fee structure includes:

  • Photocopies/Printouts:

    • Black and white: $0.05 per page (standard size)
    • Color copies: $0.10 per page
    • Large format documents: Actual cost of reproduction

  • Electronic Records:

    • Records already in electronic format: No charge for emailed documents
    • Records requiring scanning: $0.05 per page scanning fee
    • Electronic storage media: Actual cost of the media (USB drive, CD, etc.)

  • Search and Segregation Time:

    • First two hours: Free for standard requests
    • Beyond two hours: Prorated hourly rate of the lowest paid employee capable of performing the task
    • Current maximum hourly rate: $25.00 per hour

  • Specialized Records:

    • Certified copies of vital records: $10.00 per certificate
    • Registry of Deeds documents: $1.00 per page for copies, $1.25 per page for certified copies
    • Court records: Varies by document type and certification requirements

Payment methods accepted by Plymouth County offices include:

  • Cash (in-person only)
  • Personal checks
  • Money orders
  • Credit/debit cards (in some departments, may include processing fee)

The county may waive fees when disclosure would primarily benefit the public, as determined by the Records Access Officer. Requestors may ask for a fee waiver by explaining the public interest served by the request.

For large requests with substantial fees, the county may require prepayment before processing. A written estimate will be provided if fees are expected to exceed $10.00.

Does Plymouth County Have Free Public Records?

Plymouth County provides several avenues for accessing public records at no cost to requestors:

  • In-Person Inspection: Members of the public may inspect any non-exempt public records during regular business hours at no charge. This right is guaranteed under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, § 10(a), which states that every person has the right "to inspect public records" without reference to fees for inspection.

  • Online Resources: The county maintains several free online databases:

  • First Two Hours of Search Time: Under current Massachusetts regulations, the first two hours of search and segregation time for standard public records requests are provided at no cost for municipalities with populations over 20,000.

  • Electronic Delivery: When records already exist in electronic format, the county typically provides these via email at no charge.

  • Public Access Terminals: Self-service computer terminals are available at several county offices, including:

    • Registry of Deeds public research area
    • County Clerk's office
    • Law libraries located within county courthouses

These free access options reflect the county's commitment to transparency and public access to government information while balancing the operational costs associated with more complex or extensive requests.

Who Can Request Public Records in Plymouth County?

Under the Massachusetts Public Records Law § 10(a), "every person" has the right to request public records in Plymouth County. This broad eligibility extends to:

  • Massachusetts residents
  • Non-residents and out-of-state requestors
  • Foreign nationals
  • Organizations, businesses, and associations
  • Media representatives
  • Government agencies

Key provisions regarding requestor eligibility include:

  • No Residency Requirement: Unlike some states, Massachusetts does not restrict public records access to state residents.

  • Identification: For most general records, requestors are not required to provide identification or state their purpose for seeking records. However, certain sensitive records may require verification of identity, particularly when:

    • Requesting one's own confidential records
    • Seeking vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates)
    • Requesting criminal history information

  • Anonymous Requests: While anonymous requests are technically permitted, providing contact information is necessary for the county to respond with records or questions about the request.

  • Commercial Use: Records may be requested for any purpose, including commercial use, though fees may still apply regardless of purpose.

  • Limitations for Specific Records: Special restrictions apply to certain record types:

    • Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) is available only to authorized requestors
    • Vital records access may be restricted to family members or those with demonstrable legitimate interest
    • Medical records require proper authorization under HIPAA regulations

The county cannot generally ask requestors to justify their need for records or deny access based on the intended use of the information, except where specifically authorized by statute.

What Records Are Confidential in Plymouth County?

While Plymouth County operates under the presumption of openness, certain records are exempt from public disclosure under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 4, § 7(26). These exemptions protect privacy, security, and other important interests. Confidential records include:

  • Personal Privacy Information:

    • Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account information
    • Personnel and medical files that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
    • Home addresses and telephone numbers of public safety personnel

  • Law Enforcement Records:

    • Active investigation materials that would compromise law enforcement proceedings
    • Information that would disclose confidential investigative techniques
    • Records that could endanger witness safety or prejudice a fair trial

  • Security-Related Information:

    • Infrastructure vulnerability assessments
    • Security plans for public buildings or computer systems
    • Emergency response protocols

  • Legal and Deliberative Process Materials:

    • Attorney-client privileged communications
    • Pre-decisional, deliberative process documents
    • Drafts and notes not in final form

  • Specifically Protected Records:

    • Juvenile court records
    • Sealed criminal records
    • Adoption records
    • Child abuse and neglect reports
    • Certain domestic violence records
    • Trade secrets and proprietary commercial information

  • CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information):

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, Plymouth County will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder, as required by law. The county must cite the specific statutory exemption when denying access to records or redacting information.

Records custodians apply a "balancing test" for privacy exemptions, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the privacy interests at stake.

Plymouth County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Plymouth County Registry of Deeds
50 Obery Street
Plymouth, MA 02360
(508) 830-9200
Plymouth County Registry of Deeds

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and state holidays

Additional Registry Branch Office:
Brockton Registry of Deeds
155 West Elm Street
Brockton, MA 02301
(508) 897-3700

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and state holidays

Plymouth County Commissioners' Office
44 Obery Street
Plymouth, MA 02360
(508) 830-9100
Plymouth County Commissioners

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Closed on weekends and state holidays

Plymouth County Superior Court
52 Obery Street
Plymouth, MA 02360
(508) 747-8400
Plymouth Superior Court

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and state holidays

Plymouth County Probate and Family Court
52 Obery Street
Plymouth, MA 02360
(508) 747-6204
Plymouth Probate and Family Court

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and state holidays

Lookup Public Records in Plymouth County

Public Records Requests in Plymouth, MA

Plymouth County Public Records Request Portal

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