Massachusetts Public Records Information

Massachusetts public records are maintained and dispersed by the record division of the state. The Public Records Law entitles anyone to access these records who requests for. This law is applicable to all those records that have been created by or under a local or state agency or any government entity. Except for few exempted records, all public records can be accessed by general public. Custodian of the records allows anyone to inspect or copy the records during the usual working hours.

Request Procedure

To start with Massachusetts public record search, you need to learn fundamental points regarding it. Although, the request for the records can be made verbally, yet it is preferred to make it in writing to keep it in document. This helps the department to remember the specific information that had been sought for. Also, in case no response is returned, an appeal would be filed which would require a written copy of the request.

There is no special form for making the request but you need to make sure that your request mail is furnished with necessary information. This includes date of the request, to whom it is addressed, that is, the Keeper of the Records, Agency name and address, and the subject of the request. Provide your address where your request would be returned.

Records division takes minimum ten calendar days to process a request. If you need the certified copies of these records within a given date, mention it explicitly. If your request is not returned within this time, they owe an explanation for the delay. Under this circumstance, you are entitled to make an appeal to the Supervisor of Records.

To make this appeal, enclose one copy of your request and its response from the custodian along with your letter. If you have not received any response from the custodian, you can ignore it. You can make this appeal within ten to ninety business days of making the request. Send the mail of appeal to the Supervisor of Records at Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, McCormack Building, Room 1719, One Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108.

Exemptions

There are few exemptions in MA public records. As per G. L. c. 66, § 10(d), public records shall not release personal information of the state employees. Personal information includes full name, social security number, residential address and phone numbers, employment and/or education. If the employee had been a victim of sexual assault, rape or domestic violence, no public records shall be released without his or her authorization.

More about Massachusetts Public Records

You do not require state the purpose for requesting public records in Massachusetts. Anyone can make request and the custodian should allow him or her to copy or inspect the records. There is a stipulated service charge to get copies of the records. As per the statute, keeper of the records can charge ¢20 (twenty cents) for a photocopied page, ¢25 a page for microfilm copies and ¢50 for computer printouts.

There are special records for which a separate statute established special fees. These records include copies of the documents at Registry of Deeds or police records.