Court records of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, are available through several channels. NorfolkCourt.us allows you to search for public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through the official portals of the Massachusetts state court system, court clerk's offices, and public terminals installed directly in court buildings. Below is a detailed overview of the county's court system, the procedure for searching hearing calendars, obtaining copies of documents, and current fees.
Norfolk Court System & Jurisdictions
Norfolk County has an extensive network of courts, each handling specific categories of cases. Understanding jurisdiction will help you immediately contact the appropriate court.
Norfolk Superior Court
Handles serious criminal cases (felonies), civil claims over $50,000, and cases of unjust enrichment. The court is located in Dedham.
District Courts
The county is served by several district courts — Dedham District Court, Quincy District Court, Brookline District Court, Stoughton District Court, and Wrentham District Court. They handle:
- Criminal misdemeanors and some felonies
- Civil claims up to $50,000
- Small Claims cases — up to $7,000
- Traffic violations
- Protective orders
Norfolk Probate and Family Court
This court in Canton handles divorce, child custody, adoption, name changes, and probate cases (probate — the process of settling an estate). To obtain a copy of a divorce record in the county, contact Norfolk Probate and Family Court in Canton directly.
Juvenile Court
Juvenile cases — offenses, child protection, guardianship — are handled by Norfolk Juvenile Court in Dedham. Most records of this court are closed to public access.
Norfolk Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out about scheduled hearings for today, tomorrow, or the week, use the Massachusetts Trial Court system.
- Visit the Massachusetts Trial Court portal.
- Select the desired Norfolk County court (e.g., Dedham District Court or Norfolk Superior Court).
- Use the search function by date or party name.
Public terminals in court buildings also display the schedule for the current day. If you need information about a specific case, call the clerk's office of the respective court — the clerk will confirm the date and time.
Note: The calendar is updated daily, and hearing rescheduling occurs frequently. Check the information the day before the scheduled date.
How to Get a Copy of a Norfolk Court Document
You can obtain a copy of a court document in three ways — in person, by mail, or through the state's online system.
In-Person Visit
Contact the Clerk's Office of the court where the case was heard. You will need:
- The full name of the party
- The case number (docket number), if known
- An approximate date of filing or judgment
The clerk will issue a regular (uncertified) or certified copy. A certified copy has the official court seal and is accepted by other institutions as verification.
Mail Request
Send a written request with case details and a check or money order to the address of the respective court. For example, for Superior Court:
Indicate in the letter whether you need a regular or certified copy, and include a self-addressed envelope.
Online Access
The Massachusetts eCourts system allows you to view case data and, in some cases, download documents. Not all documents are available online — juvenile records, sealed cases, and some family cases have restricted access.
For public records in the city of Norfolk, there is a separate public records request procedure in accordance with Massachusetts Public Records Law (G.L. c.66 and c.4).
Norfolk Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees are set by the Uniform Schedule of Fees of the Massachusetts court system. Below are typical amounts — check current rates with the court clerk's office, as they may change.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Regular copy of a document (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certified copy (certification fee) | $2.50 per document |
| Certified copy of a judgment or decision | $2.50 |
| Search/retrieval | Usually free when requested in person |
| Copy of a divorce record (Probate Court) | $20.00 |
Payment is accepted by check, money order, or — in some courts — credit card. Not all clerk's offices accept cash. Call ahead to confirm available payment methods.
If you need a police report rather than a court document, a request to the Norfolk Police Department is submitted separately — under Massachusetts General Law, the department has 10 business days to process the request. For land records and real estate documents, contact the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds.