Massachusetts - Disputing Public Records

Criminal Records

Massachusetts keeps records of every criminal case. These records are called CORI - Criminal Offender Record Information.

Obtaining an Official Record

You can obtain a copy of your criminal record in two ways:

• Mail this form to the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS)
• Order a report online

For more information on how the necessary requirements for obtaining an official copy of your record, including fees, please visit MassLegalHelp.

Sealing/Expunging Records

In Massachusetts, you can request that your record be sealed if you were found not guilty, your case was dismissed, or the prosecutor dropped the case. If your CORI says "nolle prosequi", it means the prosecutor dropped the case. You have a right to ask a judge to seal a conviction if it was the first time you were convicted for drug possession. Extensive information on how to seal your CORI is available at MassLegalHelp.

Fixing Errors

Multiple options exist for fixing errors on your CORI:

• Office of the Commissioner of Probation: (617) 727-5300
• DCJIS CORI Unit: (617) 660-4640
• Fill out the Massachusetts Incorrect Criminal Offender Information Complaint form. This is the recommended solution if you are a victim of identity theft.
• File a motion in the court where the case comes from to correct the mistake:
  • list of all courts in Massachusetts and their contact information
  • Form for filing a Motion to Correct CORI

You can find more information here.

Civil Records

Civil records generally include judgments, liens and evictions, as well as other family and small claims cases.

The most efficient way to dispute a civil record in Massachusetts is to contact the court in which the record was filed.

• list of all courts in Massachusetts and their contact information

Bankruptcies

Bankruptcies can stay on your credit record for as long as 10 years. The most important place these records can affect you is on your credit report. To dispute a bankruptcy record that is inaccurate, contact each of the three major U.S. credit bureaus. Each has a process online for disputing records that appear on your file.

• TransUnion
• Experian
• Equifax

Disputing the actual public record can be much more challenging since the consumer is the one who files for the bankruptcy in the first place. More information can be found on the United States Courts website.

General Contact Information

Administrative Office of the District Court
Edward W. Brooke Courthouse
24 New Chardon Street, First Floor
Boston, MA 02114-4703
Tel: 617-788-8810
Fax: 617-788-8985
TTY: 617-788-8809
website

U.S. Court Locator

Locate any court in the United States:

• Court Locator Search