New Bedford Criminal History Records
New Bedford criminal history records are kept by courts, police, and state agencies across Bristol County. The city has its own district court for most cases, and serious felony matters go to Bristol County Superior Court, which is also located in New Bedford. With a population of about 101,000, New Bedford is one of the larger cities in Bristol County. This page walks through where to find criminal records in New Bedford, how to request them, and what each source covers.
New Bedford Overview
Where New Bedford Criminal Cases Are Filed
New Bedford District Court handles most criminal cases that originate in the city. Misdemeanors, lower-level felonies, and initial arraignments all start here. When charges are more serious and involve felony indictments or jury trials, cases move to Bristol County Superior Court. The Superior Court is at 1213 Purchase Street, 7th Floor, New Bedford, MA 02740. The phone number is (508) 997-2963.
Having both courts in New Bedford makes it easier to track down records. You do not need to travel to a different city. Both courts keep public case records. Some documents may be restricted depending on the nature of the case, but most criminal records are open to the public once a case is resolved.
To get copies of court records, contact the clerk's office at the court that handled the case. Certified copies cost $2.50 per page. Non-certified copies are $0.05 per page. A good first step is the statewide case portal at masscourts.org, where you can look up cases by name or case number before contacting the clerk.
The Massachusetts court system at mass.gov has court locations, contact information, and guidance on how to request records. For Bristol County Superior Court, you can also check mass.gov/locations/bristol-county-superior-court.
New Bedford Police Department Records
The New Bedford Police Department is at 871 Rockdale Avenue, New Bedford, MA 02740. The main number is (508) 991-6300. The Records Division is extension 79529. This is the office to contact for arrest records, incident reports, and police logs.
Arrest logs and incident reports are generally public in Massachusetts once an investigation is closed. The department has ten business days to respond to a written public records request. Some information may be withheld to protect witnesses or ongoing cases. Most routine requests come back faster than the ten-day limit.
You can learn more about the New Bedford Police Department at newbedford-ma.gov/police. Written requests can be mailed or delivered in person to the station on Rockdale Avenue. Call ahead to confirm current hours before visiting.
Police records show the arrest date, the charges, booking details, and the arresting officer. They do not show what happened in court after arrest. For court outcomes, use the case portal at masscourts.org or contact the district or superior court clerk. Together, police records and court records give a full picture of criminal history in New Bedford.
The New Bedford City Clerk's website is a good starting point for public records requests related to the city. The image below was captured from that site as a reference for the city's public records access process.
New Bedford City Clerk - official website
The city clerk's office handles public records requests and can direct you to the right department for police reports or court-related documents.
New Bedford City Clerk Records
The New Bedford City Clerk's Office is at 133 William Street, Room 102, New Bedford, MA 02740. Phone is (508) 979-1420. The clerk keeps official city records and vital records, including births, deaths, and marriages registered in New Bedford. The city clerk does not hold criminal court records, but vital records are sometimes needed in legal proceedings.
You can visit the clerk's office in person, mail a request, or find more information at newbedford-ma.gov/city-clerk. Fees apply for certified vital records copies. The clerk must respond to public records requests within ten business days under state law. For criminal records specifically, the police department and courts are the right sources.
The city clerk is also the keeper of city ordinances, city council minutes, and election records. These are all public and can be requested the same way as vital records. If you are not sure which office has what you need, the clerk's staff can usually help you figure out where to go next.
Searching New Bedford Court Records Online
The Massachusetts court case portal at masscourts.org is free and open to everyone. No account is required. You search by name, case number, or date. Results show the court, charges, case type, and scheduled hearings. New Bedford District Court and Bristol County Superior Court cases both appear in the portal.
The portal is updated regularly and is a quick way to find whether a case exists and what court handled it. It does not always show the final outcome in real time, and older or sealed records may not appear. For complete records or official copies, contact the clerk at the relevant court.
Certified copies of court records cost $2.50 per page. Non-certified copies are $0.05 per page. For most personal uses, non-certified copies are enough. For formal legal matters, ask the court clerk what level of certification you need.
The court system contact page at mass.gov has addresses and hours for every Massachusetts court, including both courts serving New Bedford. Mail-in requests are an option at most courts if you cannot get there in person.
CORI Criminal History Access in New Bedford
The state CORI system covers all Massachusetts criminal records in one place. CORI is Criminal Offender Record Information. The Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) runs the system from 200 Arlington Street, Suite 2200, Chelsea, MA 02150. Phone: (617) 660-4600.
To get your own CORI report, use the iCORI portal at icori.chs.state.ma.us. You set up an account, verify your identity, and pay the $25 fee. Reports are usually ready in 24 to 48 hours. A mail-in option is available if you prefer. More info on the request process is at mass.gov.
CORI reports include criminal convictions, cases currently open, and in some situations, charges that did not end in conviction. What shows up depends on who is requesting and for what purpose. Individuals who request their own record see the most complete version. M.G.L. c. 6 §167 defines what CORI is and who can access it. M.G.L. c. 6 §172 covers access rules for different types of requestors.
The DCJIS website at mass.gov/orgs/dcjis has full guidance on the process, fees, and what each access level includes. If you have questions about a specific record or what appears on your report, DCJIS staff can help. The full Massachusetts CORI law overview is at mass.gov.
Sealing New Bedford Criminal Records
Massachusetts law allows certain criminal records to be sealed under M.G.L. c. 276 §100A. Sealing keeps a record out of public searches, though law enforcement can still see it. Waiting periods depend on the type of offense. Misdemeanors qualify for sealing sooner than felonies. Some offenses cannot be sealed at all.
To seal a New Bedford case, you file a petition at the court that handled it. Most cases would go to New Bedford District Court. Felony cases go to Bristol County Superior Court on Purchase Street. The clerk at either court has the forms. Legal aid organizations in the New Bedford area can help you figure out if your record is eligible. General information on sealing is at mass.gov.
Nearby Cities
Other Bristol County and nearby Massachusetts cities with criminal history record pages.
Bristol County Criminal History Records
New Bedford is in Bristol County. All criminal cases for New Bedford residents go through Bristol County courts, including New Bedford District Court and Bristol County Superior Court. County-level records can be searched online through the court portal or requested from clerk's offices at the courthouse on Purchase Street.