Suffolk County Phone Directory

The Suffolk County phone directory lists contact details for courts, law enforcement, registries, and public offices across Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop. Suffolk is the most densely packed county in Massachusetts with over 820,000 residents in just four municipalities. Because the state took over most county functions in 1999, many of the phone numbers you need point to state-run offices that still serve Suffolk County. This guide gives you direct lines to the courts, the sheriff, the district attorney, and the registry of deeds so you can reach the right office on your first call.

Suffolk County Registry of Deeds

The Suffolk County Registry of Deeds handles all land records for the four municipalities in the county. This office records deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents. It is one of the oldest registries in the state. The registry has been in operation for over 375 years, making it one of the longest-running public record offices in the country.

You can search Suffolk County land records online for free through the Massachusetts Land Records portal. The site lets you look up documents by name, book and page number, or address. Go to masslandrecords.com/Suffolk to start a search. If you need help finding a specific document, call the registry or visit in person. The Suffolk Registry website also has information about recording fees, homestead declarations, and how to get copies of deeds.

Note: Online land record searches at masslandrecords.com are free, but certified copies require a visit or mail request with a fee.

Suffolk County Court Phone Numbers

Suffolk County has one of the busiest court systems in Massachusetts. The county is home to the Supreme Judicial Court, the Appeals Court, and several trial courts. Most people looking for a phone number will need the Superior Court, the Probate and Family Court, or the Boston Municipal Court. Each handles different case types and keeps its own records.

The Suffolk County Superior Court hears serious criminal cases and civil matters over $25,000. It sits in the Edward W. Brooke Courthouse in downtown Boston. The clerk's office can help you find case information and get copies of court records. Call them for questions about civil or criminal filings.

The Suffolk County Superior Court screenshot below shows the court's official page on mass.gov, which lists contact details, hours, and directions.

The Suffolk Probate and Family Court deals with divorce, custody, estates, wills, and name changes. It serves all four Suffolk County communities. The phone number for this court is (617) 788-8300. You can also reach the Boston Municipal Court at (617) 788-8600 for district-level cases in the city of Boston.

The SJC Clerk's Office for Suffolk County handles filings for the Supreme Judicial Court. This is the highest court in the state and its clerk's office is based in Boston. If you need to file an appeal or access SJC records for Suffolk County, call (617) 557-1020.

Note: You can search court cases online for free at masscourts.org, which covers all trial courts in Massachusetts including Suffolk County.

Suffolk County Sheriff and District Attorney

The Suffolk County Sheriff's Department provides law enforcement, jail operations, and civil process services across the county. Despite the transfer of many county functions to the state in 1999, the sheriff's office still operates as its own agency. They run the Suffolk County House of Correction and handle warrant service and prisoner transport.

You can visit the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department website for general information and contact details. For records requests or inmate information, call their main line. The office is based in Boston and serves all four Suffolk County municipalities.

The Suffolk County District Attorney's Office handles all criminal prosecutions in the county. The DA's office is one of the largest in the state given that Boston makes up the bulk of Suffolk County's population. They investigate crimes, prosecute cases, and run victim services programs. The image below shows the official website for the Suffolk County District Attorney.

Find Suffolk County Phone Numbers

Finding the right phone number in Suffolk County depends on what you need. Property records go through the Registry of Deeds. Court cases go through whichever trial court has jurisdiction. Criminal matters start with the District Attorney or the police. And general county questions often route through state agencies since Suffolk County's government was dissolved.

For property lookups, the best first step is the Massachusetts Land Records site. You do not need a phone number to search. Just go to the website, pick Suffolk County, and search by name or address. If you need to talk to someone, call the registry at (617) 788-8575. They can help you find a deed, mortgage, or lien on any property in Boston, Chelsea, Revere, or Winthrop.

For court records, try masscourts.org first. That system covers all trial courts in the state and you can search by party name or case number. If you cannot find what you need online, call the specific court. Here is a quick list of the main Suffolk County court phone numbers:

• Superior Court: (617) 788-8175
• Probate and Family Court: (617) 788-8300
• Boston Municipal Court: (617) 788-8600
• SJC Clerk for Suffolk: (617) 557-1020

If you are not sure which court handles your matter, the Probate Court deals with family issues and estates while the Superior Court handles bigger civil and criminal cases. The Municipal Court covers most misdemeanors and smaller civil claims in Boston.

Note: Boston 311 at (617) 635-4500 or boston.gov can also help route you to the right city department if your question is about city services rather than county offices.

Suffolk County Public Records Access

Massachusetts public records law gives anyone the right to request government records. Under M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10(a), any person can inspect public records held by government offices. You do not need to live in Suffolk County or even in Massachusetts. There is no requirement to explain why you want the records.

State agencies must respond to public records requests within 10 business days. The first four hours of search time are free for state agencies. After that, the maximum charge is $25 per hour. Paper copies cost $0.05 per page for black and white and $0.10 for color. Electronic records that already exist in digital form should be provided at no charge.

The Boston Assessing Department search tool is a free way to look up property ownership and tax information for parcels in the city. This covers only Boston, not Chelsea, Revere, or Winthrop. For land records across all four municipalities, use the Suffolk Registry of Deeds.

For criminal records, the state runs the iCORI system through the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services. You can request your own record for free or pay $25 to run a check on someone else. This is a statewide system, not specific to Suffolk County, but it covers all criminal cases filed in the county's courts.

Note: Some records are exempt from public access, including personnel files, medical records, and information that could constitute an invasion of personal privacy under state law.

Cities in Suffolk County

Suffolk County has just four municipalities. It is the smallest county in Massachusetts by land area but one of the most populated. Boston makes up the vast majority of the county's residents. All four communities use the same courts, registry, and sheriff's office for county-level services.

Winthrop is also part of Suffolk County but does not have a separate page in this phone directory. Winthrop residents use the same county offices and courts listed above.

Nearby Counties

Suffolk County borders four other Massachusetts counties. If you live near a county line, your town may fall under a different county's courts and registry. Check your municipality to be sure you are calling the right office.