Find Cambridge Criminal Records

Cambridge criminal records are handled by Cambridge District Court and Middlesex County Superior Court. You can search Cambridge criminal records online for free through masscourts.org or request an official CORI report through the iCORI portal at mass.gov. This page explains which courts serve Cambridge, where they are located, how to access records online, how to request them in person or by mail, what the CORI system covers, and what options exist for sealing or expunging a Cambridge criminal record.

Cambridge District Court and Middlesex Superior Court

Cambridge District Court handles misdemeanor cases and lower-level felony matters for Cambridge along with Arlington and Belmont. One thing worth knowing: Cambridge District Court is physically located in Medford, not in Cambridge itself. The mailing address and phone number reflect the Medford location. If you plan to visit in person, go to 4040 Mystic Valley Parkway in Medford.

For serious felony cases from Cambridge, the Superior Court in Woburn handles the docket. Cambridge cases that reach Superior Court level are assigned to the Middlesex County Superior Court at the Woburn Trade Center. Both the district court and the superior court can be searched through masscourts.org by selecting Middlesex County.

If you are not sure which court holds the record you need, start with masscourts.org. Run a name search and the results will show which court handled each case. That will tell you where to direct your request for certified copies.

Search Cambridge Criminal Records Online

Masscourts.org is the free public case search tool for all Massachusetts courts, including Cambridge District Court. You can search by name, date of birth, or case number. Results show the court where the case was filed, charges, case status, and upcoming dates. No login is needed for basic searches. This is the fastest way to check whether a Cambridge criminal case exists and get its current status.

For an official CORI report, use the iCORI portal at mass.gov/cori. CORI stands for Criminal Offender Record Information and is managed by DCJIS. The fee is $25 per subject. You can check your own record once a year for free. Cambridge cases that resulted in an arraignment will appear in an iCORI report unless they were later sealed or expunged.

The Cambridge District Court page at mass.gov has contact details and additional resources. The screenshot below shows that page.

That page also includes links to court forms, directions to the Medford location, and details on court services available to the public.

Requesting Cambridge Criminal Records in Person or by Mail

To get certified copies of Cambridge court records in person, go to Cambridge District Court at 4040 Mystic Valley Parkway in Medford. Bring a photo ID. Ask the clerk for the docket or documents you need and provide the case name, year, and type of record. Copy fees are typically $1 to $2.50 per page. Certified copies with a court seal cost a bit more and take slightly longer to prepare.

Mail requests go to the same address in Medford. Include the subject's full name, date of birth, approximate year of the case, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Send a check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Allow one to three weeks for a response. For Superior Court records, contact the Woburn location at (781) 939-2700 to ask about their mail request process before sending anything.

To get a CORI by mail, send a completed request form and a $25 check to DCJIS at 200 Arlington Street, Chelsea, MA 02150. If you qualify for a fee waiver, include an Affidavit of Indigency. Mail processing takes 5 to 10 business days. The iCORI online portal is faster if you have internet access.

Cambridge Police Department Records

The Cambridge Police Department maintains arrest records and incident reports for Cambridge. These are different from court records. Police records cover what officers documented at the time. Court records follow what happened after charges were brought. Both types of records may be relevant depending on your situation.

Public records requests for Cambridge Police documents are submitted through the city's public records process. Contact the department directly or check the city of Cambridge website for the current online submission portal. Massachusetts public records law requires a response within 10 business days, though complex requests may take longer. The first hour of staff time is free for most requesters.

CORI and What It Covers in Cambridge

CORI is defined under MGL c. 6 § 167. It includes arraignment records, criminal charges, verdicts, and sentences from Massachusetts courts. Any Cambridge case that led to an arraignment at Cambridge District Court or Middlesex Superior Court will appear in a CORI report unless it was sealed or expunged.

Not all records show up. Sealed records are hidden from standard CORI checks. Juvenile records are generally excluded unless the person was tried as an adult. Some older misdemeanor convictions may drop off after a waiting period passes without new charges. The specific rules depend on the type of offense and the outcome of the case.

DCJIS manages CORI statewide. Their office is at 200 Arlington Street in Chelsea. Call (617) 660-4640 or visit mass.gov/dcjis for more. The iCORI system is the primary tool for requesting official CORI reports for Cambridge residents and anyone with a Massachusetts criminal record.

Sealing and Expungement for Cambridge Criminal Records

If you have a Cambridge criminal record, Massachusetts law provides two ways to limit what shows in a background check. These are sealing and expungement. They have different effects and different eligibility rules.

Sealing hides a record from standard CORI checks and public view. Under MGL c. 276 § 100A, you can petition to seal a misdemeanor three years after your case ends and a felony seven years after. Some offenses cannot be sealed at all. Once sealed, the record still exists but will not appear in a routine background check. Courts and law enforcement can still access it.

Expungement destroys the record. Under MGL c. 276 §§ 100E-100U, this applies to cases that were dismissed, ended in a not guilty verdict, or involve certain youthful offender situations. Cases involving offenses that were later decriminalized may also qualify. An expunged record does not appear anywhere on a standard background check.

File your petition at Cambridge District Court in Medford or at Middlesex Superior Court in Woburn, depending on which court handled the original case. Greater Boston Legal Services at (617) 603-1700 and Cambridge and Somerville Legal Services can help residents who need legal guidance.

Sex Offender Registry in Cambridge

The Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB) maintains the public registry of registered sex offenders. You can search by name or look up offenders near a Cambridge address at mass.gov/sorb.

Level 1 offenders are not publicly listed. Level 2 and Level 3 offenders appear on the public registry. For information about a Level 1 offender, write to SORB directly. The sex offender registry is a separate system from CORI. It covers sex offense convictions requiring registration under Massachusetts law and is not a substitute for a full criminal history check.

Middlesex County Criminal Records

Cambridge is in Middlesex County. For broader county court info and resources, visit the county page.

View Middlesex County Criminal Records

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Cambridge and each has a criminal records page with local court and agency contacts.