New Bedford, MA Public Records
New Bedford is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, with an estimated population of 101,318 (U.S. Census Bureau, July 2024 estimate) and 20.0 square miles of land. That is up about 239 residents since the 2020 Census base. Deeds for property in New Bedford are recorded at the Bristol South Registry of Deeds. Criminal and small-claims cases from New Bedford are generally heard at the New Bedford District Court.
📍 New Bedford Record Offices & Courts
City Hall
City of New Bedford City Hall
133 William Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
District Court
New Bedford District Court
75 N. Sixth St., New Bedford, MA 02740
Superior Court
Bristol County Superior Court
9 Court St., Taunton, MA 02780
Probate and Family Court
Bristol Probate and Family Court
40 Broadway, Suite 240, Taunton, MA 02780
Registry of Deeds
Bristol South Registry of Deeds
25 North 6th Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
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⚖️ Criminal Records in New Bedford, MA
Criminal case records for New Bedford are kept by the Massachusetts Court System. Misdemeanors and arraignments are generally handled by the local trial court, and felonies by the Superior Court. Many court records are public and can be viewed or copied at the clerk's office.
⚖️ Where to get criminal records for New Bedford
| District Court | New Bedford District Court75 N. Sixth St., New Bedford, MA 02740(508) 999-9700 Source: mass.gov ↗ |
| Superior Court | Bristol County Superior Court9 Court St., Taunton, MA 02780(508) 823-6588 Source: mass.gov ↗ |
| State court system | Massachusetts Court System |
🔍 Background Check in New Bedford, MA
A people search for New Bedford pulls together public records such as court cases, property records and address history. It is for personal use only: under the FCRA it may not be used to screen tenants, employees, or for credit or insurance decisions. The official record sources for New Bedford are listed below.
🔍 Where to get background check for New Bedford
| City Hall | City of New Bedford City Hall133 William Street, New Bedford, MA 02740(508) 979-1400 Source: sec.state.ma.us ↗ |
| District Court | New Bedford District Court75 N. Sixth St., New Bedford, MA 02740(508) 999-9700 Source: mass.gov ↗ |
| Superior Court | Bristol County Superior Court9 Court St., Taunton, MA 02780(508) 823-6588 Source: mass.gov ↗ |
| Sex offender registry | Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB) public search Source: mass.gov ↗ |
📋 Arrest Records in New Bedford, MA
Arrest and booking records for New Bedford are created by the arresting agency — usually the local police department or the Massachusetts State Police. Once someone is charged, the case becomes a court record at the court that handles criminal cases for the area.
📋 Where to get arrest records for New Bedford
| District Court | New Bedford District Court75 N. Sixth St., New Bedford, MA 02740(508) 999-9700 Source: mass.gov ↗ |
| Superior Court | Bristol County Superior Court9 Court St., Taunton, MA 02780(508) 823-6588 Source: mass.gov ↗ |
| State court system | Massachusetts Court System |
🏛️ Court Records in New Bedford, MA
Court records for New Bedford include civil suits, small claims, landlord-tenant cases, criminal cases, family matters and probate (estates). Below are the courts that serve New Bedford, with addresses from the official Massachusetts Court System directory.
🏛️ Where to get court records for New Bedford
| District Court | New Bedford District Court75 N. Sixth St., New Bedford, MA 02740(508) 999-9700 Source: mass.gov ↗ |
| Superior Court | Bristol County Superior Court9 Court St., Taunton, MA 02780(508) 823-6588 Source: mass.gov ↗ |
| Probate and Family Court | Bristol Probate and Family Court40 Broadway, Suite 240, Taunton, MA 02780(508) 977-6040 Source: mass.gov ↗ |
| State court system | Massachusetts Court System |
🏠 Property Records in New Bedford, MA
Deeds are recorded at one of 21 Registry of Deeds districts (some counties are split into North/South or other districts). Property tax assessments are kept by the local assessor's office at the town or city hall.
🏠 Where to get property records for New Bedford
| Registry of Deeds | Bristol South Registry of Deeds25 North 6th Street, New Bedford, MA 02740(508) 993-2603www.newbedforddeeds.com Source: sec.state.ma.us ↗ |
| City Hall | City of New Bedford City Hall133 William Street, New Bedford, MA 02740(508) 979-1400 Source: sec.state.ma.us ↗ |
📜 Vital Records in New Bedford, MA
In Massachusetts, the city or town clerk where a birth, marriage or death occurred keeps the original record and can issue certified copies. Statewide records can also be ordered from the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics.
📜 Where to get vital records for New Bedford
| City Hall | City of New Bedford City Hall133 William Street, New Bedford, MA 02740(508) 979-1400 Source: sec.state.ma.us ↗ |
| State vital records office | Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics150 Mount Vernon Street, 1st Floor, Dorchester, MA 02125 Source: mass.gov ↗ |
🔒 Sex Offender Registry in New Bedford, MA
The official sex offender registry for New Bedford is maintained by the state. Search it directly — it is free and updated by law enforcement. Registry information may not be used to threaten, intimidate or harass anyone.
🔒 Where to get sex offender registry for New Bedford
| Official registry | Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB) public search Source: mass.gov ↗ |
📄 Divorce Records in New Bedford, MA
Divorce cases are filed in the Probate and Family Court for the county. The full divorce case file is kept by that court; a divorce certificate (a short summary record) can be requested from the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics.
📄 Where to get divorce records for New Bedford
| Probate and Family Court | Bristol Probate and Family Court40 Broadway, Suite 240, Taunton, MA 02780(508) 977-6040 Source: mass.gov ↗ |
| State vital records office | Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics150 Mount Vernon Street, 1st Floor, Dorchester, MA 02125 Source: mass.gov ↗ |