Barnstable County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Barnstable County?
Public records in Barnstable County are defined according to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, specifically Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, § 10. This statute establishes that public records include all books, papers, maps, photographs, recorded tapes, financial statements, statistical tabulations, and other documentary materials or data made or received by any officer or employee of any Massachusetts governmental entity.
Barnstable County maintains numerous types of public records, including:
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, foreclosures)
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates)
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family court cases)
- Business records (licenses, permits, fictitious business names)
- Tax records (property tax assessments, tax liens)
- Voting and election records (voter registration, election results)
- Meeting minutes and agendas (County Commission, boards, committees)
- Budget and financial documents (annual budgets, expenditure reports)
- Law enforcement records (arrest logs, incident reports where permitted)
- Land use and zoning records (permits, variances, planning documents)
The Barnstable County Registry of Deeds maintains property records, while the Barnstable County Clerk of Courts maintains court records. Vital records are typically maintained by the town clerk in each of the 15 municipalities within Barnstable County, pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 46, § 1.
Is Barnstable County an Open Records County?
Barnstable County adheres to the Massachusetts Public Records Law as codified in Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, § 10. This statute establishes that "every person has a right of access to public information," creating a presumption that all government records are public unless specifically exempted by law.
Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, § 10(a), "every person having custody of any public record shall, at reasonable times and without unreasonable delay, permit it, or any segregable portion of a record which is an independent public record, to be inspected and examined by any person."
The county complies with the state's Open Meeting Law (Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30A, §§ 18-25), which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public, properly noticed, and that accurate records of the meetings be maintained and made available to the public.
Barnstable County has established specific procedures for requesting public records in accordance with the 2016 amendments to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, which standardized response times and clarified fee structures. The county has designated Records Access Officers (RAOs) for various departments to facilitate public access to records.
How to Find Public Records in Barnstable County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Barnstable County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:
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Online Access: Many records are available through the Barnstable County Registry of Deeds Public Access Website, which provides free access to property records, including deeds, mortgages, and liens. Court records may be accessed through the Massachusetts Trial Court Electronic Case Access.
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In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours to inspect records:
- For property records: Visit the Registry of Deeds
- For court records: Visit the Clerk of Courts office
- For vital records: Visit the town clerk in the appropriate municipality
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Written Requests: Submit a written public records request to the Records Access Officer of the relevant department. Requests should include:
- Requestor's name and contact information
- A clear description of the records sought
- Preferred format for receiving records (electronic or paper copies)
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Electronic Requests: Many departments accept requests via email or through dedicated online portals. The Cape and Islands District Attorney's Office provides an online portal for submitting public records requests.
Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, § 10(b), records custodians must provide a response within 10 business days of receiving a request. This response must either provide the requested records or explain why more time is needed, with a detailed fee estimate if applicable.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Barnstable County?
Barnstable County follows the fee structure established by the Massachusetts Public Records Law, Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, § 10(d). Current standard fees include:
- Black and white paper copies or printouts: $0.05 per page (single or double-sided)
- Electronic copies of records: Actual cost of the storage device (USB drive, CD)
- Search and segregation time: Prorated hourly rate of the lowest paid employee capable of performing the task (first 2 hours are free for most agencies)
- Certification of records: $0.50 per page for certified copies
Specific record types may have statutorily defined fees:
- Certified copies of vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates): $10-20 per copy, depending on the municipality
- Certified copies of deeds: $1.00 per page plus $1.25 for certification
- Court records: Fees vary by record type and court department
Accepted payment methods typically include:
- Cash (in-person only)
- Personal checks
- Money orders
- Credit cards (for some departments and online services)
Fee waivers may be granted if disclosure would be in the public interest, as provided by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, § 10(d)(iv). Additionally, requestors who demonstrate financial hardship may qualify for a waiver of fees.
Does Barnstable County Have Free Public Records?
Barnstable County provides free access to certain public records in accordance with Massachusetts law. Members of the public may inspect public records at no cost during regular business hours at the appropriate county office, as guaranteed by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, § 10(a).
The following free resources are currently available:
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Free Online Resources:
- Barnstable County Registry of Deeds Public Access - Free online access to property records, including deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Barnstable County Government Website - Free access to meeting minutes, agendas, and various county reports
- Massachusetts Trial Court Electronic Case Access - Free basic case information (detailed documents may require fees)
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Free In-Person Inspection:
- Property records at the Registry of Deeds
- Court records at the Clerk of Courts office (viewing only)
- County Commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Budget documents and financial reports
While inspection is free, fees may apply for copies of records or for records that require extensive search or redaction time. Additionally, pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, § 10(d)(iii), the first two hours of search and segregation time are free for municipalities with populations under 20,000.
Who Can Request Public Records in Barnstable County?
Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, § 10, any person may request public records in Barnstable County regardless of citizenship or residency status. The law states that "every person" has the right to access public information, with no distinction between Massachusetts residents and non-residents.
Key eligibility information includes:
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Requestors are not required to:
- Provide identification (except for certain restricted records)
- State the purpose of their request
- Be Massachusetts residents
- Appear in person
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For most general public records, requestors may remain anonymous, though providing contact information is necessary to receive the requested records.
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Certain record types have specific access restrictions:
- CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) - Access is restricted to authorized individuals under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 6, § 172
- Vital records - Access may be limited to the person named in the record, immediate family members, or legal representatives
- Medical records - Access is restricted by HIPAA and state privacy laws
When requesting your own records versus others' records, different standards may apply. For example, individuals have broader access rights to their own records, while requests for others' records may be subject to privacy exemptions and redactions.
Commercial entities may request public records, but the same fee structure applies, and records cannot be denied based on commercial intent.
What Records Are Confidential in Barnstable County?
Certain records in Barnstable County are exempt from public disclosure pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 4, § 7(26), which establishes specific exemptions to the Public Records Law. These confidential records include:
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Personnel and medical files whose disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
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Investigatory materials compiled for law enforcement purposes that would:
- Interfere with ongoing investigations or proceedings
- Deprive a person of the right to a fair trial
- Disclose confidential sources or investigative techniques
- Endanger the life or safety of law enforcement personnel
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Sealed criminal records pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 276, § 100A
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Juvenile records, which are confidential under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 119, § 60A
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Trade secrets or commercial/financial information voluntarily provided in confidence
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Proposals and bids before the time for receipt of bids or proposals has expired
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Appraisals of real property acquired or to be acquired until transactions have been completed
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Test questions and answers, scoring keys, and other examination data
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Personal information, including:
- Social Security numbers
- Driver's license numbers
- Financial account numbers
- Personal telephone numbers and email addresses of public employees
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Records related to ongoing deliberative processes
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Records specifically or by necessary implication exempted from disclosure by statute
The Massachusetts Secretary of State's Office provides guidance on applying these exemptions. When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the exempt portions must be redacted and the remainder disclosed, as required by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, § 10(a).
Barnstable County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Barnstable County Registry of Deeds
3195 Main Street
Barnstable, MA 02630
Phone: (508) 362-7733
Barnstable County Registry of Deeds
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Closed on state and federal holidays
Barnstable County Superior Court Clerk's Office
3195 Main Street
Barnstable, MA 02630
Phone: (508) 375-6684
Barnstable County Superior Court
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Closed on state and federal holidays
Barnstable County Probate and Family Court
3195 Main Street
Barnstable, MA 02630
Phone: (508) 375-6710
Barnstable Probate and Family Court
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Closed on state and federal holidays
Cape and Islands District Attorney's Office
3231 Main Street
Barnstable, MA 02630
Phone: (508) 362-8113
Cape and Islands District Attorney
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Closed on state and federal holidays
Lookup Public Records in Barnstable County
Public Access - Barnstable County