Taunton Public Records Search

Public records in Taunton are held by the City Clerk, the Board of Assessors, the Taunton Police Department, and other city agencies subject to Massachusetts public records law. As the seat of Bristol County, Taunton also connects residents to county-level resources for land records and court filings. This page covers how to search Taunton public records, which offices hold specific documents, how to submit a request, and what fees and timelines apply under state law.

Taunton City Clerk Office

The Taunton City Clerk is the primary custodian of city public records. The office is located at Room 102, City Hall, 141 Oak Street, Taunton, MA 02780. It keeps vital records, business certificates, dog licenses, public meeting minutes, and City Council records. The clerk also maintains the official record of city ordinances, resolutions, and other legislative documents. This office is the right first contact for most records requests in Taunton.

Call or email the clerk's office before visiting to confirm hours and what documents you may need to bring. Staff can tell you whether the record you need is held at City Hall or at a different department. For some records, you may be directed to another city office or to a county-level resource.

Below is a screenshot from the Taunton city website, which provides access to department information and city services.

The city's website includes links to the clerk's office, meeting agendas, and department contact information.

How to Request Taunton Public Records

Massachusetts law grants public access to government records under MGL Chapter 66, Section 10. Taunton city agencies must respond to public records requests within 10 business days. The city designates a Records Access Officer (RAO) to handle these requests. To submit a request, contact the City Clerk at cityclerk@taunton-ma.gov or call (508) 821-1020. You can also submit a written request by mail or in person at City Hall.

No reason is needed to request records. Any person can make a request. The law applies equally to Taunton residents and out-of-state requesters. If the record you need is held by a specific city department, the clerk's office can direct you to the right contact or forward your request internally.

Fee rules are set by state law. The first two hours of staff time are free for cities with more than 20,000 residents. After that, fees cannot exceed $25 per hour. Paper copies cost $0.05 per page. Electronic records often come at no extra cost. If Taunton denies your request, you can appeal to the Supervisor of Records at One Ashburton Place, Room 1719, Boston, MA 02108, or call (617) 727-2832.

Note: Taunton is the county seat of Bristol County, so some records involving Taunton properties or court cases are held at county-level offices rather than at City Hall.

Vital Records in Taunton

Certified copies of birth, marriage, and death certificates for events registered in Taunton are available through the City Clerk. Each certified copy costs $15. You can order in person at City Hall or by mail. Mail orders should include a written request, a copy of your photo ID, and a check payable to the City of Taunton.

Certified copies are restricted to immediate family members, legal representatives, and individuals with a documented legal need. For records registered outside Taunton or for older records not held locally, contact the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics. The state registry holds vital records from across Massachusetts and can provide certified copies for qualifying requesters.

Taunton Property and Deed Records

Property assessment records for Taunton are maintained by the Board of Assessors at City Hall. These records cover ownership, assessed value, lot size, building data, and tax information for every property in the city. The Assessors' office can provide information on property ownership and valuation.

For recorded land documents in Taunton, the North Bristol Registry of Deeds handles all deed records, mortgages, liens, and other instruments. The registry is at 11 Court Street, Taunton, MA, and can be reached at (508) 822-0502. It covers Taunton, Attleboro, Rehoboth, and other surrounding communities. You can search Bristol County land records online at MassLandRecords.com. Searches are free and can be done by name, address, or document type.

The North Bristol Registry maintains a long record of land transactions in the Taunton area. If you need to trace ownership, check for liens, or research property history, the registry is where those documents live.

Court Records for Taunton

Taunton is served by the Taunton District Court for local civil and criminal matters. The Bristol Superior Court also sits in Taunton and handles more significant civil and criminal cases. You can search case records at no cost through MassCourts.org, which covers most Massachusetts trial courts statewide. Searches can be done by name or case number.

Probate matters for Taunton residents are handled by the Bristol County Probate and Family Court, also located in Taunton. Docket entries, case filings, and judgments for public cases are available through the online system. Some older or sealed records may require an in-person request at the courthouse.

The Secretary of the Commonwealth maintains public corporate records, campaign finance filings, and other state-level documents. For registered sex offenders in the Taunton area, the Sex Offender Registry Board provides a public lookup at mass.gov/sorb.

Bristol County Public Records

Taunton is the county seat of Bristol County. County-level records for Taunton include land records at the North Bristol Registry of Deeds, court records at Bristol Superior Court, and probate records at Bristol County Probate and Family Court. For a full overview of Bristol County public records, visit the county page.

View Bristol County Public Records

Nearby Cities

Taunton is in southeastern Massachusetts, near several other qualifying cities in the region. Each has its own records office and public records process.