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Public Records

Making a Public Records Request

Massachusetts Public Records Law, found at M.G.L. c. 66, § 10, applies to records made or received by a Massachusetts agency or municipality.

Most records are presumed to be public, but certain records are exempt. You can find a list of these exemptions in M.G.L. c. 4, § 7.

The Law requires every agency and municipality to designate a Records Access Officer (RAO), who assists requesters in obtaining public records. Requestors should contact the agency or municipality RAO for public records access.

The Public Records Division does not maintain all government records. We only keep records essential to our business operations. Make sure to request records from the entity that created or received them.

Request Format and Template

You can make a records request verbally, in person, or in writing. However, you’ll need a written request to file an appeal with the Supervisor of Records.

Anyone may request records from an RAO. The Law does not mandate an approved format for public records requests.

Still, the sample below may be helpful. Your request should contain the following information:

Date request mailed

[Records Access Officer
Name of Municipality or Agency
Address of Municipality or Agency
City, State, Zip Code]

Re: Massachusetts Public Records Request

Dear _______:

This is a request under the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M. G. L. Chapter 66, Section 10). I am requesting that I be provided a copy of the following records:

[Please include a detailed description of the information you are seeking.]

I recognize that you may charge reasonable costs for copies, as well as for personnel time needed to comply with this request.

The Public Records Law requires you to provide me with a written response within 10 business days. If you cannot comply with my request, you are statutorily required to provide an explanation in writing.

Sincerely,

Your Name
Contact Information (address, email, telephone)

If your request is denied, you may appeal to the Supervisor of Records. Learn how to appeal a public records request denial. You may also seek judicial review through civil action in superior court, under M.G.L. c. 66, § 10A(c).

How to Request Public Records from the Secretary’s Office

Submit your requests for public records to the Office's Records Access Officer. You can reach the RAO by mail, phone, fax, or email:

Sofya Gray
Records Access Officer
Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth
One Ashburton Place - Room 1711
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-878-3660
Fax: 617-742-4538
Email:

We recommend submitting your public records request in writing, to ensure an accurate and complete response.

What to Include in a Request

When you submit a request, include a reasonable description of specific records. Our office can assess a reasonable fee for public records production.

Public records maintained by our office include, but are not limited to, records contained within the following divisions and departments:

  • Public Records
  • Elections
  • Corporations
  • Securities
  • Lobbyists
  • Massachusetts Archives
  • Massachusetts Historical Commission
  • State Publications and Regulations

Public Records Database

Some public records are available online, without requiring a request.

We maintain a searchable database of public records, where users can view records for inspection and copying. Certain Divisions, such as Public Records, Lobbyists, Corporations, Elections, and Securities also hold records available to the public.

Requests for land records from Registries of Deeds should be made directly to the applicable Registry. Registries can be found here.

For additional information about making a request or filing an appeal, see 950 CMR 32.08 or refer to A Guide to the Massachusetts Public Records Law (PDF).