Juvenile Court Records

How do I get a copy of my juvenile record?

It is easy to get a copy of your juvenile record. There is no fee to get a copy of your juvenile record.

1. Download and print the PERSONAL MASSACHUSETTS JUVENILE COURT ACTIVITY RECORD  INFORMATION REQUEST FORM
2. Fill in the form and sign it.
3. Make a copy of your photo ID. You can use a license, state ID, or school ID. This is to prove that it is actually you asking for a copy of your juvenile record.
4. Address an envelope to yourself and put a stamp on it.
5. Put your self-addressed/stamped envelope, the form you just signed, and the copy of your photo ID into another envelope. Put a stamp on that envelope.
6. Mail this to:
   Commissioner of Probation
   One Ashburton Place, Rm. 405
   Boston, MA 02150-1616
   Attn: JUVENILE RECORDS

You will get a copy of your juvenile record in 7 to 14 days.

Who can see my juvenile record?

Massachusetts Juvenile Court delinquency hearings and files at the courthouse are not open to the public.  Juvenile records are much more protected than adult criminal records.  Even when your juvenile records are not sealed,  you can answer “no record” as to any juvenile case that was not transferred to Superior Court for prosecution.  The Commissioner of Probation answers “no record” if employers or others ask about your juvenile records except for courts, police or others allowed under the law to get this information.  For example, children’s summer camp employers can get this information if your record is not sealed.

Youthful offender cases in the Juvenile court are different. Youthful offender files at the courthouse and hearings are open to the public.  So background checking companies can find out about and look at your case files at the courthouse if you do not seal your case.  If you apply for a job, the employer might find out about the case if it is not sealed.

A Juvenile Court case is only part of CORI if the case was transferred to Superior Court to prosecute you as an adult.