New Bedford Background Check Database
New Bedford is one of the larger cities in Bristol County, with roughly 101,000 residents. Background check records for the city come from the New Bedford Police Department, the New Bedford District Court, and the Bristol County Superior Court. The Massachusetts CORI system ties all of these together at the state level. This page covers how to access each source, who handles records requests in New Bedford, and what you'll find in a full background check search.
New Bedford Quick Facts
New Bedford Police Department Records
The New Bedford Police Department is the local agency for police record requests in the city. The Keeper of Records is Officer John V. Barnes Jr., who handles public records inquiries. You can reach him at extension 79406 or by email at John.Barnes@newbedfordpd.com. The main department line is (508) 991-6300. The station is at 871 Rockdale Avenue, New Bedford, MA 02740.
To request records, you need to submit a completed Information Request Form. The form is available as a PDF directly from the New Bedford PD website at newbedfordpd.com. Fill it out with your full name, contact details, the type of record you need, and the relevant date or case number. Send the completed form to Officer Barnes by email or bring it in person. The department processes requests within the timeline set by the Massachusetts Public Records Law. That law, found at M.G.L. c. 66, § 10, requires agencies to respond within ten business days.
The New Bedford Police Department website has the Information Request Form and contact details for the Keeper of Records, who handles background check record requests for the city.
| Address | 871 Rockdale Avenue, New Bedford, MA 02740 |
|---|---|
| Main Phone | (508) 991-6300 |
| Keeper of Records | Officer John V. Barnes Jr., Ext. 79406 |
| Records Email | John.Barnes@newbedfordpd.com |
| Request Form | Information Request Form (PDF) |
| Website | newbedfordpd.com |
New Bedford District Court Records
The New Bedford District Court handles misdemeanors, civil cases under $50,000, and preliminary hearings for felonies in the area. The court is at 75 North 6th Street, New Bedford, MA 02740. The main phone number is (508) 999-9700. This court creates many of the records that show up in New Bedford background checks, including arraignments, case outcomes, and sentencing records for lower-level offenses.
Court records at the New Bedford District Court are searchable through the state's free portal at masscourts.org. You can look up cases by name or case number without creating an account. The site shows case status, charges, court dates, and outcomes. For certified copies or more detailed records, contact the clerk's office at the courthouse. The clerk can produce copies and will quote you the current fee when you call. Allow several business days for copy requests, especially older cases.
The New Bedford District Court listing on mass.gov has current hours, clerk contact information, and directions for in-person record requests tied to background checks in New Bedford.
| Address | 75 North 6th Street, New Bedford, MA 02740 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (508) 999-9700 |
| Website | mass.gov/locations/new-bedford-district-court |
Bristol County Superior Court - New Bedford
More serious criminal cases in New Bedford go to the Bristol County Superior Court. There is a New Bedford location at 441 County Street, New Bedford, MA 02740. You can reach that office at (508) 996-2051. The Superior Court handles felonies that carry sentences over two and a half years, as well as civil cases above $50,000. Cases that start in the District Court and get bound over to Superior Court will have files at both locations.
Superior Court records feed into the CORI database just as District Court records do. A full CORI report through the state iCORI system will show both levels. If you need physical copies of Superior Court files, contact the clerk at 441 County Street. The DCJIS website has more on how court records at different levels appear in background check results.
| Address | 441 County Street, New Bedford, MA 02740 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (508) 996-2051 |
How to Request a Background Check in New Bedford
The Massachusetts CORI system is the official channel for background check data in New Bedford. DCJIS operates the iCORI portal, which gives individuals and organizations access to criminal record information. For a personal CORI request, the fee is $25. You need a valid Massachusetts driver's license or state ID to use the online portal. Results come back immediately once you pay and submit. The governing law for CORI access is M.G.L. c. 6, § 172.
If you lack a Massachusetts ID, you can still get your own CORI by mail. Download the Personal CORI Request Form from the DCJIS website. Have it signed in front of a notary. Then send it with a $25 money order to DCJIS at 200 Arlington Street, Suite 2200, Chelsea, MA 02150. Expect a two to three week turnaround for mailed requests. If you qualify for a fee waiver, attach an Affidavit of Indigency instead of the money order.
Open access requests, where you look up limited information about someone other than yourself, cost $50 and also go through the iCORI portal. These are more restricted than personal requests. DCJIS can answer questions at (617) 660-4600 or by email at icori.info@mass.gov. For court records not included in CORI, go to masscourts.org or call the clerk at one of the New Bedford courts.
Records sealed under M.G.L. c. 276, § 100A do not appear in any public search. Misdemeanors can be sealed after three years, felonies after seven. If you think a record is missing from a search result, it may have been sealed through the state probation office or by court petition.
Court Records Access in New Bedford
New Bedford has both District and Superior Court records in the city. The free masscourts.org portal covers both. You can search without an account, and the results show charge names, case numbers, dates, and outcomes. This is useful for a quick check. If you need court records for a legal purpose, you'll want certified copies from the clerk.
The Massachusetts Trial Court also maintains records from the Probate and Family Court, which handles civil matters. Those records are also searchable at masscourts.org. If a background check in New Bedford turns up a civil matter you want more details on, the Probate and Family Court clerk can help. For the most current information on court locations and hours in Bristol County, check the CORI overview page and the individual court listings on mass.gov.
Sex Offender Registry in New Bedford
The Sex Offender Registry Board manages the classification and public listing of registered sex offenders in Massachusetts. For New Bedford, Level 3 offenders are fully public and searchable through the SORB website. Level 2 offenders classified after July 12, 2013 are also public. Level 1 is not public. SORB can be reached at (978) 740-6400, Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM.
The New Bedford Police Department can also confirm Level 2 and Level 3 registrant status for people known to be living in the city. A full background check in New Bedford should include a SORB check in addition to a CORI search, as the two systems are separate and cover different types of information.
Nearby Cities
These qualifying cities are near New Bedford and each has its own court and records resources for background check searches in the region.
Bristol County Records
New Bedford is in Bristol County, and county-level court records play a key role in any thorough background check for the area. The Bristol County page covers the county court system, clerk offices, and additional record sources for the region.