# Massachusetts Courts, Laws and Public Records Guide > Official sources for Massachusetts statutes, the state and federal courts in Springfield, public records and open meetings, and a free search of recorded deeds. [Canonical page](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/blog/courts-laws-public-records-massachusetts/) --- - [Home](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/) - [Insights](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/blog/) - Massachusetts Courts, Laws and Public Records: Where to Find Them Insights # Massachusetts Courts, Laws and Public Records: Where to Find Them October 20, 2026 Dunn & Phillips, P.C. ## The short version - The Massachusetts General Laws, the state's statutes, are published in full by the Legislature. - Springfield hosts a session of the Western Housing Court and a seat of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. - The Public Records Division explains how to request government records and appeal a denial; the Open Meeting Law sets the rules for public bodies' meetings. - Massachusetts Land Records offers a free public search of recorded deeds, mortgages, liens and plans, including Hampden County. On this page - [The law itself](#the-law-itself) - [The state courts](#the-state-courts) - [The federal courts](#the-federal-courts) - [Government records and meetings](#government-records-and-meetings) - [What is recorded against a property](#what-is-recorded-against-a-property) Sooner or later most people need an official source: the text of a law, which court hears a case, a government record, or what is recorded against a house. These are the official places to look. The City of Springfield Law Department lists most of them on its Legal Resources page, and they are all on our [community resources page](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/resources/). ## The law itself - **Massachusetts General Laws:** the full text of the state's statutes, published by the Massachusetts Legislature. - **Mass.gov:** the Commonwealth's official website, covering state agencies, services and forms. - **USA.gov:** the federal government's official guide to its agencies and services. ## The state courts - **The Massachusetts court system:** how the state courts are organized, from the Supreme Judicial Court and the Appeals Court to the seven Trial Court departments. - **Western Housing Court, Springfield Session:** the Housing Court session in Springfield, which hears housing cases including landlord-tenant matters. - **Appellate Tax Board:** hears appeals of state and local tax decisions, including property-tax abatements denied by local assessors. ## The federal courts - **U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts:** the federal trial court for Massachusetts, which sits in Boston, Worcester and Springfield. - **U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit:** the federal appeals court whose circuit includes Massachusetts. - **Supreme Court of the United States:** the highest federal court. ## Government records and meetings - **Public Records Law:** the Secretary of the Commonwealth's Public Records Division explains how to request government records, and how to appeal a denial. - **Open Meeting Law:** the rules for meetings of state and local public bodies, and how to raise a concern about one. ## What is recorded against a property **Massachusetts Land Records** is a free public search of recorded deeds, mortgages, liens and plans at the Massachusetts registries of deeds, including Hampden County. It is useful before a closing, or to see what is recorded against a property. A search shows what is on record. Reading it, and finding what a title examination turns up that a quick search does not, is part of the work a closing attorney does. See our guide to [how a Massachusetts closing works](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/blog/how-a-closing-works/). The full list is on our [community resources page](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/resources/), last reviewed on June 22, 2026. Discuss your matter Questions about a deadline or a potential claim are best answered early. An initial conversation with the firm is confidential and without obligation. [Request a Consultation](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/contact/) This page is general information only, not legal advice for any specific situation, and reading it does not create an attorney–client relationship. Every matter depends on its own facts; for advice on your particular circumstances, talk to a licensed attorney. Published by Dunn & Phillips, P.C., 185 Belmont Avenue, Springfield, MA 01108. Responsible attorney: Cornelius W. Phillips, III. ## Tell us what happened. The first conversation is free. You'll leave knowing where you stand. [Call or text (413) 426-8657](tel:+14134268657) [Message us](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/contact/) Answered live, 24 hours a day. Explore more [Talk to usContact the firmA free first conversation, without obligation.](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/contact/)[Free toolsFree worksheetsStep-by-step checklists you can use now.](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/worksheets/)