Salem, MA Public Records
Salem is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, with an estimated population of 45,677 (U.S. Census Bureau, July 2024 estimate) and 8.3 square miles of land. That is up about 1,203 residents since the 2020 Census base. Local records such as birth, death and marriage certificates start at the Salem City Clerk (93 Washington Street, Salem, MA 01970). Deeds for property in Salem are recorded at the Essex South Registry of Deeds. Criminal and small-claims cases from Salem are generally heard at the Salem District Court.
📍 Salem Record Offices & Courts
City Clerk
Salem City Clerk
93 Washington Street, Salem, MA 01970
District Court
Salem District Court
56 Federal St., Salem, MA 01970
Superior Court
Essex County Superior Court
56 Federal St., Salem, MA 01970
Probate and Family Court
Essex Probate and Family Court
36 Federal St., Salem, MA 01970
Registry of Deeds
Essex South Registry of Deeds
Beverly Office, 100 Cummings Center, Suite 206-C, Beverly, MA 01915, Salem Office, Salem Civil Process Office, 35 Congress Street, Suite 2100A, Salem, MA 01970
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⚖️ Criminal Records in Salem, MA
Criminal case records for Salem are kept by the Massachusetts Court System. Misdemeanors and arraignments are generally handled by the local trial court, and felonies by the Superior Court. Many court records are public and can be viewed or copied at the clerk's office.
⚖️ Where to get criminal records for Salem
| District Court | Salem District Court56 Federal St., Salem, MA 01970(978) 744-1167 Source: mass.gov ↗ |
| Superior Court | Essex County Superior Court56 Federal St., Salem, MA 01970(978) 744-5500 Source: mass.gov ↗ |
| State court system | Massachusetts Court System |
🔍 Background Check in Salem, MA
A people search for Salem pulls together public records such as court cases, property records and address history. It is for personal use only: under the FCRA it may not be used to screen tenants, employees, or for credit or insurance decisions. The official record sources for Salem are listed below.
🔍 Where to get background check for Salem
| City Clerk | Salem City Clerk93 Washington Street, Salem, MA 01970(978) 745-9595 Source: sec.state.ma.us ↗ |
| District Court | Salem District Court56 Federal St., Salem, MA 01970(978) 744-1167 Source: mass.gov ↗ |
| Superior Court | Essex County Superior Court56 Federal St., Salem, MA 01970(978) 744-5500 Source: mass.gov ↗ |
| Sex offender registry | Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB) public search Source: mass.gov ↗ |
📋 Arrest Records in Salem, MA
Arrest and booking records for Salem are created by the arresting agency — usually the local police department or the Massachusetts State Police. Once someone is charged, the case becomes a court record at the court that handles criminal cases for the area.
📋 Where to get arrest records for Salem
| District Court | Salem District Court56 Federal St., Salem, MA 01970(978) 744-1167 Source: mass.gov ↗ |
| Superior Court | Essex County Superior Court56 Federal St., Salem, MA 01970(978) 744-5500 Source: mass.gov ↗ |
| State court system | Massachusetts Court System |
🏛️ Court Records in Salem, MA
Court records for Salem include civil suits, small claims, landlord-tenant cases, criminal cases, family matters and probate (estates). Below are the courts that serve Salem, with addresses from the official Massachusetts Court System directory.
🏛️ Where to get court records for Salem
| District Court | Salem District Court56 Federal St., Salem, MA 01970(978) 744-1167 Source: mass.gov ↗ |
| Superior Court | Essex County Superior Court56 Federal St., Salem, MA 01970(978) 744-5500 Source: mass.gov ↗ |
| Probate and Family Court | Essex Probate and Family Court36 Federal St., Salem, MA 01970(978) 744-1020 Source: mass.gov ↗ |
| State court system | Massachusetts Court System |
🏠 Property Records in Salem, MA
Deeds are recorded at one of 21 Registry of Deeds districts (some counties are split into North/South or other districts). Property tax assessments are kept by the local assessor's office at the town or city hall.
🏠 Where to get property records for Salem
| Registry of Deeds | Essex South Registry of DeedsBeverly Office, 100 Cummings Center, Suite 206-C, Beverly, MA 01915, Salem Office, Salem Civil Process Office, 35 Congress Street, Suite 2100A, Salem, MA 01970(978) 542-1704www.salemdeeds.com Source: sec.state.ma.us ↗ |
| City Clerk | Salem City Clerk93 Washington Street, Salem, MA 01970(978) 745-9595 Source: sec.state.ma.us ↗ |
📜 Vital Records in Salem, MA
In Massachusetts, the city or town clerk where a birth, marriage or death occurred keeps the original record and can issue certified copies. Statewide records can also be ordered from the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics.
📜 Where to get vital records for Salem
| City Clerk | Salem City Clerk93 Washington Street, Salem, MA 01970(978) 745-9595 Source: sec.state.ma.us ↗ |
| State vital records office | Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics150 Mount Vernon Street, 1st Floor, Dorchester, MA 02125 Source: mass.gov ↗ |
🔒 Sex Offender Registry in Salem, MA
The official sex offender registry for Salem is maintained by the state. Search it directly — it is free and updated by law enforcement. Registry information may not be used to threaten, intimidate or harass anyone.
🔒 Where to get sex offender registry for Salem
| Official registry | Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB) public search Source: mass.gov ↗ |
📄 Divorce Records in Salem, MA
Divorce cases are filed in the Probate and Family Court for the county. The full divorce case file is kept by that court; a divorce certificate (a short summary record) can be requested from the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics.
📄 Where to get divorce records for Salem
| Probate and Family Court | Essex Probate and Family Court36 Federal St., Salem, MA 01970(978) 744-1020 Source: mass.gov ↗ |
| State vital records office | Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics150 Mount Vernon Street, 1st Floor, Dorchester, MA 02125 Source: mass.gov ↗ |