Dukes County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Dukes County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents in Dukes County, Massachusetts, may access a range of publicly available information through official county offices, state repositories, and online portals. DukesRecords.us serves as a resource for locating publicly available data related to government records maintained in Dukes County. Requestors may find records pertaining to property ownership, court proceedings, vital statistics, business registrations, and other government-generated documents, subject to applicable exemptions under state law.

Relevant record categories available through official channels include:

Property deeds and land records
Court filings (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
Vital records (birth, death, and marriage)
Business licenses and permits
Tax assessment records
Voting and election records
County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Budget and financial documents
Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted)
Zoning and land use records

Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by county and state agencies.

Online Access: The Dukes County official website provides access to county department information, public notices, and select online resources. The Massachusetts Land Records portal, maintained by the Registry of Deeds, allows online searches of recorded land documents. The Massachusetts Trial Court's online case search tool provides access to certain court records. Some records require in-person review or a formal written request.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Dukes County Registry of Deeds or the relevant department office to inspect records during regular business hours. Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo identification and be prepared to describe the records sought with reasonable specificity.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests must identify the records sought with sufficient detail to allow the records custodian to locate them. Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, § 10, a records custodian must respond to a written request within ten business days.

Phone/Email: The Dukes County administrative offices may be reached at (508) 696-3840. Requestors may also submit inquiries through the county's official departmental contact pages.

What Are Public Records in Dukes County?

Public records in Dukes County are defined under Massachusetts law as all books, papers, maps, photographs, recorded tapes, financial statements, statistical tabulations, or other documentary materials or data, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received by any officer or employee of any governmental unit. This definition is established under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 4, § 7, Clause 26, which governs the scope of public records statewide.

The following record types are maintained by Dukes County and associated state offices:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family): Maintained by the Dukes County Probate and Family Court and the Edgartown District Court
Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, assessments): Maintained by the Dukes County Registry of Deeds
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce): Maintained by the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics and individual town clerks
Business records (licenses, permits, fictitious names): Maintained by the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth and local licensing boards
Tax records (property tax, assessment records): Maintained by individual town assessors within Dukes County
Voting and election records: Maintained by town clerks and the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth
Meeting minutes and agendas: Maintained by the Dukes County Manager's office and individual boards
Budget and financial documents: Available through the county manager's office
Law enforcement records: Maintained by the Dukes County Sheriff's Office and local police departments, subject to applicable exemptions
Land use and zoning records: Maintained by individual town planning and zoning boards

Is Dukes County an Open Records County?

Dukes County operates in full compliance with the Massachusetts Public Records Law, which establishes a presumption of openness for all government-held documents. Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, § 10, any person has the right to inspect, copy, or have copies of public records. The law applies to all state and local government agencies, including county offices, boards, and commissions.

As stated by the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth's office, "The Public Records Law provides that every person has a right of access to public records." This principle reflects the Commonwealth's commitment to government transparency and accountability.

The Dukes County Manager's office maintains information regarding public records requests, the county charter, and state laws affecting county operations. The county does not maintain a separate local ordinance governing public records access beyond the requirements established by state law. The Massachusetts Public Records Law was significantly strengthened by Chapter 121 of the Acts of 2016, which enhanced enforcement mechanisms and reduced response timeframes for custodians.

The Massachusetts Supervisor of Records, housed within the Secretary of the Commonwealth's office, oversees compliance with the Public Records Law and adjudicates appeals when access is denied.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Dukes County?

The fee structure for public records in Dukes County is governed by the Massachusetts Public Records Law and associated regulations. Current fees are as follows:

Fee Type	Standard Amount
Black-and-white paper copies (up to 8.5" x 14")	$0.05 per page
Color or oversized copies	Actual cost of reproduction
Electronic records (standard format)	No charge for the first four hours of search/retrieval
Search and retrieval (beyond four hours)	$25.00 per hour (for municipalities)
Certification of records	Varies by office

Inspection of records at the custodian's office is available at no charge.
Electronic delivery of records in a standard format does not carry a per-page fee.
Accepted payment methods vary by office and may include cash, check, or money order payable to the relevant county or town department.
Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or when disclosure is in the public interest, at the discretion of the records custodian.
The Registry of Deeds charges separate fees for certified copies of recorded documents, which are set by state statute.

Does Dukes County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available at the offices of the relevant custodian during regular business hours. Under the Massachusetts Public Records Law, no fee may be charged for the in-person inspection of records. Members of the public may review documents at the counter without incurring a cost, provided the records are not exempt from disclosure.

Free online access to certain records is available through the following official resources:

The Massachusetts Land Records portal provides free online access to recorded deeds, mortgages, and other land documents maintained by the Dukes County Registry of Deeds.
The Massachusetts Trial Court's online case search tool provides free access to certain court case information.
The Dukes County website provides free access to meeting minutes, agendas, budgets, and other county government documents posted online.
The Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth's Corporations Division provides free online access to business entity records.

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no charge, obtaining physical or electronic copies may be subject to the fee schedule described above.

Who Can Request Public Records in Dukes County?

Any person may request public records in Dukes County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. The Massachusetts Public Records Law does not require a requestor to be a Massachusetts resident, to provide identification, or to explain the reason for the request. This broad access right reflects the Commonwealth's policy that government records belong to the public.

Specific provisions include:

Residency: Not required. Non-residents retain full rights to request public records.
Identification: Not required for most records requests, though some offices may ask for identification when releasing sensitive documents.
Purpose: Requestors are not required to state a purpose for most records requests.
Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records about themselves may have access to certain records that are otherwise restricted, such as personal vital records or criminal history records through the appropriate state agency.
Restrictions for specific record types: Certain records, such as sealed court files, juvenile records, and adoption records, carry additional access restrictions regardless of who is requesting them.

As the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth has noted, "The identity of the person making the request is not relevant to whether the records must be disclosed."

What Records Are Confidential in Dukes County?

Not all government-held documents are subject to public disclosure. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 4, § 7, Clause 26 enumerates specific categories of records that are exempt from the Public Records Law. The following records are currently withheld from public access in whole or in part:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile court proceedings are confidential under state law.
Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled in connection with an active investigation are exempt to the extent that disclosure would interfere with enforcement proceedings.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted prior to disclosure.
Medical and health records: Records protected under HIPAA and state health privacy laws are exempt. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health, which has corresponded with Dukes County correctional facilities regarding compliance matters, maintains its own records subject to applicable health privacy exemptions.
Adoption records: Adoption-related documents are sealed under Massachusetts law.
Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by the Department of Children and Families are confidential.
Personnel records: Employee personnel files are exempt, with limited exceptions for certain disciplinary records of public employees.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Commercially sensitive information submitted to government agencies is protected.
Security plans and infrastructure details: Records that could compromise public safety or security infrastructure are withheld.

When a custodian withholds records, the agency must identify the specific exemption relied upon and, where feasible, provide a redacted version of the document with non-exempt portions disclosed.

Dukes County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Dukes County Registry of Deeds
81 Main Street
Edgartown, MA 02539
(508) 627-4025
Dukes County Registry of Deeds

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.

Dukes County Probate and Family Court
81 Main Street
Edgartown, MA 02539
(508) 627-4703
Dukes County Probate and Family Court

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Dukes County Manager's Office
9 Airport Road
Edgartown, MA 02539
(508) 696-3840
Dukes County Manager

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Hours vary by department; members of the public are advised to confirm availability prior to visiting.

Edgartown District Court
81 Main Street
Edgartown, MA 02539
(508) 627-3751
Edgartown District Court