Public Record Requests
Generally, all records created or received by the Department of Public Safety (“Department”), as well as the Boards and Commissions under the Department, are considered a public record. See M.G.L. c. 66, § 10. There are, however, nineteen exemptions to the Public Records Law and these exemptions can be found in M.G.L. c. 4, § 7(26) (a-s).
Frequently requested information is available on the Department’s website. Please click on the appropriate link below:
- Individual or Company License Information
- Building Code Appeals Board Decisions
- BBRS Month Meeting Agendas and Minutes
Request and Response
The Department requests that public record requests be made in writing either by:
Mail or Hand Delivery:
Department of Public Safety
Attn: Public Records Officer
One Ashburton Place, Room 1301
Boston, MA 02108
Or by E-mail: Jean.McCarthy@state.ma.us
The requester may fill out the Department’s records request form or draft a letter. The Department will respond to the request within 10 days. Please note that requests are responded to in the order that they come in and walk-in requests cannot be processed immediately.
Fees
The Department charges $.20 per photocopy and $.50 per computer printout. For large record requests and for documents containing exempt information, there is an additional charge for the Department employees’ time spent on the request. The Department will review each request to determine whether a fee is appropriate and will generate an estimate.
License databases, the Massachusetts Boiler database and audio files can be provided on a compact disc for $5.00. Please include payment along with your audio or database request. The Department does not accept cash or credit cards. Please mail a check made out to the “Commonwealth of Massachusetts.” All payments received by the Department go into the Commonwealth’s general fund for the benefit of its citizens and does not go to the Department of Public Safety.