Massachusetts offers employers several paths for criminal background checks. Each option comes with different coverage, access requirements, and tradeoffs. Understanding how they differ matters — because the right choice depends on the role, the risk level, and whether you need partial or comprehensive coverage.
Here's a breakdown of all three options.
The CORI system is a statewide database that captures reportable criminal data across all Massachusetts counties. Employers access it by becoming an Authorized User through a registration process that includes a one-time organizational fee of $25.00.
Once registered, clients can request CORI searches independently or integrate CORI into consumer reports through Research Services. The system allows for both self-service checks and CRA-facilitated requests.
CORI access levels vary based on the type of organization and position being filled. Healthcare facilities may access Level 1 checks, which show adult convictions and pending cases. Child care positions may qualify for Level 4 checks, which include everything in Level 1 plus non-convictions, youthful offender data, and sealed offenses — subject to restrictions on older cases depending on when the request is submitted.
- Encompasses statewide data from a single source
- Allows self-checks and CRA-facilitated access
- Economical search option
- Access levels may cause record omissions depending on employer type
- Older case restrictions may apply based on request timing
- Some courts may not provide complete case data
Research Services provides statewide searches covering all superior and district courts throughout Massachusetts. This search does not rely on the CORI system and does not require organizational registration.
A statewide search is the most comprehensive single-order option for most employers — covering every court and district across all 14 Massachusetts counties without the access-level limitations that affect CORI results.
- Broader coverage than county-specific checks
- Covers every superior court and district for all counties
- No registration or pre-authorization required
- May not include sealed or access-restricted CORI records
A county search covers superior and district courts within a specific county. In Massachusetts, both felony and misdemeanor cases are handled at the district court level — which creates an important gap that most CRAs overlook.
Most Consumer Reporting Agencies limit county searches to the county seat's superior and main district courts. But audits show that over 90% of Massachusetts records exist in district courts outside designated county seats. Research Services does not take that shortcut — when we run a county search, we cover all superior and district courts within that county, not just the seat.
Worcester County illustrates why that matters. A typical CRA county search covers only Worcester Superior Court and Worcester District Court. That leaves the following district courts completely unsearched:
An applicant with a felony conviction tried in Gardner District Court would not appear in a standard Worcester County search. Their record wouldn't be missed by a thorough county search — it would simply never be looked for.
- Targeted search for a specific county
- Useful when applicant's history is county-specific
- Most CRAs only search county-seat courts, missing 90%+ of records
- Individuals with felonies may have been tried in lower district courts
- Without all district courts, relevant records can be entirely missed
Which Option Is Right for You?
For most employers, the Massachusetts Statewide Search is the most practical starting point — broader than CORI without the access-level restrictions, and more complete than a limited county search. For positions requiring Level 4 CORI access (child care, healthcare), a CORI check through an authorized channel may be necessary.
If you have questions about Massachusetts criminal searches or want to discuss what's appropriate for a specific role, reach out to us directly.
Massachusetts Criminal Searches, Done Right
We cover all courts — not just the county seat. PBSA-accredited, no setup fees, no contracts. Talk to us about the right search for your role.