# Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 276, sec. 2A: Form of warrant > Massachusetts · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TII_C276_S2A ## Section - **Citation:** Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 276, sec. 2A - **Heading:** Form of warrant - **Jurisdiction:** Massachusetts - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** MA Code / Part IV / Title II / Chapter 276 / Section 2A ## Text Section 2A. The signature on the warrant may be made by electronic signature. The warrant shall be in substantially the following form: THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. (COUNTY), ss. (NAME) COURT. To the Sheriffs of our several counties, or their deputies, any State Police Officer, or any Constable or Police Officer of any city or town, within our said Commonwealth . Proof by affidavit having been made this day before (name of person authorized to issue warrant) by (names of person or persons whose affidavits have been taken) that there is probable cause for believing that (certain property has been stolen, embezzled, or obtained by false pretenses; certain property is intended for use or has been used as the means of committing a crime; certain property has been concealed to prevent a crime from being discovered; certain property is unlawfully possessed or kept or concealed for an unlawful purpose). We therefore command you in the daytime (or at any time of the day or night) to make an immediate search of (identify premises) (occupied by A.B.) and (of the person of A.B.) and of any person present who may be found to have such property in his possession or under his control or to whom such property may have been delivered, for the following property: (description of property) and if you find any such property or any part thereof to bring it and the persons in whose possession it is found before (court having jurisdiction) at (name of court and location). Dated at (city or town) this . . . . . . . . . . day of . . . . . . . . . ., (insert year). Clerk. Section 2A. The signature on the warrant may be made by electronic signature. The warrant shall be in substantially the following form: THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. (COUNTY), ss. (NAME) COURT. To the Sheriffs of our several counties, or their deputies, any State Police Officer, or any Constable or Police Officer of any city or town, within our said Commonwealth . Proof by affidavit having been made this day before (name of person authorized to issue warrant) by (names of person or persons whose affidavits have been taken) that there is probable cause for believing that (certain property has been stolen, embezzled, or obtained by false pretenses; certain property is intended for use or has been used as the means of committing a crime; certain property has been concealed to prevent a crime from being discovered; certain property is unlawfully possessed or kept or concealed for an unlawful purpose). We therefore command you in the daytime (or at any time of the day or night) to make an immediate search of (identify premises) (occupied by A.B.) and (of the person of A.B.) and of any person present who may be found to have such property in his possession or under his control or to whom such property may have been delivered, for the following property: (description of property) and if you find any such property or any part thereof to bring it and the persons in whose possession it is found before (court having jurisdiction) at (name of court and location). Dated at (city or town) this . . . . . . . . . . day of . . . . . . . . . ., (insert year). Clerk. Proof by affidavit having been made this day before (name of person authorized to issue warrant) by (names of person or persons whose affidavits have been taken) that there is probable cause for believing that (certain property has been stolen, embezzled, or obtained by false pretenses; certain property is intended for use or has been used as the means of committing a crime; certain property has been concealed to prevent a crime from being discovered; certain property is unlawfully possessed or kept or concealed for an unlawful purpose). s have been taken) that there is probable cause for believing that (certain property has been stolen, embezzled, or obtained by false pretenses; certain property is intended for use or has been used as the means of committing a crime; certain property has been concealed to prevent a crime from being discovered; certain property is unlawfully possessed or kept or concealed for an unlawful purpose). We therefore command you in the daytime (or at any time of the day or night) to make an immediate search of (identify premises) (occupied by A.B.) and (of the person of A.B.) and of any person present who may be found to have such property in his possession or under his control or to whom such property may have been delivered, for the following property: (description of property) and if you find any such property or any part thereof to bring it and the persons in whose possession it is found before (court having jurisdiction) at (name of court and location). Dated at (city or town) this . . . . . . . . . . day of . . . . . . . . . ., (insert year). Clerk. ## Nearby sections - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 276, sec. 1 Complaint for issuance of search warrant; warrant for designated property or articles; search incident to arrest; documentary evidence subject to privilege](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TII_C276_S1.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 276, sec. 1A Search warrants for articles belonging to subversive organizations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TII_C276_S1A.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 276, sec. 1B Search warrants for records possessed by foreign corporations providing electronic communication or remote computing services](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TII_C276_S1B.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 276, sec. 2 Requisites of warrant](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TII_C276_S2.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 276, sec. 2A Form of warrant](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TII_C276_S2A.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 276, sec. 2B Affidavit in support of application for search warrant; contents and form](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TII_C276_S2B.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 276, sec. 2C Manner of issuing search warrants; application of Secs. 2, 2A and 2B](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TII_C276_S2C.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 276, sec. 2D No-knock warrants; criteria; execution of search warrants at a residence; remedy for violations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TII_C276_S2D.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 276, sec. 3 Seizure, custody and disposition of articles; exceptions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TII_C276_S3.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 276, sec. 3A Time for return of search warrant](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TII_C276_S3A.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 276, sec. 4 Notice before forfeiture of property seized under search warrant](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TII_C276_S4.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 276, sec. 5 Service of notice](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TII_C276_S5.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 276, sec. 6 Postponement of trial; further notice](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TII_C276_S6.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 276, sec. 7 Sale or destruction of property seized; disposition of proceeds](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TII_C276_S7.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TII_C276_S2A. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.