Introduction to Massachusetts Divorce Records

Obtaining divorce records in Massachusetts can be a complicated process.

Whether you're preparing legal documents, meeting personal needs, or looking into family history, knowing how to access these records is essential. This guide will help you understand the key steps and information required to obtain a divorce record in Massachusetts.

Order Your Divorce Record
Middlesex Probate Court, Woburn, MA
Middlesex Probate Court, Woburn, MA

Common Reasons for Needing Copies of Divorce Records

  • Getting remarried
  • Renewing or obtaining a Massachusetts Driver's License
  • Refinancing a home mortgage
  • Applying for Social Security benefits
  • Obtaining a Real ID in Massachusetts
  • Getting a passport
  • Obtaining dual citizenship (e.g., Irish or Italian citizenship by descent)
  • Family history research, genealogy

Are Massachusetts Divorce Records Public Records?

"In Massachusetts, almost all divorce records - sometimes referred to as divorce dockets, divorce case files, or divorce decrees - are considered public records and open to anyone for inspection."

However, there are some exceptions:

  • Court Impoundment: A limited number of divorce records are kept private due to court impoundment. These records can only be accessed by the individuals named in the divorce petition or their legal representatives.
  • Financial Information: Information that goes beyond what is outlined in a separation agreement can only be accessed by the individuals involved in the divorce, their attorneys, or other authorized legal representatives.

Types of Divorce Documents Available

  • Judgment of Divorce
  • Separation Agreement
  • Certificate of Divorce Absolute (Most Popular!)
  • Certificate of Divorce Nisi with Separation Agreement
  • Final Divorce Decree
  • Letter of No Appeal
  • Authenticated Packets (For use in foreign countries, filing divorce in another state, land court)
  • Custom Designed Packages - Our Specialty

For custom requests or questions, please email us at

There is more information about specific types of records and their specific purpose available on our Massachusetts divorce records order form.

Our Divorce Records Services

Since 1997, we have been dedicated to providing divorce records to clients worldwide. With our extensive experience, you can count on receiving accurate and timely service every time.

We offer copies of divorce records from 1922 to 2024. Our services include:

  • Plain Copies: Basic records for personal use.
  • Attested Copies: Official copies with a certification of accuracy.
  • Court-Certified Copies: Documents officially verified by the court.
  • Digitized Copies: Convenient emailed PDFs.
  • Apostilled Copies: State-certified for international use.

What Our Customers Say

"Very happy with the service, I needed documents sent abroad from a courthouse outside their normal working area. They were very helpful and even though the courthouse was in western MA they got my documents apostled and sent to me in the UK in a weeks time. Excellent service and very prompt communications!!"

Pricing, Payment Methods, Processing Times, and Contact Information

  • Plain Copies: $35 per copy, per docket
  • Attested Copies: $35 per docket, + $2.50 per page
  • Court-Certified Copies: $75 per copy, per docket
  • Digitized Copies (emailed PDFs): $35 per docket, + $2.50 per page
  • Apostilled Copies (state-certified for international use): $25 per copy, per docket

For the most accurate pricing, including any applicable fees or discounts, please visit our order form or contact us directly.

We accept secure online payments through our ordering system via:

  • Visa
  • MasterCard
  • American Express

For other payment options or special arrangements, please contact our customer service team.

Standard Processing

We typically deliver divorce records via USPS Priority Mail within 10-14 business days.

Rush Service

We offer expedited "lickety-split" service for urgent needs:

  • Available for records from Bristol, Middlesex, Norfolk, and Suffolk counties
  • Includes Apostille State Certification for international customers
  • Worldwide delivery in 5-7 business days or less
  • Only available for records not stored in offsite storage

For rush service pricing and availability, please contact us directly.

Email

For inquiries, custom requests, or support, email us at . We typically respond within 1-2 business days.

Phone

Call us at +1-877-286-2773 during our business hours:

  • Monday - Thursday: 8AM - 4PM EST
  • Friday: 8AM - 12PM EST

Please note: You'll need to leave us a voicemail, and we typically respond within 1-2 business days.

For the quickest response, email is often the best option. We look forward to assisting you!

Record Accessibility and Offsite Storage Schedule

Many county courts preserve divorce files from before the 1990s in off-site storage facilities. This section describes how to access these records and the timeline for remote storage.

Bristol Probate and Family Court, Taunton, MA

  • 2000 - 2024: All divorce records are complete and available onsite at the courthouse, with immediate access and expedited service options.
  • 1992 - 1999: All records are stored locally. Expect a two-day turnaround back to Taunton. Expedited service is not available.
  • 1922 - 1991: All records are kept in a state archive storage facility. The turnaround time is two to three weeks back to Taunton, and expedited service is not offered.

Middlesex Probate and Family Court, Woburn, MA (formerly Cambridge, MA)

  • 1990 - 2024: All divorce records are complete and available onsite at the courthouse, with immediate access and expedited service options.
  • 1922 - 1989: Records are stored in a state archive facility. The turnaround time is two to three weeks back to Woburn, and expedited service is not available.

Norfolk Probate and Family Court, Canton, MA

  • 1922 - 2024: All divorce records are complete and available onsite at the courthouse, with immediate access and expedited service options.

Suffolk Probate and Family Court, Boston, MA

  • 1922 - 2024: All divorce records are complete and available onsite at the courthouse, with immediate access and expedited service options.

How are Divorce Records Indexed?

This section explains how divorce records are organized in Massachusetts, covering both statewide and county-specific indexes.

If you don't know the county where the divorce took place, you can access a statewide index for divorce records from 1952 to 2021 at the Massachusetts Department of Health's Registry of Vital Records in Boston.

Note: The State Vital Records office does not yet have indexes for 2022-2024, but you can find them at each county probate court.

The statewide index covering 1952 to 2021 is not accessible online. To view it, you need to go to the Registry of Vital Records Research Facility in person, and appointments are required.

County-Specific Indexing

Bristol Probate and Family Court, Taunton, MA

  • 1922 to 1970: Divorce indexes are organized alphabetically in book form. These books can only be accessed at the courthouse.
  • 1971 to 2024: Divorce indexes are available in a free computer database that can be accessed onsite at any state probate court and online through the Bristol County Probate Court database.

Middlesex Probate and Family Court, Woburn, MA (Formerly in Cambridge)

  • 1922 to 1974: Divorce indexes are arranged alphabetically in book form. These books can only be accessed at the courthouse.
  • 1975 to 1990: Divorce indexes are organized alphabetically on 3x5 index cards stored in filing cabinets at the courthouse.
  • 1991 to 2024: Divorce indexes are available in a free computer database that can be accessed onsite at any state probate court and online through the Middlesex County Probate Court database.

Norfolk Probate and Family Court, Canton, MA

  • 1922 to 1950: Divorce indexes are organized alphabetically in book form. These books can only be accessed at the courthouse.
  • 1950 to 2024: Divorce indexes are available in a free computer database that can be accessed onsite at any state probate court and online through the Norfolk County Probate Court database.

Suffolk Probate and Family Court, Boston, MA

  • 1922 to 1972: Indexes are alphabetical in book form. These books are only available at the courthouse.
  • 1973 to 2024: Indexes are in a free computer database accessible onsite at any state probate court and online through the Suffolk County Probate Court database.
  • There is also a combination of book form indexes from 1973 to the early 2000s, available only at the courthouse.

Finding Historical Divorce Records (Pre-1922)

This section describes how to locate historical divorce records prior to 1922, when these cases were first processed in the Probate Courts.

Prior to 1922, divorce cases were processed in different courts:

  • 1887-1922: Divorce cases were overseen by various Superior Courts, including those in Suffolk and Middlesex Counties.
  • Before 1887: The Supreme Judicial Court was responsible for divorce cases, with records indexed in law dockets.
  • Before 1786: Various state courts dealt with divorce cases, with the earliest records dating back to 1639.

Docket books that index divorces for Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, and Worcester counties can be found at the Massachusetts Court and Judicial Archives, located at 220 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, MA.

Many of these older records have been digitized by the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, UT. These films can be accessed online for free, providing an easy way to research historical divorce records.

Impounded Divorce Records

The following section defines impounded divorce records and the circumstances that can lead to their restriction.

Divorce records may be sealed by the courts in situations that include:

  • High-profile individuals
  • Allegations of emotional or physical abuse
  • Individuals seeking to keep their whereabouts confidential

The presiding judge has the authority to impound a file for a variety of reasons. You can check out an application to impound a court record, MOTION FOR IMPOUNDMENT & AFFIDAVIT G.L. c. 209A, § 8 or G.L. c. 258E, § 10, from the Massachusetts Trial Court.

Accessing impounded records usually requires a photo ID and is typically done in person at the court.

More recent restrictions on divorce records, especially those from the 1990s onward, limit access to Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) related to retirement funds. Generally, only the individuals named in the record or their legal representatives can access these documents.

History and Location of Massachusetts Divorce Records

This section offers a historical perspective along with the current processes for filing these records.

Just like other state vital records, including birth, marriage, and death records, the way divorce records are managed in Massachusetts has changed over the years:

  • 1922 to present: Divorce records are filed, processed, and heard at the county probate court where one of the parties initiated the filing.
  • Prior to 1922: Divorces were handled in the Superior Courts.

Current Filing Procedures

Currently, the process for filing divorce records adheres to specific guidelines:

  1. Couples are required to file in the county where they last lived together as a married couple, rather than in the counties where they live individually during the divorce process.
  2. For instance, if Party "A" and Party "B" resided together in Boston but then separated, and Party "A" relocated to Framingham, they should file for divorce in Boston (Suffolk County), not in Framingham (Middlesex County).
  3. If both parties have moved out of the county where they last lived as a married couple, the individual initiating the divorce must file in the county where they currently reside.

It's important to remember these rules regarding filing locations when looking for divorce records.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you provide rush service?
Yes! We provide fast "lickety-split" service nationwide. This includes Apostille State Certification for our international clients and delivery within 5-7 business days or even sooner. Our service covers Massachusetts divorce records located at the probate courts in Bristol, Middlesex, Norfolk, and Suffolk counties. Please keep in mind that our expedited service is only applicable to records that are not kept in offsite storage.
What does a certificate of divorce absolute look like?
View an example of a (redacted) Massachusetts certificate of divorce absolute issued by Suffolk Probate in Boston.
How can I order divorce records?
You can order your divorce records here! If the record isn't stored offsite, expect to receive it within 10-14 business days or sooner.

Official State of Massachusetts Divorce Information Links

Author Profile

About The Author

J. James Simonson, a graduate of Suffolk University's Journalism and Marketing Communications program, has been a prominent figure in genealogy research since the 1990s. He is particularly known for his expertise in contemporary Massachusetts court records, with a focus on probate, divorce, and estate cases. Through meticulous research and analysis, he provides support to law firms, paralegals, financial institutions, and genealogists, effectively bridging traditional genealogical methods with the complexities of modern legal processes.

Contact J. James at