Everett Divorce Decree Search
Everett divorce decree records are filed and maintained by the Middlesex County Probate and Family Court, which serves Everett and all other Middlesex County communities. If you need to look up a divorce decree filed by an Everett resident, or get a certified copy for legal use, the Middlesex County court has two locations you can use: Cambridge and Woburn. This page covers how to search for Everett divorce decrees, how to obtain copies, and how the filing process works under Massachusetts law.
Everett Overview
Where Everett Divorce Decree Records Are Filed
Everett is in Middlesex County, so all divorce decrees for Everett residents are stored at the Middlesex County Probate and Family Court. The court has two active locations: Cambridge and Woburn. Everett sits in the southern part of Middlesex County, directly adjacent to Boston. The Cambridge courthouse at 208 Cambridge Street is the closest court location for most Everett residents and is easy to reach by public transit. The Woburn session is farther north but also valid for Everett cases. Both locations access the same Middlesex County records system.
| Court | Middlesex County Probate and Family Court |
|---|---|
| Cambridge Location | 208 Cambridge Street, East Cambridge, MA 02141 Phone: (617) 768-5800 |
| Woburn Session | 10-U Commerce Way, Woburn, MA 01801 Phone: (781) 865-4000 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | mass.gov - Middlesex Probate Court |
The Cambridge courthouse is about 3 miles from Everett city center. You can get there by bus or by taking the MBTA. Street parking near the courthouse can be tight, so public transit is often the easier choice. Call (617) 768-5800 before you go if you have specific questions about your Everett divorce case.
The Middlesex Probate and Family Court mass.gov page gives Everett residents a clear picture of what the court offers and where to go.
The official mass.gov location page for the Middlesex Probate and Family Court lists both the Cambridge and Woburn addresses along with hours and contact details that Everett residents need for divorce decree records.
How to Search Everett Divorce Records
The state's free case search system at masscourts.org covers all Middlesex County court cases including Everett divorce decrees. Select Middlesex County from the court drop-down and enter a party name or case number. The portal returns docket entries, case status, party names, and filing dates. It shows basic case information but not the full text of the decree. For a complete copy, you need to contact the court.
In-person searches at the Cambridge location let you see the physical case file and request copies on the spot. Bring a valid photo ID and know the full name of at least one party. Having the approximate year of the divorce and a case number makes the search faster. Staff can look up cases by name or number and tell you what is in the file. Certified copies of an Everett divorce decree cost $20 per copy.
Always confirm information with the official court system at masscourts.org before relying on it. Official records are the only source accepted for legal purposes.
Getting a Certified Everett Divorce Decree Copy
To get a certified copy of an Everett divorce decree, start with the PFC 18 form. Download it free from the Massachusetts court forms portal. Fill in both parties' full legal names, the year of the divorce, and the case number if you have it. Submit the completed form and your $20 payment in person at the Cambridge or Woburn courthouse, or send it by mail. Mail submissions should include a check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
In-person requests are typically processed the same day when the case file is on site. Mail requests take one to two weeks in most cases. For older Everett cases that may be in off-site storage, call ahead at (617) 768-5800 to confirm the file is available and to avoid an unnecessary trip.
Note: The full fee schedule for the Middlesex County Probate and Family Court, including certified copy costs and filing fees, is posted at mass.gov.
Everett residents who cannot afford court fees can request a waiver by submitting an Affidavit of Indigency with their papers. The judge reviews income information and decides if fees are reduced or waived. The state guide at mass.gov explains the full process for getting a copy of your divorce record in Massachusetts.
The Middlesex County divorce records page has more background on how records are stored and accessed for Everett cases.
This Middlesex County divorce records resource covers the types of records available and how Everett divorce decree cases are organized within the county court system.
Filing for Divorce as an Everett Resident
Everett divorce cases are governed by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 208. All filings go to the Middlesex County Probate and Family Court since Everett is in Middlesex County. Two paths exist. A joint petition under Section 1A applies when both spouses agree on all terms. They file together with a signed separation agreement. The fee is $215 plus a $15 surcharge. After a judge approves it, a 120-day nisi period runs before the Everett divorce decree becomes final.
When only one spouse wants the divorce, the case goes forward as a complaint under Section 1B. The fee is $280 plus the surcharge. The filing spouse must serve the other through a constable or sheriff. A 90-day nisi period follows the court's judgment. Division of property is handled under Section 34, which guides the court in weighing each spouse's contributions, income, and needs when dividing marital assets and setting support.
Residency requirements under Section 5 apply to all Massachusetts divorce filings. If the grounds for divorce arose outside the state, one spouse must have lived in Massachusetts for at least a year. If the cause happened here in Everett or elsewhere in the state, no residency waiting period is required.
Nisi Period: An Everett divorce decree is not final on the day the judge signs it. A 1A joint petition case has a 120-day nisi period. A 1B contested case has a 90-day nisi period. The divorce only becomes absolute when the nisi period ends.
All divorce forms are free at mass.gov. Everett residents can file electronically using eFileMA.com to avoid trips to Cambridge or Woburn.
Legal Resources for Everett Divorce Cases
Greater Boston Legal Services covers Middlesex County and gives free legal help to qualifying low-income Everett residents. Divorce, custody, and support cases are all within their scope. Call (617) 371-1234 to learn if you qualify. This is the closest major legal aid organization for Everett and covers the full range of family law services available in the area.
The Massachusetts Bar Association referral service at (617) 654-0400 or (866) 627-7577 can connect you with a family law attorney. First meetings through the referral service are at a reduced cost. MassLegalHelp at masslegalhelp.org provides step-by-step guides for pro se filers, meaning those who handle their own cases without a lawyer. The Massachusetts Legal Resource Finder at masslrf.org helps Everett residents locate additional services nearby. The Probate and Family Court main page has self-help resources and statewide court information.
The Middlesex court records site gives Everett residents a broader overview of how case data is organized and searchable in the county system.
This Middlesex County court records page provides Everett residents with an overview of what case information is available online and how to look up divorce decree filings in the county system.
Middlesex County Divorce Records
Everett is in Middlesex County. All divorce filings for Everett residents are on file at the Middlesex County Probate and Family Court, which is the largest probate court in Massachusetts by case volume. The court serves dozens of cities and towns. For a full overview of court resources, fee schedules, and how to access Middlesex County divorce records, visit the county page below.