Fall River Divorce Decree Records
Fall River divorce decree records are filed and kept at the Bristol County Probate and Family Court, which has a satellite location right in the city at 289 Rock Street. If you need to search for a divorce decree in Fall River or get a certified copy of a judgment, the Bristol County court handles all requests for cases involving Fall River residents. This guide covers where to go, what to bring, how to search online, what fees to expect, and where to find legal help in the Fall River area.
Fall River Overview
Where to Get Fall River Divorce Decree Records
Fall River is served by the Bristol County Probate and Family Court. The court has two locations: a satellite office in Fall River and a main office in Taunton. You can file cases and attend hearings at either location. For most Fall River residents, the Rock Street address is the most convenient place to start. Full details on the court are available through the Massachusetts court locator page for Bristol County.
| Fall River Location | 289 Rock Street, Fall River, MA 02720 |
|---|---|
| Phone (Fall River) | (508) 672-1751 |
| Taunton Main Office | 40 Broadway, Suite 240, Taunton, MA 02780 |
| Phone (Taunton) | (508) 977-6040 |
| Email (Research) | bristolprobate@jud.state.ma.us |
The Fall River satellite is a historic courthouse that dates to 1889. It handles filings and hearings for Bristol County cases. Records are maintained by the Register of Probate and are accessible at both offices. If you want to view a divorce decree file in person, you can see up to three files on the same day using just a docket number. Need four or more files? You have to submit a Research Request Form by email to bristolprobate@jud.state.ma.us in advance.
Both locations have public access computers you can use at no charge to look up case information. This is a practical option if you do not have a computer at home or want to confirm a docket number before requesting copies.
How to Search Fall River Divorce Decree Cases Online
The fastest way to look up a Fall River divorce decree is through the state's free online case search system. MassCourts.org lets you search by name or case number. You can see party names, filing dates, and docket entries. The system covers Bristol County Probate and Family Court. Some details in family court records are restricted online, but you can usually confirm whether a case exists and get the docket number you need for a records request.
The screenshot below shows the court's official page, which is a good starting point for any Fall River divorce decree search.
The official Massachusetts court page for Bristol County Probate lists all services, hours, and contact details for Fall River cases. Visit the page to confirm current hours before making the trip.
The Bristol County Probate Court page gives Fall River residents direct access to court contact information, filing instructions, and location details for both the Fall River and Taunton offices.
The Bristol County divorce records page below shows the search tools and document request options available for Fall River cases.
This resource helps Fall River residents understand what information is needed to request a certified copy of a divorce decree and how to reach the right office.
Filing for Divorce in Fall River
Fall River residents file under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 208. Before you file, you need to meet the residency rule in M.G.L. c. 208, § 5. If the reason for the divorce happened outside Massachusetts, one spouse must have lived in the state for at least one year. If the grounds arose in Massachusetts, current residency in Fall River is enough.
You have two ways to file. A joint petition under M.G.L. c. 208, § 1A requires both spouses to agree on all terms and file together. The fee is $215 plus a $15 surcharge. If only one spouse wants the divorce, you file a complaint under M.G.L. c. 208, § 1B for $280 plus the surcharge. You then serve the other spouse through a constable or sheriff. All standard divorce forms for Fall River cases are available free at mass.gov divorce forms, including the PFC 18 form used to request copies of existing records.
Nisi Period: A Fall River divorce decree is not final immediately. Joint petition (1A) cases have a 120-day nisi period after judgment. Contested (1B) cases have a 90-day wait. The decree becomes absolute only after the nisi period ends.
Property and debt division in Fall River cases is governed by M.G.L. c. 208, § 34, which gives the judge broad authority to divide assets equitably. If your case involves children, the court will also address custody, visitation, and support. All of these issues become part of the formal divorce decree that gets filed at the Bristol County court.
Getting Certified Copies of a Fall River Divorce Decree
A certified copy of a Fall River divorce decree costs $20 per copy. You need to complete the PFC 18 form, which is the standard request form used at all Massachusetts Probate and Family Courts. You can get the form at the official court forms portal or pick one up in person at the Fall River or Taunton location. Bring the form with payment to either office during business hours.
If you are requesting records by mail, send the completed PFC 18, a check or money order for $20 per copy, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Taunton main office at 40 Broadway, Suite 240, Taunton, MA 02780. Make your check payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Allow extra time for mail processing. For more on the full fee schedule for Bristol County, check mass.gov filing fees.
Note: If you cannot afford court fees, you may file an Affidavit of Indigency at the Fall River or Taunton location to request a fee waiver for copy costs.
Legal Help for Fall River Divorce Cases
If you need help with a Fall River divorce decree case and cannot afford a lawyer, there are free and low-cost resources available. The MassLegalHelp website has plain-language guides for people filing for divorce on their own, including step-by-step instructions for joint and contested cases. The Massachusetts Legal Reform Foundation at masslrf.org can connect Fall River residents with pro bono legal services.
The Massachusetts Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service you can reach at (617) 654-0400 or toll-free at (866) 627-7577. They match you with a family law attorney for a reduced-cost first meeting. On the first Wednesday of each month, you can call the Dial-A-Lawyer program at (617) 338-0610 for a free 15-minute consultation. Greater Boston Legal Services handles cases in the broader region and can be reached at (617) 371-1234 for income-based eligibility screening.
For electronic filing, Fall River residents can use eFileMA.com to submit court documents online and receive case notices without visiting the courthouse in person.
The state's official overview of how to get a copy of your divorce record is at mass.gov, and it explains the process step by step for all Massachusetts counties including Bristol.
The Massachusetts official divorce record request page covers the process that applies to Fall River residents seeking certified copies of their Bristol County divorce decree.
Bristol County Divorce Decree Records
Fall River is part of Bristol County, and all divorce decree cases for the city are handled by the Bristol County Probate and Family Court. The county page has more detail on court locations, filing instructions, fee schedules, and resources that apply to all Bristol County residents.