Plymouth Divorce Decree Search
Plymouth residents can find and obtain a divorce decree at the Plymouth County Probate and Family Court, located right in Plymouth at 52 Obery Street. Plymouth is the county seat of Plymouth County, meaning the main probate court is here, not somewhere else. This page covers how to search for Plymouth divorce decree records, what the filing process looks like, what fees apply, and what legal help is available to residents of Plymouth and the surrounding area.
Plymouth Overview
Plymouth County Probate Court Location
The Plymouth County Probate and Family Court is at 52 Obery Street, Plymouth, MA 02360. This is the main office for the county and handles all divorce filings and records requests for Plymouth residents. Matthew J. McDonough serves as the Register of Probate. The main phone number is (508) 747-6204, and the fax is (508) 746-6846. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
| Court | Plymouth County Probate and Family Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 52 Obery Street Plymouth, MA 02360 |
| Phone | (508) 747-6204 |
| Fax | (508) 746-6846 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | plymouthcountyprobate.com |
The court also has a Brockton session at 215 Main Street, Brockton, reachable at (508) 897-5400. Most Plymouth residents will use the main Obery Street location since it is already in town. The self-help center at the main office provides basic assistance to people handling their own cases.
How to Get a Plymouth Divorce Decree Copy
Getting a copy of a Plymouth divorce decree starts with the PFC 18 form. You can download it from the Trial Court forms portal or pick it up at the clerk's counter at 52 Obery Street. Fill in the names of the parties and the approximate filing year. Bring the form to the counter, pay $20 per certified copy, and the clerk will pull the file and make the copy. Plain copies cost less than certified ones.
Plymouth County also has its own dedicated divorce copies page at plymouthcountyprobate.com/divorce-copies-of-records/. This page lists what you need to bring, how to request copies by mail, and any specific instructions for Plymouth County. It is worth reviewing before you go in so you have everything ready.
The Plymouth court's self-help center at the Obery Street location can assist you with completing forms and understanding the process. Staff there cannot give legal advice, but they can point you to the right forms and explain what happens at each step. This is particularly useful for people who are filing without an attorney.
For older records, the Massachusetts State Archives holds Plymouth divorce records from 1639 to 1887. Plymouth Colony records from 1636 to 1686 and 1699 to 1756 are at the Registrar of Deeds. If you are researching historical divorces, those archives are the right starting point rather than the Probate Court.
The screenshot below is from the Plymouth County Probate Court's own divorce copies page. Visit the Plymouth divorce copies page for specific instructions on requesting records directly from the county court.
This page on the official Plymouth County Probate website explains exactly how to request copies of divorce decrees and what fees and forms are required.
Search Plymouth Divorce Records Online
You can search Plymouth divorce decree records for free at masscourts.org. Select Probate and Family Court, then choose Plymouth County. Enter the last name of one of the parties. Results include case status, hearing dates, and party names. This tool does not show document contents, but it confirms whether a case exists and gives you the case number for requesting copies in person.
The Plymouth County Probate website also has an online case access section at plymouthcountyprobate.com/self-help-center/access-case-files/. This page provides specific guidance on how to access Plymouth County case files, including what tools are available and what limits apply to online access for divorce matters.
Haverhill residents use Salem. But Plymouth residents have the advantage of a local court right in town. No long drive needed for a records request in most cases. For electronic filing, eFileMA.com supports Plymouth County cases and lets you submit documents and track filings from home.
Note: The online case system shows docket information only. Certified copies of the actual divorce decree documents must be obtained in person or by mail from the court at 52 Obery Street.
Filing for Divorce in Plymouth
Divorce filings in Plymouth go through the Plymouth County Probate and Family Court under M.G.L. Chapter 208. Two routes are available. A joint petition under Section 1A lets both spouses file together if they have a written separation agreement covering all issues. The fee is $215 plus a $15 surcharge. A complaint under Section 1B allows one spouse to file alone. That fee is $280 plus the surcharge.
Before filing, you need to meet the residency requirement under Section 5. If the reason for divorce happened outside Massachusetts, at least one spouse must have lived in the state for one year. If you have been living in Plymouth and the grounds for divorce arose here, no waiting period applies before you can file.
Nisi Period: A Massachusetts divorce does not become final right after the judgment. Joint petition (1A) divorces have a 120-day nisi period. Contested (1B) divorces wait 90 days. The decree is not absolute until this period ends.
Property issues in contested cases are resolved under Section 34. The judge weighs each party's contribution, the length of the marriage, and other factors when dividing assets. Every agreement and order becomes part of the permanent divorce decree record at the Obery Street courthouse. All standard forms are free at mass.gov.
Plymouth Divorce Decree Fees
Court fees in Plymouth follow the statewide Massachusetts Trial Court schedule. Joint petition (1A) costs $215 plus a $15 surcharge. Contested complaint (1B) costs $280 plus the surcharge. Certified copies of the divorce decree cost $20 each. The full fee schedule is at mass.gov. If you cannot afford these fees, file an Affidavit of Indigency. Bring proof of income and ask the clerk for the form when you arrive.
The screenshot below comes from the official mass.gov page for the Plymouth Probate and Family Court. Visit the Plymouth Probate Court page on mass.gov for the latest contact information and any updates to court procedures.
This official state page shows the Plymouth County Probate Court location, phone numbers, and hours for residents seeking divorce decree records.
Legal Help for Plymouth Divorce Cases
Plymouth residents can turn to several sources for legal help. Greater Boston Legal Services at (617) 371-1234 serves low-income residents across the region. They handle divorce, custody, and support cases at no cost for those who qualify by income. If you are in Plymouth and cannot afford an attorney, call them first to see if you are eligible.
The Massachusetts Bar Association referral line at (617) 654-0400 or (866) 627-7577 connects you with private family law attorneys. A 30-minute consultation costs $25. The Massachusetts Legal Resource Finder at masslrf.org helps you find additional services near Plymouth. For those filing without a lawyer, MassLegalHelp.org has step-by-step guidance on both the 1A and 1B processes, along with plain-language explanations of what each form requires.
The Plymouth court's self-help center at 52 Obery Street is another local option. Staff can help you find forms, understand next steps, and locate resources. They cannot give legal advice, but they can make the process clearer. Many Plymouth residents use the self-help center as a first stop before deciding whether to hire an attorney.
This page provides an overview of Plymouth County court records, including how to look up divorce cases and request documents from the Plymouth Probate Court.
Plymouth County Divorce Records
Plymouth city is the county seat of Plymouth County, and all divorce decrees for the area are maintained at the Plymouth County Probate and Family Court. The county page covers how the court system works across the full county, including the Brockton session, fees, forms, and resources for all Plymouth County residents.