Quincy Divorce Decree Records
Quincy residents who need to search for or obtain a divorce decree will work through Norfolk County, which handles all probate and family court matters for the city. The Norfolk County Probate and Family Court is in Canton, not Quincy, so anyone looking to access Quincy divorce decree records must make the short trip to 35 Shawmut Road. This page covers where to go, what forms to fill out, how online lookup works, and what legal help is available for Quincy divorce cases.
Quincy Overview
Where Quincy Divorce Records Are Filed
Quincy is part of Norfolk County, and all divorce cases for the city are filed at the Norfolk County Probate and Family Court in Canton. The court is at 35 Shawmut Road, about 12 miles southwest of Quincy. This is where you file new cases, request certified copies of divorce decrees, and access the full case file. There is no Quincy-based satellite for probate matters.
| Court | Norfolk County Probate and Family Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 35 Shawmut Road Canton, MA 02021 |
| Phone | (781) 830-1200 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | mass.gov - Norfolk Probate Court |
The Canton courthouse serves all of Norfolk County. That includes Quincy, Brookline, Weymouth, Dedham, Needham, and all other towns in the county. Parking at the Canton location is easier than at most city courthouses. Call ahead at (781) 830-1200 to confirm what documents to bring and whether the case you are searching for is accessible without a prior appointment.
How to Get a Quincy Divorce Decree
Requesting a certified copy of a Quincy divorce decree requires the PFC 18 form and a $20 payment per copy. The form is available free through the official court forms system and at the Canton courthouse. You can submit in person during court hours or mail the completed form to 35 Shawmut Road, Canton, MA 02021. Include a check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The Norfolk County Probate Court official page on mass.gov shows location details, directions, and services available at the Canton courthouse for Quincy residents.
The Norfolk County Probate and Family Court in Canton is the court that handles all Quincy divorce decree filings and certified copy requests.
When submitting your request, include the full legal names of both spouses, the approximate year of filing, and the case docket number if you have it. If you don't have the docket number, staff can search by name, but it may take longer. For mail requests, attach a self-addressed stamped envelope to receive copies by return mail.
Note: Online case lookup at masscourts.org gives you docket numbers at no cost, which makes in-person or mail record requests faster and easier.
Searching Quincy Divorce Records Online
The state's free online court records tool covers Norfolk County and all Quincy divorce cases filed there. Visit masscourts.org and search by the name of either spouse or by case number. The system shows the case status, party names, docket entries, and hearing dates. It does not give you the full text of the divorce decree, but it confirms the case exists and gives you the number to use when requesting a certified copy.
The Norfolk County court records page at the county level shows additional search tools for Quincy divorce decree lookups.
Norfolk County divorce record resources help Quincy residents locate filed cases and prepare before visiting the Canton courthouse in person.
Electronic filing is an option for Quincy residents. eFileMA.com lets you submit court papers online and receive electronic notices without driving to Canton. It is available for most divorce-related filings at the Norfolk County Probate and Family Court.
Quincy Divorce Filing Process
Quincy divorce cases fall under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 208, the statewide divorce law. Filing happens at the Norfolk County Probate and Family Court in Canton. The law covers residency, grounds, procedures, and how courts divide property. Every Quincy case follows the same state rules, with the local court handling scheduling, hearings, and records.
Residency rules under M.G.L. c. 208, § 5 apply to all Quincy filers. If the reason for divorce arose outside Massachusetts, one spouse must have lived in the state for at least one year. If the grounds happened in Massachusetts, you can file right away. Most Quincy residents living here now will easily meet this requirement.
Quincy residents file either a joint petition under § 1A or a complaint under § 1B. The joint petition costs $215 plus a $15 surcharge and requires both parties to sign an agreement. The complaint costs $280 plus surcharge and allows one spouse to file alone. Once a judgment nisi is entered, there is a wait: 120 days for 1A cases, 90 days for 1B cases. Only after that wait does the divorce become final. Courts divide property under § 34, which allows judges to weigh many factors when splitting assets and debts.
Nisi Period: A Quincy divorce is not final until the nisi period ends. That is 120 days after judgment for 1A cases and 90 days for 1B cases. Do not make plans that depend on a final divorce before this period runs out.
The Norfolk County court records tool shows case data for Quincy divorce filings at the county level.
These court record resources help Quincy residents look up case history and confirm filing details for Norfolk County divorce decrees.
Quincy Divorce Costs and Copy Fees
All filing fees for Quincy divorces are set by the Massachusetts Trial Court and are the same at every Probate and Family Court in the state. A joint petition (1A) is $215. A complaint (1B) is $280. Both have a $15 surcharge added. Certified copies of a divorce decree are $20 per copy. See the complete schedule at mass.gov.
If paying the fees is a hardship, you can ask for a waiver by filing an Affidavit of Indigency with your paperwork. The court reviews your income and decides if you qualify for a full or partial waiver. For any questions on fees, call the Norfolk County court at (781) 830-1200 before making the drive to Canton.
Legal Help for Quincy Divorce Cases
Quincy residents have several options for getting help with a divorce. Greater Boston Legal Services offers free legal aid to income-qualifying individuals. Call (617) 371-1234 to find out if you qualify and what help they can provide for your case. They handle divorce, custody, and support issues across eastern Massachusetts.
The Massachusetts Bar Association lawyer referral line is (617) 654-0400 or (866) 627-7577. A 30-minute first consultation costs $25 and connects you with a family law attorney. For people filing on their own, MassLegalHelp has step-by-step guides for every stage of the divorce process. The Massachusetts Legal Referral Fund is another option for reduced-fee help. All official court forms, including the financial statement and child support worksheet, are free at mass.gov. The state guide to getting a copy of your divorce record also walks through what to expect when requesting a certified divorce decree in Norfolk County.
Norfolk County Divorce Records
Quincy is in Norfolk County. All divorce filings go through the Norfolk County Probate and Family Court in Canton. The county page covers the full court system, fees, and resources for all Norfolk County residents including Quincy.