Find Divorce Decree Records in Springfield
Springfield divorce decree records are kept at the Hampden Probate and Family Court inside the Hampden County Hall of Justice on State Street. Springfield is the largest city in western Massachusetts, and all divorce filings for the city go through this one Hampden County court. This page explains how to search for a divorce decree in Springfield, how to get a certified copy, and what to expect when filing a new case.
Springfield Overview
Hampden Probate and Family Court in Springfield
Springfield residents file for divorce and request divorce decree records at the Hampden Probate and Family Court. The court is inside the Hampden County Hall of Justice at 50 State Street in downtown Springfield. This is the only Probate and Family Court location serving Hampden County. The court handles all divorce filings, property disputes, and custody matters for Springfield. The divorce department has its own direct phone line at (413) 748-7740 for questions about specific cases.
| Court | Hampden Probate and Family Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 50 State Street (Hall of Justice) Springfield, MA 01102 |
| Main Phone | (413) 748-7760 |
| Divorce Department | (413) 748-7740 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Website | mass.gov - Hampden Probate Court |
A Court Service Center operates at Room 104 inside the Hall of Justice. Self-represented litigants can go there for help with forms, court procedures, and basic questions. The Hampden Law Library is also in the building at Room 1740. You can reach the law library at (413) 748-7923. Both resources are useful if you are handling your own case and need guidance without hiring an attorney. There is also a satellite office at Chicopee City Hall at 274 Front Street in Chicopee for certain services.
Searching Springfield Divorce Decree Records
The free online case lookup at masscourts.org covers the Hampden Probate and Family Court. Select Hampden County from the court list and search by the name of either spouse or by case number. The system returns basic docket information: party names, filing date, and case status. It does not give you the full text of the divorce decree, but it confirms whether a case was filed and gives you the information needed to request a full copy.
The Hampden County divorce records search page above shows how the public can look up Springfield divorce decree information online through available court record tools.
For a full case file or a certified copy of a Springfield divorce decree, you must contact the court directly. You can do this in person, by mail, or through the Virtual Registry. In person, go to 50 State Street and complete the PFC 18 form. Certified copies cost $20 each. By mail, send the completed PFC 18 with a money order or bank check made payable to the Hampden Probate and Family Court. Do not send cash. The Virtual Registry operates Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM for remote assistance with certain requests.
How Divorce Filings Work in Springfield
Springfield residents file under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 208. The law gives two filing paths. Under Section 1A, couples who agree on all terms file a joint petition together. Both spouses sign a separation agreement, and the filing fee is $215 plus a $15 surcharge. Under Section 1B, one spouse files a complaint when the parties disagree. The fee for that path is $280 plus the surcharge, and the filing spouse must serve the other through a sheriff or constable.
The residency rule under Section 5 applies in Springfield just as it does statewide. If the reason for the divorce happened outside Massachusetts, at least one spouse must have lived in the state for one year before filing. If the cause arose in Massachusetts, no waiting period applies. Since Springfield is in Hampden County, you file at this court regardless of where in the county you live. All forms are available for free at mass.gov.
Nisi Period: A Springfield divorce decree does not become final right away. Joint petition cases have a 120-day nisi period after judgment. Contested cases have a 90-day wait. The divorce is not final until this period ends.
About the Hampden Probate Court for Springfield
The Hampden Probate and Family Court on mass.gov provides the official court location details, including hours, contact information, and links to filing resources. It is the best place to confirm current information before making a trip to the courthouse in Springfield.
The Hampden County Probate Court page shown above confirms the court location, hours, and contact details for Springfield residents seeking divorce decree records or planning to file a new case.
Property division in Springfield divorce cases follows Section 34 of Chapter 208. The court looks at factors like the length of the marriage, each spouse's income and debts, and contributions to the household when deciding how to divide assets. This standard applies to all contested Springfield divorce cases where the spouses cannot agree on their own terms. The Hampden Law Library at Room 1740 has resources on this topic if you want to understand how courts apply the law locally.
Electronic filing for Springfield divorce cases is available through eFileMA.com. You can submit papers and track your case online without coming to the courthouse. This is useful if you have already hired an attorney or if you are comfortable filing your own paperwork online.
Springfield Divorce Decree Records Resources
The Hampden County court records guide above provides context for how Springfield divorce decree records fit within the broader Hampden court system, useful for anyone starting their search.
If you need legal help with a Springfield divorce case, Community Legal Aid serves western Massachusetts and can be reached at (413) 584-4034. They provide free legal assistance to qualifying residents in Hampden County for divorce, custody, and support issues. The Massachusetts Bar Association referral line at (617) 654-0400 can connect you with a family law attorney for a first meeting. The MassLegalHelp website has step-by-step guides for people filing on their own, and the Massachusetts Legal Resource Finder lists aid organizations serving the Springfield area.
Fee waivers are available for qualifying low-income filers. Ask for an Affidavit of Indigency when you pick up your forms at the Springfield courthouse. Submit it with your filing papers. The full fee schedule for all Massachusetts Probate courts, including Springfield, is posted at mass.gov.
Hampden County Divorce Records
Springfield is in Hampden County, and all divorce decrees filed by Springfield residents are part of the Hampden County Probate and Family Court system. The county page has more detail on the court, available forms, fee schedules, and other towns served by the Hampden court.
Nearby Cities
These nearby qualifying cities also have their own divorce decree records pages.