Weymouth Divorce Decree Records
Weymouth divorce decree records are filed and stored at the Norfolk County Probate and Family Court, which handles all divorce cases for Weymouth residents. If you need to search for a divorce decree in Weymouth, or get a certified copy of one, the Norfolk County court in Canton is your main resource. Records go back many years and can be accessed in person, by mail, or online through the state court system. This page walks you through exactly how to find and obtain Weymouth divorce decrees.
Weymouth Overview
Where Weymouth Divorce Decree Records Are Kept
All Weymouth divorce decrees are on file at the Norfolk County Probate and Family Court. The court is located in Canton, not in Weymouth itself. That is where you go to get a certified copy of a divorce decree or to look up case details in person. The Register of Probate at this location manages all case files for Norfolk County, including every divorce decree filed by Weymouth residents.
| 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 Norfolk Probate and Family Court page on mass.gov has the most current hours, contact info, and details on what services are available. Check there before you make the trip to Canton, since hours can change around holidays. The court is the only place to get a certified copy of a Weymouth divorce decree that will be accepted by other agencies, banks, or foreign governments.
The court in Canton is about 12 miles from Weymouth town center. Drive time is typically 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic on Route 128. There is parking on site. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit.
How to Search Weymouth Divorce Decrees
There are three ways to search for a Weymouth divorce decree: online through the state court portal, in person at the Canton courthouse, or by mail. Each method gives you access to the same records. The online option is free and available any time. In-person visits let you see the full file the same day. Mail requests take longer but work well when you cannot travel to Canton.
The state runs a free online search tool at masscourts.org. Select Norfolk County from the court list, then search by party name or case number. The system shows docket entries, party names, case status, and hearing dates. It does not show the full text of the divorce decree itself. For a complete copy, you need to go in person or send a mail request with the PFC 18 form.
For the most complete record search, start at masscourts.org and follow up with the court directly if needed. The official court portal is always the most reliable source for Weymouth divorce decree records.
When searching, have the full legal name of at least one spouse and a rough idea of the year the divorce was filed. Case numbers help narrow results fast. Names that are common may return many matches, so knowing the county and year makes it much easier.
The state's official page at mass.gov outlines the full process for getting a copy of your divorce record and explains what to expect at each step.
The Norfolk Probate and Family Court page on mass.gov has a screenshot of the court's online resources and search portal.
The official mass.gov location page for the Norfolk Probate and Family Court provides directions, hours, and contact information for Weymouth residents seeking divorce decree records.
Getting a Certified Copy of a Weymouth Divorce Decree
A certified copy of a divorce decree from Weymouth costs $20 per copy. This is the copy you need if you plan to use it for legal purposes such as changing your name, updating financial accounts, or getting remarried. Plain uncertified copies may cost less but are not accepted for most official uses. The fee is set statewide and applies at all Probate and Family Court locations in Massachusetts, including the Norfolk County court serving Weymouth.
To request a copy, complete the PFC 18 form. You can download it free from the court forms portal. Fill it out with the names of both parties, the year of the divorce, and the case number if you have it. Bring or mail the form to the Norfolk County court at 35 Shawmut Road, Canton, along with your payment. The court accepts checks, money orders, and cash in person. Mail requests must include a check or money order made out to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Processing time for mail requests can range from a few days to two weeks depending on court volume. In-person requests are usually handled the same day if the file is available. If the case is very old and archived offsite, it may take longer to retrieve. Call (781) 830-1200 before going in person if the case dates back more than 20 to 30 years.
Note: The PFC 18 is the standard form for requesting a copy of any Probate and Family Court record in Massachusetts, including divorce decrees for Weymouth cases.
The full schedule of filing and copy fees is published at mass.gov. Check there if you need a fee waiver or have questions about costs for additional copies.
The Norfolk divorce records page has additional detail on the county's record access process.
This Norfolk County divorce records page covers how records are organized and what information is available for Weymouth cases filed in the county court system.
Filing for Divorce in Weymouth
Weymouth residents file for divorce under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 208. The law sets out two main paths. A joint petition under Section 1A is for couples who agree on everything before they file. Both spouses sign and file together with a completed separation agreement. The filing fee for a 1A divorce is $215 plus a $15 surcharge. After a judge approves it, a 120-day nisi period begins. The divorce decree does not become final until those 120 days pass.
If only one spouse wants the divorce, the case proceeds under Section 1B. That filing fee is $280 plus the surcharge. The complaining spouse files alone, and the other spouse must be served with the papers. A contested case has a 90-day nisi period after judgment. Either way, property division and support issues are handled under Section 34, which guides how courts divide assets and set alimony.
Weymouth residents must also meet the residency rules set out in Section 5. If the reason for the divorce happened outside Massachusetts, at least one spouse must have lived in the state for a full year before filing. If the grounds arose in Massachusetts, no waiting period applies. Either way, you file at the Norfolk County court in Canton since Weymouth is within Norfolk County.
Nisi Period: A Weymouth divorce decree is not final when the judge signs it. Joint petition (1A) cases have a 120-day nisi period. Contested (1B) cases have a 90-day nisi period. The decree becomes absolute only after the nisi period ends.
All court forms for filing a divorce in Weymouth are available free at mass.gov. You can also file electronically through eFileMA.com, which lets Weymouth residents submit papers and receive court notices online without driving to Canton.
Legal Help for Weymouth Divorce Cases
Weymouth residents have access to several legal aid and referral services. Greater Boston Legal Services serves Norfolk County and gives free help to qualifying low-income residents. They handle divorce, custody, and support cases. Call (617) 371-1234 to ask if you qualify. Their services cover Weymouth and all other Norfolk County communities.
The Massachusetts Bar Association referral line connects you with a family law attorney for a reduced-cost first meeting. Call (617) 654-0400 or toll-free at (866) 627-7577. MassLegalHelp at masslegalhelp.org has free guides on how to file for divorce on your own, fill out forms, and handle basic legal questions without a lawyer. The Massachusetts Legal Resource Finder at masslrf.org can help you locate additional services near Weymouth.
If you cannot afford court fees, you can file an Affidavit of Indigency with the court to request a waiver. The judge reviews your income and decides if you qualify. This applies to filing fees and copy fees for divorce decrees.
The court's general resources page at mass.gov has links to self-help materials, forms, and information on what the Probate and Family Court handles.
The Norfolk court records index provides additional context on case lookup options for Weymouth residents.
This Norfolk County court records resource covers the types of records available and how to search for Weymouth divorce decree cases in the county system.
Norfolk County Divorce Records
Weymouth is in Norfolk County, and all divorce filings for Weymouth residents go through the Norfolk County Probate and Family Court. The county court handles cases for Weymouth, Quincy, Braintree, Milton, and dozens of other Norfolk County towns. For the full list of court resources, fee schedules, and county-level information, visit the Norfolk County divorce records page.