Find Divorce Decree Records in Bristol County
Bristol County divorce decree records are held at the Probate and Family Court, which operates two locations: a main office in Taunton and a satellite office in Fall River. Both locations serve the entire county, so residents of New Bedford, Taunton, Fall River, and Attleboro can use either office to search for a divorce decree or request certified copies. This page explains how to access Bristol County divorce records, what fees apply, and what information those records contain.
Bristol County Overview
Bristol County Probate and Family Court Locations
Bristol County is one of just a few Massachusetts counties with two active Probate and Family Court locations. The Taunton office is the main site. The Fall River office is a satellite location. Both serve all cities and towns in Bristol County. You can file papers at either one, pick up records at either one, and get help from staff at either one. It does not matter which office handles your specific case.
The Taunton office at 40 Broadway handles the bulk of new filings and archives. Court staff at Taunton can be reached at (508) 977-6040 or by email at bristolprobate@jud.state.ma.us. The Fall River satellite at 289 Rock Street covers residents closer to the south coast. Fall River staff can be reached at (508) 672-1751. Both locations are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Public access computers are available at both locations and allow you to print documents directly from the system. The official court page at mass.gov has current contact details for both locations.
The court location page on mass.gov shows addresses, phone numbers, and directions to both the Taunton and Fall River offices, which is useful if you are visiting for the first time.
| Main Office | 40 Broadway, Suite 240 Taunton, MA 02780 (508) 977-6040 |
|---|---|
| Satellite Office | 289 Rock Street Fall River, MA 02720 (508) 672-1751 |
| bristolprobate@jud.state.ma.us | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | bristolcountyprobate.org |
Searching Bristol County Divorce Records
You can search Bristol County divorce decree records in several ways. The free online option through masscourts.org works for most recent cases. Going in person to Taunton or Fall River lets you view the actual file. Mail requests are accepted at the Taunton office. Each method has its limits, so pick the one that fits what you need.
The state's online system at masscourts.org covers Bristol County Probate and Family Court. Search by party name or docket number. You will see case status, party names, and a list of docket entries. The full documents are not viewable online. Financial statements and records involving children are restricted. Sealed or impounded cases will not appear at all. For older cases, the online index may be incomplete.
When visiting in person, you can view up to three case files on the same day if you have the docket numbers. For four to twelve files, submit a Research Request Form by email to bristolprobate@jud.state.ma.us before 3:00 PM. Those files will be ready for you by 8:30 AM the next business day. Public access computers at both locations let you print documents directly. The Bristol County Probate Court website has additional guidance on visiting and requesting records.
Note: Probate cases from 1931 to 1970 were transferred to archive storage as of February 2022. Contact the Taunton office before visiting to confirm whether older files are on-site.
Bristol County Divorce Records: Historical Access
Bristol County has one of the longer paper trails for divorce records in Massachusetts. The Taunton office holds records from 1952 to the present. Records predating 1952 are at the Massachusetts Archives. Bristol County also has extensive divorce docket books from 1909 to 1918 held at the state archives, making it a useful county for genealogy research or locating very old decrees.
Divorce Filing Fees and the Decree Process
Bristol County uses the same statewide fee schedule as all other Massachusetts Probate and Family Courts. The cost depends on how you file. Agreed divorces cost less than contested ones. Both end in a divorce decree after the nisi period runs.
A joint petition under M.G.L. c. 208, § 1A costs $215 plus a $15 surcharge. Both spouses must agree on all terms and sign a separation agreement before filing. Once the judge approves the agreement, the 120-day nisi period begins. The divorce is final when those 120 days pass. A contested filing under M.G.L. c. 208, § 1B costs $280 plus the $15 surcharge. The nisi period for contested cases is 90 days. Certified copies of the final decree cost $20 each. All of these fees follow the schedule posted at mass.gov.
You can file in person at either Bristol County location or online through eFileMA.com. Online filing adds a $22 case initiation fee. If cost is a barrier, ask the clerk for an Affidavit of Indigency to request a fee waiver. The judge reviews it and decides based on your financial situation.
Residency Rule: Under M.G.L. c. 208, § 5, if the grounds for your divorce arose outside Massachusetts, you or your spouse must have lived in the state for at least one year before you can file here.
What a Bristol County Divorce Decree Includes
A divorce decree in Bristol County is the court order that legally ends a marriage. It sets out the final terms: how property is split, who has custody, what support is owed, and any other orders the court made. The decree is entered by the judge and becomes part of the permanent case file at the Taunton courthouse. You need a certified copy of this document if you plan to remarry, change your name on official records, or handle matters involving property or benefits.
Under M.G.L. c. 208, § 34, the court considers up to 15 factors when dividing marital assets. The judge's findings on those factors may appear in the written decision attached to the decree. Other documents in the case file include the original complaint or joint petition, the separation agreement, financial statements from both parties, and any motions or interim orders entered during the case. Most of these are public records. Some financial documents and anything involving minor children may be restricted.
All cases governed by M.G.L. Chapter 208 go through this process. The full set of divorce forms needed at every stage is available free at mass.gov.
The official Bristol County Probate Court site at bristolcountyprobate.org has additional information about court procedures, forms, and how to access case files at the Taunton and Fall River locations.
Legal Aid and Attorney Resources in Bristol County
Bristol County residents have access to several legal aid and attorney referral services. These groups can help with divorce filings, custody disputes, and support questions. Some are free. Others charge a small fee for an initial consultation.
Greater Boston Legal Services handles some cases in Bristol County for people with low income. Call (617) 371-1234 to ask whether your case qualifies. Community Legal Aid serves central and western Massachusetts and can sometimes assist Bristol County residents at (413) 584-4034. The Massachusetts Bar Association's lawyer referral line is (617) 654-0400 or toll-free at (866) 627-7577. The first meeting costs $25 for 30 minutes. For step-by-step guides and downloadable forms, go to masslegalhelp.org. Court staff at both Bristol County locations cannot give legal advice but can tell you which forms to use and where to file them.
Cities in Bristol County
Bristol County has 20 cities and towns. The following qualifying cities have their own divorce decree resource pages with local courthouse and records access details.
Other communities in Bristol County include Attleboro, North Attleborough, Mansfield, Easton, and Dartmouth. All of these file divorce cases at the Bristol County Probate and Family Court in Taunton or Fall River.
Nearby Counties
Bristol County borders Plymouth County to the east and Norfolk County to the north. If you are unsure which county court has jurisdiction over your case, confirm the address where you or your spouse lives before filing.