Find Divorce Decree Records in Franklin County
Franklin County divorce decree records are maintained at the Probate and Family Court located at 43 Hope Street in Greenfield, Massachusetts. The court stores all divorce filings, case documents, and final judgments for the county. Whether you need a certified copy of an existing decree or want to know how to start a divorce case, this page covers the key details about accessing divorce decree records through the Franklin County court system.
Franklin County Overview
Franklin County Probate and Family Court
The Franklin Probate and Family Court handles all divorce filings for Franklin County residents. The court is at 43 Hope Street in Greenfield, which is also the address for the Franklin County Superior Court and the Greenfield District Court. All three court departments share the same building. This makes Franklin County one of the more compact courthouse setups in western Massachusetts. When you visit to search for a divorce decree or request copies, you go to the same building for all court-related business.
The mass.gov page for Franklin Probate Court has current hours, contact information, and any updates on services. The court is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. If you plan to visit or call, confirm hours on that page first. The main phone line is (413) 774-7011. You can also reach the office by email at franklinprobate@jud.state.ma.us.
The Franklin County Probate Court page on the state website shows contact details and services for divorce decree records.
Checking this page before your visit ensures you have accurate hours and know what to bring when requesting records.
| Court | Franklin County Probate and Family Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 43 Hope Street, P.O. Box 590 Greenfield, MA 01302 |
| Phone | (413) 774-7011 |
| Fax | (413) 774-3829 |
| franklinprobate@jud.state.ma.us | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
How to Get Franklin County Divorce Decree Copies
The easiest way to start searching for a Franklin County divorce decree is through the free online portal at masscourts.org. This statewide system covers the Franklin County Probate and Family Court. You can search by name or case number and see docket entries, party names, and case status. This gives you enough information to confirm a case exists. You cannot view or download the actual decree online. For the full document or a certified copy, you need to contact the court directly.
In-person requests are handled at the 43 Hope Street location in Greenfield. Bring the full names of both spouses and the approximate year of the divorce. Staff can search by name or docket number. Certified copies cost $20 each. The court requires payment by attorney's check, money order, or bank-certified cashier's check. Make checks payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Personal checks are not accepted. Completing PFC Form 18 before you arrive helps speed up the process.
Mail requests work the same way. Send your written request to 43 Hope Street, P.O. Box 590, Greenfield, MA 01302. Include the names you are searching, the approximate year, and your contact information. Include a money order or bank check for the $20 copy fee. The court mails the copy to you once it is found and processed.
Using this resource can help you identify case details before submitting a formal request to the courthouse.
Franklin County Divorce Records by Time Period
Franklin County divorce records are split across multiple locations depending on the year. Records from 1922 to the present are at the Franklin Probate and Family Court in Greenfield. For older divorces, you need to look elsewhere. The Massachusetts State Archives holds divorce records going back to 1639 through 1887. That means very early divorces in the county are in Boston at the Archives, not in Greenfield.
There is another gap between those two periods. The Franklin County Superior Court holds divorce records from 1887 through 1922. That court is also at 43 Hope Street, which is convenient. If you need a record from that 35-year window, you would ask the Superior Court rather than the Probate Court, even though both are in the same building. It is a good idea to call ahead at (413) 775-7400 to confirm which department holds the specific record you need.
Note: Franklin County's government was abolished in July 1997, but the courts continue to operate under state authority and still serve county residents.
Franklin County Divorce Filing Fees
Divorce filing fees in Franklin County follow the Massachusetts Trial Court's statewide schedule. The fee for a joint petition under M.G.L. c. 208, § 1A is $215 plus a $15 surcharge. A contested divorce complaint under § 1B costs $280 plus the same surcharge. These fees apply at all Probate and Family Court locations in Massachusetts, including Greenfield. Getting a certified copy of a divorce decree from the court costs $20 per copy.
If you cannot afford the filing fee, you can submit an Affidavit of Indigency to ask for a waiver. The judge reviews your financial information and decides whether to waive some or all fees. The full fee schedule is available at mass.gov.
Divorce Filing Process in Franklin County
Divorce cases in Franklin County are filed under M.G.L. Chapter 208. You file in the county where you or your spouse lives. For Franklin County, that means 43 Hope Street in Greenfield. The residency requirement under § 5 applies if the reason for the divorce happened outside Massachusetts. In that case, at least one spouse must have lived in the state for one year before filing. If the grounds arose in Massachusetts, there is no waiting period before filing.
A § 1A joint petition is the most common path for couples who agree on all terms. Both spouses sign the petition and file a separation agreement covering property, support, and children if any are involved. The court holds a brief hearing. After that, a 120-day nisi period starts. The divorce does not become final until those 120 days pass. A § 1B contested complaint, where one spouse files alone, has a 90-day nisi period after the judge enters the judgment.
Nisi Period: Franklin County divorces are not final at the time of the hearing. The 1A path requires 120 days and the 1B path requires 90 days after judgment before the divorce becomes absolute.
All official forms for divorce are free. Download them from mass.gov or pick them up at the courthouse. Some case types can also be filed through eFileMA. When a contested divorce involves property, the court uses the factors in § 34 to guide how assets are divided.
What Franklin County Divorce Decree Records Show
A divorce decree from Franklin County is the court's official order ending a marriage. It sets out all the terms that were either agreed to by the parties or ruled on by the judge. These terms cover how property and debts are split, whether alimony is ordered and for how long, child custody and parenting time arrangements, and child support obligations. The decree is signed by the judge and becomes part of the permanent court record. Most people who need legal proof of a divorce, such as to get remarried or update a legal name, need the certified copy of this document.
Beyond the decree itself, the full case file has the original complaint or petition, financial disclosure forms from both spouses, the separation agreement if one was filed, any court orders issued during the case, and transcripts from hearings. These records are generally public. Some information about children or detailed financial schedules may have limits on access. The official Massachusetts guide to getting a divorce record copy explains the process and what documentation you may need to bring.
Legal Help in Franklin County
Community Legal Aid serves Franklin County and all of western Massachusetts. They provide free civil legal help to people who qualify based on income. Family law cases, including divorce, are among the services they offer. Their western Massachusetts line is (413) 584-4034. For online resources, guides, and free court forms, visit MassLegalHelp.org.
The Massachusetts Bar Association lawyer referral service can connect you with a family law attorney in your area. Call (617) 654-0400 or toll-free (866) 627-7577. A short initial consultation is available at a set low cost. Free court forms are available at mass.gov at any time. The Franklin County Registry of Deeds is also at 43 Hope Street and can be reached at (413) 772-0239 for property-related records that may come up during a divorce case.
Cities in Franklin County
Franklin County includes Greenfield, Montague, Orange, and numerous smaller towns throughout the region. No city in Franklin County meets the population threshold required for a dedicated city page on this site. All Franklin County residents, regardless of which town they live in, file their divorce cases at the Franklin County Probate and Family Court at 43 Hope Street in Greenfield.
Nearby Counties
Franklin County borders several other Massachusetts counties. If you are unsure which court handles your divorce case, check the county where you or your spouse lives. You must file in the correct county court for the case to proceed.