Plymouth County Divorce Decree Search
Plymouth County divorce decree records are handled by the Probate and Family Court, which has a main location in Plymouth and a session office in Brockton. Residents across Plymouth County, including those in Brockton and the town of Plymouth, use these two offices to search for a divorce decree, view case files, or get certified copies of a judgment. This page covers how to access Plymouth County divorce records, what fees you will pay, and what historical records the county holds.
Plymouth County Overview
Plymouth County Probate and Family Court
The Plymouth County Probate and Family Court has two locations. The main filing office is at 52 Obery Street in Plymouth. This is where all papers must be filed and where the official case archive is kept. The Brockton session office at 215 Main Street is a second location where residents in the northern part of the county can obtain records and get assistance. Brockton staff can help with records lookups, but all formal filings still go to Plymouth.
Register of Probate Matthew J. McDonough oversees the Plymouth County court. His office manages the records side of the court and handles all case files. The court has a Self-Help Center at both locations for people who are filing without a lawyer. If you are not sure which location to use, call Plymouth at (508) 747-6204 or Brockton at (508) 897-5400. Both offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The official page for this court is at mass.gov.
The court's mass.gov location page lists current hours, phone numbers, and directions for both the Plymouth and Brockton offices, which is useful if you are unsure which site to visit.
| Main Office | 52 Obery Street Plymouth, MA 02360 (508) 747-6204 |
|---|---|
| Session Office | 215 Main Street Brockton, MA 02301 (508) 897-5400 |
| Fax | (508) 746-6846 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | plymouthcountyprobate.com |
How to Search Plymouth County Divorce Records
Plymouth County divorce records can be searched online, in person at either location, or by mail. Each option works, but in-person visits give you the most access, including full file review and same-day certified copies.
The free online option is at masscourts.org. Select Plymouth County Probate and Family Court from the court list. Search by name or docket number. You will see case status, party names, and docket entries. Full documents are not available online. Financial records and anything involving children may be restricted even at the courthouse. The Plymouth County Probate Court also has its own self-help page for online case access at plymouthcountyprobate.com, which walks through how to use the online lookup tool.
For in-person access, go to the Plymouth main office. Bring a photo ID and the names of both parties or the docket number. Staff can pull the file and provide copies. The Brockton session office can also help with records requests. If you are mailing a request, send your completed PFC 18 form and payment to the Plymouth address.
The self-help center page at Plymouth County Probate Court explains step by step how to access case files both online and in person, which is a good starting point if this is your first time searching Plymouth County divorce decree records.
Plymouth County Divorce Records: Historical Depth
Plymouth County has an unusually long history of recorded divorce proceedings. The modern Probate Court holds records from 1922 to the present. Before that, divorce records from 1887 to 1922 are at the Superior Court. The Massachusetts State Archives holds divorce records from 1639 to 1887, which is one of the longest spans of any county in the country. Plymouth Colony records from 1636 to 1686 and 1699 to 1756 are at the Registrar of Deeds.
The Plymouth County court records aggregator can help you identify which court holds a specific case before you request copies or plan a visit.
Note: For Plymouth County cases before 1922, contact the Massachusetts State Archives rather than the Probate Court, as those records are held at the state level.
Getting a Certified Copy of a Plymouth County Divorce Decree
A certified copy of a divorce decree is what banks, government agencies, and courts will accept as proof. Plain photocopies are not treated the same way. The Register of Probate at the Plymouth main office issues certified copies for $20 each. The Brockton session office can also assist with records requests.
To get a certified copy, complete the PFC 18 form. Download it from courtforms.jud.state.ma.us or pick one up at either court location. Fill in the full names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce. Submit the form in person or by mail to the Plymouth office at 52 Obery Street. For mail requests, include a check or money order made out to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Cash is only accepted in person. The state's guide at mass.gov has step-by-step instructions for getting a copy of any Massachusetts divorce record. Plymouth County's own records request page is at plymouthcountyprobate.com.
The Plymouth County divorce records request page outlines exactly what to include when requesting a certified copy of a divorce decree by mail or in person.
Divorce Filing Fees and Decree Timeline
Plymouth County follows the same statewide fee schedule as every other Massachusetts Probate and Family Court. The amount you pay depends on whether you file jointly or alone. Both types of cases end in a final divorce decree after the required nisi period.
A joint petition under M.G.L. c. 208, § 1A requires both spouses to agree on all terms. The fee is $215 plus a $15 surcharge. Both parties sign the petition and a separation agreement before submitting to the court. After the judge approves it, a 120-day nisi period runs. The divorce is final once that period ends. A contested filing under M.G.L. c. 208, § 1B costs $280 plus the $15 surcharge. The nisi period is 90 days for these cases. All Plymouth County filings fall under M.G.L. Chapter 208. The full fee schedule is at mass.gov.
Online filing is available through eFileMA.com with a $22 case initiation fee added. If paying the fee is a hardship, ask for an Affidavit of Indigency at the clerk's window. The judge decides whether to waive the fee based on your income and expenses.
Important: Under M.G.L. c. 208, § 5, if the cause for divorce happened outside Massachusetts, one spouse must have lived in the state for at least one year before you can file here.
What Plymouth County Divorce Decree Records Include
A Plymouth County divorce decree is the final court order that ends a marriage and sets its legal terms. It covers property division, custody and visitation, child support, alimony if awarded, and any other relief the court granted. The decree is signed by a judge and becomes a permanent record at the Plymouth courthouse once the nisi period expires.
The full case file contains more than just the decree itself. It includes the original complaint or joint petition, the separation agreement, financial statements, and any motions or court orders from earlier in the case. Under M.G.L. c. 208, § 34, the judge weighs up to 15 factors when dividing property, and those findings may be written into the decision attached to the decree. Most of the file is public record. Sensitive financial documents and anything that names minor children may be restricted from public view. Court staff can tell you what parts of a file are open before you make the trip to the courthouse. Free forms for every step of the divorce process are at mass.gov.
Legal Help for Plymouth County Divorce
Several groups serve Plymouth County residents who need legal help with divorce. Free and low-cost options exist for those who qualify.
Greater Boston Legal Services takes cases from Plymouth County for people with limited income. Call (617) 371-1234 to find out if you qualify. Community Legal Aid covers central and western Massachusetts and can assist some Plymouth County residents at (413) 584-4034. The Massachusetts Bar Association's referral line is (617) 654-0400 or toll-free at (866) 627-7577. The first consultation is $25 for 30 minutes. Guides and forms for people filing on their own are at masslegalhelp.org. The Probate and Family Court main page has self-help resources as well. Plymouth County's Self-Help Center at both court locations can answer procedural questions and help you find the right forms.
Court staff can explain procedures but cannot give legal advice. If your case involves children, real estate, or significant disagreement between the parties, speaking with an attorney before you file is a good idea.
Cities in Plymouth County
Plymouth County has 27 towns and cities. The following qualifying cities have their own divorce decree resource pages with local courthouse and records information.
Other communities in Plymouth County include Abington, Bridgewater, Duxbury, Hanover, Kingston, Marshfield, Middleborough, and Rockland. All of these file divorce cases at the Plymouth County Probate and Family Court.
Nearby Counties
Plymouth County borders Norfolk County to the north, Bristol County to the west, and Barnstable County to the south. Confirm your residential address before filing to make sure you are using the right county court.