Plymouth Divorce Records
Plymouth divorce records are kept at the Plymouth County Probate and Family Court. The court has a location right in Plymouth on Obery Street, making it convenient for residents to file for divorce and search for case records. Plymouth County also has a second court location in Brockton. You can search for divorce records online using the state court system or go to either court location in person. This page covers the court offices, how to search records, what filing costs, and the divorce process for Plymouth residents.
Plymouth Overview
Plymouth County Probate Court
Plymouth is the county seat of Plymouth County, and the Probate and Family Court has an office right in town at 52 Obery Street. This is the main location for the county. Plymouth County also has a second court location in Brockton at 215 Main Street. Both offices handle divorce filings and records requests for all towns in Plymouth County.
The Plymouth court also has a Virtual Registry service. This lets you connect with court staff by phone for help with questions and basic services without going to the courthouse. The Virtual Registry is available Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 4 PM. The Plymouth District Court and Superior Court are also at 52 Obery Street, which makes the location a full courthouse complex.
| Court | Plymouth Probate and Family Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 52 Obery Street Plymouth, MA 02360 |
| Phone | (508) 747-6204 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Brockton Office | 215 Main Street, Brockton, MA 02301 (508) 897-5400 |
The Plymouth Probate and Family Court page has full details on both locations, including hours and contact information.
The court page shows the Plymouth location details and lists the services available to county residents. You can also find Virtual Registry hours and information about ADA accommodations.
How to Search Plymouth Divorce Records
The state's online court system lets you search for Plymouth County divorce cases. Go to the court docket search portal and enter a name or case number. Results show party names, case type, docket entries, and filing dates. Some Probate and Family Court records have limits on what shows up online.
For full access to case files and certified copies, visit the Plymouth court at 52 Obery Street or the Brockton office at 215 Main Street. Staff can look up cases and make copies. Bring your ID. Certified copies cost $20 each. You can also use the Plymouth County Probate website for additional information about the court and its services.
The Plymouth County Probate website provides court information, forms, and details about how to access records from both the Plymouth and Brockton locations.
Mail requests are also accepted. Use the PFC 18 form and send it to 52 Obery Street, Plymouth, MA 02360 with payment by money order or bank check.
Plymouth Divorce Fees
Divorce filing fees in Plymouth are set by the Massachusetts Trial Court. They are the same statewide.
- Joint petition (1A): $215.00
- Complaint for divorce (1B): $280.00
- Surcharge: $15.00
- Summons: $5.00
- Certified copy: $20.00
Service costs for a 1B case add $50 to $75. Fee waivers are available through an Affidavit of Indigency. View the full schedule at the court fee page.
Divorce Filing in Plymouth
Plymouth residents file for divorce under M.G.L. Chapter 208. You can file at either the Plymouth or Brockton court location. Both handle Plymouth County cases. Every filing creates court records that go into your case file.
The residency requirement under M.G.L. c. 208, § 5 requires one year of Massachusetts residency if the cause for divorce happened out of state. If the grounds arose here, you can file right away. Plymouth residents file in Plymouth County.
A joint petition under § 1A works when both spouses agree. You file together with a signed separation agreement for $215. A complaint under § 1B is for when one spouse files alone. That costs $280, and the other party must be served.
Nisi Period: Joint petition (1A) cases wait 120 days after the judgment nisi. Contested (1B) cases wait 90 days. The divorce is not final until this period passes.
The court can issue temporary orders for custody, support, and use of the marital home during the case. A joint petition in Plymouth usually takes about 4 to 5 months from start to finish.
What Plymouth Divorce Records Include
Divorce case files from the Plymouth County court contain the complaint or joint petition, financial statements, motions, and the judgment of divorce nisi. The judgment ends the marriage and includes all final terms: property division, custody, visitation, child support, and alimony if ordered.
Most records are public. You do not need to be a party to request copies. Under M.G.L. c. 208, § 34, the court looks at 15 factors when splitting property. Those findings are in the record. Some details about children and certain financial data may have restricted access.
For a simple divorce verification, the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics can confirm that a divorce happened. This is faster than getting the full court file if confirmation is all you need.
Note: The ADA Coordinator for Plymouth County courts is Brett Ribeiro at (508) 747-8488 if you need accessibility accommodations.
Legal Help for Plymouth Residents
The Court Service Center at the George N. Covett Courthouse in Brockton helps people from Plymouth County. Staff can help with forms and explain court procedures. They do not give legal advice. The center is on the 1st floor at 215 Main Street in Brockton.
The Massachusetts Bar Association referral service is at (617) 654-0400. A first meeting costs $25 for 30 minutes. MassLegalHelp has free guides and forms for self-represented filers. Official court forms are at mass.gov. The Dial-A-Lawyer program runs on the first Wednesday of every month at (617) 338-0610.
South Coastal Counties Legal Services provides free legal aid for people in Plymouth County with low income. Call (800) 244-9023 to check eligibility.
Plymouth County Divorce Records
Plymouth is the county seat of Plymouth County. The county has two court locations: Plymouth and Brockton. For full details on both locations and county resources, visit the Plymouth County page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Plymouth or share the Plymouth County court system.