Bristol County Divorce Records
Bristol County divorce records are maintained by the Probate and Family Court, which operates from three locations in Taunton, Fall River, and New Bedford. This county is the seventh largest in Massachusetts by land area and has a population of about 579,000 people. If you need to search for a divorce case, get a certified copy of a divorce decree, or check on a pending filing, any of the three Bristol County court locations can help. The main office in Taunton is where all case files are stored.
Bristol County Overview
Bristol County Probate Court Locations
The main Bristol County Probate and Family Court is at 40 Broadway, Suite 240, in Taunton. This is where all divorce actions are filed and where case files are kept. The Taunton office handles the bulk of the work. Two satellite locations in Fall River and New Bedford also serve residents. You can visit any of the three to file papers, attend hearings, or request copies of divorce records.
The Fall River office sits at 289 Rock Street. It operates out of a historic granite building that dates back to 1889. The New Bedford location is at 505 Pleasant Street. Both satellite offices hold hearings and accept filings, but the main records stay in Taunton. The Bristol Probate and Family Court page on mass.gov gives full details on all three locations.
| Main Office | Bristol Probate and Family Court - Taunton |
|---|---|
| Address | 40 Broadway, Suite 240 Taunton, MA 02780 |
| Phone | (508) 977-6040 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Fall River Office | 289 Rock Street, Fall River, MA 02723 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (508) 672-1751 |
| New Bedford Office | 505 Pleasant Street, New Bedford, MA 02740 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (508) 999-5249 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
Bristol County serves the cities of Attleboro, Fall River, New Bedford, and Taunton, along with 16 towns including Dartmouth, Easton, Fairhaven, Mansfield, Norton, Raynham, Seekonk, Somerset, Swansea, and Westport.
How to Search Bristol County Divorce Records
The state's online case lookup system covers Bristol County divorce records. Go to the court docket search portal and select "Probate and Family Court" as the court department. Choose Bristol County from the list. You can search by name or case number. Set the case type to "Domestic Relations" to filter for divorce cases. The system shows party names, docket numbers, filing dates, and case status.
Bristol County has a specific rule about in-person record searches. You can inspect up to three Family Court cases per day if you have the docket number. If you need to see more than three, submit a Research Request Form by email to the court. Public computer terminals at all three locations let you search records for free.
The Bristol County courts info page has additional details about the court system and how to access records. For a broader look at divorce records in the area, the Bristol divorce records info page covers the basics of what is available and how to request copies.
Bristol County has probate records going back to 1685. Divorce records are available from the Probate Court for more recent cases. Historical records from 1690 to 1926 are at the New England Historic Genealogical Society. For current cases, the online system covers filings from about 2009 on.
Bristol County Divorce Fees
Filing and copy fees in Bristol County match the statewide schedule. A joint petition under MGL c.208, § 1A costs $215. A complaint under § 1B is $280. The surcharge is $15. A summons costs $5. A citation is $15. Service by a constable or sheriff adds about $50 to $75.
Copies of Bristol County divorce records have standard fees:
- Certificate of Divorce Absolute: $20 per copy
- Certified Judgment of Divorce Nisi: $20 per copy
- Certified separation agreement: $20 first page, $0.05 per extra page
- Attested copies: $2.50 per page
- Unattested copies: $0.05 per page
Pay by money order, bank check, or attorney's check made out to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Fee waivers are available to people who file an Affidavit of Indigency. The Bristol County Court Service Center at 40 Broadway in Taunton can help with fee waiver forms and answer questions about costs.
Divorce Filing in Bristol County
To file for divorce in Bristol County, at least one spouse must be a Massachusetts resident. Under MGL c.208, § 4, if the grounds for divorce arose in the state, you can file right away. If the grounds happened out of state, the filing spouse needs one year of residency first. You file in the county where the spouses last lived together, or in the county where either spouse lives now.
The no-fault path is the most common choice in Bristol County. Under § 1A, both spouses file a joint petition with a separation agreement. A hearing happens within about 30 days. If the judge approves, the nisi enters and the divorce becomes absolute 120 days from filing. Under § 1B, one spouse files alone and serves the other. The nisi period for these cases is 90 days after the hearing.
Fault-based grounds exist under § 1 and include adultery, cruel and abusive treatment, desertion for one year, habitual intoxication, and nonsupport. The court divides property under the equitable distribution model set out in § 34. The judge looks at the length of the marriage, each spouse's income and health, contributions to the household, and other factors.
Nisi Period: A Bristol County divorce is not final on the hearing day. Joint (1A) cases wait 120 days. Contested (1B) and fault cases wait 90 days. The divorce becomes absolute only after the nisi period ends.
What Bristol County Divorce Records Contain
Bristol County divorce case files include the complaint or joint petition, financial statements from both parties, the separation agreement, any motions and court orders, and the final judgment. If children are part of the case, the file also holds a parenting plan and child support guidelines worksheet. These documents cover property division, custody, visitation, and support terms.
The Certificate of Divorce Absolute is the document that proves the marriage has ended. Under MGL c.208, § 24A, it includes both names, the divorce date, the docket number, and the court name. You can get certified copies from any of the three Bristol County court offices. Most people need this for name changes, remarriage, or legal proof of the divorce.
Bristol County divorce records are public. You do not need to be one of the parties. Some information is always redacted, including Social Security numbers and bank account details. Information about minor children may also be restricted.
Legal Help for Bristol County Divorce
South Coastal Counties Legal Services has an office at 22 Bedford Street in Fall River. They serve low-income individuals in Bristol County with family law matters including divorce, custody, and support. Call (800) 244-9023 to ask about their services. The Bristol County Court Service Center at the Taunton office also provides free help with forms. Staff cannot give legal advice but can help you understand what you need to file.
The Massachusetts Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at (617) 654-0400. The first meeting with a family law attorney costs $25 for half an hour. Their Dial-A-Lawyer program on the first Wednesday of each month at (617) 338-0610 is free. MassLegalHelp has step-by-step guides for people going through divorce without a lawyer. All official court forms are available for free.
Note: Public computer terminals at all three Bristol County court locations let you search records and access court resources at no charge.
Cities in Bristol County
Bristol County has four cities and 16 towns. All divorce filings go through the Bristol County Probate and Family Court.
Other Bristol County communities include Attleboro, Dartmouth, Easton, Fairhaven, Mansfield, Norton, Raynham, Seekonk, Somerset, Swansea, and Westport. All file divorce cases through the Bristol Probate and Family Court.
Nearby Counties
Bristol County borders several other counties in southeastern Massachusetts. Check which county your address falls in before filing a divorce case.