Dukes County Divorce Records

Dukes County divorce records are managed by the Probate and Family Court in Edgartown on Martha's Vineyard. The court serves all seven towns on the island plus Gosnold on the Elizabeth Islands. Because Dukes County is an island community, getting to the courthouse can take extra planning if you live off-island. This page covers everything you need to know about searching for divorce records, requesting copies, understanding the fees, and working with the court. Mail requests are a practical option for people who cannot easily reach Edgartown, and the state's online case search system provides basic case info from anywhere.

Dukes County Probate and Family Court

The Dukes Probate and Family Court is at 81 Main Street in Edgartown. It handles all divorce filings and keeps all divorce records for Dukes County. The Register of Probate oversees the case files and can help with lookups and copy requests.

Dukes County covers Martha's Vineyard and the Elizabeth Islands. The towns served are Aquinnah, Chilmark, Edgartown, Gosnold, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury, and West Tisbury. The court sees a smaller number of cases compared to mainland courts, but it follows the same rules and procedures as every other Probate and Family Court in Massachusetts. Access to the island requires a ferry or air travel, which is an important consideration for anyone planning an in-person visit. The Steamship Authority runs ferries from Woods Hole on Cape Cod to Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs.

The Dukes County Superior Court is in the same building at 81 Main Street in Edgartown, but it handles different types of cases. For divorce records, you want the Probate and Family Court.

The screenshot above shows the official Dukes County Probate Court page with address and contact info for divorce record requests.

How to Search Dukes County Divorce Records

Searching for divorce records in Dukes County works the same way as it does anywhere in Massachusetts. You have three options: the online case system, an in-person visit, or a mail request. Because the court is on an island, mail and online searches are especially useful.

The Massachusetts Trial Court online system lets you search Probate and Family Court cases statewide. Select the court department as "Probate and Family Court" and choose Dukes County. You can search by name or by case number. Results show the docket number, filing date, status, and party names. The system mostly covers records from 2009 onward. For older Dukes County divorce records, you will need to reach out to the court directly.

If you go in person, the courthouse is at 81 Main Street in Edgartown. Staff can pull case files and make copies. Certified copies are $20 each. Keep in mind that getting to Martha's Vineyard requires ferry or air travel, so plan ahead. Call (508) 627-4703 before your trip to make sure the court has what you need.

Mail requests are the most practical choice for many people. Complete the PFC 18 form and mail it with a $20 payment to the court. Make the check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Include as much detail as you can about the case.

Note: Call ahead if you are visiting from off-island, as the court can sometimes accommodate special arrangements for record requests.

Dukes County Divorce Costs and Fees

Dukes County uses the same statewide fee schedule as every other Probate and Family Court in Massachusetts. The rates do not change based on location.

A joint petition under M.G.L. c. 208, § 1A is $215. A complaint under § 1B is $280. A $15 surcharge applies. Summons costs $5. Citation is $15. Service by constable adds $50 to $75. For copies, the Certificate of Divorce Absolute is $20. A certified copy of the Judgment of Divorce Nisi is $20. Attested copies run $2.50 per page. Plain copies are $0.05 per page. Payment is accepted by money order, bank check, or attorney's check.

Fee waivers are available. File an Affidavit of Indigency if you cannot afford the costs.

Filing for Divorce in Dukes County

Divorce cases in Dukes County follow the same Massachusetts law that applies statewide. M.G.L. Chapter 208 governs all divorce proceedings. Every paper filed in your case becomes part of the permanent record at the Edgartown courthouse.

Residency is the first thing the court checks. Under § 5, if the cause for divorce happened outside Massachusetts, the person filing must have lived in the state for at least one year. If the grounds arose in Massachusetts, you can file without a waiting period. You file in Dukes County if you or your spouse lives on Martha's Vineyard, or if it is where you last lived together as a couple. Seasonal residents should confirm their status before filing.

No-fault divorce is the most common path. A § 1A joint petition means both spouses agree and file a separation agreement together. Under § 1B, one spouse files alone. Fault grounds under § 1 include adultery, desertion, cruel treatment, and habitual intoxication.

The nisi period starts after the judge enters the decree. Joint petitions have a 120-day wait. Other cases wait 90 days. Once the nisi period ends, the divorce is absolute. Under § 34, the court weighs many factors when dividing property, including the length of the marriage, each spouse's income and health, and their contributions. The Certificate of Divorce Absolute is the final document you get from the Register of Probate in Edgartown.

What Dukes County Divorce Records Contain

A divorce file in Dukes County includes the complaint or joint petition, financial statements from both spouses, the separation agreement (if one was reached), and any motions or orders filed during the case. If children are involved, the file will also have a parenting plan and child support worksheet.

The Judgment of Divorce Nisi is the main court order. It contains the final terms of the divorce: property division, custody, visitation, and support amounts. The Certificate of Divorce Absolute confirms the divorce is final and shows both parties' names, the date, and the docket number, as required by M.G.L. c. 208, § 24A. Most Dukes County divorce records are public. You do not need to be a party to request copies. Information about minors and domestic abuse victims may be sealed by court order.

Legal Help for Dukes County Divorce Cases

Legal resources on Martha's Vineyard are more limited than on the mainland, but options still exist for Dukes County residents.

The Massachusetts Bar Association referral service at (617) 654-0400 or (866) 627-7577 can connect you with a family law attorney who may handle cases on the Vineyard. The initial meeting costs $25 for 30 minutes. MassLegalHelp.org provides free guides and forms for people going through divorce without an attorney. All official court forms are free from mass.gov.

South Coastal Counties Legal Services at (800) 244-9023 serves parts of southeastern Massachusetts and may be able to help island residents with family law questions. Because the island is a small community, some residents prefer to work with attorneys located on the mainland for privacy reasons.

Note: The court in Edgartown may be able to arrange phone or video hearings in some situations, which can reduce the need for travel.

Towns in Dukes County

Dukes County has seven towns. None of them meet the population threshold for a separate city page. All divorce cases go through the Dukes Probate and Family Court in Edgartown. The towns are Aquinnah, Chilmark, Edgartown, Gosnold, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury, and West Tisbury.

Nearby Counties

Dukes County is an island county. The closest mainland county is Barnstable (Cape Cod), accessible by ferry. Nantucket County is another island county to the southeast.