Find Divorce Records in Franklin County

Franklin County divorce records are kept at the Probate and Family Court in Greenfield. The court handles divorce filings for all 26 towns in the county, from Greenfield and Montague to smaller communities like Shelburne and Deerfield. Whether you want to search for a case, get a certified copy of a decree, or find out what a divorce file contains, this page covers the full process. Franklin County is one of the smaller counties in Massachusetts, and the courthouse in Greenfield is the only place where these records are stored. You can also search online or send requests by mail.

Franklin County Probate and Family Court

The Franklin Probate and Family Court is at 43 Hope Street in Greenfield. This is the only court that handles divorce records for Franklin County. All divorce filings, custody cases, and support orders for the county go through this building. The Register of Probate manages the files and assists with requests.

Franklin County is a mostly rural area in northwestern Massachusetts. It is the least populous county in the state with about 72,000 residents. The court serves 26 towns: Ashfield, Bernardston, Buckland, Charlemont, Colrain, Conway, Deerfield, Erving, Gill, Greenfield, Hawley, Heath, Leverett, Leyden, Monroe, Montague, New Salem, Northfield, Orange, Rowe, Shelburne, Shutesbury, Sunderland, Warwick, Wendell, and Whately. Despite the smaller population, the court handles a range of family law cases year-round.

Check the court's official page for up-to-date hours, phone numbers, and mailing instructions.

This screenshot shows the Franklin Probate and Family Court page on mass.gov with contact details for divorce record requests.

Searching Franklin County Divorce Records

You can search for Franklin County divorce records online, at the courthouse, or by mail. The online option is the fastest for basic case details. Visiting Greenfield gives you access to the full file.

The state's online case search system covers all Probate and Family Courts in Massachusetts. Select "Probate and Family Court" and then pick Franklin County. Enter the name of one party and hit search. You will see the case number, filing date, status, and names of the people involved. The system works best for cases from 2009 onward. Older Franklin County divorce records may not be available online. For those, you need to call (413) 774-7011 or go to the courthouse.

At 43 Hope Street in Greenfield, the Register's office can look up any case. They can pull the file and make copies. Certified copies cost $20. Bring your ID and any info you have about the case, like names or approximate dates. The court also has public terminals for self-service searches.

Mail requests need the PFC 18 form and a check or money order for $20 payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Send it to the court at the address above. Allow a few weeks for processing.

Note: Franklin County has historical divorce records dating back to 1872, but those older files require an in-person or mail request.

Franklin County Divorce Fees

Franklin County charges the same fees as every other Probate and Family Court in Massachusetts. The schedule is set by the Trial Court and does not vary by location.

A joint petition for divorce under M.G.L. c. 208, § 1A costs $215. A complaint under § 1B is $280. The $15 surcharge applies to both. Summons is $5. Citation is $15. Constable or sheriff service adds $50 to $75. Copy fees include $20 for a Certificate of Divorce Absolute, $20 for a certified Judgment of Divorce Nisi, and $2.50 per page for attested copies. Fee waivers are available for qualifying residents through the Affidavit of Indigency process.

Divorce Laws and Franklin County Filings

All divorce cases in Franklin County are governed by M.G.L. Chapter 208. The law sets the rules for filing, residency, and how cases proceed. Every document filed in a Franklin County divorce becomes part of the permanent court record in Greenfield.

Under § 5, you must meet a residency requirement before filing. If the cause for divorce happened outside Massachusetts, the filing spouse needs one year of state residency. If the grounds arose in Massachusetts, you can file right away. You file in Franklin County if that is where either spouse lives or where you last lived together as a couple.

Most Franklin County divorces are no-fault. A § 1A joint petition is the simplest path when both spouses agree. They file together with a signed separation agreement. A § 1B complaint is for one spouse to file alone. Fault grounds under § 1 are available but seldom used. The nisi period after a judge signs the decree is 120 days for joint petitions and 90 days for all other types. After that wait, the divorce is final. The Certificate of Divorce Absolute can then be issued by the Register of Probate in Greenfield.

Note: Forms for all types of divorce filings are free at mass.gov.

Franklin County Historical Divorce Records

Franklin County has a notable collection of historical court records. Divorce records from 1872 to 1933 are available through the court. The Franklin County Superior Court Divorce Docket from 1888 to 1923 is also on file. Probate dockets, records, and indexes span from 1810 to 1971.

These older records are a valuable resource for genealogy research and legal history. They are not available online. To access them, you need to visit the courthouse in Greenfield or submit a written request. The staff can help locate specific cases if you provide names and approximate dates. Some of the oldest materials may also be available through the Massachusetts Archives or historical societies.

Franklin County Divorce Legal Resources

Franklin County residents can get help with divorce cases from several sources. The Springfield Hall of Justice Court Service Center covers Franklin County along with Hampden and Hampshire counties. Staff there help with forms and general procedures but cannot give legal advice.

The Massachusetts Bar Association at (617) 654-0400 or (866) 627-7577 can match you with a family law attorney. The first meeting is $25 for half an hour. MassLegalHelp.org has free guides for self-represented parties. All court forms for divorce are available at mass.gov at no cost.

Towns in Franklin County

Franklin County has 26 towns. None of them meet the population threshold for a separate city page. All divorce cases for the county go through the Franklin Probate and Family Court in Greenfield. The larger towns include Greenfield, Montague, Orange, Deerfield, Sunderland, Shelburne, Northfield, and Bernardston.

Nearby Counties

Franklin County borders Hampshire County to the south, Berkshire County to the west, and Worcester County to the east. Verify which county your town is in before you file for divorce.