Norfolk County Divorce Records Search
Norfolk County divorce records are filed and stored at the Probate and Family Court in Canton. This county sits south and west of Boston, covering 28 cities and towns including Quincy, Brookline, Dedham, and Weymouth. If you need to look up a divorce case, get a copy of a decree, or check the status of a filing, the Norfolk County courthouse in Canton is where those records are held. You can also search online through the state court system or send requests by mail.
Norfolk County Overview
Norfolk County Probate and Family Court
The Norfolk Probate and Family Court is at 35 Shawmut Road in Canton. First Justice Susan L. Jacobs has led the court since 2013. The court handles all divorce filings, custody matters, guardianships, and name changes for the 28 communities in Norfolk County. Staff at the Register's Office can help you file papers, look up cases, or get copies of divorce records.
Norfolk County covers a wide area south and west of Boston. Communities served include Quincy, Brookline, Braintree, Dedham, Milton, Needham, Wellesley, Weymouth, Franklin, and Norwood, among others. If you or your spouse lives in any of these towns, your divorce case goes through the Norfolk County Probate and Family Court. The Norfolk Probate and Family Court page on mass.gov has the full list of towns served.
| Court | Norfolk Probate and Family Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 35 Shawmut Road Canton, MA 02021 |
| Phone | (781) 830-1200 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| First Justice | Hon. Susan L. Jacobs |
District courts in Norfolk County include the Brookline, Dedham, Quincy, Wrentham, and Stoughton courts. These handle other types of cases but not divorce filings. All divorces go through the Probate and Family Court in Canton.
Search Norfolk County Divorce Records
You can search for Norfolk County divorce records online using the state's free case lookup system. Go to the court docket search portal and select "Probate and Family Court" as the court department. Then choose Norfolk from the division list. Search by name or case number. Pick "Domestic Relations" as the case type to filter for divorce cases. Results show party names, case numbers, dates, and status.
Records from 2009 to the present are most likely to appear in the online system. Older Norfolk County divorce records may need to be looked up by the court staff directly. Call (781) 830-1200 and give them a name and approximate date. They can check their files and tell you the docket number. With the docket number, you can then request copies.
In-person visits to the Canton courthouse also work. Public terminals in the building let you search for free. Staff at the clerk's window can help with lookups and make copies while you wait.
Note: Records found online are for informational purposes only and cannot be used as official court documents.
Norfolk County Divorce Record Fees
Norfolk County follows the statewide fee schedule for all Probate and Family Court services. A Certificate of Divorce Absolute costs $20 per copy. A certified copy of the Judgment of Divorce Nisi is $20. Certified copies of separation agreements are $20 for the first page plus $0.05 for each additional page. Attested copies cost $2.50 per page. Unattested copies are just $0.05 per page.
Filing fees for a new divorce in Norfolk County are set by Massachusetts law. A joint petition under MGL c.208, § 1A is $215. A complaint under § 1B runs $280. The surcharge is $15, a summons costs $5, and a citation adds $15. You can also file online through eFileMA, which adds a $22 case fee and small processing charges.
Pay by money order, bank certified check, or attorney's check payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. People with low income can request a fee waiver by filing an Affidavit of Indigency. Use the PFC 18 form to request copies of records.
How Divorce Works in Norfolk County
Filing for divorce in Norfolk County follows the same rules as the rest of Massachusetts under MGL Chapter 208. At least one spouse must be a Massachusetts resident. Under § 4, if the cause for divorce came up in the state, you can file right away. If the grounds happened elsewhere, you need one year of residency first. You file in the county where you last lived together or where either spouse currently lives.
Most Norfolk County divorces use the no-fault process. Under § 1A, both spouses submit a joint petition and separation agreement. The court sets a hearing within about 30 days. If approved, the divorce nisi enters and becomes absolute 120 days later. Under § 1B, one spouse files on their own. Service of process is required. The nisi period is 90 days after the hearing for these cases.
Fault grounds also exist under § 1. They include adultery, cruel and abusive treatment, desertion for one year, habitual intoxication, and nonsupport. Fault cases are less common. Property gets divided equitably under § 34, meaning the judge decides what is fair based on factors like the length of the marriage, income, and each side's contribution.
Nisi Period: A Norfolk County divorce does not become final on the hearing date. Joint petitions (1A) wait 120 days. All other divorce cases wait 90 days before the divorce becomes absolute.
The court can issue temporary orders during a pending case. These cover things like custody, child support, and who stays in the house. Every order and motion goes into the case file and becomes part of the permanent divorce record in Norfolk County.
What Norfolk County Divorce Records Include
A divorce case file at the Norfolk County Probate and Family Court includes all the documents from the case. The complaint or joint petition is the starting document. Financial statements from both spouses come next. If the couple has children, the file holds a parenting plan and child support guidelines worksheet. The separation agreement lays out the agreed terms for property, custody, and support.
The Certificate of Divorce Absolute is the final document that proves the marriage ended. Under MGL c.208, § 24A, it shows both names, the divorce date, the docket number, and the court. Most people need this for name changes, remarriage, or other legal purposes. You get certified copies from the Norfolk County Probate and Family Court in Canton.
Norfolk County divorce records are public. Anyone can ask for copies. Certain details like Social Security numbers and bank accounts are always redacted. Information about minor children may also have restricted access.
Legal Resources for Norfolk County Divorce
The Massachusetts Bar Association lawyer referral service is at (617) 654-0400. Your first meeting with a family law attorney costs $25 for 30 minutes. The Dial-A-Lawyer program runs on the first Wednesday of each month at (617) 338-0610 and is free.
MassLegalHelp provides free guides and forms for people handling their own divorce. All official court forms are available for free download. The Norfolk County court has a Court Service Center where staff help people understand what forms they need and how to fill them out. They do not provide legal advice, but the help with forms is available during regular hours.
Note: If you cannot afford a lawyer, filing an Affidavit of Indigency with the court can waive your filing fees and connect you with additional resources.
Cities in Norfolk County
Norfolk County has 28 cities and towns. All divorce cases go through the Probate and Family Court in Canton.
Other Norfolk County communities include Braintree, Dedham, Milton, Needham, Wellesley, Norwood, Franklin, Stoughton, Randolph, and many more. All file divorce cases at 35 Shawmut Road in Canton.
Nearby Counties
Norfolk County borders several other counties in the greater Boston area. Verify your address falls in Norfolk County before filing for divorce here.