Access Plymouth County Divorce Records

Plymouth County divorce records are handled by the Probate and Family Court, which runs two locations in Plymouth and Brockton. This county covers 27 cities and towns in southeastern Massachusetts. If you need to search for a divorce case, request a copy of a decree, or check on a filing, either courthouse can help. The court also offers a Virtual Registry for people who cannot visit in person. This page covers how to search, what it costs, and where to go for Plymouth County divorce records.

Plymouth County Probate and Family Court

Plymouth County has two Probate and Family Court locations. The Plymouth office is at 52 Obery Street. The Brockton office sits at 215 Main Street. Both serve all 27 towns and cities in the county. You can file papers, search for records, or request copies at either location. Register Matthew J. McDonough oversees the records, and First Justice Patrick W. Stanton leads the court.

The Plymouth Probate and Family Court page on mass.gov lists both locations with full contact details. The Brockton office page has information specific to that location. The court website at plymouthcountyprobate.com also has useful information about services and procedures.

The court serves Abington, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Hingham, Hull, Kingston, Lakeville, Marion, Marshfield, Mattapoisett, Middleboro, Norwell, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rochester, Rockland, Scituate, Wareham, West Bridgewater, and Whitman.

How to Search Plymouth County Divorce Records

The state's online case lookup system covers Plymouth County divorce records. Go to the court docket search portal and pick "Probate and Family Court" as the court type. Choose Plymouth County from the list. Search by name or case number. Select "Domestic Relations" as the case type to narrow results to divorce cases. The system shows party names, case numbers, dates, and status.

For records that do not show up online, call either office. The Plymouth office is at (508) 747-6204. The Brockton office is at (508) 897-5400. Staff can look up cases by name and give you the docket number. With the docket number, you can then request copies. Full case file viewing is available at either the Plymouth or Brockton location.

The Plymouth County Virtual Registry runs weekdays from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. You can connect by Zoom or phone at 1-646-828-7666 (Meeting ID: 1606727074). The virtual registry uses a waiting room system, so you may need to wait before being connected to staff. This is a good choice if you live far from both courthouses.

Note: Plymouth Colony records going back to 1633 are available through genealogical resources, and probate records from 1633 to 1967 are accessible online for historical research.

Plymouth County Divorce Costs

Plymouth County uses the statewide fee schedule. A joint petition for divorce under MGL c.208, § 1A costs $215. A complaint under § 1B is $280. The surcharge is $15. A summons costs $5 and a citation is $15. Constable or sheriff service adds about $50 to $75.

Record copy fees for Plymouth County divorce cases are standard across the state. A Certificate of Divorce Absolute is $20. A certified copy of the Judgment of Divorce Nisi costs $20. Separation agreement copies are $20 for the first page and $0.05 per extra page. Plain unattested copies cost $0.05 per page. Attested copies are $2.50 per page. Submit your request with the PFC 18 form and payment.

Pay by money order, bank check, or attorney's check made out to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Fee waivers are available for those who qualify. File an Affidavit of Indigency with the court.

Divorce Filing in Plymouth County

At least one spouse must live in Massachusetts to file for divorce in Plymouth County. Under MGL c.208, § 4, if the grounds for divorce happened in the state, you can file based on residency alone. If the grounds arose elsewhere, the filing spouse needs at least one year of Massachusetts residency. You file in the county where you last lived together or where either spouse currently lives.

The no-fault divorce process is what most Plymouth County residents use. Under § 1A, both spouses file a joint petition with a signed separation agreement. The hearing takes place within about 30 days. After the judge approves, the divorce nisi enters. It becomes absolute 120 days from filing. With § 1B, one spouse files alone. The other side gets served. The nisi period for 1B cases is 90 days after the hearing.

Fault-based grounds under § 1 include adultery, cruel and abusive treatment, desertion for one year, habitual intoxication, nonsupport, and imprisonment for five or more years. These cases take longer and cost more. The court divides property equitably under § 34, weighing factors like income, health, and how long the couple was married.

Temporary orders for custody, support, or use of the home may be issued while the case is pending. All orders and motions become part of the permanent divorce record kept at the Plymouth County Probate and Family Court.

What Plymouth County Divorce Records Show

A divorce case file at the Plymouth County Probate and Family Court holds the full set of documents from the case. The complaint or joint petition starts the file. Financial statements from both sides come next. The separation agreement covers property, custody, and support terms. If children are involved, the file includes a parenting plan and child support worksheet. All motions, orders, and the final judgment are part of the record.

The Certificate of Divorce Absolute is the main document people request. Under MGL c.208, § 24A, it includes both parties' names, the date the divorce became absolute, the docket number, and the court. You need this for name changes, remarriage, or proving marital status. Divorce decrees in Plymouth County are kept permanently. Civil case files with judgments stay for 20 years from the judgment date, but the decree itself is never destroyed.

Plymouth County divorce records are public. Anyone can request copies. Social Security numbers and bank accounts are redacted from publicly available records. Details about minor children may have restricted access.

Legal Help for Plymouth County Divorce

The Massachusetts Bar Association has a lawyer referral line at (617) 654-0400. The first meeting costs $25 for 30 minutes with a family law attorney. Their Dial-A-Lawyer program runs on the first Wednesday of each month at (617) 338-0610 and is free. MassLegalHelp offers step-by-step guides and forms for people filing on their own.

All official court forms for divorce are free to download from mass.gov. The Plymouth County Probate and Family Court has a Court Service Center at both the Plymouth and Brockton locations. Staff can walk you through the forms and explain the process. They do not give legal advice, but the help with paperwork is free during regular business hours.

The Brockton courthouse has free parking in a lot behind the building. Metered street parking and a public garage are also nearby. Public transit options include MBTA commuter rail to Brockton Station (about half a mile from the courthouse) and Brockton Area Transit bus route 8. The ADA Coordinator for Plymouth County Probate is Brett Ribeiro, reachable at (508) 747-8488.

Note: The Virtual Registry provides an alternative to in-person visits for people with transportation or accessibility challenges.

Cities in Plymouth County

Plymouth County has 27 cities and towns. All divorce cases go through the Probate and Family Court at either the Plymouth or Brockton location.

Other Plymouth County communities include Hingham, Marshfield, Duxbury, Scituate, Rockland, Abington, Bridgewater, and Wareham. All file divorce cases through the Plymouth County Probate and Family Court.

Nearby Counties

Plymouth County borders several counties in southeastern Massachusetts. Make sure you know which county your address is in before filing for divorce.