Suffolk County Divorce Records

Suffolk County divorce records are kept at the Probate and Family Court in the Edward W. Brooke Courthouse in downtown Boston. This county covers Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop. With close to 12,000 new cases filed each year, it is one of the busiest family courts in Massachusetts. Whether you need a certified copy of a divorce decree, want to check a case status, or need to search for old filings, the Suffolk County Probate and Family Court handles all of it. A Virtual Registry also lets you get help from court staff without going to the courthouse.

Suffolk County Probate and Family Court

The Suffolk County Probate and Family Court sits in the Edward W. Brooke Courthouse at 24 New Chardon Street in Boston. The Register's Office is on the third floor. This is where you go to file divorce papers, search for records, or pick up copies. The court is led by First Justice Janine Rivers, with Stephanie L. Everett, Esq. serving as Register of Probate.

Suffolk County is one of the busiest courts in the state for divorce cases. It covers all of Boston (including Dorchester, Charlestown, East Boston, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, South Boston, and Brighton), plus Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop. If you live in any of these places, your divorce goes through this court. The Suffolk Probate and Family Court page on mass.gov shows the full list of communities served and contact details.

The Suffolk Virtual Registry gives you access to court staff through Zoom or phone. It runs from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM on weekdays. You can ask about a case, request forms, or get help with a records request without leaving home.

Getting to the courthouse is easiest by public transit. There is no public parking at the building. The closest MBTA stops are Haymarket (Orange and Green lines), Bowdoin (Blue Line), and North Station (Commuter Rail, Orange, and Green lines). Government Center Garage is the nearest parking garage.

How to Search Suffolk County Divorce Records

You can search Suffolk County divorce records online or in person. The court docket search guide explains how to use the state's free case lookup tool. Pick "Probate and Family Court" as the court type, then select Suffolk County. Search by name or case number. Filter by "Domestic Relations" to see divorce cases only. The results show party names, docket entries, and case status.

For in-person searches, go to 24 New Chardon Street in Boston. The Register's Office on the third floor can look up cases by name or docket number. Public access terminals in the building also let you search for free. Staff can make copies on the spot if you need them. Bring your ID.

The online system covers most cases from 2009 forward. Older Suffolk County divorce records may not show up in the search. For those, call (617) 788-8301 or visit in person. The court can pull older files from their archive, though it may take a few extra days.

Note: Online records are for reference only and are not the same as certified copies from the court.

Suffolk County Divorce Costs and Fees

Filing fees for divorce in Suffolk County follow the statewide schedule. A joint petition under MGL c.208, § 1A costs $215. A complaint for divorce under § 1B costs $280. The surcharge is $15. A summons is $5 and a citation is $15. Service by a constable or sheriff runs about $50 to $75 more.

Copies of Suffolk County divorce records have set fees too:

• 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
• Unattested copies: $0.05 per page
• Attested copies: $2.50 per page

Suffolk County accepts cash, money orders, bank checks, and credit cards at some counters. Personal checks are accepted from attorneys only. Make all checks payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Fee waivers are available for people with low income who file an Affidavit of Indigency. See the full fee schedule on the PFC 18 form page.

Divorce Filing Process in Suffolk County

To file for divorce in Suffolk County, at least one spouse must live here. Under MGL c.208, § 5, if the cause for divorce happened outside Massachusetts, the filing spouse needs at least one year of residency. If the grounds arose in the state, there is no minimum wait. You file at the Suffolk County court if you or your spouse lives in Boston, Chelsea, Revere, or Winthrop.

There are two no-fault paths. Under § 1A, both spouses file a joint petition with a signed separation agreement. The court schedules a hearing within about 30 days. After the judge approves, the divorce nisi enters. It becomes absolute 120 days later. Under § 1B, one spouse files a complaint alone. The other side gets served with a summons. The nisi period for 1B cases is 90 days after the hearing.

Fault grounds under MGL c.208, § 1 include adultery, desertion for one year, cruel and abusive treatment, habitual intoxication, and nonsupport. Most Suffolk County residents choose the no-fault route because it is faster and costs less. The court may issue temporary orders during the case for custody, support, or use of the marital home.

What Suffolk County Divorce Records Contain

Divorce records in Suffolk County hold the full set of papers from a case. The complaint or joint petition starts the file. Financial statements show each spouse's income, assets, and debts. The separation agreement covers property division, custody, and support. If kids are part of the case, the file includes a parenting plan and child support worksheet. All motions and orders from during the case are in the file too.

The Judgment of Divorce Nisi is the main document most people ask for. This is the court order that ends the marriage after the nisi period. Under MGL c.208, § 24A, the Certificate of Divorce Absolute shows both names, the date of the divorce, the docket number, and the court division. You need a certified copy for things like name changes or proving your marital status. Under § 34, the court considers many factors when dividing property, and those terms show up in the records.

Most Suffolk County divorce records are public. You do not have to be a party to the case. Some financial details and information about minors may be sealed or redacted.

Legal Help for Divorce in Suffolk County

Greater Boston Legal Services has its main office in Boston and serves Suffolk County residents. They provide free legal help to people with low income for family law cases including divorce, custody, and support. Call (617) 371-1234 for more details. Their website at gbls.org has information on services and how to apply.

The Massachusetts Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at (617) 654-0400 or toll-free at (866) 627-7577. The first meeting is $25 for 30 minutes. Their Dial-A-Lawyer program runs on the first Wednesday of each month at (617) 338-0610. MassLegalHelp has step-by-step guides and forms for people filing without a lawyer. All official court forms are free at mass.gov.

The Suffolk County Probate and Family Court also runs a Court Service Center and a Lawyer for the Day program. The Court Service Center helps people fill out forms and understand the process. The Lawyer for the Day program runs on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. It is first-come, first-served, and serves low-income residents and citizens.

Note: The ADA Coordinator at the Suffolk County Probate Court is Tanya Brussa-Pagan, reachable at (617) 788-8350 for accessibility needs.

Cities in Suffolk County

Suffolk County has four cities and towns. All of them file divorce cases at the Suffolk County Probate and Family Court in Boston.

Chelsea and Winthrop are also part of Suffolk County. All communities file divorce cases at the Probate and Family Court at 24 New Chardon Street in Boston.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Suffolk County. If you are not sure which county handles your divorce case, check the address where you live. You must file in the right county for the court to have jurisdiction.