Massachusetts Divorce Records: Official Certificates, Decrees, and Search Options

Massachusetts divorce records are official documents produced by the Probate and Family Court that formally confirm the dissolution of a marriage. These records are valuable documents for genealogical research and background verification. Additionally, divorce records are vital for updating marital status, remarriage, enforcing child support or custody arrangements, and settling property disputes.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Massachusetts had a divorce rate of 1.8 per 1,000 people in 2023, up from 1.4 in 2022, showing a relatively low rate compared to other states.

Official Types of Divorce Documentation in Massachusetts

Massachusetts has three primary types of divorce documents: divorce verification, divorce decree, and divorce case file. Divorce verifications show that a divorce has occurred. Divorce decrees, on the other hand, are the ultimate verdicts in divorce cases. Both the divorce decree and other documents filed or generated during the proceeding are contained in a divorce case file.

Document Type	Issued By	Purpose	Contains
Divorce Verification	Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS)	Confirms that a divorce event took place	Parties' names, year of the divorce, court docket number, and court that granted the divorce
Divorce Decree	County Probate and Family Court	Formally ends a marriage and outlines the divorce terms	Full names of the ex-spouses, the date and county where the divorce occurred, and the court's decisions on property distribution, custody, support, visitation, and other matters.
Divorce Case File	County Probate and Family Court	Documents all divorce proceedings and outcomes	Every document filed or created during the divorce case

Public Access and Confidentiality of Massachusetts Divorce Records

The Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. c. 66, § 10) and the Uniform Rules on Public Access to Court Records guarantee public access to divorce records and information, while protecting the security and privacy of parties involved in the case. However, certain records are only open to the case parties, their attorneys, or anyone with a court order. For example, guardian ad litem reports and financial statements filed during the divorce proceedings are confidential.

The Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, which is part of the Department of Public Health (DPH), maintains divorce information at

What Information Do Massachusetts Divorce Records Include?

Massachusetts divorce documents typically contain crucial information regarding the dissolution of a marriage. The specific information contained in a divorce record varies by county and the type of record. However, the following information may be found in a Massachusetts divorce record:

• Full names of both spouses (including any previous or maiden names)
• Date and place of marriage and divorce
• Docket or case number and case type
• Filing date and case status
• Disposition, disposition date, attorney's names
• Details about property division, custody, visitation, and support orders
• The name and signature of the judge who granted the divorce

Procedures for Locating Divorce Records in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, as well as county-level Probate and Family Courts, keep divorce records. The Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS) keeps statewide divorce indexes dating back to 1952. Meanwhile, individuals can find public divorce case information without charges through the Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access portal using a name, case type, or case number. However, certified copies, uncertified copies, or case files may require formal requests, fees, or court approval (particularly when sensitive data is involved).Copies of divorce case records in Massachusetts can be found in the Probate and Family Court in the county where the divorce was granted.

Copy fees vary by issuing agency and record type, but certified copies may cost between $20 and $22.

Document Type	Office or Platform	Years Covered	Access Channel	Fees
Divorce Indexes	Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics	1952-present	By mail	Free
Decrees and Case Files	Probate and Family Court	Varies by county	By mail or in person	$20 per certified copy + $1 per page
Case Summaries/ Dockets	Trial Court Case Access Portal	Recent and ongoing cases	Online (view only)	Free

How to Request Certified Copies of Divorce Records in Massachusetts

A certified divorce record is an official document bearing an official seal or signature, issued by the court after the divorce is finalized. Record seekers can use these copies for official purposes such as immigration, financial transactions, and identity verification.

To procure a certified copy of a divorce record in Massachusetts, one may follow the steps below:

Step 1. Determine the Court Where the Divorce Was Finalized

Individuals can find certified copies of divorce records in the Probate and Family Court in the county where the divorce was granted. The divorce case file, including the divorce decree, is kept by that court's clerk. Individuals can find the appropriate court using the Massachusetts Trial Court Directory.

Step 2. Provide the Relevant Information

Anyone seeking certified copies of divorce records in Massachusetts will need to know the docket number of the case. To find a docket number, requesters can search the Trial Court Case Access Portal or call the specific Probate & Family Court.

Step 3. Request the Copy

After locating the court, the requester can complete the Request for Copies form and submit it via mail or bring the form to the court that finalized the divorce.

Step 4. Pay the Charges

Massachusetts Probate and Family Courts charge $20 for a certified copy of a divorce ruling, plus $1 for every additional page. Payment may be made by the attorney's check, bank-certified check, money order, or bank cashier's check.

Copy Type	Where to Request	Who Can Order	Legal Use
Certified Copy of Divorce Decree	Probate and Family Court	Either spouse, legal representative, or third party, with court approval	Legal name changes, remarriage, or proof of divorce in other legal or financial matters
Divorce Case File (Uncertified)	Probate and Family Court	Publicly accessible unless sealed by the court	Used for personal reference, research, or background verification

Why Search for Divorce Records in Massachusetts?

Individuals may search for divorce records in Massachusetts when completing certain financial and legal applications. For example, one may also need their divorce record when updating marital status, changing their names, or applying for new marriage licenses.

Employers may also request the divorce records of prospective hires as part of a background check. Additionally, researchers and genealogists frequently use divorce records to trace family histories or corroborate ancestral data.

How Long Are Divorce Records Kept in Massachusetts?

According to Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Rule 1:11, divorce judgments, both nisi and absolute, are permanent records and must be retained in the Probate and Family Courts. Other divorce case records are kept for 20 years. However, guardian ad litem reports and financial statements filed during a divorce proceeding are typically retained for only 10 years.

Before a divorce record is destroyed in Massachusetts, the Clerk of Probate and Family Court maintaining the record will notify the public 30 days before the destruction. Before publication, the notice must be approved by the appropriate clerk, the Chief Justice, and the first justice of the division. The clerk will forward a copy of the notice to the Chief Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court and of the Trial Court.