Cambridge Dissolution Of Marriage Lookup
Cambridge dissolution of marriage records are held at the Middlesex County Probate and Family Court, which has a session in Cambridge at 208 Cambridge Street. If you need to search for a divorce case, check case status, or get a certified copy of a divorce decree filed in Cambridge, that court is the place to go. Cambridge City Hall does not have divorce records. Cambridge is in Middlesex County, one of the most populous counties in Massachusetts, with about 118,000 city residents.
Cambridge Overview
Which Court Handles Cambridge Dissolution Of Marriage
Cambridge dissolution of marriage cases are handled by the Middlesex County Probate and Family Court at its Cambridge session, located at 208 Cambridge Street in East Cambridge. The court is about 0.8 miles from Cambridge City Hall -- roughly a 15-minute walk, or a short bus ride on the MBTA. The Register of Probate office at this location keeps case files for Cambridge and other Middlesex County cities and towns served by this session.
The court is open Monday through Friday. Plan to arrive well before 4:00 PM if you need to request copies or search files in person. The courthouse has security screening at the entrance. Bring valid photo ID and leave unnecessary bags at home. The MBTA Red Line stop at Lechmere (Green Line) and East Cambridge buses are close to the building. Parking on Cambridge Street and nearby side streets is available but can be tight during busy hours.
| Court | Middlesex County Probate and Family Court (Cambridge session) |
|---|---|
| Address | 208 Cambridge Street Cambridge, MA 02141 |
| Phone | (617) 679-6300 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Distance | 0.8 miles from Cambridge City Hall (15-minute walk or bus) |
| Website | mass.gov - Middlesex Probate Court |
Note that Middlesex County Probate and Family Court also has a session in Woburn. Cambridge residents file at the Cambridge session on Cambridge Street. If you are unsure which session handled your case, call (617) 679-6300 and staff can check by name or docket number.
Searching Cambridge Dissolution Of Marriage Records
You can search Cambridge dissolution of marriage records online or in person. The online route is faster and free. In person lets you see the full case file and get certified copies right away.
The state's free court records search tool is MassCourts. It covers the Middlesex County Probate and Family Court, including the Cambridge session. Search by the name of either spouse or by docket number. The system shows party names, case numbers, and docket activity. Financial statements are automatically sealed from public view under Supplemental Probate Court Rule 401 -- they will not show up in any search. Go to masscourts.org to start your search. A broader docket lookup tool is also available at mass.gov.
For in-person access, go to the Register of Probate at 208 Cambridge Street during court hours. Staff can look up cases and help you request copies. Bring a name and, if possible, a year of filing. If the case is older, a docket number speeds things up. Electronic filing is available for new cases through massachusetts.tylerhost.net. More on the eFiling system is at mass.gov.
Cambridge City Clerk vs. Probate Court
Cambridge City Hall is not the place to go for dissolution of marriage records. Many people assume the City Clerk handles divorce records, but that is not the case in Massachusetts. The Cambridge City Clerk issues vital records: birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, and records of domestic partnerships. Divorce is a court record, not a vital record. It stays at the Probate and Family Court, not City Hall.
Important: Cambridge City Clerk does not have divorce records or dissolution of marriage filings. Do not contact City Hall for divorce case information. All Cambridge divorce records are held by the Middlesex County Probate and Family Court at 208 Cambridge Street.
The City Clerk is the right source if you need a certified marriage certificate to file with your divorce petition, or if you need a birth record for a child listed in a custody agreement. The Cambridge City Clerk office is on the 1st floor at 795 Massachusetts Avenue. Hours vary by day of the week, with extended hours on Mondays.
| Office | Cambridge City Clerk (vital records only) |
|---|---|
| Address | 795 Massachusetts Avenue, 1st Floor Cambridge, MA 02139 |
| Phone | (617) 349-4260 |
| cityclerk@cambridgema.gov | |
| Hours | Monday: 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM; Tue-Thu: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM; Fri: 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM |
| Records | Birth, marriage, death certificates; domestic partnerships; dog licenses; business certificates |
| Copy Fee | $5 for residents / $10 for non-residents |
Copy Fees and Filing Costs for Cambridge Dissolution Of Marriage
Massachusetts sets filing fees for all Probate and Family Courts statewide. The fees at the Cambridge session of the Middlesex County Probate and Family Court are the same as at every other location in the state.
A joint petition for divorce under M.G.L. c. 208, § 1A costs $215 to file. Both spouses sign a separation agreement and file together. After a hearing, a 120-day nisi period runs. The divorce becomes final when that period ends. A complaint for divorce under M.G.L. c. 208, § 1B costs $280 and is used when only one spouse files, or when the parties disagree. Contested cases carry a 90-day nisi period. Both case types have a $15 surcharge, and complaint cases add $5 for a summons.
Certified copies of divorce decrees cost $20 each. Plain copies are cheaper. To request copies by mail, use the Probate and Family Court request form at mass.gov. For a step-by-step guide to getting your divorce record, visit mass.gov.
Payment: The Middlesex County Probate and Family Court does not accept personal checks. Use an attorney's check, money order, bank-certified check, or cashier's check. Make checks payable to "Commonwealth of Massachusetts."
If cost is a barrier, ask the clerk for an Affidavit of Indigency. You fill it out and submit it with your case. The court reviews your finances and may waive some or all of the fees if you qualify.
Legal Help for Cambridge Dissolution Of Marriage
Cambridge residents have access to legal aid organizations, self-help tools, and court support services. Free help is available for people who meet income limits. Other resources are open to everyone regardless of income.
Cambridge Legal Services provides free legal help to low-income Cambridge residents in family law cases. They handle dissolution of marriage, custody, child support, and related matters at the Middlesex County Probate and Family Court. Call (617) 603-2700 to ask about eligibility and to request help. They can assist with court forms, explain the process under M.G.L. Chapter 208, and represent clients at hearings when needed.
MassLegalHelp at masslegalhelp.org is free for everyone. The site has plain-language guides for each stage of the divorce process, from meeting the one-year residency requirement under M.G.L. c. 208, § 5 to understanding how assets are split under M.G.L. c. 208, § 34. All court forms are free at mass.gov. If you have questions about alimony, M.G.L. c. 208, § 37 sets out the rules the court uses.
The Trial Court Help Line at 1-833-912-6878 takes calls from people who need help with forms or court steps. They do not give legal advice but can walk you through the process. Cambridge Public Library at 449 Broadway, (617) 349-4040, has legal reference books and public computers for researching your case.
The Massachusetts court system has a location page for the Middlesex County Probate and Family Court with directions, phone numbers, and service details at mass.gov.
The Middlesex County Probate and Family Court at 208 Cambridge Street is where all Cambridge dissolution of marriage cases are on file. City Hall handles vital records only.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities near Cambridge where dissolution of marriage records are held at the Probate and Family Court:
Middlesex County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Cambridge is in Middlesex County, and all dissolution of marriage filings for Cambridge residents go through the Middlesex County Probate and Family Court. Middlesex is the most populous county in Massachusetts. The court system serves dozens of cities and towns across the county. For more on the county court, full fee information, and other resources, visit the Middlesex County page.