Plymouth Dissolution Of Marriage
Dissolution of marriage cases in Plymouth are handled by the Plymouth County Probate and Family Court, which is located right in Plymouth at 52 Obery Street. Plymouth has about 61,000 residents and is both the county seat and the location of the main courthouse, so residents do not need to travel far to file or access records. This guide covers the court, how to search records, what the Town Clerk does and does not handle, fees, and local legal resources.
Plymouth Overview
Which Court Handles Plymouth Dissolution Cases
Plymouth is both the county seat and the home of the Plymouth County Probate and Family Court. That means the court that handles your dissolution of marriage case is right here in town, about a half-mile from Town Hall. This is less common than in other Massachusetts counties, where the courthouse may be in a different city entirely. Plymouth residents have it easy by comparison.
All dissolution papers for Plymouth County are filed in Plymouth. There is a Brockton session for hearings, at 215 Main Street in Brockton, but papers are filed and records are kept in Plymouth. If you have a hearing scheduled in Brockton, you still file documents and get copies at the Plymouth location.
| Court | Plymouth County Probate and Family Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 52 Obery Street Plymouth, MA 02360 |
| Phone (Register) | (508) 747-6204 |
| plymouthprobate@jud.state.ma.us | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Virtual Registry | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM |
| Distance from Town Hall | About 0.5 miles (10-minute walk) |
| Website | mass.gov - Plymouth Probate Court |
The court is open all five business days. The virtual registry, which handles phone and electronic inquiries, runs in two blocks each day with a lunch break in between. If you plan to email the court, use plymouthprobate@jud.state.ma.us and include your case number or full name in the subject line so staff can pull up your file quickly.
How to Search Plymouth Divorce Records
Dissolution of marriage records for Plymouth cases are searchable online and in person at the 52 Obery Street courthouse. Online is the fastest way to check basic details. In-person visits let you see the full file and get certified copies right away.
The free state case search tool is MassCourts at masscourts.org. It covers Plymouth County Probate and Family Court cases. Search by a spouse's full name or by case number. The system returns party names, docket entries, and current case status. Some family court records have online restrictions. Older cases or restricted files may require an in-person visit. The state also offers a broader search tool at mass.gov that points to all trial court departments including probate.
For in-person searches, go to the Register of Probate at 52 Obery Street. Staff can pull up a case by name or number and print copies. Bring a full name and an approximate year of filing. A case number helps but is not required. Call (508) 747-6204 before visiting to confirm current hours and what to bring. Certified copies cost $20 each. Plain copies are less. Payment must be by attorney's check, money order, or bank certified or cashier's check made payable to "Commonwealth of Massachusetts."
Plymouth Town Clerk vs. Probate Court
Plymouth uses a Town Clerk, not a City Clerk, but the situation is the same as in every other Massachusetts city. The Town Clerk and the Probate and Family Court are separate offices that hold entirely different records. The Town Clerk cannot help you with a dissolution of marriage case.
The Plymouth Town Clerk is at Town Hall, 11 Lincoln Street, Plymouth, MA 02360. Phone is (508) 747-1620. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The Clerk keeps birth, marriage, and death records going back to 1633. Copies cost $10 each. Dog licenses and business certificates are also handled here. If you need a birth certificate, a marriage record, or a death certificate, the Town Clerk is the right office.
Dissolution of marriage is a court matter. Court records are created and held by the Plymouth County Probate and Family Court. The Town Clerk has no access to those records and no ability to help. A dissolution judgment, a decree nisi, or any court document from a divorce case must come from the Probate and Family Court at 52 Obery Street.
The Plymouth Town Clerk at 11 Lincoln Street handles vital records only. For dissolution of marriage records, contact the Plymouth County Probate and Family Court at (508) 747-6204, located at 52 Obery Street.
Filing Fees and Copy Costs
Filing fees for dissolution of marriage cases in Plymouth are set by the Massachusetts Trial Court and apply at every Probate and Family Court in the state. The amount you pay depends on the type of case you file.
A joint petition under M.G.L. c. 208, § 1A costs $215. Both spouses agree on all terms, sign a separation agreement, and file together. A complaint filed by one spouse under M.G.L. c. 208, § 1B costs $280. Additional fees, including a $15 surcharge, a $5 summons fee, and a $15 citation fee, may apply depending on your case type. Ask the Register's office for a full breakdown when you file.
Certified copies of dissolution judgments cost $20 each. The court requires attorney's check, money order, or bank certified or cashier's check. All payments must be made out to "Commonwealth of Massachusetts." No personal checks are accepted at this court or at any other Massachusetts Probate and Family Court. If you cannot pay, you can file an Affidavit of Indigency and ask for a waiver. The judge decides based on your income and expenses.
The current fee schedule is at mass.gov. Check it before you go in case amounts have changed. Getting a certified copy of a past judgment is a separate cost from the original filing fee, so budget for both if you need records from a prior case.
Legal Help for Plymouth Residents
Plymouth residents have several options for legal help with dissolution of marriage cases. Free and low-cost services are available for people who qualify by income, and statewide resources can help people filing on their own.
South Coastal Counties Legal Services is the main legal aid organization serving Plymouth and surrounding towns. They handle civil cases including family law matters such as dissolution, custody, and support. Call (508) 584-4543 to ask about eligibility and available services. Do not wait if you need help. Intake can take time, and some programs have waiting lists.
MassLegalHelp at masslegalhelp.org is a free statewide resource. It has plain-language guides, form instructions, and explanations of each step in a dissolution case. All official court forms are free at mass.gov. The Plymouth Public Library at 132 South Street, (508) 830-4250, offers free computer access for form downloads and online research. The Massachusetts Bar Association lawyer referral line at (617) 654-0400 or (866) 627-7577 can connect you with a family law attorney. The first 30-minute meeting costs $25. A free Dial-A-Lawyer program runs the first Wednesday of every month at (617) 338-0610.
Massachusetts Dissolution of Marriage Law
Dissolution cases in Plymouth follow M.G.L. Chapter 208. This statute covers filing types, residency requirements, the nisi period, and how the court handles property and support. Knowing the basics before you file helps you avoid surprises.
Residency rules are in M.G.L. c. 208, § 5. If the grounds for dissolution occurred outside Massachusetts, at least one spouse must have lived in the state for one year. If the grounds arose in Massachusetts, there is no minimum residency wait. Plymouth residents who have lived here for a year can file at the Plymouth County Probate and Family Court without any added delay.
After a judgment issues, the marriage is not yet dissolved. The nisi period applies under M.G.L. c. 208, § 21. Joint petition cases wait 120 days after the judgment nisi. Contested cases wait 90 days. During the nisi period, neither spouse can remarry. The divorce becomes absolute only at the end of this period. Getting a certified copy of your judgment before the nisi period ends is common, especially when needed for housing or financial records.
Property division in Massachusetts is not automatic or equal. The rules are in M.G.L. c. 208, § 34. The judge weighs the length of the marriage, each spouse's income, earning potential, and contributions to the marriage, among other things. Alimony, if relevant, follows M.G.L. c. 208, § 37. Cases with children also require a Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, which calculates support based on both parents' incomes.
Court and Records Office Photos
The first image below is from the Plymouth Town Clerk page, showing the Town Hall office at 11 Lincoln Street where vital records are kept.
The Town Clerk is for birth, marriage, and death records. Dissolution of marriage cases are handled entirely by the Probate and Family Court.
The second image is from the Plymouth County Probate and Family Court page on mass.gov, showing the courthouse at 52 Obery Street where all dissolution filings and records are kept.
The courthouse at 52 Obery Street is about a half-mile from Town Hall. Plymouth residents can walk to the court from most parts of downtown.
Nearby Cities
These qualifying cities are near Plymouth. Each page has local court details and resources for dissolution of marriage records.
Plymouth County Dissolution Records
Plymouth is the county seat of Plymouth County. All dissolution of marriage filings for Plymouth go through the Plymouth County Probate and Family Court right here in town. The county page covers the full court system, all filing locations, detailed fee information, and resources for every city and town in Plymouth County.