Access Dukes County Dissolution of Marriage Records
Dukes County dissolution of marriage records are held at the Probate and Family Court at 81 Main Street in Edgartown on Martha's Vineyard. The court handles all divorce filings for residents of the island's seven towns and keeps case files, decrees, and related documents. You can search divorce records and request certified copies in person at the courthouse, by mail, by phone, or by email, with mail requests taking 5 to 10 business days.
Dukes County Overview
Dukes County Probate and Family Court
The Dukes County Probate and Family Court at 81 Main Street in Edgartown handles all dissolution of marriage cases for Martha's Vineyard. The court is one of the smallest in Massachusetts, serving the island's seven towns with a year-round population of around 20,000. Judge Susan Jacobs presides, Register Daphne Devries manages the clerk's office, and Ryan Searle serves as the ADA contact. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
The courthouse has a free parking lot behind the building and free street parking nearby. The Vineyard Transit Authority serves the courthouse area on Routes 1, 6, 8, and 13. This makes the court reasonably accessible to residents across the island without a car. For those who live off-island or prefer not to take the ferry, mail and email requests work well for getting copies of divorce records.
One practical note: Dukes County is on Martha's Vineyard. Getting to the courthouse requires a ferry or air service if you are coming from the mainland. Plan ahead if you intend to appear in person. The court's mailing address includes a P.O. Box: P.O. Box 237, Edgartown, MA 02539. Use 81 Main Street, Edgartown, MA 02539 for in-person visits. The official court page at mass.gov has current hours and contact information.
| Court | Dukes County Probate and Family Court |
|---|---|
| Street Address | 81 Main Street Edgartown, MA 02539 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 237 Edgartown, MA 02539 |
| Phone | (508) 627-4703 | (508) 627-4704 | (508) 627-4668 |
| Probation | (508) 897-5418 |
| dukesprobate@jud.state.ma.us | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Judge | Hon. Susan Jacobs |
| Register | Daphne Devries |
| ADA Contact | Ryan Searle, (508) 627-4703, ryan.searle@jud.state.ma.us |
| Website | mass.gov - Dukes Probate Court |
How to Search Dukes County Divorce Records
Dukes County divorce records can be searched online through MassCourts, the state's free case lookup system. Go to masscourts.org and select Dukes County Probate and Family Court. Search by the name of either spouse or by case number. The system shows basic case data, docket entries, and case status. It is a free and convenient way to check on a case without traveling to the island.
For certified copies or full case file access, you can email the court at dukesprobate@jud.state.ma.us, which the court strongly recommends. You can also call (508) 627-4703. For mail requests, download and complete the PFC-18 form from mass.gov, then mail it with payment to P.O. Box 237, Edgartown, MA 02539. Turnaround by mail is 5 to 10 business days. Given the island location, mail and email are often the most practical choices for off-island requesters.
For older historical divorce records, the Massachusetts State Archives in Boston holds records from the 1600s onward. Call (617) 727-2816 or visit mass.gov/historic-divorce-records for more. The statewide court docket search tool at mass.gov is also free and works for looking up active and recent cases.
Divorce Filing Fees in Dukes County
Dukes County uses the same statewide fee schedule as every other Massachusetts Probate and Family Court. Fees are set by the Trial Court and do not change based on which county you file in. What you pay depends on the type of divorce case you have.
Filing a joint petition for dissolution of marriage under Section 1A costs $215. Filing a complaint for divorce under Section 1B costs $280. Certified copies of a divorce decree or other court documents cost $20 each. The court does not accept personal checks. Payment must be by attorney's check, money order, bank certified check, or cashier's check made out to "Commonwealth of Massachusetts."
If you cannot afford the filing fee, ask the court for an Affidavit of Indigency form and file it with your case papers. A judge reviews it and decides if you qualify for a waiver. All official forms for dissolution of marriage cases are free at mass.gov. For general guidance on the process or help with forms, call the Trial Court Help Line at 1-833-912-6878. For off-island residents, the complete guide to getting your divorce record is at mass.gov.
Dissolution of Marriage Process in Dukes County
All Dukes County divorce cases follow Massachusetts law under M.G.L. Chapter 208. The process is the same on Martha's Vineyard as anywhere else in the state. Each filing becomes part of the permanent case record at the Edgartown courthouse.
The residency requirement under Section 5 applies here as in every county. If the reason for the divorce happened outside Massachusetts, at least one spouse must have lived in the state for one full year before filing. If the cause arose within Massachusetts, no waiting period applies. You file at Dukes County court if you or your spouse lives in one of the island's seven towns: Aquinnah, Chilmark, Edgartown, Gosnold, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury, or West Tisbury.
Massachusetts offers two no-fault divorce paths. Under Section 1A, both spouses file a joint petition with a signed separation agreement. This route works when both sides agree on all issues. Under Section 1B, one spouse files a complaint for dissolution of marriage alone, citing an irretrievable breakdown. The other side is served and may respond. Contested 1B cases tend to take longer and cost more than 1A cases. The court can issue temporary orders for support or use of the home while the case is pending.
Nisi Period: A Dukes County divorce is not final on the day the judge signs it. Under M.G.L. c. 208, § 21, a joint petition 1A case waits 120 days and a complaint 1B case waits 90 days after the judgment nisi before the divorce is absolute. You cannot remarry or take other legal steps that depend on the divorce being final until that period ends.
Property is divided under the 15-factor test in Section 34. Alimony follows Section 37. All financial statements in every Dukes County dissolution of marriage case are automatically sealed under Rule 401 and are not part of the public record.
You can file for divorce online through the state's eFiling system. This can save the trip to Edgartown. See mass.gov/efiling for more details.
What Dukes County Dissolution Records Include
A Dukes County dissolution of marriage case file starts with the complaint or joint petition. This first document names both spouses, states the grounds for divorce, identifies any minor children, and sets out what relief the filing spouse is asking for. As the case moves forward, the file grows to include motions, responses, temporary orders, and eventually the final judgment.
The judgment of divorce nisi is the core document. It is the court's final order that ends the marriage once the required nisi period passes under Section 21. The judgment covers the division of all marital assets and debts under Section 34, custody and parenting time, child support, and alimony if ordered under Section 37. Certified copies of this judgment are what most people need for legal and financial purposes after a divorce. The Register of Probate at the Edgartown courthouse provides certified copies at $20 each.
Dukes County divorce records are public in the same way as all Massachusetts Probate and Family Court records. Any person can request copies of most documents, not just the parties to the case. The main exceptions are financial statements, which are sealed under Rule 401, and certain records involving minor children. For a full guide to public access and how to get copies, see mass.gov.
Legal Help for Dukes County Residents
South Coastal Counties Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to low-income residents of Dukes County. Family law matters, including dissolution of marriage, are covered. Call (508) 584-4543 to ask about eligibility and how to get help with your case.
MassLegalHelp at masslegalhelp.org has free guides for people filing a divorce without a lawyer in Massachusetts. The site explains both the 1A and 1B processes in plain language and walks through each stage of the case. Court forms for dissolution of marriage are free at mass.gov. The Trial Court Help Line at 1-833-912-6878 is open Monday through Friday and can answer general questions about filing and procedure at Dukes County court.
Given that the court is on an island, using email and phone before making the trip in person is a good idea. Email dukesprobate@jud.state.ma.us or call (508) 627-4703 to confirm what you need and whether an in-person visit is required. For ADA accommodations, contact Ryan Searle at (508) 627-4703 or ryan.searle@jud.state.ma.us.
Towns in Dukes County
Dukes County covers Martha's Vineyard and consists of seven towns. All dissolution of marriage cases for county residents are filed at the Dukes County Probate and Family Court in Edgartown. None of the county's communities meet the 100,000-population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.
The seven towns are Aquinnah, Chilmark, Edgartown, Gosnold, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury, and West Tisbury. Gosnold also includes the Elizabeth Islands. All residents file divorce cases at 81 Main Street, Edgartown.
Nearby Counties
Dukes County is an island county. The nearest county on the mainland is Barnstable, accessible by ferry. If you are unsure whether your case belongs in Dukes County, check where you and your spouse live.