Franklin County Divorce Records and Filings
Franklin County dissolution of marriage records are kept at the Probate and Family Court at 425 Main Street in Greenfield. The court holds all divorce filings, case files, and decrees for residents of the county's 26 towns. You can search dissolution of marriage records in person at the courthouse, by mail using the PFC-18 form, by phone, or by email, and certified copies of divorce decrees are available to any member of the public who requests them.
Franklin County Overview
Franklin County Probate and Family Court
The Franklin County Probate and Family Court at 425 Main Street in Greenfield is the only court that handles dissolution of marriage cases for residents of Franklin County. The court keeps all divorce filings and case records, provides certified copies of divorce decrees, and processes new cases. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Municipal parking is available near the courthouse, and the Franklin Regional Transit Authority (FRTA) serves the area.
Franklin is one of Massachusetts' smallest counties by population, with about 70,000 residents spread across 26 towns. Despite its small size, the court processes a full range of dissolution of marriage cases, from simple joint petitions to complex contested divorces involving property, custody, and support disputes. The court's mailing address includes a P.O. Box: P.O. Box 590, Greenfield, MA 01302. Use 425 Main Street, Greenfield, MA 01302 for in-person visits and courier deliveries.
The court can be reached by phone at three numbers: (413) 774-7011, (413) 774-7012, and (413) 774-7013. A TTY line is available at (413) 774-3364 for those who need it. Email the court at franklinprobate@jud.state.ma.us. Full contact details and current hours are on the official court page at mass.gov.
| Court | Franklin County Probate and Family Court |
|---|---|
| Street Address | 425 Main Street Greenfield, MA 01302 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 590 Greenfield, MA 01302 |
| Phone | (413) 774-7011 | (413) 774-7012 | (413) 774-7013 |
| TTY | (413) 774-3364 |
| franklinprobate@jud.state.ma.us | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | mass.gov - Franklin Probate Court |
How to Find Franklin County Divorce Cases
The free MassCourts online system covers Franklin County Probate and Family Court. Go to masscourts.org, choose Franklin County, and search by the name of either spouse or by case number. The system returns basic case info, party names, docket entries, and case status. It is a good first step before calling or visiting the court. Some records may not appear online or may be restricted, in which case an in-person visit to 425 Main Street in Greenfield will be needed.
To get certified copies of a divorce decree or other court documents, you can visit the courthouse in person during business hours. Bring a valid ID. Staff can search by name or case number and prepare copies while you wait or on a short turnaround. By mail, complete the PFC-18 form and send it with payment to P.O. Box 590, Greenfield, MA 01302. Mail requests typically take 5 to 10 business days. You can also email franklinprobate@jud.state.ma.us or call (413) 774-7011 with your request. The court dockets tool at mass.gov is another free way to check a case.
Fees for Franklin County Divorce Records
Franklin County uses the statewide Trial Court fee schedule. All Probate and Family Courts in Massachusetts charge the same amounts. The fees do not change based on which county you file in.
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 divorce decrees cost $20 each. Personal checks are not accepted. Pay by attorney's check, money order, bank certified check, or cashier's check. Make the payment out to "Commonwealth of Massachusetts."
If the filing fee is too high for your budget, request an Affidavit of Indigency form from the court. You submit it with your divorce papers and a judge decides if you qualify for a waiver. All official court forms are free to download from mass.gov. For questions about fees or the process, call the Trial Court Help Line at 1-833-912-6878. They can also help you decide which type of divorce case fits your situation.
Dissolution of Marriage Process in Franklin County
Massachusetts divorce law under M.G.L. Chapter 208 applies to all cases filed at Franklin County Probate and Family Court. Each document you file becomes a permanent part of your case record at the Greenfield courthouse.
Check the residency rule first. Under Section 5, if the reason for the divorce happened outside Massachusetts, at least one spouse must have lived in the state for one year before you can file. If the cause happened within Massachusetts, you can file without any waiting period. You file at Franklin County if either spouse lives in one of the county's 26 towns, including Greenfield, Amherst, Montague, Orange, Deerfield, and others.
Two no-fault paths exist. Under Section 1A, both spouses file a joint petition for dissolution of marriage together with a signed separation agreement. Both sides must agree on all terms before filing. Under Section 1B, one spouse files a complaint alone. The other side is served and may respond. Section 1A cases tend to move faster since they do not require a contested hearing. The court can issue temporary orders for custody or support while a case is open.
Nisi Period: A divorce in Franklin County does not take effect the day the judge signs it. Under M.G.L. c. 208, § 21, a 1A joint petition must wait 120 days and a 1B complaint must wait 90 days after the judgment nisi before the divorce becomes final. You are not legally divorced until that period ends.
The court divides property using the 15 factors listed in Section 34. If alimony is part of the case, it is governed by Section 37. All financial statements filed in every Franklin County divorce are automatically sealed under Rule 401 and kept from public view.
Franklin County accepts filings through the state's online eFiling system at mass.gov/efiling. This can save you a trip to Greenfield if you prefer to file remotely.
What Franklin County Divorce Records Contain
Franklin County dissolution of marriage case files vary in size based on how complex the case was. A simple uncontested joint petition might have just a few documents. A contested case that went to trial can have dozens of filings, orders, transcripts, and exhibits. No matter the size, the core documents are the same: the original complaint or petition, any answers or responses, temporary orders, and the final judgment.
The judgment of divorce nisi is the document most people need. It is the court's final order ending the marriage and setting out all the terms once the nisi period expires. For property division cases, the judgment reflects what the court decided under the Section 34 factors or what the parties agreed to in their separation agreement. The judgment shows who gets which assets, who owes which debts, custody and parenting time, child support, and any alimony. Courts, banks, employers, and government agencies often ask for a certified copy of this document. Get certified copies from the Register of Probate at 425 Main Street, Greenfield.
Public access to Franklin County divorce records follows the same rules as all Massachusetts Probate and Family Courts. Records are generally open to the public. Financial statements and certain records involving children are sealed and not available to non-parties. See mass.gov for a full explanation of what can be requested and how.
Legal Help for Franklin County Residents
Two legal aid organizations serve Franklin County residents. Western Massachusetts Legal Services provides free civil legal help to people who qualify based on income. Call (413) 781-7814 to ask about eligibility and services. Northeast Legal Aid serves the northeastern part of the state and may also be able to help Franklin County residents. Call (978) 458-1465 for more information.
MassLegalHelp at masslegalhelp.org is a free, comprehensive resource for people handling divorce without a lawyer. The site has guides, forms, and plain-language explanations of Massachusetts divorce law. All official court forms for dissolution of marriage are free to download from mass.gov. The Trial Court Help Line at 1-833-912-6878 is available Monday through Friday and can answer general questions about the process at Franklin County court.
Cities and Towns in Franklin County
Franklin County has 26 towns. All residents file dissolution of marriage cases at the Franklin County Probate and Family Court in Greenfield. None of the county's communities meet the 100,000-population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.
Towns in Franklin County include Ashfield, Bernardston, Buckland, Charlemont, Colrain, Conway, Deerfield, Erving, Gill, Greenfield, Hawley, Heath, Leverett, Leyden, Monroe, Montague, New Salem, Northfield, Orange, Rowe, Shelburne, Shutesbury, Sunderland, Warwick, Wendell, and Whately. All divorce filings go to the Greenfield courthouse.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Franklin County. If you are not certain which court handles your case, use your home address to determine the right county.