Nantucket County Dissolution of Marriage Records
Nantucket County dissolution of marriage records are maintained at the Probate and Family Court at 16 Broad Street in Nantucket. The court is the sole office handling divorce filings and case records for all residents of Nantucket Island. You can search divorce records and request certified copies in person, by mail, by phone, or by email, and the court processes copy requests within 5 to 10 business days for mail orders.
Nantucket County Overview
Nantucket County Probate and Family Court
The Nantucket County Probate and Family Court at 16 Broad Street handles all dissolution of marriage cases for residents of Nantucket Island. It is the smallest of Massachusetts' 14 Probate and Family Courts, serving a single-town county with a year-round population of about 14,000. Judge Kevin R. Connelly presides. Sarah Maxwell serves as both Register and ADA contact and can be reached at (508) 228-2669 or sarah.maxwell@jud.state.ma.us. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
Parking near the courthouse is limited. Public transportation is available in the town center. The court's mailing address is P.O. Box 1116, Nantucket, MA 02554. Use 16 Broad Street, Nantucket, MA 02554 for in-person visits. Probation services for Nantucket cases are handled by Barnstable County, not the local court. This is a practical matter to keep in mind if your case involves probation-related hearings.
Nantucket is accessible only by ferry or air. If you are coming from the mainland to appear in person or pick up records, plan around ferry schedules. For off-island parties, email and mail requests are often the best way to get what you need. The court page at mass.gov has current hours and contact details.
| Court | Nantucket County Probate and Family Court |
|---|---|
| Street Address | 16 Broad Street Nantucket, MA 02554 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 1116 Nantucket, MA 02554 |
| Phone | (508) 228-2669 | (508) 228-6852 |
| Fax | (508) 228-3662 |
| nantucketprobate@jud.state.ma.us | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Judge | Hon. Kevin R. Connelly |
| Register / ADA | Sarah Maxwell, (508) 228-2669, sarah.maxwell@jud.state.ma.us |
| Note | Probation services handled by Barnstable County |
| Website | mass.gov - Nantucket Probate Court |
Search Nantucket County Divorce Records
The free MassCourts system covers Nantucket County Probate and Family Court. Go to masscourts.org, select Nantucket County, and search by the name of either spouse or by case number. The system returns basic case information, party names, and docket history. This is the easiest way to check on a case from off-island without having to call or travel. Some records may be restricted from online view and will need an in-person or mail request.
To request certified copies by mail, complete the PFC-18 form from mass.gov and send it with payment to P.O. Box 1116, Nantucket, MA 02554. Mail requests take 5 to 10 business days after the court receives your form and payment. You can also email nantucketprobate@jud.state.ma.us or call (508) 228-2669. For most off-island requesters, email is the fastest and most practical approach.
For older historical records, the Massachusetts State Archives holds divorce records going back to the 1600s and can be reached at (617) 727-2816. Full details are at mass.gov/historic-divorce-records. The court docket search at mass.gov is also useful for checking case status without making a phone call.
Nantucket County Divorce Fees and Copies
Nantucket County follows the same statewide fee schedule that applies at all Massachusetts Probate and Family Courts. There are no island-specific surcharges. Fees are set by the Trial Court and are the same in every county.
A joint petition for dissolution of marriage under Section 1A costs $215 to file. A complaint for divorce under Section 1B costs $280. Certified copies of a divorce decree or other court records cost $20 each. Personal checks are not accepted. Pay by attorney's check, money order, bank certified check, or cashier's check. Make payment out to "Commonwealth of Massachusetts." Mail your payment along with the completed PFC-18 form when requesting copies by mail.
If the filing fee is a financial hardship, you may file an Affidavit of Indigency along with your divorce papers. A judge will review the request. If approved, the filing fee is waived. All forms are free at mass.gov. Call the Trial Court Help Line at 1-833-912-6878 Monday through Friday for help with fees, forms, and the overall process. Full information on obtaining your divorce record is at mass.gov.
How Dissolution of Marriage Works in Nantucket County
Nantucket County divorce cases follow Massachusetts state law under M.G.L. Chapter 208. The steps are the same as at any other Probate and Family Court in the state. Every document you file becomes a permanent part of the case record at 16 Broad Street.
The first requirement is residency. Under Section 5, if the grounds for divorce arose outside Massachusetts, at least one spouse must have lived in the state for one full year before filing. If the cause arose within Massachusetts, you can file right away. You file at Nantucket County if you or your spouse lives on the island. Since Nantucket is a single-town county, there is no question about which court to use if you live there.
Massachusetts offers two no-fault paths for dissolution of marriage. Under Section 1A, both spouses file a joint petition along with a signed separation agreement. Everything must be agreed to in advance: property, debt, custody, and support. This is the simpler and faster path. Under Section 1B, one spouse files a complaint alone claiming an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. The other side is served and may respond. Section 1B cases can become contested and typically take longer to resolve. The court may issue temporary orders while the case is pending.
Nisi Period: A Nantucket County divorce does not take effect the day the judge signs the judgment. Under M.G.L. c. 208, § 21, a joint petition 1A case waits 120 days and a complaint 1B case waits 90 days before the divorce is absolute. The marriage is not legally ended until that period expires.
Property division follows the 15-factor test in Section 34. Alimony, if part of the case, is governed by Section 37. Financial statements filed in every Nantucket County dissolution of marriage case are automatically sealed under Rule 401 and are not accessible to the public.
You can file for divorce in Nantucket County using the state's online eFiling system. This can be a practical option for island residents who want to file without visiting the courthouse. See mass.gov/efiling for instructions.
What Nantucket Dissolution of Marriage Records Contain
A Nantucket County dissolution of marriage case file contains the complaint or joint petition, any responses or motions, temporary orders, financial statements (which are sealed), and ultimately the final judgment. The level of detail in a case file depends on how the case was resolved. An uncontested joint petition where both parties agreed on everything will be smaller than a contested case that required multiple hearings.
The judgment of divorce nisi is the key document. Once the nisi period under Section 21 expires, this order formally ends the marriage. It sets out the agreed or court-ordered terms covering division of assets and debts under Section 34, custody and parenting time arrangements, child support amounts, and alimony under Section 37 if applicable. Banks, retirement plan administrators, the Registry of Deeds, and various agencies will ask for a certified copy of this judgment. Get certified copies at $20 each from the Register at 16 Broad Street, or request them by mail or email.
Nantucket County divorce records are public records, open to any person who requests them, not just the parties to the case. The two main exceptions are the sealed financial statements under Rule 401 and certain records involving minor children. For a complete explanation of access rights and how to make a request, visit mass.gov. City Clerks on the island do not hold divorce records. All divorce records are at the Probate and Family Court.
Legal Help for Nantucket Residents
South Coastal Counties Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to income-eligible residents of Nantucket County. Family law matters including dissolution of marriage, custody, and support are among the areas they cover. Call (508) 584-4543 to learn about eligibility and available services.
MassLegalHelp at masslegalhelp.org offers free guides for people filing divorce without a lawyer in Massachusetts. The site covers both the 1A and 1B paths, what forms to use, and how to handle each stage of the case. It is a solid resource for Nantucket residents who want to understand the process before calling a lawyer. All court forms for dissolution of marriage cases are free to download from mass.gov.
The Trial Court Help Line at 1-833-912-6878 is available Monday through Friday for general questions about court procedure and forms. For in-person visits or ADA accommodations, contact Register Sarah Maxwell at (508) 228-2669 or sarah.maxwell@jud.state.ma.us. Given the island location, calling or emailing ahead before making the trip to 16 Broad Street is always a good idea.
Town of Nantucket
Nantucket County and the Town of Nantucket are the same jurisdiction. The entire island makes up one county and one town. All dissolution of marriage cases for island residents are filed at the Nantucket County Probate and Family Court at 16 Broad Street, Nantucket. The town does not meet the 100,000-population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.
Nearby Counties
Nantucket County is an island county. The nearest county on the mainland side is Barnstable, accessible by ferry. If you are unsure whether your case belongs in Nantucket County, the answer is simple: if you live on the island, you file here.