Norfolk County Dissolution Of Marriage Records

Dissolution of marriage records for Norfolk County are held at the Probate and Family Court in Canton, Massachusetts. The courthouse serves all 28 cities and towns in the county, from Quincy and Brookline to Weymouth and Dedham. Use this page to learn how to find divorce filings, request certified copies, and understand the records kept on file.

Norfolk County Probate and Family Court

The Norfolk County Probate and Family Court is located in Canton, not in the county seat of Dedham. All dissolution of marriage filings and case records for Norfolk County are stored at this one courthouse at 35 Shawmut Road. The court is right off Route 95 (Exits 23A and 23B), and there is ample free parking on site. Public transit access is limited, so most people drive.

The court is led by First Justice Hon. Patrick W. Stanton and Register Colleen Brierley. The Register of Probate handles all records functions: looking up cases, processing copy requests, and managing the official docket. Staff at the main phone line (781) 830-1200 can help you find a case or explain what documents are on file for a given divorce matter. The Probation department can be reached at (781) 830-1249. The court also has a Court Clinic at (781) 830-4334 for matters involving children.

The official Norfolk Probate and Family Court listing on mass.gov is shown below. That page has the most current hours, contact details, and links to court services.

The screenshot above comes from the Norfolk Probate and Family Court page on mass.gov, which lists current hours and contact information.

How to Search Norfolk County Divorce Records

You can search Norfolk County dissolution of marriage records online through MassCourts, by visiting the courthouse in Canton, or by mail. Most people start online and then contact the court for certified copies once they find the case they need.

MassCourts is the free statewide case lookup tool from the Massachusetts Trial Court. Visit masscourts.org and select the Norfolk County Probate and Family Court. You can search by the name of either spouse or by the docket number. The system shows party names, filing dates, docket entries, and case status. It does not show full documents, but it tells you what is in the file and gives you the case number to use when requesting copies. A general guide to court case searches is at mass.gov.

For certified copies of Norfolk County divorce records, you can submit a request in person, by mail, by phone, or by email. In person, go to 35 Shawmut Road in Canton during business hours. Bring a photo ID. By mail, send the completed PFC-18 form (available at mass.gov) with a check or money order to 35 Shawmut Road, Canton, MA 02021. By email, send your request to NCPFC@jud.state.ma.us. By phone, call (781) 830-1200 to check availability and get instructions. Standard turnaround is 5 to 10 business days. Expedited processing is available in 2 to 3 business days in some cases.

Note that City or Town Clerks in Norfolk County do not hold divorce records. Only the Probate and Family Court has them. Do not contact the clerk in Quincy, Brookline, Weymouth, or any other town for a divorce filing or decree. Those offices only hold birth, marriage, and death records.

Norfolk County Dissolution Of Marriage Fees

Fees at the Norfolk County Probate and Family Court are set by the Massachusetts Trial Court and match all other Probate and Family Courts in the state. These fees apply to both copy requests and new filings.

For copies of existing divorce records, a Certificate of Divorce Absolute costs $20. A copy of the Judgment Nisi also costs $20. Copies of a separation agreement are $20 plus $0.05 for each page. The state gives more detail on copy requests at mass.gov. Use the PFC-18 form when submitting a mail or email request to the Norfolk County court.

For filing a new dissolution of marriage case, a joint petition under M.G.L. c. 208, § 1A costs $215. Filing a complaint for divorce under § 1B costs $280. A surcharge of $15 applies. A summons costs $5, and citations are $15 each. If you file electronically through the eFile Massachusetts system, a $22 case fee and small processing charges apply. More on eFiling is at mass.gov.

Norfolk County Dissolution Of Marriage Filing Process

Dissolution of marriage in Norfolk County follows Massachusetts state law under M.G.L. Chapter 208. Each step in the process adds documents to the court file. Those records are held permanently at 35 Shawmut Road in Canton.

Residency is the first thing to check. Under M.G.L. c. 208, § 5, if the cause of the divorce happened outside Massachusetts, at least one spouse must have lived in the state for one full year before filing. If both parties were living in Massachusetts when the grounds arose, no waiting period applies. You file in Norfolk County if you or your spouse resides in one of the 28 cities and towns the court serves.

Two no-fault divorce paths exist under Massachusetts law. The 1A path under § 1A is a joint petition. Both spouses must agree on everything and sign a separation agreement before they file. This is the most common path in Norfolk County. The 1B path under § 1B is used when one spouse files alone or when the parties disagree on terms. A contested 1B case takes longer and may require multiple court appearances.

Property division follows M.G.L. c. 208, § 34. The Norfolk County court can divide all marital property, weighing 15 factors including the length of the marriage, each spouse's income, and how much each contributed to the household. Alimony is governed by § 37 and the Alimony Reform Act. The court ties alimony duration to the length of the marriage. Both property and alimony terms appear in the final judgment and become part of the public court record.

All divorce forms for Norfolk County cases are free at mass.gov. The court accepts electronic filings through eFile Massachusetts. For procedural questions, call the Trial Court Help Line at 1-833-912-6878, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

What Norfolk County Divorce Records Contain

Each dissolution of marriage file in Norfolk County is a collection of all documents submitted to the court from the first filing to the final judgment. The complaint or joint petition comes first. It lists both spouses' names and addresses, the date of the marriage, the grounds for divorce, and what relief the filer is asking for. This document is always part of the public record.

The separation agreement is usually the most detailed document in the file. It spells out how property is divided, who gets the house, how retirement accounts are split, what the custody arrangement is, the parenting schedule, child support amounts, and whether one spouse will pay alimony to the other. Once the judge approves it, the agreement is a court order. Under M.G.L. c. 208, § 34, the court has wide authority over how marital assets are divided, and the terms in the agreement reflect this. Copies of the separation agreement cost $20 plus $0.05 per page.

Financial statements are a different matter. Under Probate Court Rule 401, they are automatically impounded. They do not appear in the public record. Only the parties to the case and their attorneys can access them. This protects detailed income, debt, and asset information from being available to anyone who searches the file.

The Judgment of Divorce Nisi is the core document most people need. It is the court order that ends the marriage after the nisi period passes. It includes all final terms: property, custody, support, and any alimony. The Certificate of Divorce Absolute is a shorter document confirming the divorce is legally final. Both are $20 each. You can read more about getting copies at mass.gov. Historical Norfolk County dissolution of marriage records from 1639 to 1887 are held at the Massachusetts State Archives, 220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, (617) 727-2816. Details are at mass.gov.

Legal Help for Divorce in Norfolk County

Several organizations serve people who need legal help with dissolution of marriage cases in Norfolk County. Some offer free assistance. Others offer reduced fees or referrals.

Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) covers Norfolk County and provides free legal help to people with low income. They handle divorce, custody, and support matters. Call (617) 371-1234 to ask about eligibility and services. South Coastal Counties Legal Services at (508) 584-4543 also serves parts of Norfolk County, particularly the Braintree, Weymouth, and Quincy areas. Both groups screen for income eligibility.

MassLegalHelp at masslegalhelp.org is a free online resource for people going through divorce without an attorney. It has step-by-step guides, plain-language explanations of the law, and links to all the official court forms. All court forms are free at mass.gov. The Norfolk County court also runs a Lawyer for the Day program, where volunteer attorneys are available to speak briefly with self-represented litigants on hearing days. Ask the clerk about scheduling. The Trial Court Help Line at 1-833-912-6878 is available Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, for questions about court procedures.

Cities in Norfolk County

These Norfolk County cities have individual pages with courthouse details, legal resources, and dissolution of marriage search guidance.

Other communities in Norfolk County include Dedham, Canton, Braintree, Randolph, Norwood, Needham, Walpole, Franklin, Stoughton, Sharon, Milton, and others. All file dissolution of marriage cases at the Norfolk County Probate and Family Court in Canton.

Nearby Counties

Norfolk County borders Suffolk, Middlesex, Bristol, and Plymouth counties. If you are not sure which court handles your dissolution of marriage case, check where you and your spouse live. You file in the county where at least one of you resides.