Massachusetts - How to obtain a Divorce Certificate

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Procedure

In Person

You may go to the probate court where the divorce was granted with as much as information and fees to obtain the certified copy of divorce certificate.

By Mail

You may mail your completed request, with a copy of your photo identification and correct fees to probate court where the divorce was granted.

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Required Documents

• Driver's License
• State Identification Card
• Passport or Military Identification Card
• Valid Photo ID Card

Office Locations & Contacts

150 Mount Vernon St.,
1st Floor,
Dorchester,
MA 02125-3105
Telephone: (617) 740-2600

Certificates may also be obtained from your local county. Use the contact information below to inquire.

Barnstable County : First District Courthouse Route 6A Barnstable, MA 02630
Phone: 508-375-6761 Website

Berkshire County :
Website

Bristol County : 9 Court Street, Taunton, MA 02780
Phone: 508-824-9681 / Fax: 508-821-3101 Website

Dukes County : Courthouse Main Street Edgartown, MA 02539
Phone: 508-627-4668

Essex County :
Website

Franklin County : 425 Main Street Greenfield, MA 01301
Phone: 413-774-5533

Hampden County : 50 State St, Springfield, MA 01103
Website

Hampshire County : P.O. Box 1119 15 Gothic Street Northampton, MA 01061
Phone: 413-584-5810 x287

Middlesex County : 200 TradeCenter, 1st Floor Woburn, MA 01801
Phone: 781-939-2700

Nantucket County : 16 Broad Street Nantucket, MA 02554
Phone: 508-228-2669 / 508-228-6852

Norfolk County : 614 High Street, Dedham, MA 02027-0310
Phone: 781-461-6105 Website

Plymouth County : 52 Obery Street - Suite 2041 Plymouth, MA 02360
Phone: 508-747-8565

Suffolk County : John Adams Courthouse One Pemberton Square, Suite 2500 Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-557-1000

Worcester County : 225 Main Street Worcester, MA 01608
Phone: 508-831-2200

Eligibility

Certified copies of divorce records will only be issued to the parties of the divorce, their immediate family or their legal representatives.

Fees

Fees varies according the probate court

Validity

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Documents to Use

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Sample Documents

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Processing Time

By Mail

20 to 30 business days

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Instructions

• The Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (Massachusetts Vital Records) maintains an index of divorces from 1952 to the present.
• Copies of the divorce records are available from the probate court where the divorce was obtained.
• The cost for certified copy of a record is varied according to probate court or county.
• For general information about research at the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, call (617) 740-2600.
• Make your check or money order payable to "The Commonwealth of Massachusetts".
• Enclose a business-size self-addressed envelope. The cost of each record includes a ten-year search if the exact date or place of event is not known.
• We can order the certified marriage certificates by one of the methods in person, by mail.

Required Information

• Full name of the husband
• Full name of the wife
• The month, day and year of the divorce
• The county where the divorce was issued
• Name and address of the applicant
• Daytime Phone number
• Valid photo identification

Need for the Document

If you want your Divorce certificate you can obtain one with following the procedure given below.

Information which might help

Enter other informations which might help

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Certified copies of divorce records which are typically acceptable for proof of divorce or other legal purposes

External Links

Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS)

http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/consumer/basic-needs/vitals/obtaining-certified-copies-of-vital-records.html

Registry Direction

http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/newsroom/dph/directions/registry-of-vital-records-and-statistics.htm

List of state holidays on which the registry office is closed

http://www.sec.state.ma.us/cis/cishol/holidx.htm

Research area

http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/consumer/basic-needs/vitals/genealogical-research.html

Others

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