Massachusetts Divorce Records: Certificates of Divorce Absolute, Copies and Privacy
Massachusetts family law · Last reviewed October 28, 2026
In Massachusetts, the divorce record stays with the Probate and Family Court that granted the divorce. The state's Registry of Vital Records doesn't issue divorce certificates; it can only tell you which court granted the divorce and the docket number. When your divorce becomes final, the court doesn't mail you anything, so order a copy yourself.
What to order
The court's records page lists these:
| Document | Fee | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of divorce absolute | $20 each | The usual proof that you are divorced; it shows the divorce became final |
| Certified copy of the judgment of divorce nisi | $20 each | The judgment itself, without the supporting documents |
| Certified copy of the separation agreement | $20 for the first page, plus a per-page charge | The agreement the judge approved |
For the separation agreement, the court's page prints the per-page charge as ".05 cents"; the court's general fee schedule lists certified copies of court records at $2.50 a page. Ask the court for the total before you pay.
How to order
- Find your docket number. Search MassCourts at masscourts.org, call the Probate and Family Court where your case was, or use that county's Virtual Registry.
- Fill out the Request for Copies (PFC 18).
- Mail it or bring it with payment to the courthouse that granted the divorce. The court takes an attorney's check, money order, or bank certified or cashier's check, payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
If you don't know which court granted the divorce
The state's Registry of Vital Records and Statistics can help. Mail its Application of Divorce Inquiry and it will tell you the court and docket number. Its page is clear that it has no divorce records itself: "We can only provide you with the probate court that the divorce was granted in and the docket number." You then order the certificate from that court.
What is public, and what isn't
A divorce file is a court record, but not all of it is open to the public:
- Financial statements are impounded under Supplemental Probate and Family Court Rule 401: the rule says they "shall not be available for public inspection", though the parties, their lawyers and court staff can see them.
- MassCourts shows docket information online; it isn't a complete copy of the paper file, so order certified copies from the court.
Changing your name back
The court granting a divorce can allow a return to a former name (G.L. c. 208, § 23). The statute's text still speaks only of a woman resuming her maiden name or a former husband's name; ask the court how it handles a request from any spouse. If the judgment allows the change, a certified copy is your proof.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a copy of my divorce decree in Massachusetts?
The court doesn't send one when the divorce becomes final; its finalizing page calls the decree a certificate of divorce absolute. Order one ($20), or a certified copy of the judgment nisi ($20), from the Probate and Family Court that granted the divorce, using form PFC 18 and your docket number.
Can I get a Massachusetts divorce certificate from Vital Records?
No. The Registry of Vital Records can only tell you which court granted the divorce and the docket number. The certificate comes from that court.
How long after the divorce is final can I order the certificate?
Once the judgment is absolute: 90 days after the judgment nisi, which in a 1A case is 120 days after the judge approved the agreement. Before that, only the judgment nisi exists.
Are Massachusetts divorce records public?
Divorce cases are court records, and the docket can be searched on MassCourts. Financial statements are the main exception: Rule 401 impounds them, so they aren't open to the public.
How much does a certified divorce copy cost in Massachusetts?
$20 for a certificate of divorce absolute and $20 for a certified judgment nisi. A certified separation agreement is $20 for the first page plus a charge for each additional page.