Divorce records in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, are available through several channels: online tools, the court that issued the decision, the county clerk's office, and the state office of vital records. NorfolkCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about divorce records in this county. Additionally, you can contact the Norfolk Probate and Family Court in Canton, MA, directly, where court cases are stored. The Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics also provides divorce certificates.
Norfolk Divorce Records Search
In Massachusetts, divorce cases are handled by the Probate and Family Court. For Norfolk County, this function is performed by the Norfolk Probate and Family Court, located in Canton. This court is the primary custodian of court materials — divorce decrees, property settlement agreements, custody orders, and related documents.
As noted by the Town Clerk of Norfolk, to obtain a copy of a divorce record that took place in the county, you should contact the Norfolk Probate and Family Court. The state office — Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics — keeps divorce certificates, which are a shorter document with basic facts.
Norfolk Probate and Family Court
The collection of records includes:
- Divorce decrees / judgments of divorce
- Settlement agreements
- Custody and support orders
- Related motions and court orders
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Norfolk
The record storage structure in Massachusetts is divided between the court and the state registry. Each institution is responsible for its type of document, so it's important to know where to go.
Probate and Family Court — Court Materials
The Norfolk Probate and Family Court handles all divorce cases in the county. After a decision is made by a judge, the full set of documents — decree, separation agreement, custody orders — remains with the clerk of this court. If you need a detailed court case or a certified copy of the decision, contact here.
Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics — Certificates
The state registry keeps records of divorce certificates starting from 1952. This is a concise document that confirms the fact of divorce — date, names of the parties, place. It does not contain the terms of the agreement or custody decisions.
What to choose depends on the purpose:
- Full court decision with details of property distribution and custody → Probate and Family Court
- Certificate to confirm the fact of divorce (e.g., for remarriage) → Registry of Vital Records
Local Town Clerk offices, such as the Town Clerk's office in Norfolk, usually do not issue divorce records but redirect applicants to the court or state registry. For other types of public records, a separate procedure applies according to the Massachusetts Public Records Law (G.L. c.66).
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Norfolk
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of court decision (Probate and Family Court) | $2.50 for the first page; $0.50 for each additional page | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Divorce certificate (Registry of Vital Records — in person/by mail) | $20.00 | 3–4 weeks by mail |
| Divorce certificate (Registry of Vital Records — online order) | $20.00 + service fee | 3–4 weeks |
| Expedited processing (Registry of Vital Records) | $20.00 + additional delivery fee | Depends on delivery method |