Divorce records in Bristol County, Massachusetts, are available through several channels. BristolCourt.us can help you find publicly available divorce record information for the county. You can also obtain records directly from the court that issued the divorce decree, the county register of deeds or city/town clerk, and the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics. The access method depends on whether you need a court file or a vital record certificate.
Bristol Divorce Records Search
In Massachusetts, divorce cases are handled by the Probate and Family Court. The Bristol Probate and Family Court maintains case files for all divorces granted in Bristol County, including divorce decrees (also called judgments of divorce nisi and absolute), settlement agreements, custody orders, support orders, and related filings. The court clerk's office is the custodian of these case-level records.
Separately, the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics keeps divorce certificates — summary documents that confirm a divorce occurred but do not include the full case file. City and town clerks in Bristol County may also hold local copies of divorce records for marriages that were originally recorded in their municipality.
The primary court location for Bristol County divorce records is:
Bristol Probate and Family Court — Taunton
A second division sits in New Bedford:
Bristol Probate and Family Court — New Bedford
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Bristol
Massachusetts uses a dedicated Probate and Family Court for divorce proceedings. Here is how the filing structure works in Bristol County:
- Court that handles divorce cases: The Bristol Probate and Family Court has exclusive jurisdiction over divorce (dissolution of marriage) cases in the county. Cases may be filed at either the Taunton or New Bedford division.
- Where the decree is filed after entry: Once a judge enters a Judgment of Divorce Nisi, the court clerk's office retains the original decree and full case file. The judgment becomes absolute 90 days after the nisi date (or 30 days for a 1A joint petition), unless a party appeals.
- State vital records office: The court reports the divorce to the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, which maintains a divorce certificate. This certificate is a summary record — it confirms the divorce, the date, and the parties, but does not include property division, custody terms, or other case details.
- Local city or town clerk: The clerk of the city or town where the marriage was recorded may also have a record of the divorce.
Which office to contact depends on what you need:
| What You Need | Contact |
|---|---|
| Full divorce decree, settlement agreement, custody orders, or other case documents | Bristol Probate and Family Court (Taunton or New Bedford) |
| Divorce certificate (summary vital record) | Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics or local city/town clerk |
| Verification that a divorce occurred | Either the court or the state vital records office |
Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
For Bristol County municipalities, the City of Fall River clerk's office and clerks in Taunton, New Bedford, Attleboro, and other towns can also assist with locally recorded divorce information.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Bristol
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of divorce certificate (state vital records office, in person) | $20 for the first copy; $10 each additional copy ordered at the same time | Same day if records are available |
| Certified copy of divorce certificate (state vital records office, by mail) | $20 for the first copy; $10 each additional | 3–4 weeks |
| Certified copy of divorce certificate (online order through VitalChek) | $20 plus processing and shipping fees | 5–7 business days (standard); 2–3 business days (expedited) |
| Court record copies (Bristol Probate and Family Court) | $1.00 per page (may vary for certified copies) | While you wait (in person); varies by mail |
| Certified court copy / attestation | $2.50 per document for certification | While you wait (in person); 1–2 weeks by mail |
| Local town/city clerk — certified divorce record copy | Varies by municipality (typically $10–$20) | Same day to 1 week |