Are divorce records public in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, the majority of divorce records, also referred to as divorce case files and/or decrees, are considered public information. Massachusetts divorce records since 1922 are located at the county probate court in which the libellant filed.

How do i find divorce records online?

How to Find Divorce Records?

1. When looking for divorce records an interested person may search online. Websites like Staterecords.org are often the first stop when searching for divorce records online.
2. The applicant may search the County court’s website or the State’s archives for divorce papers online.

Are divorce cases public record?

Generally, court proceedings are public matters. In the vast majority of jurisdictions, this includes divorce proceedings. This means that unless the court agrees to file divorce records under seal, filings in divorce proceedings become matters of public record.

How do I look up court cases in Massachusetts?

Online

1. Go to www.masscourts.org and type the letters in the challenge image.
2. Click the button that says “Click here to search public records.” You’ll then select the court department and court division you’re searching in.

How do i find divorce records in Massachusetts?

How to get

1. Records from 1629-1886: The best way to access divorce records is to call the Judicial Archivist, Elizabeth Bouvier, at (617) 557-1082.
2. Records from 1887-1922: Many counties have transferred their Superior Court and Probate & Family Court divorce records off-site.

Can you check if someone is divorced?

Post-1937, divorce records are available both in the National Historical Archive and the county registrar’s office. Additionally, you may be able to find the information you are looking for from the comfort of your own home, as it is also possible to search for specific divorce records online.

Can you look up marriage and divorce records?

Marriage licenses are also kept as a matter of public record. Birth, death, marriage and divorce records are typically managed and made available at the local county clerk’s office where the event took place. States will also often have a department of health that can provide access to older vital records.

Can you find out if someone is divorced?

What are the 5 grounds for divorce?

Following are the 9 common legal grounds for divorce which are widely present in all current enactments on divorce law:

• Adultery.
• Desertion.
• Insanity.
• Conversion.
• Renunciation.
• Cruelty.
• Venereal disease.
• Presumption of death.

Are Massachusetts court records public?

In general, court records are public documents and are available for public access during normal business hours. If you want to see your court record, go to the clerk’s office in the court where your file is kept. Court staff may ask you to fill out a form.

Are mugshots public record in Massachusetts?

As for mug shots, Massachusetts law says booking photos taken prior to criminal proceedings are public record and do not fall under a public-records exemption granted for CORI, or Criminal Offender Record Information, reports.

How do I get a copy of my divorce records?

If you filed for divorce in the United States, you generally can obtain a divorce decree from the court that issued the document. Alternatively, you can request an official copy from the office of vital records in the state where your divorce was finalized.

How do you get divorced in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts divorce is initiated either by the filing of a Joint Petition for Divorce (where the parties have reached a settlement in advance of filing) or by filing a Complaint for Divorce either claiming fault or no fault grounds.

What are the divorce laws in Ma?

One of the spouses must be a resident of the state of Massachusetts if the grounds for divorce occurred in Massachusetts. If the grounds for divorce occurred outside the state of Massachusetts then one spouse must be a resident of the state for at least 1 year. Actions for divorce shall be filed,…

Are divorce records public?

Divorce records are public unless they are “sealed” by the court because of sensitive information that they contain. If records have been sealed then someone who wanted to see them would need a court order.

How do you find your divorce records?

How to Find Divorce Records Method 1 of 3: Searching Court Websites. Find out basic information about the parties. It’ll be difficult to find a divorce record without some basic pieces of information. Method 2 of 3: Using the Office of Vital Statistics. Collect basic information about the parties. Method 3 of 3: Paying a Private Company. Find online databases.