How to Get a Certified Divorce Decree in Massachusetts

Every post-divorce administrative step — from updating your Social Security card to transferring a vehicle title — starts with one document: a certified copy of your Certificate of Divorce Absolute. Not the judgment nisi, not a photocopy, not a printout from the court's online system. A certified original from the Register of Probate in the county where your divorce was granted.

Here's exactly how to get one, what it costs, and the payment detail that trips up most people.

What You're Actually Requesting

Massachusetts issues two distinct documents after a divorce:

Certificate of Divorce Absolute — This is the document that proves your divorce is final. It's what the Social Security Administration, the RMV, banks, and mortgage lenders need. This is the one you want.

Judgment of Divorce Nisi — This is the interim judgment that enters before the divorce is final. It proves the court approved your divorce but that the 90-day waiting period hasn't expired yet. Most agencies won't accept this.

You can also request a certified copy of your Separation Agreement, which details the specific terms (property division, custody, support). Some agencies — especially retirement plan administrators processing a QDRO — require this alongside the certificate.

How to Request Copies: Form PFC 18

File a Request for Copies (Form PFC 18) with the Register of Probate in the county where your divorce was granted. You can do this by mail or in person.

You'll need your case docket number. If you don't have it, search for your case on masscourts.org or contact the county's Register of Probate. Some counties offer Virtual Registry sessions via Zoom where staff can help you locate your case.

Fees:

• Certificate of Divorce Absolute: $20 per copy
• Judgment of Divorce Nisi: $20 per copy
• Separation Agreement: $20 plus $0.05 per page
• Attestation fee: $2.50 per document (for mail requests)

Order at least four certified copies of the Certificate of Divorce Absolute. You'll need separate originals for the SSA, the RMV, your bank or mortgage lender, and your retirement plan administrator. Agencies typically keep the certified copy or require you to leave one on file.

The Payment Detail That Causes Rejections

For mail requests, the Probate Court only accepts payment by attorney's check, money order, or cashier's check. Personal checks are rejected, and your request will be returned unprocessed — potentially adding weeks of delay while you resubmit.

For in-person requests, accepted payment methods vary by county. Some courthouses accept cash and money orders; a few accept credit cards. Call ahead to confirm.

Make the check or money order payable to the Register of Probate of the county where the divorce was granted (e.g., "Register of Probate, Suffolk County").

In Person vs. By Mail

In person: Bring your photo ID and case docket number to the Register of Probate. Most counties can issue certified copies the same day, though processing times vary. Some courthouses are appointment-only.

By mail: Send the completed PFC 18, payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Register of Probate in the appropriate county. Processing typically takes 1-3 weeks depending on the courthouse's backlog.

If you need copies urgently, in-person is faster. For mail requests, use a money order (available at any post office or bank) to avoid the personal check rejection.

Where to Send Your Request

The request goes to the Register of Probate in the county where the divorce was filed, not to a central state office. Massachusetts has 14 Probate and Family Court divisions:

Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Nantucket, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester.

Find the correct courthouse address and contact information on the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court website at mass.gov.

What a Certified Copy Looks Like

A certified copy has the court's raised seal or stamp and the Register of Probate's signature. This is what distinguishes it from a regular photocopy or printout. Without the certification, agencies will reject the document.

If you've lost your only certified copy, order replacements through the same PFC 18 process. There's no limit on how many certified copies you can request.

What Comes Next

Once you have your certified copies in hand, the post-divorce administrative sequence begins: Social Security first, then the RMV, then your passport, financial accounts, and estate planning documents. Each step requires presenting a certified copy of the Certificate of Divorce Absolute.

The Massachusetts Post-Divorce Checklist walks through this entire sequence with tracking worksheets, agency-specific document requirements, and a timeline calculator for each step.

See more Massachusetts guides →