Boston Family Court Records
Boston family court records are filed and maintained at the Suffolk Probate and Family Court in the Edward W. Brooke Courthouse at 24 New Chardon Street. This court handles divorce cases, custody filings, guardianship petitions, and protection orders for all of Boston and the broader Suffolk County area. You can search these records online through the state's court portal or visit the Register of Probate in person. Whether you need a certified copy of a divorce judgment or want to look up a custody case, this guide covers what you need to know to find Boston family court records.
Boston Quick Facts
Suffolk Probate and Family Court in Boston
All Boston family court records are handled by the Suffolk Probate and Family Court. The court sits on the 3rd Floor of the Edward W. Brooke Courthouse in downtown Boston. This is the only court in Suffolk County with jurisdiction over divorce, child custody, guardianship, and related family law matters. The Register of Probate manages all case files, processes new filings, and handles requests for certified copies of court documents.
| Court | Suffolk Probate and Family Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 24 New Chardon Street, 3rd Floor Boston, MA 02114 |
| Main Phone | (617) 788-8300 |
| Register | (617) 788-8301 |
| Probation | (617) 788-8210 |
| pfcquestions@jud.state.ma.us | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | mass.gov Suffolk Probate and Family Court |
Getting to the courthouse is straightforward by public transit. The Orange Line stops at Haymarket, about a five-minute walk away. The Green and Blue lines stop at Government Center, roughly ten minutes on foot. The Red Line connects at Park Street, and the Commuter Rail serves North Station a short walk to the north. There is no on-site parking at the courthouse. Paid parking is available at Government Center Garage and in the Haymarket area. Bring a valid photo ID, as security screens all visitors at the entrance.
The court also maintains a satellite office with limited hours. That satellite location is open Tuesday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. It handles some filings but not all services. For full access to Boston family court records, the main courthouse on New Chardon Street is the right place to go.
Search Boston Family Court Records Online
You have two main paths for searching Boston family court records remotely. The first is the state's free public court search system at masscourts.org. This portal covers Suffolk Probate and Family Court cases and lets you search by party name or case number. You can find basic case information, docket entries, and case status without visiting in person. Some records are restricted due to privacy rules, but many divorce and probate filings appear in the public search.
The second option is the Suffolk Probate and Family Court Virtual Registry. The virtual registry is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. You can connect by Zoom at zoomgov.com/my/suffolkpf. The call-in number is 1 (646) 828-7666, Meeting ID 16037953870. Virtual sessions let you ask registry staff questions, confirm case status, and sometimes request copies without making the trip downtown. Full details on the virtual registry are at mass.gov.
For in-person searches, go to the 3rd Floor at New Chardon Street and speak with Register of Probate staff. They can look up cases by name or docket number and print copies from the case file. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. Call (617) 788-8301 before your visit to confirm what documents you need to bring.
Note: Some family law filings, including certain adoption and guardianship records, are sealed by default and do not appear in public searches.Boston Court Service Center
The Boston Court Service Center is on the 2nd Floor of the same building at 24 New Chardon Street. It is free to use and open to all, with no income requirement. Staff there can help with court forms, explain procedures, and point you toward the right resources. They do not give legal advice, but they can help you understand what forms you need and how to fill them out.
The Court Service Center at mass.gov is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM, and Friday from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM. A virtual option is also available for those who cannot visit in person. This center handles questions about family court matters including divorce filings, custody paperwork, and record requests. It is a valuable first stop if you are dealing with family court records in Boston for the first time.
The Volunteer Lawyers Project also provides limited free legal help at the courthouse. In-person clinics run on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Virtual clinics are on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM. Sign up by calling 617-603-1700.
A Domestic Violence Project operates at the same location on Tuesday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Contact them at 617-603-1520. They can assist with 209A protective order filings, which are part of the family court records system in Boston.
The Boston Court Service Center image below is taken from the official Mass.gov location page.
The 2nd Floor service center and the 3rd Floor probate court are in the same building, making it easy to get help and file in one visit.
What Boston Family Court Records Contain
Boston family court records cover a broad range of case types filed at the Suffolk Probate and Family Court. Divorce filings are among the most commonly requested. A divorce case file may include the original complaint or joint petition, financial statements from both parties, a separation agreement, child support worksheets, parenting plans, and the final Judgment of Divorce Nisi. Once the nisi period ends, the court issues a Certificate of Divorce Absolute. That certificate is the document most people need to prove a divorce is final.
Beyond divorce, the Suffolk Probate and Family Court handles custody and visitation orders, paternity filings, guardianship petitions for minors and adults, adoption proceedings, and 209A domestic abuse protection orders. Each type of case creates its own set of records. Guardianship records, for example, include the petition, medical statements, and any court orders. Adoption records are largely sealed under Massachusetts law and are not available for public inspection. Protection orders under the abuse prevention statute are generally accessible as public records unless the court seals them for safety reasons.
You can review the full fee schedule for certified copies and other services at mass.gov probate and family court filing fees.
The image below shows the Suffolk Probate and Family Court virtual registry page, which provides access to some Boston family court records remotely.
The virtual registry is one of the quickest ways to check on a pending case or confirm whether a judgment has been entered.
Legal Help for Boston Family Court Cases
Greater Boston Legal Services is the primary free legal aid organization for Boston residents. They serve all of Suffolk County and handle family law matters including divorce, child custody, and support. Their work is income-based. Visit gbls.org to learn whether you qualify and how to apply. Getting help early in a family court case can make a real difference in how it goes.
The Volunteer Lawyers Project at the Suffolk courthouse provides direct help on clinic days. Clinics are a good option if you need a quick review of your paperwork or have questions about a specific step in the process. No appointment is needed for walk-in sessions, though calling 617-603-1700 to confirm space is a good idea. Clinics run on Wednesdays, both in person and virtually, throughout the month.
Massachusetts law under M.G.L. Chapter 208 governs divorce proceedings in Boston. Knowing the law helps, but applying it to your specific situation is where legal help comes in. Many family court records questions, like how to get a certified copy of a divorce judgment or how to request a case file, can be answered by the Court Service Center without any legal training needed.
The Suffolk Probate and Family Court page on mass.gov has current location, hours, and service details for Boston.
The mass.gov court page is updated when hours or contact information change, so it is the best place to confirm details before you visit.
Suffolk County Family Court Records
Boston sits within Suffolk County, and all family court filings for the city go through the Suffolk Probate and Family Court. The county also includes Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, all served by the same court. For a broader look at case filing procedures, fee schedules, and county-wide resources, visit the Suffolk County family court records page.
Nearby Cities with Family Court Records Pages
Other cities near Boston also have qualifying family court records pages. These cities file through their respective county courts, which may differ from Suffolk County.