Suffolk County Family Court Records
Suffolk County family court records are filed and maintained at the Suffolk Probate and Family Court, located in the Edward W. Brooke Courthouse in downtown Boston. The court serves Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, making it one of the busiest family courts in Massachusetts. You can search Suffolk County family court records online through the state's free case lookup tool, visit the courthouse in person, or use the virtual registry on select days each week. This page covers where records are kept, how to get copies, what the files contain, and where to find legal help in Suffolk County.
Suffolk County Overview
Suffolk Probate and Family Court
The Suffolk Probate and Family Court handles all family court filings for Suffolk County. This includes divorce cases, child custody disputes, child support orders, guardianship petitions, conservatorship cases, and probate matters. The court is on the third floor of the Edward W. Brooke Courthouse at 24 New Chardon Street in Boston. It is one court with one physical location that serves the entire county.
The official court page on mass.gov has current hours, contact details, and links to forms and filing instructions. The image below shows the Suffolk Probate and Family Court page as it appears on the state site, which is the first place to check before visiting the courthouse or calling the clerk's office.
The main phone number is (617) 788-8300. The Register's Office, which handles copies and records requests, can be reached at (617) 788-8301. Probation has a separate line at (617) 788-8210. The court fax is (617) 788-8962. For email questions, use pfcquestions@jud.state.ma.us. Court hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Mail should be sent to P.O. Box 9667, Boston, MA 02114.
| Court | Suffolk Probate and Family Court |
|---|---|
| Address | Edward W. Brooke Courthouse, 3rd Floor 24 New Chardon Street Boston, MA 02114 |
| Mailing | P.O. Box 9667, Boston, MA 02114 |
| Main Phone | (617) 788-8300 |
| Register's Office | (617) 788-8301 |
| Probation | (617) 788-8210 |
| Fax | (617) 788-8962 |
| pfcquestions@jud.state.ma.us | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
There is no parking at the courthouse. The closest affordable parking is in the Haymarket area. The courthouse is easy to reach by public transit. The Orange Line stops at Haymarket, which is about five minutes on foot. Government Center on the Green and Blue Lines is roughly ten minutes away. The Red Line at Park Street and commuter rail at North Station are also nearby. Most people take the T when coming to court in Boston.
Suffolk County Family Court Virtual Registry
The Suffolk Probate and Family Court runs a virtual registry three days a week. You can connect with court staff by video without going to the courthouse. Virtual registry hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. This is useful if you need to ask about your case, submit documents, or request copies but cannot make it to Boston in person.
The screenshot below comes from the Suffolk virtual registry info page on mass.gov, where you can find the Zoom link, call-in number, and any updates to the schedule.
To join the virtual registry, go to https://www.zoomgov.com/my/suffolkpf on Zoom. You can also call in at 1 (646) 828-7666 and enter Meeting ID 16037953870. The image below shows the Zoom entry page used for Suffolk County virtual registry sessions.
Note: Virtual registry sessions end at 1:00 PM sharp, so connect early if you have a question that may take time to resolve.
Boston Court Service Center
The Boston Court Service Center is on the second floor of the same building as the Probate and Family Court. It is a free walk-in resource for people who are handling their own cases without a lawyer. Staff there can help you find the right forms, understand how the court process works, and figure out what to do next. They don't give legal advice, but they can point you in the right direction.
The Court Service Center is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM and again from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM. On Fridays it closes at 1:00 PM. The image below shows the Boston Court Service Center page on mass.gov, which lists everything available and any changes to operating hours.
If you are filing for divorce, asking for a custody modification, or dealing with a support order for the first time, the Court Service Center is a good first stop. It costs nothing to use and is in the same building where you'll need to file your papers.
How to Search Suffolk County Family Court Records
The main way to search Suffolk County family court records online is through MassCourts.org. This free state system covers the Suffolk Probate and Family Court. You can look up cases by name or case number. Results show the case type, filing date, party names, and docket entries. Not all information in a family court file appears in the online system. Some records are restricted by law, and cases involving children may have sealed portions.
To get copies of specific documents, use the official Request for Copies form (PFC-18) from mass.gov. Write the case name, docket number if you have it, and list the specific documents you want. You can submit this form in person at the courthouse counter on the third floor, mail it to the P.O. Box, or bring it during a virtual registry session. Fees apply per page or per certified copy. See the court fee schedule on mass.gov for current rates.
Common documents people request from the Suffolk County family court include the Certificate of Divorce Absolute, which costs $20, the Judgment of Divorce Nisi, financial statements, separation agreements, child support worksheets, and parenting plans. If you need a certified copy for legal purposes such as changing your name, refinancing property, or proving your marital status, ask specifically for a certified copy and not just a plain photocopy. The Register's Office at (617) 788-8301 can tell you exactly what you need to request.
Massachusetts Law and Suffolk County Family Court Cases
Family court cases in Suffolk County follow Massachusetts state law. Divorce is governed by General Laws Chapter 208. That chapter sets out the grounds for divorce, residency requirements, how property is divided, alimony rules, and the nisi period. Under Chapter 208, a divorce does not become final immediately. A joint petition case has a 120-day waiting period after the judgment nisi is entered. A contested case has a 90-day wait. Suffolk County follows these same rules as every other Probate and Family Court in the state.
Paternity, child support, and custody matters for children born outside of marriage fall under General Laws Chapter 209C. For married couples, custody and support come out of the divorce case itself. The court uses the state's child support guidelines to set the payment amount. If either parent later wants to modify the support order, they file a complaint for modification with the same court. The modification becomes part of the existing docket, so the full history of the case stays in one place.
All family court records in Suffolk County are subject to the court's access and privacy rules. Most case documents are public records. However, some filings related to children, sealed cases, and certain financial disclosures have restricted access. If you are a party to the case, your access to your own file is broader than what a member of the public can see. Court staff can explain what is and isn't available when you make a request.
Legal Help for Suffolk County Family Court Cases
The Suffolk Probate and Family Court has a Volunteer Lawyers Project that provides free legal help on-site. In-person sessions run on the first and third Wednesday of each month from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Virtual sessions through the VLP run on the second and fourth Wednesday from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM. To sign up, call (617) 603-1700 before your session date. This program is for people who do not have a lawyer and need guidance on their case.
A Domestic Violence Project also operates at the court. It is available Tuesday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. You can reach that program at (617) 603-1520. If your case involves abuse or safety concerns, this is a direct resource at the courthouse that can help you understand your legal options and connect you with support services.
Greater Boston Legal Services serves Suffolk County and offers free legal help to people with low income. Their website at gbls.org has information about eligibility and services. They handle family law cases including divorce, custody, and domestic violence matters. If you don't qualify for free help, the Massachusetts Bar Association's lawyer referral service can match you with a family law attorney. Income limits apply to free legal aid, but attorney referrals are open to everyone.
Cities in Suffolk County
Suffolk County includes four communities: Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop. All family court cases from any of these areas are filed at the Suffolk Probate and Family Court in Boston. The cities below have their own family court records pages.
Chelsea and Winthrop are also part of Suffolk County and file family court cases at the same courthouse in Boston.
Nearby Counties
Several counties border Suffolk County. If you are not sure which court has your case, the filing county is typically where you or your spouse lived when the case was first filed.