Massachusetts Filing and E-Filing

FamilyCourtHelp is an independent educational platform. It is not a court, law firm, government agency, or government partner. We organize and link to publicly available resources published by courts and government agencies. Official requirements may change. Always confirm current requirements with the applicable court or clerk.

eFileMA is live in every Probate and Family Court division, 24 hours a day. E-filing is required for attorneys but optional for people without a lawyer, so you can always paper file instead.

Only certain family case types are open for e-filing, such as custody, support, and parenting time complaints. Anything not on the approved list still goes in by mail or in person.

In Massachusetts, a parent without a lawyer can file family papers online, and filing on paper with the clerk is still allowed.

Official Massachusetts filing resources

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eFileMA (Tyler Technologies): eFileMA is live in every Probate and Family Court division, 24 hours a day. E-filing is required for attorneys but optional for people without a lawyer, so you can always paper file instead. https://www.efilema.com/

Massachusetts official filing information (Massachusetts judicial branch): The court's own page explaining how documents are filed in Massachusetts and what a parent without a lawyer is allowed to do. https://www.mass.gov/info-details/efiling-in-the-probate-and-family-court

Massachusetts courthouse locator (Massachusetts judicial branch): Find the courthouse or clerk that serves your area, with locations and contact details. https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-court-system/locations

Massachusetts family law forms (official index) (Massachusetts judicial branch): The official statewide collection of Massachusetts family law forms. When a direct document link stops working, this index is where the current version lives. https://www.mass.gov/lists/probate-and-family-court-forms

Massachusetts court self-help resources (Massachusetts courts self-help): Official self-help information for people handling their own Massachusetts family case, including instructions and plain-language guides. https://www.mass.gov/topics/family-law

Massachusetts rules of procedure (Massachusetts judicial branch): The court rules that control deadlines, service, and how family cases move in Massachusetts. https://www.mass.gov/rules-of-the-probate-and-family-court

Official link data for Massachusetts was last verified June 2026. Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.

Frequently asked questions

Can I file my own family papers online in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, a parent without a lawyer can file family papers online, and filing on paper with the clerk is still allowed. Only certain family case types are open for e-filing, such as custody, support, and parenting time complaints. Anything not on the approved list still goes in by mail or in person.

How much does it cost to file a family case in Massachusetts?

Divorce filing fee: ~$200-$215. If you cannot afford the fee, ask the clerk about a fee waiver or indigency application; every state has a process for requesting one.

Which court hears family cases in Massachusetts?

Family cases in Massachusetts are heard in the Probate and Family Court. Massachusetts has a dedicated Probate and Family Court department for divorce, custody, and support. The Probate and Family Court sits in each county.