Pennsylvania Divorce Records: Official Certificates, Decrees, and Search Options
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Pennsylvania divorce records are official documents on marriage dissolutions in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Domestic Relations Sections of the various Courts of Common Pleas within the state generate these documents during divorce proceedings. Divorce records are evidence of the severance of marital bonds; they outline the terms of separation and the responsibilities of the former spouses (if necessary).
Divorce records play a crucial role in enforcing court orders relating to divorce agreements, such as child support and alimony. Additionally, these documents may provide valuable information for genealogical and academic research, as well as for appeals or post-decree litigation.
Divorce in Pennsylvania: According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Pennsylvania's divorce rate in 2022 was 2.2 per 1,000. In comparison, the national average for the same period was 2.4 per 1,000 of the U.S. population. Furthermore, the Pennsylvania Department of Health's 2023 Marriage and Divorce Statistics report shows that 29,101 divorces occurred in the state in 2022 and 28,009 in 2023.
Official Types of Divorce Documentation in Pennsylvania
There are two components or types of Pennsylvania divorce records. These documents differ in their contents and accessibility. Pennsylvania divorce records include:
- Decree in divorce
- Divorce case files.
Pennsylvania Decree in Divorce
Unlike some other states, Pennsylvania does not issue divorce certificates through its Department of Health. Instead, the judgment of divorce serves as the official proof of the termination of marriages in the state. The courts issue this document as the official confirmation of divorce. Individuals seeking copies of Pennsylvania's decrees in divorce can obtain them through the Court of Common Pleas, Family Division (Domestic Relations Section) in the county where the divorce was granted. A judgment of divorce in Pennsylvania is a primary legal document confirming that a divorce is final and binding, and the owner can use it to:
- Remarry
- Change name
- Prove marital status
- Enforce or modify alimony, custody, or property division orders
- Legal, financial, and identification purposes.
Pennsylvania Divorce Case Files
A divorce case file is the complete court record of all documents and proceedings related to a divorce. In Pennsylvania, the Prothonotary's Office (the Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas) in the county where the divorce was filed maintains and issues this document. A divorce case file contains every filing, motion, and court order, not just the final decree. Attorneys, courts, or authorized individuals may use Pennsylvania divorce case files for:
- Appeals or post-decree motions
- Case research and precedent
- Academic or genealogical research
- Legal enforcement and compliance with the terms of divorce
- Verification of legal rights and obligations.
| Document Type | Issued By | Purpose | Contains |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decree in Divorce | Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas | Legal proof of divorce |
|
| Divorce Case File | Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas | Full record of proceedings for appeals or legal review |
|
Public Access and Confidentiality of Pennsylvania Divorce Records
Pennsylvania operates an open access policy for court records, including divorce records. These documents are accessible to all interested individuals. However, access to sensitive information is restricted. The public cannot access sealed divorce records, and the Clerks of the Courts of Common Pleas will redact sensitive information, such as:
- Financial affidavits
- Settlements
- Custody details and other information about minors.
Generally, Pennsylvania's Case Records Public Access Policy and Article I, § 11 of the Pennsylvania Constitution grant full public access to the state's divorce records. Nonetheless, full access to detailed divorce files is limited to the parties involved, their attorneys of record, and individuals with judicial orders.
Requesters should note that the Pennsylvania Department of Health does not issue divorce records. Access to Pennsylvania's divorce records is through the Clerks of the Courts of Common Pleas.
What Information Do Pennsylvania Divorce Records Include?
Pennsylvania divorce records contain information about the official legal dissolution of a marriage in the state. The Clerks of the Courts of Common Pleas maintain these documents as proof of marriage termination.
The contents of Pennsylvania's divorce records depend on the specific types, and can include a wide range of personal and procedural details, including:
- Basic identifying information
- Marriage and divorce details
- Court and legal information
- Settlement and custody details.
For instance, a Pennsylvania divorce decree contains final orders on the dissolution of a marriage, including property division and custody arrangements. Its information may include:
- Full names of both spouses
- Date and place of marriage
- Date of the divorce petition
- Dates of birth and residence of the involved parties
- Legal grounds for divorce
- Court orders or rulings
- Date the divorce was finalized or granted
- Child custody and visitation arrangements
- Child or spousal support orders
- Name changes approved for either party
- Signatures or official seals
- Attorney names and representation details
Similarly, most Pennsylvania divorce case files typically include the following categories of documents and information:
- Case identification and court information:
- Such as the case caption
- Court name and county
- Docket or case number
- Judicial district and assigned judge or master
- Filing dates and date of decree
- Index or docket sheet
- Initial filing documents, including:
- Complaint or petition for divorce
- Verification and notice to defend and claim rights
- Summons
- Proof of service or affidavit of service
- Responses and pleadings
- Financial and property documents
- Support, custody, and family-related filings, such as:
- Child custody petitions and proposed parenting plans
- Custody evaluations or guardian ad litem reports
- Child and spousal support petitions
- Support calculation worksheets and orders
- Visitation schedules
- Mediation or conciliation reports
- Court proceedings and orders
- Post-decree and enforcement documents
- Administrative and miscellaneous records, including:
- Fee payments
- Correspondence between parties or the court
- Certificates of readiness or compliance forms
- Name change orders (if applicable)
- Certification or sealing orders.
Individuals seeking copies of Pennsylvania divorce records should note that the contents may vary.
Procedures for Locating Divorce Records in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania divorce records are accessible at the county level through the Clerk's Offices of the Courts of Common Pleas. These custodians provide public docket lookup tools for accessing court records (including divorce records) online, or information seekers can use the Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal to access case summaries and docket sheets. Record seekers can also mail or visit the Clerks of the Courts of Common Pleas offices and request access to divorce records. Additionally, individuals searching for pre-1950s or 1960s divorce records in Pennsylvania can contact the county's historical archives or the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission at:
1681 N 6th Street,
Harrisburg,
PA 17102
Phone: (717) 783-3281.
| Record Source | Office or Platform | Years Covered | Access Type | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Judiciary Portal | Clerks of the Courts of Common Pleas online case access portals or the Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal (for summaries and docket sheets) | Unspecified | Case search | Free or per-page fee |
| County Clerks | Clerks of the Courts of Common Pleas Offices | Unspecified | Certified decrees | Varies |
| Local or State Archives | County historical archives or the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission | Pre-1960s | Manual search | Minimal copy fees |
How to Request Certified Copies of Divorce Records in Pennsylvania
Unlike some states, Pennsylvania allows access to certified copies of divorce records at the county level. Individuals seeking access to certified copies of Pennsylvania divorce records can obtain them from the state's Courts of Common Pleas Clerk's Offices. The following steps outline the common procedures for requesting certified copies of Pennsylvania divorce records.
- Identify the custodian clerk's office for the specific divorce record
- Gather the necessary information for the request. This should include:
- The full names of both spouses (including maiden name, if applicable)
- Date or approximate year of divorce
- Case or docket number (if known)
- Contact the county's Prothonotary or Family Division by mail or through an in-person visit, and find out the procedures for obtaining certified copies of their divorce records
- Complete a divorce record request form if necessary, or draft and submit a plain copy request
- Pay applicable fees for copies and certification. Typically, this costs between $10.00 and $25.00 per certified copy and $50.00 per exemplified copy. Mail-in requests may incur an additional $15.00 search fee
- Submit the request in person or through the mail. A mail-in request should include payment (checks or money to cover the costs payable to the specific Court of Common Pleas (Prothonotary's) Office) and a self-addressed stamped envelope
- Receive the certified copies in person or through the mail within 2 to 3 weeks.
| Copy Type | Where to Request | Who Can Order | Legal Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Decree in Divorce | Clerks of Courts of Common Pleas Offices |
| Proof for remarriage, name change |
| Certified Divorce Case Files | Clerks of Courts of Common Pleas Offices |
| Legal enforcement |
| Historical divorce records | County archives or the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission | Anyone (if allowed) | Genealogical/historical use |
Why Search for Divorce Records in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania divorce records are important legal and historical documents. In addition to proof of divorce judgment, Pennsylvania can serve legal, administrative, historical, and research purposes, such as:
- Verifying marital status
- Genealogical, academic, and historical research
- Settling financial and property matters, particularly those relating to divorce agreements
- Legal reference and precedent for divorce cases.
How Long Are Divorce Records Kept in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania keeps divorce records permanently. However, storage methods and retrieval processes depend on their age, digitization efforts, and County retention policies. While recent divorce records are readily available through the Clerks of Courts of Common Pleas, counties may store older records on paper or microfilm/microfiche formats as part of Pennsylvania judicial history.