Pennsylvania divorce certificate is a concise one-page official document proving a divorce occurred, issued by the county Court of Common Pleas where the divorce was granted, containing the names of both parties, the date of divorce, and the county courthouse location, distinct from the comprehensive divorce decree which details property division, spousal support, child custody, and other court-ordered terms of the marital dissolution. Since 1804, Pennsylvania divorce records have been maintained by the Prothonotary's Office (also called the Office of Judicial Records or Department of Court Records) in each county, with certified copies bearing raised seals required for legal purposes like remarriage applications, name changes, and benefit claims, while informational copies serve genealogical research and personal verification needs. Understanding the difference between divorce certificates and divorce decrees, knowing where and how to obtain certified copies from the appropriate county courthouse, what fees apply, who can request these documents, and what information you need to provide ensures you secure the official divorce documentation required for your specific purposes whether legal proceedings, government benefits, or family history research.
Pennsylvania Divorce Certificates vs. Divorce Decrees
Pennsylvania divorce documentation includes two distinct types of records serving different purposes.
Divorce Certificate
A divorce certificate is a brief one-page document declaring that a divorce occurred. It includes:
- Names of both divorced parties
- Date the divorce was granted
- County courthouse where the divorce took place
- Official certification stamp or seal
Divorce certificates provide simple proof of divorce status without revealing details about the settlement terms, making them suitable for situations requiring basic verification like remarriage license applications or updating legal documents.
Divorce Decree
A divorce decree is a comprehensive court order detailing all terms of the divorce including:
- Property division specifics
- Spousal support amounts and duration
- Child custody arrangements
- Child support obligations
- Other court-ordered requirements
Divorce decrees are legally binding documents necessary when enforcing settlement terms or addressing post-divorce disputes about assets, support, or custody.
Use divorce certificates for
- Remarriage applications
- Name change petitions
- Social Security benefits claims
- Basic proof of marital status
Use divorce decrees for
- Enforcing property settlements
- Modifying support orders
- Custody enforcement
- Legal proceedings requiring detailed divorce terms
Where Pennsylvania Divorce Certificates Are Maintained
Pennsylvania maintains divorce records at the county level rather than through a centralized state repository.
County-Level Record Keeping
Since 1804, Pennsylvania divorce records have been kept in the Prothonotary's Office in the county where divorces were granted. Each of Pennsylvania's 67 counties maintains records for divorces finalized in that county's Court of Common Pleas.
Office names vary by county:
- Prothonotary's Office (most counties)
- Office of Judicial Records (some counties)
- Department of Court Records (Allegheny County and others)
Despite different names, these offices serve the same function as keepers of civil court records including divorce documentation.
No Statewide Divorce Certificate Registry
Unlike birth and death certificates maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Health's Division of Vital Records, divorce certificates and decrees are exclusively county records. There is no central state office that issues Pennsylvania divorce certificates.
You must contact the specific county courthouse where your divorce was finalized to obtain copies.
How to Obtain Pennsylvania Divorce Certificates
Requesting divorce certificates requires knowing where the divorce occurred and following county-specific procedures.
Determine the Correct County
You must request divorce certificates from the county where the divorce was granted, not necessarily where you currently live or where you were married. If you're unsure which county handled your divorce, check:
- Your original divorce paperwork
- Court correspondence showing case number and jurisdiction
- Online Pennsylvania court dockets (ujsportal.pacourts.us)
- County records where either party resided during divorce
Contact the County Prothonotary's Office
Once you've identified the correct county:
Find Contact Information:
- Search "[County Name] Pennsylvania Prothonotary" online
- Visit the county court website for hours, addresses, and procedures
- Call the courthouse main number and ask for the Prothonotary's Office
Information Needed for Requests
Provide as much information as possible:
- Full names of both parties (including maiden names)
- Date of divorce (or approximate date)
- Case number (if available)
- Your relationship to the parties
- Type of copy needed (certified or informational)
- Contact information for delivery
More complete information speeds processing and reduces search time.
Types of Copies Available
Pennsylvania counties issue different copy types depending on intended use and requestor's relationship to the case.
Certified Copies
Certified copies are printed on special security paper and bear raised seals validating them as exact copies of original records. These are required for legal purposes including:
- Remarriage applications
- Legal name changes
- Immigration proceedings
- Government benefit claims
- Court proceedings
Who Can Obtain Certified Copies:
- Parties named in the divorce record
- Legal representatives of named parties
- Individuals with court orders granting access
- Persons authorized in writing by named parties
Government-issued photo identification is typically required when requesting certified copies.
Informational Copies
Informational copies (also called plain copies or genealogical copies) are printed on regular paper without official seals. These serve informational and genealogical purposes but cannot be used for legal proceedings or official business requiring certified documentation.
Informational copies are generally available to any member of the public under Pennsylvania's public access policies, though some counties may restrict even informational access to parties or their representatives.
Fees for Pennsylvania Divorce Certificates
Costs for divorce certificates vary by county and copy type.
Typical Fee Ranges
Certified Copies: Generally $5-$25 for certification plus per-page fees (typically $0.25-$1.00 per page)
Informational Copies: Usually $0.25-$1.00 per page without certification fees
Search Fees: Some counties charge for record searches, especially for older cases or when limited information is provided
Additional costs may include postage if requesting by mail.
Fee Payment Methods
Counties accept different payment methods:
- Cash (in person only)
- Checks or money orders
- Credit/debit cards (some counties, may include processing fees)
- Online payment (limited availability)
Verify accepted payment methods with your specific county before submitting requests.
Processing Times
How quickly you receive divorce certificates depends on request method and county workload.
In-Person Requests: Often same-day service if records are readily accessible, though complex searches may require returning later
Mail Requests: Typically 1-4 weeks depending on county processing backlogs and mail delivery
Urgent Needs: Contact the county office directly to inquire about expedited processing if available
Recent cases with records in active storage process faster than older cases requiring retrieval from archives or off-site storage.
Historical Pennsylvania Divorce Records
Accessing older divorce records may require special procedures or alternative sources.
Records Since 1804
Divorce records from 1804 forward are maintained in county Prothonotary's Offices. Older records may be:
- Stored on-site in courthouse archives
- Transferred to off-site storage facilities
- Microfilmed or digitized
- Housed at county historical societies
Pre-1804 Divorce Records
Divorces granted before 1804 by the Legislature or Supreme Court may be found in:
- Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg
- Statutes at Large of Pennsylvania
- Publications of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania
- Historical society collections
These early divorces were extremely rare, as divorce was difficult to obtain in colonial and early post-Revolutionary Pennsylvania.
Using Divorce Certificates for Specific Purposes
Different uses require different documentation and procedures.
Remarriage
When applying for a new marriage license in Pennsylvania or elsewhere, you typically need a certified copy of your divorce certificate or decree proving your previous marriage legally ended. Some states have waiting periods after divorce before remarriage is permitted.
Name Changes
If reverting to a maiden name or previous name after divorce, courts often require certified divorce decrees showing the name change was part of the divorce settlement. Simple divorce certificates may not suffice for formal legal name changes.
Government Benefits
Social Security, veterans benefits, and other government programs may require proof of divorce when determining eligibility or benefit amounts. Certified copies are typically necessary.
Immigration
Immigration proceedings often require certified divorce certificates or decrees when demonstrating marital history or eligibility for family-based immigration benefits.
Before You File a Divorce in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania divorce certificate is a concise official document proving divorce occurred, obtained from the Prothonotary's Office or Department of Court Records in the county Court of Common Pleas where the divorce was granted rather than through any centralized state registry, with certified copies bearing raised seals required for legal purposes like remarriage, name changes, and benefit claims available only to parties named in the record or their authorized representatives, while informational copies serve genealogical and research purposes.