Pennsylvania Divorce Forms: Which Ones You Need, in Order
Pennsylvania family law · Last reviewed October 7, 2026
Pennsylvania's courts publish one statewide set of divorce forms on the Unified Judicial System's divorce self-help page. The forms follow the official versions in Rules 1920.71 through 1920.76, and they're free. Many counties also publish their own packets and cover sheets, so check your prothonotary's website as well.
The self-help forms cover the steps to obtain the divorce itself. If you need the court to divide property or award alimony, those claims must be added to the complaint or a counterclaim and pursued with additional filings, and a lawyer's help is worth considering.
Forms every divorce starts with
| Form | What it does | Official form |
|---|---|---|
| Notice to Defend and Complaint in Divorce | Starts the case; the notice warns the other spouse about losing economic claims | |
| Entry of Appearance (self-represented party) | Gives the court your contact information if you have no lawyer | |
| Acceptance of Service | The other spouse signs to accept the complaint, instead of formal service | |
| Affidavit of Service: certified mail | Proof of service by certified and first-class mail | |
| Affidavit of Service: personal service | Proof of hand delivery by an adult who isn't a party or relative | |
| Affidavit of Service: commercial carrier | Proof of service by a commercial carrier | |
| Praecipe to Reinstate | Revives a complaint that wasn't served in time |
A complaint must be served within 30 days of filing in Pennsylvania, or 90 days if your spouse is outside the state (Rule 1930.4); otherwise reinstate it and serve it again.
Mutual consent, § 3301(c)(1)
| Form | When | Official form |
|---|---|---|
| Affidavit of Consent | Each spouse signs 90 days or more after service; file within 30 days of signing | |
| Waiver of Notice of Intention to File the Praecipe to Transmit Record | Each spouse signs to skip the 20-day notice | |
| Notice of Intention to File the Praecipe to Transmit Record (§ 3301(c)(1)) | Used instead of a waiver; wait at least 20 days after serving it | |
| Counter-Affidavit under § 3301(c)(1) | Sent with the notice; lets the other spouse oppose the decree or raise claims |
Presumed consent after a crime, § 3301(c)(2)
| Form | When | Official form |
|---|---|---|
| Affidavit of Consent | Signed by the victim spouse, on the same 90-days-after-service schedule | |
| Affidavit to Establish Presumption of Consent | States the other spouse's conviction for a personal injury crime | |
| Counter-Affidavit under § 3301(c)(2) | Served blank with the affidavits; the other spouse uses it to deny | |
| Notice of Intention (§ 3301(c)(2) or (d)) | Served at least 20 days after the affidavits, unless waived |
Separation, § 3301(d)
| Form | When | Official form |
|---|---|---|
| Affidavit under § 3301(d) | Signed after one year of living separate and apart (two years if the separation began before December 5, 2016) | |
| Counter-Affidavit under § 3301(d) | Served blank with the affidavit; the other spouse has 20 days to deny or raise claims | |
| Notice of Intention (§ 3301(c)(2) or (d)) | Served at least 20 days after the affidavit, unless waived; then wait 20 more days | |
| Waiver of Notice of Intention | Skips the notice if both spouses sign |
Finishing the case
| Form | What it does | Official form |
|---|---|---|
| Affidavit of Non-Military Service | Required when the other spouse hasn't appeared (Rule 1920.46) | |
| Certificate of Service | Shows you served later papers, such as the notice | |
| Praecipe to Transmit Record | Asks the prothonotary to send the file to the judge | |
| Divorce Decree | The proposed decree the judge signs (Rule 1920.76) | Word document |
| Notice of Intention to Resume Prior Surname | Takes back a former last name, before or after the decree |
The decree form says the spouses "are divorced from the bonds of matrimony," and, as § 3323(b.1) requires, reminds them to update beneficiary designations on life insurance, pensions and similar accounts.
When property, alimony or support is involved
These aren't in the basic self-help packet, but the rules prescribe their content:
- Inventory of marital and separate assets and debts, required once anyone claims equitable distribution (Rule 1920.75; see property division).
- Income Statement and Expense Statement, required with claims for alimony or counsel fees, along with your latest tax return and six months of pay stubs (Rules 1920.31 and 1910.27).
- Support complaint, filed with the domestic relations section, not in the divorce (Rule 1910.27 contains the form).
- Confidential Information Form and Confidential Document Form. Social Security and account numbers go on the confidential form, not in the papers, and financial documents such as inventories and income statements must be filed as confidential documents (Rule 1930.1(b)).
Fee waiver form
Until October 31, 2026, the self-help page's fee waiver form is a petition to proceed in forma pauperis under Rule 240. From November 1, 2026, a new statewide Application to Waive Fees and Costs under Pa.R.J.A. 1990 replaces it. See cost and fee waivers.
Tips for filling them out
- Use one route's forms. The consent, presumed-consent and separation routes use different affidavits and notices. Don't mix sets.
- Watch the dates. An Affidavit of Consent signed fewer than 90 days after service is no good, and one filed more than 30 days after signing must be redone.
- Read the warnings. The Notice of Intention for mutual consent says: "The filing of the form counter-affidavit alone does not protect your economic claims."
- Keep copies of everything you file, with the date stamps, and of every proof of service.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get Pennsylvania divorce forms for free?
From the Unified Judicial System's divorce self-help page at pacourts.us, which has the complaint, affidavits, waivers, notices, praecipe and decree for each no-fault route. Your county's prothonotary may also have a packet.
What is an Affidavit of Consent?
The form each spouse signs to consent to a mutual-consent divorce under § 3301(c). It must be signed at least 90 days after the complaint is served and filed within 30 days of signing.
What is a Praecipe to Transmit Record?
The form that asks the prothonotary to send the completed file to a judge for the decree. In a case without waivers, it can't be filed until at least 20 days after the Notice of Intention is served.
What is the difference between the 3301(c) and 3301(d) forms?
The § 3301(c) forms are for consent: both spouses sign Affidavits of Consent. The § 3301(d) forms are for a divorce based on a year of separation, which one spouse can pursue even if the other won't consent.
Can I file Pennsylvania divorce forms online?
It depends on the county. Filing methods are set locally, so check your prothonotary's website or call the office before you file.
Where these sections live
- Unified Judicial System: divorce proceedings and forms
- Pa.R.C.P. 1920.71 — Notice to defend
- Pa.R.C.P. 1920.72 — Complaint and affidavit forms
- Pa.R.C.P. 1920.73 — Notice, waiver and praecipe forms
- Pa.R.C.P. 1920.75 — Inventory form
- Pa.R.C.P. 1920.76 — Divorce decree form
- Pa.R.C.P. 1930.1 — Confidential information and documents