Pennsylvania Divorce Records: How to Get a Certified Copy of Your Divorce Decree
Pennsylvania family law · Last reviewed October 7, 2026
In Pennsylvania, the record of your divorce is the divorce decree signed by the judge, and it is kept by the court in the county where the divorce was granted. The state doesn't issue divorce certificates. The Pennsylvania Department of Health's vital records office issues "certificates for births, deaths and fetal deaths that occurred in Pennsylvania since 1906," and nothing for marriages or divorces. As the state's Office of Open Records puts it: "Records related to divorce proceedings can be obtained from the Prothonotary in the County where the divorce took place."
So start with the county. In most counties the decree is held by the prothonotary; some counties use a different name, such as the Office of Judicial Records in Philadelphia, the Department of Court Records in Allegheny, or the Office of Judicial Support in Delaware County.
What you'll need
- The county where the divorce was granted.
- The case number if you have it. If not, both spouses' names (the married last name) and the approximate year the divorce was filed.
- Photo identification if you go in person.
- The fee, and a self-addressed stamped envelope if you request by mail.
Certified decree fees in selected counties
| County | Office | Certified copy of decree |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | Clerk of Family Court, 1501 Arch Street | $41.58 per copy |
| Allegheny | Department of Court Records | $20 |
| Delaware | Office of Judicial Support | $6.00 ($1.00 for a plain copy) |
| Bucks | Family Court | $6.25 |
| York | Prothonotary | $15.00 |
| Lancaster | Prothonotary (divorce certification) | $20.50 |
| Berks | Prothonotary (certified copy of document or decree) | $10.00 |
Fees are from each county's posted fee schedule and change from time to time; confirm with the office.
Philadelphia
Since March 18, 2024, certified copies of Philadelphia divorce decrees, for cases filed from 1885 to the present, come from the Office of the Clerk of Family Court, 1501 Arch Street, in person or by mail. By mail, write to the Clerk of Family Court, 11th Floor, 1501 Arch St., Philadelphia PA 19102, with the case number (or the names and approximate year), a self-addressed stamped envelope, and $41.58 per copy by certified check or money order payable to the Office of Judicial Records. In person, cash and, with identification, credit cards are accepted.
Allegheny County (Pittsburgh)
Divorce records are kept by the county's Department of Court Records, which posts a $20 fee for a certified divorce decree.
Who can see a divorce file?
The decree itself is generally a public court record. Delaware County's office says plainly: "The order divorcing the parties, the “Divorce Decree”, is available to anyone." The rest of the file may not be. The same office notes that "Only the parties and their attorney of record may see a divorce file," and counties set their own access rules.
Statewide, the Case Records Public Access Policy keeps certain information out of public view. Under Rule 1930.1(b), Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, driver's license numbers, minors' names and birth dates, and an abuse victim's address go on a separate Confidential Information Form. Financial source documents, the marital property inventory and pretrial statement, income and expense statements, and agreements between the spouses are filed as confidential documents. Anyone filing must certify that they've followed the policy.
Changing your name back
You don't need a court order or a special clause in the decree to take back a former last name. Under 54 Pa.C.S. § 704(a), a party to a divorce "may, at any time prior to or subsequent to the entry of the divorce decree, resume any prior surname used by him or her" by filing a written notice with the prothonotary of the county where the divorce was filed or the decree entered, showing the caption and docket number. The statewide Notice of Intention to Resume Prior Surname is the form; county fees run from about $10 to $45. A person divorced in another state can file a certified copy of that decree with the prothonotary of the county where he or she lives, and then file the notice (§ 704(b)). Keep a copy of the filed notice; you'll need it to update your identification and accounts.
Records for genealogy
For older divorces, the Department of Health's genealogy guidance also points researchers to county courthouses, where marriage and divorce records are kept. Philadelphia's records run back to 1885. For any county, ask the prothonotary where older files are kept.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a copy of my divorce decree in Pennsylvania?
Ask the prothonotary (or equivalent office) in the county where the divorce was granted, in person or by mail, with the case number or the names and year. Certified copies cost from about $6 to about $42 depending on the county.
Does Pennsylvania issue divorce certificates?
No. The Department of Health's vital records office issues birth and death certificates only. The divorce decree from the county court is the official record.
Are divorce records public in Pennsylvania?
The decree generally is. Financial documents and personal identifiers are filed confidentially, and some counties limit access to the full file to the parties and their lawyers.
How long does it take to get a certified divorce decree?
It depends on the county and on whether you request in person or by mail. Philadelphia, for example, handles requests over the counter or by mail. Call the office for current turnaround times.
How do I change my name back after a divorce in Pennsylvania?
File a Notice of Intention to Resume Prior Surname with the prothonotary, before or after the decree, under 54 Pa.C.S. § 704. No court hearing is needed.