Adopted June 27, 1980 · Last amended March 30, 1994 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceRule 1920.12 sets out what a divorce or annulment complaint must contain, including the parties, the marriage, the ground, and any ancillary claims.
(a)Except as provided by subdivision (b), the plaintiff shall set forth in the complaint as to the cause of action of divorce or for annulment
(1)the names of the plaintiff and defendant and, if either party is a minor or incompetent, a statement to that effect and the name and address of such party’s guardian, if any;
(2)the residence of the plaintiff;
(3)the last known residence and present whereabouts of the defendant, or that the plaintiff has no knowledge thereof, and in that case the names and addresses of near relatives and other persons who would be likely to know the present residence and whereabouts of the defendant;
(4)an averment that the plaintiff, defendant or both have resided in the Commonwealth for at least six months immediately previous to the commence- ment of the action;
(5)the date and place of marriage;
(6)the ground on which the action is based, stated substantially in the lan- guage of the Divorce Code;
(7)whether there has been any prior action of divorce or for annulment of marriage between the parties in this or any other jurisdiction and if so the cap- tion, court, term and number thereof, the date commenced, the grounds there- for and the present status if pending or the final disposition thereof;
(8)in an action under Section 3301(a)(6), 3301(c) or 3301(d) of the Divorce Code, an averment that the plaintiff has been advised of the availabil- ity of counseling and that the plaintiff may have the right to request that the court require the parties to participate in counseling; and
(9)a prayer for relief.
(b)The complaint in an action based upon Section 3301(c) or (d) of the Divorce Code shall be substantially in the form prescribed by Rule 1920.72(a).
(c)Every complaint shall begin with a notice substantially in the form pre- scribed by Rule 1920.71.
Plain-English Summary
A divorce complaint frames the whole case. This rule requires the plaintiff to set out the parties' names, the facts of the marriage, the ground for divorce or annulment, and any ancillary claims — alimony, equitable division, custody, and the like — the plaintiff raises. It also addresses the required notices and verifications that accompany the complaint.
Frequently Asked Questions
What must a divorce complaint contain?
The parties, the marriage, the ground for divorce or annulment, and any ancillary claims, with the required notices.
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 1920.12 adopted June 27, 1980, effective July 1, 1980, 10 Pa.B. 2967; amended January 28, 1983, effective July 1, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 677; amended March 30, 1994, effective July 1, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 1943. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (134360) and (168423).
Source & verification. Rule text, the Official Note, and the amendment
history are reproduced verbatim from the Pennsylvania Code, Title 231, the official compilation
of rules adopted by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Last verified June 30, 2026. ·
Official text
Also known as:divorce complaintcomplaint for divorce contentspleading divorce ground