Search Allentown Divorce Decrees
Allentown divorce decree records are kept by the Lehigh County Prothonotary at the Lehigh County Courthouse in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Lehigh County is the county that handles all civil and family court filings for Allentown residents. A divorce decree becomes a public court record once the judge signs it. You can search Allentown divorce records and request copies at the courthouse or contact the Prothonotary by phone. The Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas Family Division hears all divorce cases in Allentown.
Allentown Quick Facts
Where Allentown Divorce Records Are Filed
Allentown residents file for divorce at the Lehigh County Courthouse. The Prothonotary's office at this location keeps all civil and family court records, including every Allentown divorce decree on file. The courthouse is right in the center of Allentown, making it easy to visit in person for filings or copies.
| Court | Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas - Family Division |
|---|---|
| Address | Lehigh County Courthouse 455 West Hamilton Street Allentown, PA 18101 |
| Phone | 610-782-3550 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | lehighrecords.us |
For older Allentown divorce records, typically those filed before 1970, contact the Lehigh County Historical Records Center. That office is also in Allentown at 17 South 7th Street, phone 610-782-3280, open Monday through Friday 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM. Staff there can assist with genealogy and historical record searches for Allentown divorce cases.
Note: Call the Prothonotary before visiting to confirm what identification or information you need to bring when requesting a divorce decree in Allentown.
Allentown Historical Divorce Records
The Lehigh County Historical Society in Allentown holds important historical records that can help with genealogy research related to divorce and marriage cases going back many years.
The Historical Society at 432 W. Walnut St. in Allentown holds marriage records indexed from 1885 to 1961 on microfilm, as well as Orphans Court records from 1815 to 1915. These records can help piece together older Allentown divorce and family history.
Hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Sunday 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Phone: 610-435-1074. The Historical Society's collection covers wills and estate records from 1812 to 1916 as well. Researchers looking for Allentown divorce history from the 19th or early 20th century should start here in addition to the courthouse records.
How to Look Up an Allentown Divorce Decree
You can search for Allentown divorce records online or in person. The Unified Judicial System Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us provides free online case searches. You can look up Allentown divorce cases by party name or case number. The portal shows basic case information including filing dates and case status. For copies of actual documents, contact the Lehigh County Prothonotary.
In person, visit the Prothonotary at the Lehigh County Courthouse. The record search fee is $20.00 per name. Regular copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $10.00 per document plus the per-page copy fee. Staff can search by party name or case number. Bring the full name of at least one spouse and the approximate year of the Allentown divorce if you know it.
Divorce records in Lehigh County include the divorce complaint, any financial disclosures, property settlements, custody arrangements, court orders, and the final divorce decree. These documents make up the full case file for an Allentown divorce. Not all documents in a case file are available to the general public. The divorce decree itself is a public record. Some financial documents may have restricted access.
Note: The Lehigh County Prothonotary at lehighrecords.us provides guidance on what to bring and how to submit requests for Allentown divorce decree copies.
Filing for Divorce in Allentown
Allentown residents file a complaint in divorce at the Lehigh County Prothonotary. At least one spouse must have lived in Pennsylvania for six months before filing. You pay the filing fee when you submit the complaint. The Prothonotary stamps the documents and assigns a case number for the Allentown divorce action.
Pennsylvania law under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3323 sets out the requirements for a final divorce decree. The court in Allentown must find that the grounds for divorce have been met before it can sign the decree. The two main no-fault grounds are mutual consent after a 90-day waiting period, and irretrievable breakdown of the marriage after a one-year separation.
Both spouses must be served with the divorce papers after the complaint is filed in Allentown. Service can be done through the county sheriff, a private process server, or other means allowed under Pennsylvania law. Proof of service is filed with the Prothonotary and becomes part of the Allentown divorce record.
Once all steps are complete and the waiting period has passed, the Prothonotary transmits the record to the judge. If no contested issues remain, the court grants the divorce. The judge signs the decree, and the Allentown divorce decree is entered into the public record. Parties can then request certified copies from the Prothonotary.
Under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3105, any written agreement about property or support in an Allentown divorce case is enforceable as a court order. Equitable distribution of marital property applies to all Allentown divorce cases under Pennsylvania law. The court can address property, support, and custody all in the same case.
Allentown Divorce Fees and Costs
The Lehigh County Prothonotary charges the following fees for Allentown divorce records and filings. These are current as of the date of this page, but fees can change. Call 610-782-3550 to confirm current rates before you file or order copies.
Record search runs $20.00 per name. Document copies are $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $10.00 per document in addition to the per-page copy fee. These fees apply to any request for Allentown divorce decree copies at the Lehigh County Courthouse.
If you cannot afford the filing fees for a divorce in Allentown, you may petition the court to proceed without paying fees. This is called proceeding in forma pauperis. You submit a petition with proof of income and the court decides whether you qualify. Contact the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas at lccpa.org for more information about fee waivers for Allentown divorce filers.
Pennsylvania Legal Aid at palegalaid.net may also provide free help to Allentown residents who qualify based on income. They assist with divorce forms, court filings, and legal advice in Lehigh County. Contact them before your first court date in Allentown for the best chance of getting the help you need.
State Records and Allentown Divorce Research
The Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg holds some early divorce records from before 1804. These include Supreme Court Divorce Papers from 1786 to 1815. For Allentown divorce records from 1804 onward, the Lehigh County Courthouse is the correct place to look. The state archives at pa.gov/agencies/phmc/pa-state-archives can assist with requests for the oldest historical divorce records in Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania courts public records page at pacourts.us/public-records explains the state's public access policy for court records. Allentown divorce decree records are generally public under this policy. The policy notes that some sensitive information in family court cases may be restricted from remote access but is available in person at the courthouse. You do not need to be a party to the case to request a divorce decree in Allentown.
FamilySearch maintains a Pennsylvania divorce records guide at familysearch.org with details on where to find Allentown and Lehigh County divorce records for genealogy research. The guide covers records from the colonial period through modern times.
County Court for Allentown
Allentown divorce cases are handled by the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas. The Lehigh County Courthouse in Allentown is the official filing location for all divorce decrees serving Allentown and the rest of Lehigh County.