Lancaster Divorce Records and Decrees
Lancaster divorce decree records are maintained by the Lancaster County Prothonotary at 50 North Duke Street in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Lancaster is the county seat of Lancaster County, and all divorce cases for Lancaster residents go through the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas. Prothonotary Andrew M. Spade and his staff maintain the complete case files for all Lancaster divorce proceedings. Once a judge enters a final divorce decree, it becomes a public record at the Lancaster courthouse and is stored permanently by the Prothonotary.
Lancaster Quick Facts
Lancaster County Prothonotary for Divorce Records
Lancaster residents file for divorce and access divorce decree records through the Lancaster County Prothonotary office. The Prothonotary serves as the clerk of the civil side of the Court of Common Pleas for Lancaster County. All civil case records, including every Lancaster divorce decree, are held by this office. Prothonotary Andrew M. Spade oversees the office and staff who handle recording, filing, and providing copies of Lancaster divorce documents.
The Prothonotary office handles all civil filings for Lancaster County, including divorce complaints, responses, agreements, and the final divorce decree. Staff can search Lancaster divorce records by party name or case number and provide copies from the case file. The office also handles naturalization ceremonies, court appeals, name changes, and other civil actions that require a court record. For any Lancaster divorce decree, this is the first office to contact.
The Lancaster County Government Center and the Historic Courthouse are both located in downtown Lancaster. Divorce filings go to the Prothonotary at 50 North Duke Street. Call before your visit to confirm current requirements and whether you need to bring any specific documents. Staff can provide both plain copies and certified copies of Lancaster divorce decrees, with certified copies carrying the official court seal required for legal purposes.
| Court | Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas |
|---|---|
| Prothonotary | Andrew M. Spade, Prothonotary 50 N. Duke St. P.O. Box 83480 Lancaster, PA 17608 |
| Phone | (717) 299-8282 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | lancastercountypa.gov |
The Clerk of Courts office in Lancaster handles criminal and juvenile matters and is a separate office from the Prothonotary. For divorce and other civil proceedings in Lancaster, always contact the Prothonotary. The Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas website at lancastercountycourt.org has current information on case access and the Prothonotary's services for Lancaster residents.
Finding a Lancaster Divorce Decree Online
The Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas website at lancastercountypa.gov provides information about court services, including how to access Lancaster divorce decree records and other civil case filings.
The best online tool for searching Lancaster divorce records is the UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us. This free statewide system covers Lancaster County and lets you search by party name or case number. The portal returns case filing dates, party names, and current status. It does not provide copies of the actual Lancaster divorce decree. For certified or plain copies, contact the Prothonotary at (717) 299-8282 or visit the office at 50 North Duke Street.
Online access makes it possible to find basic Lancaster divorce case information from home at any time. Use the portal to confirm that a case exists and get the case number before visiting the Prothonotary in person. Having the case number ready speeds up the search and reduces wait time at the counter. The Prothonotary can also search by the names of both parties if you do not know the case number.
How to Search Lancaster Divorce Decree Records
You can search Lancaster divorce records online or by visiting the Prothonotary in person. The online UJS Portal gives you access to basic case information at no cost. An in-person visit lets you review the full case file and get copies on the same day. Staff at the Lancaster Prothonotary can search by the full name of either spouse or by case number.
To search Lancaster divorce records in person, go to 50 North Duke Street during business hours. Staff can look up cases and provide plain or certified copies from the file. Bring the full names of both spouses and, if possible, the approximate year of the divorce. Older records may require advance notice to retrieve from storage. Call (717) 299-8282 before your visit to ask about current availability and fees.
The Lancaster County Clerk of Courts office is separate and handles criminal and juvenile matters. For divorce records in Lancaster, the Prothonotary is the correct office. If you are not sure which county handled a case, the UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us can search all 67 Pennsylvania counties at once to help you locate it.
Note: Only parties to the case and their attorneys of record can view sealed or restricted Lancaster divorce files. Most Lancaster divorce records are open to the public under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101.
Lancaster County Clerk of Courts and Related Offices
The Lancaster County Clerk of Courts maintains criminal and juvenile records, separate from the Prothonotary. For divorce and civil proceedings in Lancaster, the Prothonotary at 50 North Duke Street is the correct office to contact.
The Lancaster County Register of Wills at lancastercountypa.gov handles marriage licenses from 1885 to the present. Marriage records may be needed as background documents when researching a Lancaster divorce case. The Register of Wills, Anne L. Cooper, maintains these records at 50 North Duke Street. Phone: (717) 295-5994. Marriage records can establish the date and validity of the marriage before a Lancaster divorce was filed.
Filing for a Divorce Decree in Lancaster
Lancaster residents follow Pennsylvania state law to file for divorce. The case is filed at the Lancaster County Prothonotary, which is part of the 2nd Judicial District of Pennsylvania. Under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3104, at least one spouse must have lived in Pennsylvania for six months before filing. Lancaster residents who meet this requirement file at the downtown courthouse.
You start by filing a complaint in divorce with the Prothonotary. The office assigns a case number and stamps the complaint. Next, you serve the other spouse with the papers. Pennsylvania allows service through the county sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail with return receipt. Proof of service is filed back with the court as part of the Lancaster divorce record.
Pennsylvania offers two no-fault grounds under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3323. Mutual consent requires both spouses to sign affidavits after a 90-day waiting period. Irretrievable breakdown requires a one-year separation. Fault grounds are also available under Pennsylvania law. You state the grounds in the complaint filed at the Lancaster courthouse.
When all issues are settled, the Lancaster court enters the final divorce decree. The decree ends the marriage and becomes a public record. Any written agreement covering property or support becomes enforceable as a court order under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3105 once the Lancaster judge approves it. Property division follows Pennsylvania's equitable distribution rules under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3502. The full rules for a Lancaster divorce action are in the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure, Chapter 1920.
Legal Help for Lancaster Divorce Cases
Lancaster residents who need help with a divorce can turn to several organizations. Pennsylvania Legal Aid at palegalaid.net serves Lancaster County and provides free legal assistance to income-eligible residents. Services can include advice on divorce law, help completing court forms, and representation at Lancaster divorce hearings.
The Lancaster Bar Association provides a lawyer referral service for residents who need a family law attorney in Lancaster. The Pennsylvania Bar Association referral line at 1-800-692-7375 can connect you with attorneys who handle Lancaster divorce cases. The Pennsylvania Courts website at pacourts.us has all standard Pennsylvania divorce forms available to download for free.
If you plan to handle your own Lancaster divorce, the Prothonotary staff can tell you which forms apply to your case. They cannot give legal advice, but they can help identify the correct paperwork and explain the filing steps. The Lancaster County Self-Help Center, if available, can also assist with form selection. Call (717) 299-8282 to ask about current self-help resources at the Lancaster courthouse.
Note: For low-income Lancaster residents, a fee waiver petition allows filing for divorce without paying the standard court fees. Ask the Prothonotary for the in forma pauperis petition and instructions when you go to file.
Lancaster Divorce Decree and State Records
The Pennsylvania Department of Health at pa.gov/agencies/health/programs/vital-records issues divorce certificates, not divorce decrees. A certificate is a brief document that confirms a divorce took place. It shows the names and the date the decree was entered. Most legal matters require the full decree from the Lancaster Prothonotary, not just a certificate. Certificates can be ordered through VitalChek for $20 per copy.
The CDC guide at cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/pennsylvania.htm confirms that Lancaster divorce decrees must be obtained from the county courthouse, not the state. The Pennsylvania State Archives at pa.gov/agencies/phmc/pa-state-archives holds some older records from before modern court filing systems. FamilySearch at familysearch.org provides guidance on researching historical Lancaster County divorce records for genealogy purposes.
Lancaster County Court for Lancaster Divorce Records
All Lancaster divorce cases are filed at the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas. The Prothonotary at 50 North Duke Street maintains all Lancaster divorce decree records. For complete county-level information on fees, search options, and related resources, visit the Lancaster County divorce records page.