Levittown Divorce Records and Decrees
Levittown divorce decree records are maintained by the Bucks County Prothonotary at 55 East Court Street in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Levittown is a community in Bucks County, and all divorce cases for Levittown residents go through the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas. The Prothonotary is the clerk of the civil division and keeps the complete case files for all Levittown divorce proceedings. Once a judge enters the final divorce decree, it is stored permanently at the Doylestown courthouse as a public record under Pennsylvania law.
Levittown Quick Facts
Bucks County Prothonotary for Levittown Divorce Records
Levittown residents file for divorce and get copies of divorce decree records at the Bucks County Prothonotary office in Doylestown. The Prothonotary is the official keeper of all civil records for the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas, which is the 7th Judicial District of Pennsylvania. All Levittown divorce cases are assigned to this court. The Prothonotary maintains divorce decree records from 1878 to the present.
The Bucks County Court of Common Pleas includes criminal, civil, family, and orphans' divisions. Divorce and other family law matters fall under the civil and family divisions. Levittown residents file their complaint in divorce with the Prothonotary. The Prothonotary assigns a case number and keeps all documents that follow, including the final divorce decree. E-filing and web viewer access are available 24 hours a day through the Bucks County online portal, allowing Levittown residents to view case documents remotely.
The Bucks County Justice Center and the Courthouse are both located in Doylestown, about 20 miles north of Levittown. Levittown residents file at this courthouse for all divorce matters. Call before visiting to confirm current requirements and copy fees. Staff can provide both plain copies and certified copies of a Levittown divorce decree. Certified copies carry the court seal and are required for most legal purposes, such as name changes or financial account updates.
| Court | Bucks County Court of Common Pleas 7th Judicial District |
|---|---|
| Prothonotary Address | 55 East Court Street Doylestown, PA 18901 |
| Justice Center | 100 North Main Street Doylestown, PA 18901 |
| Phone | (215) 348-6191 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | buckscounty.gov |
Court Administration records for Levittown divorce cases can also be requested through the Bucks County Court Administration Office at the Justice Center, 100 North Main Street, Doylestown, phone 215-348-6700. Open records requests go to Daniel Grieser, Open Records Officer, at the Bucks County Administration Building, 55 East Court Street, 5th Floor, Doylestown, PA 18901, phone 215-348-6464. For most Levittown divorce decree requests, start with the Prothonotary at (215) 348-6191.
Searching Levittown Divorce Decree Records Online
The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us is the main tool for searching Levittown divorce records online. This free statewide system covers all 67 Pennsylvania counties, including Bucks County. You can search by the name of either spouse or by case number. The portal returns filing dates, party names, and case status for Levittown divorce cases without any fee.
The UJS Portal shows basic case information but does not provide copies of the actual documents. To get a copy of a Levittown divorce decree, contact the Bucks County Prothonotary at (215) 348-6191 or visit the office at 55 East Court Street. Bucks County also offers an E-Filing and Web Viewer system that allows Levittown residents to view certain documents from home. Check the Bucks County website at buckscounty.gov for current access options.
A name search through the UJS Portal costs nothing and covers years of Bucks County records. If you know the approximate year the Levittown divorce was filed, that helps narrow the results. If you are not sure which county handled the case, the UJS Portal can search across all counties at once and identify where the record is filed. Once you find the Levittown case, note the case number before contacting the Prothonotary for copies.
Fees for Levittown Divorce Records and Filings
Bucks County follows its own fee schedule for divorce filings and record copies. Levittown residents pay the Bucks County rates when filing or requesting records at the Doylestown courthouse. The filing fee to start a new divorce case in Bucks County is $382.75. Fees can change, so confirm current amounts with the Prothonotary at (215) 348-6191 before filing a Levittown divorce case.
The main fees for Levittown divorce records at the Bucks County Prothonotary are:
- Record name search: $20.00 per name
- Certified copy of divorce decree: $10.00 per document
- Uncertified copy: $0.25 per page
- Certification fee: $5.00
Levittown residents with low income may apply for a fee waiver by filing a petition to proceed in forma pauperis with the Bucks County court. The petition requires proof of financial hardship, such as receiving public assistance or having income below the court threshold. If granted, the filing fee for the Levittown divorce case is waived. Ask the Prothonotary for the fee waiver petition when you arrive to file.
Note: Service fees apply separately when you file a Levittown divorce case. You must serve the other spouse with the papers. You can use the Bucks County Sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail with return receipt. Proof of service must be filed with the Prothonotary and becomes part of the public case record.
Filing for Divorce in Levittown
Levittown residents follow Pennsylvania state law when filing for divorce. Under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3104, at least one spouse must have been a Pennsylvania resident for six months before filing. Levittown residents who meet this requirement file at the Bucks County Courthouse in Doylestown, not at a local Levittown office.
You begin by filing a complaint in divorce with the Bucks County Prothonotary. The Prothonotary assigns a case number and the filing date is stamped on the complaint. Next, you serve the other spouse. The Bucks County Sheriff can serve the papers, or you may use a private process server or certified mail. Proof of service goes back into the court file at Doylestown. Every step after filing creates a new record in the Levittown divorce case file.
Pennsylvania offers two no-fault grounds for divorce under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3323. Mutual consent requires both spouses to sign affidavits of consent after a 90-day waiting period. Irretrievable breakdown requires proof of a one-year separation. Fault grounds are also available. You state the grounds in the complaint filed at the Bucks County Courthouse. The grounds determine how long the case takes to reach the final divorce decree.
Once all terms are agreed upon or decided by the court, the judge in Doylestown enters the final divorce decree. The decree dissolves the Levittown marriage and becomes a public record at the Bucks County Courthouse. Any written agreement about property, support, or children becomes enforceable as a court order under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3105 once the judge approves it. Property is divided through equitable distribution under Pennsylvania law, which weighs each spouse's financial situation and contributions. The full procedural rules are in the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure, Chapter 1920.
Legal Help for Levittown Divorce Cases
Levittown residents who need assistance with a divorce can turn to several organizations in Bucks County. Pennsylvania Legal Aid at palegalaid.net serves Bucks County and provides free legal help to income-eligible residents. Services include advice on divorce law, assistance completing court forms, and representation at Levittown divorce proceedings in Doylestown.
The Bucks County Bar Association offers a lawyer referral service for residents seeking a family law attorney. The Pennsylvania Bar Association referral line at 1-800-692-7375 can also connect Levittown residents with attorneys who practice family law in Bucks County. All standard Pennsylvania divorce forms are available free of charge at pacourts.us.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health at pa.gov/agencies/health/programs/vital-records provides divorce certificates for divorces going back to 1906 in Pennsylvania. A certificate confirms that a divorce took place and lists basic facts. Most legal matters require the full Levittown divorce decree from the Bucks County Prothonotary, not just a certificate. Certificates can be ordered through VitalChek for $20 per certified copy.
For older Levittown or Bucks County divorce records, the Pennsylvania State Archives at pa.gov/agencies/phmc/pa-state-archives holds some historical records that predate modern court filing systems. FamilySearch at familysearch.org provides guidance for genealogical research into older Bucks County divorce records. Bucks County divorce records date back to 1878 at the Prothonotary in Doylestown.
Bucks County Court for Levittown Divorce Records
All Levittown divorce cases are handled by the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas in Doylestown. The Prothonotary at 55 East Court Street maintains all Levittown divorce decree records. For complete county-level information on fees, search tools, and additional resources, visit the Bucks County divorce records page.