Reading Divorce Decree Lookup
Reading divorce decree records are maintained by the Berks County Prothonotary at the Berks County Courthouse in Reading, Pennsylvania. Berks County is the county that processes all divorce filings for Reading residents. Divorce records in Reading go back to 1878 and are stored at the courthouse on Court Street. You can search Reading divorce cases online or visit the Prothonotary in person to request copies of a divorce decree. The Berks County Court of Common Pleas handles all divorce matters for the city of Reading.
Reading Quick Facts
Berks County Courthouse - Reading Divorce Records
The Berks County Courthouse is the central location for all Reading divorce records. The Prothonotary serves as the legal custodian of all divorce proceedings filed in Berks County. This office stores every Reading divorce decree and makes them available to the public. The courthouse address and contact information are listed below.
| Court | Berks County Court of Common Pleas |
|---|---|
| Prothonotary | Berks County Courthouse 633 Court Street, 2nd Floor Reading, PA 19601 |
| Phone | 610-478-6970 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | co.berks.pa.us/Dept/Prothy |
| Genealogy Email | bprothy@countyofberks.com (answered Tue-Thu, 10 AM to 4:30 PM) |
The Berks County Family Court Self-Help Center is also in the courthouse at 633 Court Street, 4th Floor, Reading, PA 19601. Staff there provide basic forms and instructions for people who want to handle their own divorce in Reading without a lawyer. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Note: Checks for Berks County divorce records or filings should be made payable to PROTHONOTARY OF BERKS COUNTY. Returned checks carry a $50.00 fee.
Reading Divorce Decree and Pennsylvania Records
The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal provides free online search access to Reading divorce case records and docket sheets across Berks County.
The UJS portal covers all Berks County courts, including cases filed in Reading. You can search by party name or case number at no cost to find basic information about a Reading divorce case.
How to Search Reading Divorce Records
Reading divorce records can be searched online through the Unified Judicial System Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us. This free tool lets you search by party name or case number. You can find the date a Reading divorce was filed, the case number, and the current status. For copies of the actual divorce decree, you contact the Prothonotary or visit in person at 633 Court Street in Reading.
In person, staff at the Prothonotary can search Reading divorce records by name or case number. Divorce records in Berks County go back to 1878. That is a long span of records. Older files may take more time to locate. For genealogy inquiries about older Reading divorce cases, email bprothy@countyofberks.com. Staff answer that email Tuesday through Thursday from 10 AM to 4:30 PM.
Certified copies of a Reading divorce decree cost $10.00 as of January 1, 2026. The filing fee for a new divorce complaint in Reading is $225.00. These rates are set by Berks County. Call the Prothonotary at 610-478-6970 to confirm current fees before submitting payment.
The Berks County court also maintains records related to marriage. Marriage records since 1885 are available at the Register of Wills at 633 Court Street, 3rd Floor, phone 610-478-3380. You may need a marriage record to prove the marriage before seeking a Reading divorce decree.
Filing a Divorce in Reading, PA
To file for divorce in Reading, you submit a complaint in divorce to the Berks County Prothonotary at the courthouse on Court Street. You pay the $225.00 filing fee at the time of submission. The Prothonotary assigns a case number, and the Reading divorce action officially begins. At least one spouse must have lived in Pennsylvania for six months before filing in Reading.
Pennsylvania allows two no-fault grounds for divorce under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3323. The first is mutual consent, where both spouses sign affidavits of consent after a 90-day waiting period. The second is irretrievable breakdown after a one-year separation. Fault grounds are also available. You state the grounds for divorce in the complaint filed with the Reading courthouse.
After filing in Reading, you serve your spouse with the divorce papers. Service can be done through the Berks County Sheriff, a private process server, or by certified mail. Proof of service is filed back with the Prothonotary. This becomes part of the Reading divorce record. Failure to properly serve your spouse can delay or stop the case.
When both parties agree on all terms in Reading, they submit a consent order or settlement agreement for the judge to sign. Property is divided under equitable distribution rules set by Pennsylvania law. The court in Reading considers factors such as length of the marriage, contributions of each spouse, and economic circumstances. Under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3105, written agreements about property and support in a Reading divorce are enforceable as court orders.
Once the judge signs the divorce decree in Reading, the case is closed and the decree is filed with the Prothonotary. Certified copies are available at that point. The Reading divorce decree is a public record under Pennsylvania law.
Legal Help for Reading Divorce Cases
Reading residents who need help with a divorce have several options. Pennsylvania Legal Aid at palegalaid.net serves Berks County and provides free legal help to income-eligible residents. Their services may include helping you file for divorce in Reading, reviewing your forms, or advising on your rights under Pennsylvania law.
The Berks County Bar Association also has a lawyer referral service for Reading residents who need a family law attorney. You can reach the Pennsylvania Bar Association lawyer referral line at 1-800-692-7375 for statewide assistance.
The Family Court Self-Help Center at the Reading courthouse provides forms and guidance for people representing themselves in a divorce. Staff there cannot give legal advice but can help you find the right forms and explain the filing process. The center is at 633 Court Street, 4th Floor, open Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure Chapter 1920 sets out all procedural steps for divorce actions in Reading and statewide. Reviewing these rules helps you understand each stage of the Reading divorce process. You can also find forms and instructions at pacourts.us/public-records.
Reading Divorce Records and Vital Statistics
The Pennsylvania Department of Health does not issue copies of divorce decrees. For any Reading divorce decree, you must contact the Berks County Prothonotary. The PA Department of Health at pa.gov/agencies/health/programs/vital-records directs all requests to the county courthouse where the divorce was granted.
The CDC guide to Pennsylvania vital records at cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/pennsylvania.htm notes that the cost of a divorce copy varies by county and that requests go to the Prothonotary at the county courthouse. For Reading, that is Berks County. The UJS portal at pennsylvaniacourtrecords.us also explains how to access Reading divorce records online and in person.
Reading divorce records from 1878 are stored at the courthouse. Records that old are invaluable for genealogy research. Contact the Prothonotary by email at bprothy@countyofberks.com to ask about older Berks County divorce cases. The PA State Archives at pa.gov/agencies/phmc/pa-state-archives holds some early records from before 1804, but all modern Reading divorce decrees are at the Berks County Courthouse.
Note: The Register of Wills in Berks County handles marriage licenses and records. Marriage records from 1885 are available at the Register of Wills office at 633 Court Street, 3rd Floor, in Reading.
County Court for Reading
All Reading divorce cases are filed with and decided by the Berks County Court of Common Pleas. The Berks County Courthouse in Reading is the official location for all divorce decree records serving Reading and Berks County.