Upper Darby Divorce Decree Records
Upper Darby divorce decree records are filed and stored at the Delaware County Office of Judicial Support in Media, Pennsylvania. Delaware County is the county that handles all divorce filings for Upper Darby Township residents. The Office of Judicial Support maintains all civil and family court records for Delaware County, including every Upper Darby divorce decree. You can search Upper Darby divorce cases online using the public access Civil Docket or visit the office in person to request copies of a divorce decree.
Upper Darby Quick Facts
Office of Judicial Support for Upper Darby Divorce
Upper Darby divorce cases are filed with the Delaware County Office of Judicial Support (OJS). This office functions as the clerk for all civil and family court matters in Delaware County. All Upper Darby divorce decrees are stored and maintained at the OJS office in Media. You do not file divorce papers in Upper Darby itself. You go to the county seat at Media.
| Office | Delaware County Office of Judicial Support |
|---|---|
| Address | Government Center Building 201 West Front Street Media, PA 19063 |
| Phone | (610) 891-4324 or (610) 891-4370 |
| Website | delcopa.gov/ojs/divorce |
| Mail Requests To | OJS Civil Filing Room 201 West Front Street Media, PA 19063 |
The OJS office keeps current year files plus the five prior years on-site in Media. If you need a file that is older than that, call ahead at (610) 891-4324 or (610) 891-4370 to request it be brought from archives. Allow extra time for older Upper Darby divorce files. Do not show up without calling first if you need a file older than six years.
Delaware County Court Serving Upper Darby
The Delaware County Court of Common Pleas is the trial court that hears all Upper Darby divorce cases and enters the final divorce decrees for Delaware County residents.
All Upper Darby divorce cases are decided by judges in the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas. The OJS office in Media holds all the records once the case is concluded.
How to Get Upper Darby Divorce Decree Copies
Getting a copy of an Upper Darby divorce decree starts with finding the docket number. Use the public access screen at the Delaware County OJS website. Click "Public Access" and then "Civil Docket" to search for the case. Once you have the docket number, you can order copies of the divorce decree. You do not need the docket number to search online, but you do need it to order copies.
The Upper Darby divorce decree itself is a public record and available to anyone. A plain copy of the decree costs $1.00. A certified copy costs $6.00. When submitting a mail request, include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a money order. Mail your request to the OJS Civil Filing Room, 201 West Front Street, Media, PA 19063.
Only the parties to the Upper Darby divorce case and their attorneys can view the full divorce file. The decree alone is public. If you are a party and need access to the full file, bring your ID when visiting in person. For attorneys, a bar number or letter of representation may be required.
The OJS office page at delcopa.gov/ojs/divorce has current instructions for requesting Upper Darby divorce decree copies. Review that page before submitting your request to make sure you follow the current process.
Note: Send payment by money order, not personal check, when mailing requests for Upper Darby divorce decree copies. The OJS will not process requests without proper payment included.
Upper Darby Divorce Records at OJS
The Delaware County Office of Judicial Support divorce page explains exactly how to find docket numbers and order copies of Upper Darby divorce decree records.
The OJS online public access system lets you search Upper Darby divorce records by name or case number before visiting or mailing a request.
Filing for Divorce in Upper Darby
Upper Darby residents file a complaint in divorce at the Delaware County OJS office in Media. You pay the filing fee at the time of submission. The OJS assigns a case number, and the Upper Darby divorce action begins. At least one spouse must have been a Pennsylvania resident for six months before filing. Upper Darby is in Delaware County, so that is where you file.
Pennsylvania offers two no-fault paths under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3323. Mutual consent divorce requires both spouses to sign affidavits after a 90-day waiting period. Irretrievable breakdown requires proof of a one-year separation. Fault grounds are also available but are less common in Upper Darby divorce cases today. The complaint must state which grounds the filing party is using.
After filing, you must serve the other spouse with the divorce papers. Service in Delaware County can be done through the county sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail. Proof of service goes back to the OJS as part of the Upper Darby divorce record. Cases can be delayed if service is not done correctly.
When both spouses agree on all terms in an Upper Darby divorce, they submit a consent order or settlement agreement. The judge reviews the agreement and, if satisfied, signs the divorce decree. The decree ends the marriage. Property division follows equitable distribution principles under Pennsylvania law. Under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3105, written agreements about property and support in an Upper Darby divorce are enforceable as court orders.
Legal Help for Upper Darby Divorce
Upper Darby residents can get help with divorce matters through several organizations. Pennsylvania Legal Aid at palegalaid.net serves Delaware County and provides free legal help to qualifying residents. Their services include advice, form assistance, and representation in court for Upper Darby divorce cases.
The Delaware County Bar Association also operates a lawyer referral service for residents who need a family law attorney. The Pennsylvania Bar Association referral line at 1-800-692-7375 can match Upper Darby residents with attorneys who handle divorce cases.
Court forms for an Upper Darby divorce are available through the Pennsylvania courts at pacourts.us/public-records. The forms include the complaint in divorce and all required ancillary papers. Staff at the OJS can tell you which forms you need but cannot provide legal advice. The Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure Chapter 1920 governs all steps of an Upper Darby divorce action.
Note: For domestic violence help during an Upper Darby divorce, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. Delaware County also has local domestic violence services. Your safety comes first during any divorce proceeding.
Upper Darby District Court and Vital Records
Upper Darby is also served by Magisterial District Court 32-2-51, located at Barclay Square Building, 1550 Garrett Road, Upper Darby, PA 19082, phone 610-626-6900. This court handles minor civil and criminal matters. Divorce filings do not go here. They go to the Delaware County OJS office in Media. The district court is separate from the Court of Common Pleas that handles Upper Darby divorce cases.
The Delaware County Register of Wills at delcopa.gov/row handles marriage licenses and probate records. You may need a marriage record to document the marriage before an Upper Darby divorce can be finalized. The Register of Wills office is at 201 W. Front St., Media, PA 19063, phone 610-891-4400.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health does not issue copies of divorce decrees. For any Upper Darby divorce decree, contact the Delaware County OJS. The PA Department of Health at pa.gov/agencies/health/programs/vital-records redirects all divorce record requests to the county courthouse. For historical Upper Darby divorce research, the UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us and FamilySearch at familysearch.org can be useful starting points.
County Court for Upper Darby
All Upper Darby divorce cases are handled by the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas. The Office of Judicial Support in Media, Delaware County, is the official filing location for all Upper Darby divorce decree records.