Adams County Divorce Decrees
Adams County divorce decree records are held by the Prothonotary at the Adams County Courthouse in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The Prothonotary serves as the elected civil clerk for the Court of Common Pleas and has kept divorce records since 1804. Anyone who needs a copy of a divorce decree filed in Adams County must contact this office directly. You can visit in person, send a written request by mail, or search case information online through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal. Having the full names of both parties and the approximate date of the divorce will help staff locate the file quickly.
Adams County Quick Facts
Adams County Prothonotary and Divorce Decrees
The Adams County Prothonotary is the official keeper of all civil court records within the county. This elected office operates out of the Adams County Courthouse at 117 Baltimore Street in Gettysburg. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Staff can locate divorce cases by name or case number and provide plain or certified copies of any document in the file.
Divorce records in Adams County go back to 1804, when the Court of Common Pleas took over jurisdiction from the state legislature and Supreme Court. That means the Prothonotary holds nearly 220 years of civil case history. Most people searching for a divorce decree in Adams County are looking for something filed in the last few decades, but the office can assist with older records as well. If you are researching family history, the Prothonotary is the right place to start.
The Prothonotary handles far more than just divorce. The office maintains custody orders, child support filings, protection from abuse petitions, and other civil matters. All of these records are accessible to the public during regular business hours. Divorce decree documents, however, are among the most commonly requested records at the Adams County Courthouse.
The Adams County Prothonotary website at adamscountypa.gov provides contact details, hours, and guidance on how to submit requests for records. It is worth reviewing before you visit or mail in a request so you arrive prepared.
The Adams County Courthouse at 117 Baltimore Street is also home to the Clerk of Courts and the Register of Wills. If you are not sure which office handles the record you need, the Prothonotary handles all civil divorce matters, while the Clerk of Courts handles criminal records. The Register of Wills handles marriage licenses and probate matters.
The following image is from the Adams County Prothonotary's Office website, which serves as the primary point of access for divorce decree records in Gettysburg.
The Adams County Prothonotary office page shows contact information, office hours, and instructions for requesting certified copies of divorce records filed with the Court of Common Pleas.
| Office |
Adams County Prothonotary Adams County Courthouse 117 Baltimore Street Gettysburg, PA 17325 Phone: (717) 337-9834 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | adamscountypa.gov/departments/prothonotary |
| Records Start | 1804 to present |
How to Search Adams County Divorce Records
Searching for divorce records in Adams County can be done in two main ways. You can visit the Prothonotary's Office at the courthouse in Gettysburg, or you can search the online case portal maintained by the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System. The online option works well when you just need basic case details. An in-person visit lets you view the full file and request copies on the spot.
The UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us gives free access to public docket sheets for all Pennsylvania courts. You can search by participant name, case number, or other identifiers. The results show basic case information including filed dates, case events, and parties. This is a good first step before you contact the Prothonotary directly for copies of the actual documents.
To search in person at the Adams County Courthouse, bring the following:
- Full names of both parties to the divorce
- Approximate year of filing or finalization
- Case number if you have it
- Valid photo identification
Mail requests are also accepted. Send a written request to the Adams County Prothonotary at 117 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325. Include the names of both parties, the divorce date or case number, and a check for any applicable copy fees. Staff will respond and let you know what they found and the total cost of copies before they process payment. Allow extra time for mail requests, as processing may take several business days depending on current volume.
Note: Online access through the UJS Portal shows case-level data but does not provide actual document images. You must contact the Prothonotary for certified copies of the decree itself.
Divorce Decree Fees in Adams County
Adams County charges $10.00 for the first certified page of a divorce decree. Each additional page costs $1.00. These fees apply to certified copies, which carry the court seal and signature and are accepted for legal purposes such as remarrying, changing a name on a Social Security card, or updating a passport. Plain (uncertified) copies may be available at a lower rate; confirm current rates with the office before submitting payment.
Fees can change, so it is always best to call the Prothonotary at (717) 337-9834 before you mail a check. The office can tell you the current rates and how many pages your document contains. If you are paying by check, make it out to the Adams County Prothonotary. If you are paying in person, staff can confirm accepted payment methods at the time of your visit.
What Adams County Divorce Filings Include
A divorce case file in Adams County contains every document submitted to the court during the course of the proceedings. The first document is the complaint in divorce, which identifies the parties, the grounds for divorce, and what the plaintiff is asking the court to grant. The defendant may file an answer or other responses. As the case moves forward, additional filings are added to the record.
Under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3323, the final divorce decree is the court order that formally ends the marriage. It includes the names of both parties, the date of the order, and a statement that they are divorced from the bonds of matrimony. Since Act 106 of 2022, all Pennsylvania divorce decrees must also include a notice about reviewing beneficiary designations on life insurance policies and other financial accounts.
Many Adams County divorce files also contain property settlement agreements, custody arrangements, support orders, and financial disclosure statements. These documents are part of the public record unless the court has ordered them sealed. If the case involved minor children, some details about the children may be redacted from copies provided to third parties.
The divorce decree is the document most people need for legal matters. It is the official proof that a marriage was dissolved in Adams County. Keep certified copies in a safe place, as you may need them more than once over the years for name changes, new marriage licenses, and estate matters.
Note: Property division in Pennsylvania follows equitable distribution under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3502. Settlement agreements filed with the Adams County court are binding as court orders under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3105.
Pennsylvania Divorce Law and Adams County Court
Pennsylvania divorce law is found in Title 23 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Chapters 31 through 35. The full text of the Divorce Code is available online through Westlaw. Understanding the law can help you know what to expect when you search for or request records in Adams County.
To file for divorce in Adams County, at least one spouse must have lived in Pennsylvania for at least six months before the complaint is filed. The complaint is filed with the Adams County Prothonotary. Pennsylvania offers two main no-fault grounds for divorce. The first is mutual consent under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3301(c), where both parties agree and the 90-day waiting period has passed. The second is irretrievable breakdown under § 3301(d), where the parties have lived separately for one year. Fault grounds are also available under Pennsylvania law.
The procedural rules for divorce in Pennsylvania are found in Chapter 1920 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure. These rules govern everything from how the complaint must be filed to the required form of the final decree. The Adams County Court of Common Pleas follows these statewide rules in every divorce case.
Adams County is part of the 1st Judicial District of Pennsylvania. The Court of Common Pleas has jurisdiction over all divorce proceedings involving at least one Adams County resident. All divorce case files are maintained by the Prothonotary and are part of the permanent public record of the court.
Divorce Certificates vs. Adams County Divorce Decrees
There is an important difference between a divorce decree and a divorce certificate in Pennsylvania. The divorce decree is the full court order issued by the Adams County Court of Common Pleas. It is the legal document that ends the marriage and may include terms for property, custody, and support. You get the decree from the Prothonotary in Adams County.
A divorce certificate is a shorter summary document issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. It confirms the divorce took place but does not include the terms. The Division of Vital Records in New Castle, PA does not issue copies of divorce decrees. They only provide the certificate, which shows the names, date, and county of the divorce. For most legal purposes, you will need the full decree from Adams County, not just the certificate.
For genealogy research, the CDC also provides guidance on where to write for Pennsylvania vital records. Their guidance confirms that divorce copies must be obtained from the county Prothonotary, not from a state agency. The Adams County Prothonotary is the sole source for certified copies of divorce decrees granted in this county.
The image below is from the Pennsylvania Department of Health Vital Records page, which explains the distinction between state vital records and county court records for divorces in Pennsylvania.
As shown on the Pennsylvania Department of Health website, divorce copies must be obtained from the county courthouse, not from the state Division of Vital Records.
Legal Assistance for Divorce in Adams County
If you need help with a divorce case in Adams County, several resources are available. Pennsylvania Legal Aid provides free civil legal services to people who qualify based on income. Visit palegalaid.net to find contact information for the office that serves Adams County. They can help with divorce forms, procedural questions, and court filings.
The Pennsylvania Courts website at pacourts.us/public-records has information on public access to court records, including divorce filings. The site explains what records are available online through the UJS Portal and how to request copies in person. The FamilySearch Pennsylvania Divorce Records wiki is a helpful guide for those researching older divorce records for genealogical purposes.
Self-represented litigants filing in Adams County should review the forms and instructions available through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System at ujsportal.pacourts.us. Standard divorce complaint forms are available there at no cost. Filing deadlines and procedural requirements apply in Adams County just as in every other Pennsylvania county.
Note: For free legal help in Adams County, contact Pennsylvania Legal Aid to check income eligibility and available services before your court date.
Nearby Counties
Divorce cases in Pennsylvania must be filed in the county where at least one spouse lives. If you are not sure whether your case belongs in Adams County or a neighboring county, check your current address against county boundaries. Filing in the wrong county can delay your case.