Search Allegheny County Divorce Decrees
Allegheny County divorce decree records are maintained by the Department of Court Records, which serves the same role as the Prothonotary in other Pennsylvania counties. This office is located in the City-County Building in Pittsburgh and holds divorce records dating back to 1885, with index records going back to 1788. Anyone seeking a certified copy of a divorce decree from Allegheny County can request it in person, by mail, or through the county's online case portal. The Family Division, located at 440 Ross Street in Pittsburgh, handles active divorce proceedings, while the Department of Court Records maintains the permanent files.
Allegheny County Quick Facts
Allegheny County Department of Court Records
Allegheny County's Department of Court Records (DCR) functions as the civil records office for the Court of Common Pleas. It holds all civil case files, including divorce decrees, custody orders, and support matters. The office is located at 414 Grant Street in the City-County Building in Pittsburgh. The phone number for the DCR is (412) 350-5720, and hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Divorce records at the DCR go back to 1885. The ejectment and miscellaneous index, which covers records from 1788, is also maintained by this office. If you are researching historical divorce records for Allegheny County, staff can help you navigate the older index volumes. Civil case records from 1995 onward can be accessed online through the county's web portal or the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System. Older records may be stored offsite and may require a retrieval request, which can add time to your search.
Certified copies of divorce decrees from the DCR cost between $15 and $25 depending on the document. Plain copies may be available at a lower rate. Processing typically takes 3 to 5 business days once your request is received. Visit the Allegheny County Department of Court Records website at dcr.alleghenycounty.us for more information on how to submit requests and what to include.
The following image is from the Allegheny County Department of Court Records website, which is the primary office for obtaining divorce decree copies in Pittsburgh.
The DCR website provides access to case search tools, request forms, and contact information for the Civil and Family Division in Pittsburgh.
| Department of Court Records |
City-County Building 414 Grant Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Phone: (412) 350-5720 |
|---|---|
| Family Division |
440 Ross Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Phone: (412) 350-4200 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | dcr.alleghenycounty.us |
Allegheny County Family Division Divorce Records
The Allegheny County Family Division, located at 440 Ross Street in Pittsburgh, is the branch of the Court of Common Pleas that handles active divorce cases. This division processes new filings, hears motions, schedules hearings, and issues interim orders during the course of a divorce case. Once the final divorce decree is entered, the permanent case file moves to the Department of Court Records for long-term storage and public access.
The Family Division handles related matters as well, including custody disputes, child support orders, spousal support, and protection from abuse petitions. All of these related filings become part of the same court record and are maintained by the DCR after the case closes. If you are searching for records tied to a divorce that also involved custody or support issues in Allegheny County, all of those documents can be found through the same case number at the DCR.
The image below is from the Allegheny County Family Division website at alleghenycourts.us, which provides information on the division's services and how to navigate the divorce process in Pittsburgh.
The Family Division website at alleghenycourts.us/family offers guidance on filing procedures, forms, and resources for people navigating a divorce in Allegheny County.
Allegheny County Marriage Records and Divorce Filings
The Allegheny County Marriage License Department is located at 436 Grant Street, Room 103, in Pittsburgh. Its phone number is (412) 350-4205, and hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. When applying for a new marriage license in Allegheny County, applicants who were previously married must provide a certified copy of their divorce decree. The Marriage License Department charges an additional $10.00 fee per divorce decree that must be reviewed as part of the application.
This requirement applies whether the prior divorce was granted in Allegheny County or in another state. If the divorce was granted in Pennsylvania, you can obtain a certified copy from the county where it was filed. If the divorce was granted in another state, you will need to contact that state's records office. The Allegheny County Marriage License Department will not issue a new license until the prior divorce is verified.
The image below is from the Allegheny County Marriage License Department website, showing the application process and the requirement to provide divorce documentation for previously married applicants.
As shown on the Allegheny County Marriage License Department page at dcr.alleghenycounty.us, previously married applicants must submit a certified divorce decree copy and pay the $10.00 additional fee before a new license can be issued.
How to Search Allegheny County Divorce Records
Searching for divorce records in Allegheny County starts with the online case portal. Civil records from 1995 to the present are accessible through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System at ujsportal.pacourts.us. This free public portal lets you search by name or case number. You can view docket sheets, check filing dates, and see what documents are part of the case. Secure or sensitive information is not shown to public users, but general case details are available.
For records before 1995, or when you need actual certified copies of documents, contact the Department of Court Records in person or by mail. Bring the names of both parties, the approximate year of the divorce, and the case number if you have it. Older records may need to be retrieved from offsite storage. The DCR can tell you how long that process will take when you call or visit.
The PennsylvaniaCourtRecords.us divorce guide is a useful overview of the state's divorce record system, including how Allegheny County fits into it. Note that informational copies are available to any member of the public, while certified copies are typically provided to parties named in the record, their legal representatives, or attorneys of record.
Note: Allegheny County's civil records from 1995 onward are available online, but you must contact the DCR directly to obtain any certified or physical copy of a divorce decree.
What Allegheny County Divorce Decree Files Contain
An Allegheny County divorce case file is a collection of every document submitted to the court from the first filing through the entry of the final decree. The complaint in divorce is the starting document. It names both parties, states the grounds for divorce under Pennsylvania law, and sets out what the filing party is asking the court to grant. The defendant may respond with an answer or counterclaim.
As the case progresses, additional documents are added to the file. These may include financial statements, property inventory lists, settlement agreements, custody plans, and support calculations. If the case went before a hearing officer or judge, notes and orders from those proceedings are also part of the file. All of these documents are held by the Allegheny County Department of Court Records.
The final divorce decree is the key document. Under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3323, it is the court order that dissolves the marriage. Since Act 106 of 2022, all Pennsylvania divorce decrees must include a beneficiary designation warning. The decree is signed by the judge and entered into the official court record. Certified copies are available through the DCR and are needed for name changes, remarriage, and many financial matters.
Pennsylvania follows equitable distribution of marital assets under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3502. If property division was part of the Allegheny County case, the related orders and agreements will be in the file as well. Any agreement made between the parties that was filed with the court is enforceable as a court order under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3105.
Legal Help for Divorce in Allegheny County
Allegheny County has several resources for people who need legal assistance with a divorce case. Pennsylvania Legal Aid offers free civil legal services to qualifying residents. Visit palegalaid.net to find the office that serves Allegheny County and check income eligibility. They can help with divorce forms, court procedures, and related matters.
The Allegheny County Bar Association also operates a lawyer referral service for people who need private legal representation in Pittsburgh. A family law attorney familiar with the Allegheny County court system can be valuable when navigating the Family Division and Department of Court Records. The Pennsylvania Courts public records page explains the Public Access Policy for court records, which governs what Allegheny County divorce records can be viewed remotely versus in person at the courthouse.
For historical research, the Pennsylvania State Archives holds some older court records including Supreme Court divorce papers from the early 1800s. However, most Allegheny County divorce records from 1885 onward are held by the Department of Court Records in Pittsburgh, not the State Archives.
Nearby Counties
Divorce cases in Pennsylvania must be filed in the county where at least one spouse resides. Allegheny County borders several other counties, and cases sometimes cross county lines. If you are unsure whether your case belongs in Allegheny County or a neighboring county, check the current address of both parties before you file.