Divorce Decree Records in Armstrong County
Armstrong County divorce decree records are kept by the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts at the Armstrong County Courthouse in Kittanning, Pennsylvania. The Prothonotary serves as the chief custodian of all civil records for the Court of Common Pleas and has maintained divorce records since 1804. To obtain a copy of a divorce decree filed in Armstrong County, you can visit the courthouse in person, submit a written request by mail, or search case information online through the Pennsylvania UJS Portal. The office is located at 500 East Market Street, Suite 103, on the first floor of the courthouse.
Armstrong County Quick Facts
Armstrong County Prothonotary and Divorce Records
The Armstrong County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts office is the starting point for anyone who needs access to a divorce decree in Armstrong County. This office is the chief custodian of all civil records filed with the Court of Common Pleas, including divorce complaints, settlement agreements, custody orders, and final decrees. The office is located on the first floor of the Armstrong County Courthouse at 500 East Market Street, Suite 103, in Kittanning.
Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with a lunch closure from noon to 1:00 PM. Keep that midday break in mind if you plan to visit in person. Staff can search for cases by name or case number and provide copies of court documents. For older records that may have been transferred to storage, additional retrieval time may be needed.
The Prothonotary maintains domestic relations records including divorce filings going back to 1804. That gives Armstrong County one of the longer public record histories among Pennsylvania counties. Whether you are searching for a recent decree or a historical record for genealogical purposes, the Prothonotary can assist you in locating the file. The Armstrong County Prothonotary's Office page at co.armstrong.pa.us has current contact details and office information.
The following image is from the Armstrong County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts website, which provides access to case information and instructions for requesting divorce decree copies in Kittanning.
The Armstrong County Prothonotary website shows office hours, contact information, and guidance on accessing civil records including divorce decrees filed with the Court of Common Pleas.
| Office |
Armstrong County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Armstrong County Courthouse 500 E. Market Street, Suite 103 Kittanning, PA 16201 Phone: (724) 548-3252 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (closed 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM) |
| Website | co.armstrong.pa.us |
| Records Start | 1804 to present |
Armstrong County Register and Related Court Offices
The Armstrong County Register and Recorder's office handles marriage licenses and vital records including birth and death records from 1905 onward. If you need to research the marriage that preceded a divorce in Armstrong County, this is the office to contact. The Register is located at 200 South Market Street in Kittanning and can be reached at (724) 548-3256. Marriage license fees in Armstrong County are $66.00, payable in cash.
The Register's office is separate from the Prothonotary. For divorce decree records, you go to the Prothonotary. For marriage license records, you go to the Register. Knowing which office handles which type of record will save you time when researching family records in Armstrong County. Both offices are housed at the Armstrong County Courthouse in Kittanning, though they operate independently.
The image below is from the Armstrong County Register and Recorder's website, which manages marriage records and related vital documents for Armstrong County residents.
The Armstrong County Register and Recorder page at co.armstrong.pa.us covers marriage licenses, birth certificates, and death records that may be needed alongside divorce decree documents in Armstrong County.
Note: Marriage records in Armstrong County are maintained separately from divorce records. Each office has its own fee schedule and process for providing copies.
Filing a Divorce in Armstrong County
All divorce filings in Armstrong County begin with the Prothonotary's office at the courthouse. A complaint for divorce must be filed in person. There is no option to file by mail for initial filings. Once filed, the Prothonotary assigns a case number and the file is created. All subsequent documents in the case are added to that same file under the assigned case number.
Standard divorce forms for Pennsylvania courts are available through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us. The Armstrong County Court of Common Pleas follows the statewide forms and procedures outlined in Chapter 1920 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure. The Armstrong County courts website at accourts.com provides local information on the divorce filing process and forms specific to Armstrong County.
Under Pennsylvania law, at least one party must have been a resident of Pennsylvania for at least six months before the complaint is filed. If both spouses live in Armstrong County, the case is filed here. If one spouse has moved to another county, the filing party can choose to file in either county where a spouse resides. The court that receives the filing will maintain the complete case record, including the final divorce decree.
The following image is from the Armstrong County Courts website, which provides guidance on divorce forms and filing procedures for cases in Kittanning.
The Armstrong County Courts divorce forms page at accourts.com shows available forms, filing instructions, and notes on what information is required to initiate a divorce case in the Court of Common Pleas.
Armstrong County Divorce Decree Copy Fees
Armstrong County charges $3.00 for the first page of a certified divorce decree copy. Each additional page costs $1.00. These fees apply to certified copies, which carry the official court seal. Certified copies are needed for legal purposes such as name changes, new marriage applications, and estate matters. Plain or informational copies may be available at a different rate; confirm with the Prothonotary's office before submitting payment.
Armstrong County has some of the lowest copy fees among Pennsylvania counties. Still, it is worth calling ahead at (724) 548-3252 to confirm current rates and how many pages your particular document contains. If you are submitting a request by mail, include a check made payable to the Armstrong County Prothonotary along with your request. The office will process your request and provide the copies. Allow several business days for mail requests to be handled.
What Armstrong County Divorce Filings Include
A divorce case file in Armstrong County begins with the complaint in divorce. This document names both parties, states the grounds for divorce, and explains what relief the filing party is seeking. After the complaint is served, the other party may file a response. Both of these documents, along with every subsequent filing, become part of the permanent court record held by the Prothonotary.
As the case proceeds, additional documents may include property and debt inventories, income affidavits, settlement agreements, and custody plans if children are involved. All of these are filed with the Prothonotary and become part of the public record in Armstrong County. Some details involving minor children may be redacted from copies provided to the general public.
The final divorce decree is entered once all grounds are established and any required waiting periods have passed. Under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3323, the decree formally dissolves the marriage and includes a required notice about reviewing beneficiary designations. The court retains jurisdiction over any claims that remain open after the decree is entered. Certified copies of this decree are available from the Armstrong County Prothonotary.
Pennsylvania divorce law under Title 23 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes governs all divorce proceedings in Armstrong County, including the grounds for divorce, property division under equitable distribution, and support obligations. The Prothonotary's records reflect each step of that legal process from start to finish.
Online Access to Armstrong County Divorce Records
The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System offers a free public portal for searching court records in all 67 counties, including Armstrong County. At ujsportal.pacourts.us, you can search by participant name, case number, or other identifiers. The portal shows public docket sheets with case dates, party names, and a list of filed documents. It does not show the content of the documents themselves, only the record that they were filed.
A mobile app called PAeDocket is also available for Android and iOS devices. It provides the same docket search capability as the web portal. For Armstrong County divorce cases, this app can help you locate a case number before you contact the Prothonotary for document copies. Free public access is available to any member of the public, though secure or sensitive information is filtered from public view.
For certified copies, you must contact the Armstrong County Prothonotary directly. The PennsylvaniaCourtRecords.us divorce guide explains the difference between online docket access and physical record requests in Pennsylvania counties. Informational copies are available to the public, while certified copies are typically issued to parties named in the record or their legal representatives.
Note: Online case searches through the UJS Portal reflect current data but may not immediately show very recent filings. Confirm with the Armstrong County Prothonotary if you need the most current case status.
Legal Help for Divorce Cases in Armstrong County
People who need legal assistance with a divorce case in Armstrong County can turn to several resources. Pennsylvania Legal Aid provides free civil legal services to residents who meet income guidelines. Their website at palegalaid.net lists the offices and programs that serve Armstrong County. They can help with divorce forms, procedural guidance, and related civil matters.
The Pennsylvania Courts public records page explains the Public Access Policy for court records in Pennsylvania. This policy governs what portions of Armstrong County divorce files can be viewed remotely versus only at the courthouse. Under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, most divorce records are public, though some information involving children or sensitive financial details may be restricted.
For historical research into older Armstrong County divorce records, the FamilySearch Pennsylvania Divorce Records wiki provides background on how records were kept before 1804 and how to research genealogical divorce records across the state. The Pennsylvania State Archives holds certain older court records, but Armstrong County divorce records from 1804 onward are held by the county Prothonotary.
Nearby Counties
Pennsylvania divorce cases must be filed in the county where at least one spouse lives. If you are researching records near Armstrong County or are not sure which county holds your case, the counties listed below border Armstrong County and may hold related filings.