Search Bucks County Divorce Decrees
Bucks County divorce decree records are kept by the Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in Doylestown. The Prothonotary serves as the official clerk of all civil court matters in Bucks County. If you need to find a divorce decree, the Prothonotary can search by name or case number and provide certified copies. Bucks County offers three office locations and online access through its web viewer, making it easier to search divorce records without always visiting in person.
Bucks County Quick Facts
Bucks County Prothonotary Office
The Bucks County Prothonotary is the clerk of the Civil Division of the Court of Common Pleas. This office holds all divorce decree records for cases filed in Bucks County. It also handles custody, name change petitions, liens, and judgments. The main office sits at the Bucks County Justice Center in Doylestown. Staff can help you find a case, get copies of court documents, or file new papers related to a Bucks County divorce.
Bucks County offers three locations for convenience. The main office in Doylestown is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:15 PM. On the third Wednesday of each month, the Doylestown office stays open until 7:30 PM for late-hour access to Bucks County records. The Levittown office offers full service for residents in the lower end of the county. The Quakertown location is open on Wednesdays only and serves the upper part of the county.
The office also accepts e-filing through its online web viewer, available 24 hours a day. You can register, file pleadings, and view case documents from home. This makes it easier to search Bucks County divorce decree records without a trip to the courthouse.
| Main Office |
Bucks County Justice Center 100 North Main Street Doylestown, PA 18901 Phone: 215-348-6191 Family Division: 215-348-6822 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:15 PM 3rd Wednesday each month until 7:30 PM |
| Website | buckscounty.gov/361/Prothonotary |
Finding Bucks County Divorce Records Online
Bucks County offers online access to divorce decree records through its e-filing web viewer. You can register and search case documents at any time. To find a case, you need at least one party name or the case number. The system returns docket information, filings, and event dates for Bucks County divorce cases.
The statewide UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us also lets you search Bucks County court records for free. You can look up divorce cases by party name or case number. The portal shows docket sheets with filing dates, court events, and orders. It does not show the full text of sealed documents, but it gives you the case timeline and key details about a Bucks County divorce decree.
Note: Always call the Prothonotary at 215-348-6191 before visiting to confirm what you need to bring and current office hours for Bucks County.
Bucks County Divorce Decree Fees
The filing fee for a new divorce complaint in Bucks County is $382.75. This covers the initial case opening and docket entry at the Prothonotary. You pay this fee when you file your complaint in divorce. Fees are subject to change, so call ahead to confirm the current rate before filing in Bucks County.
For copies of existing Bucks County divorce decree records, the fee is $0.25 per page. Certified copies require a $10.00 certification fee plus the per-page copy charges. Certified copies are often needed for legal matters like name changes, property transfers, or remarriage applications. The Prothonotary can provide both plain and certified copies of divorce decrees filed in Bucks County.
Bucks County accepts credit card payments for records orders. You need a case number to pay by credit card. Two public computers are available in the office at no charge for searching cases. Printing from those computers costs $0.25 per page.
Divorce Decree Process in Bucks County
All divorce cases in Bucks County begin at the Prothonotary's office. You file a complaint in divorce and pay the filing fee. The Prothonotary assigns a case number and dockets your papers. Under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3323, the court issues a divorce decree once all legal requirements are met. That decree becomes the official record in Bucks County and is stored by the Prothonotary.
Pennsylvania law under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3105 allows parties to resolve property and support matters through written agreements. Those agreements become part of the Bucks County court file. The Prothonotary keeps all orders, agreements, and filings from the case. Anyone who needs a copy of any document from a Bucks County divorce case can request it from this office.
For uncontested divorces in Bucks County, both parties sign consent affidavits after 90 days from the date of service. The case then moves to the Prothonotary for transmittal of the record to the judge. The judge signs the divorce decree and it is entered on the Bucks County docket. The whole process can take a few months in simple cases.
Note: Bucks County divorce files are public records unless a court specifically seals them. Most divorce decree documents can be viewed by any member of the public.
What Bucks County Divorce Decrees Contain
A Bucks County divorce decree is the final court order ending the marriage. It names both parties and states the date the marriage is dissolved. The decree may also address name restoration if one spouse asked to return to a former name. You can get a certified copy of the Bucks County divorce decree from the Prothonotary in Doylestown.
The full Bucks County divorce file contains more than just the decree. It includes the original complaint in divorce, proof of service, affidavits, any settlement agreement, and all court orders entered during the case. Related claims like equitable distribution, alimony, and custody are also part of the Bucks County court record. These documents are filed with the Prothonotary and kept permanently as part of the public record under Pennsylvania Courts public records policy.
Records at the Bucks County Prothonotary go back to the early 1800s. Older records may not be available online but can be found in person at the Doylestown office. Staff can help you locate historical Bucks County divorce records by searching indexes and physical files.
The FamilySearch Pennsylvania Divorce Records wiki notes that divorce records in Pennsylvania have been kept at the county level since 1804. Bucks County records from that period are among the oldest available at any county prothonotary in Pennsylvania.
State Resources for Bucks County Divorce Records
Several state resources can help you find or verify Bucks County divorce decree information. The Pennsylvania Department of Health does not issue copies of divorce records. You must contact the Bucks County Prothonotary directly for a decree copy. However, the PA Department of Health Vital Records office confirms this and directs people to the county courthouse in Doylestown.
The Pennsylvania State Archives holds some early divorce records from the Supreme Court going back to 1786. For Bucks County divorces from 1804 forward, the Prothonotary in Doylestown is the right place to look. The state archives are in Harrisburg at 1681 N. Sixth Street and can be reached at (717) 783-3281.
The CDC Where to Write guide for Pennsylvania confirms that divorce copies are obtained from the Prothonotary in the county seat where the decree was granted. For Bucks County, that means the Justice Center in Doylestown. The Pennsylvania Court Records divorce guide also lists Bucks County as a county where records are accessible to the public.
Note: The Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure Chapter 1920 governs how divorce actions are filed and processed in all counties, including Bucks County.
Nearby Counties
Bucks County borders several other Pennsylvania counties. Divorce cases must be filed in the county where at least one spouse lives. If you are unsure which county applies to your case, check your current address against these nearby counties.