Divorce Decree Records in Cambria County
Cambria County divorce decree records are maintained by the Prothonotary at the Cambria County Courthouse in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania. The Prothonotary serves as the keeper of all civil case records in Cambria County, including divorce filings going back to when the county was formed in 1804. Digital records are available from 1996 forward through the CountySuite Online Portal, making it possible to search Cambria County divorce decree cases from a computer before visiting the courthouse in person.
Cambria County Quick Facts
Cambria County Prothonotary Office
The Cambria County Prothonotary is the official records keeper for all civil court matters in Cambria County. This office holds divorce decrees, custody records, civil judgments, and liens filed in the Court of Common Pleas. The Prothonotary is located in Suite 110 of the Cambria County Courthouse at 200 South Center Street in Ebensburg. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Cambria County was formed in 1804 from parts of Somerset, Huntingdon, and Bedford counties. Divorce records have been maintained at the county level in Pennsylvania since 1804, meaning Cambria County Prothonotary records go back to the very beginning of the county. Physical records from that era may require extra time to locate. Digital records begin in 1996 and are available through the online portal. For any Cambria County divorce decree from the digital era, the CountySuite Online Portal is the fastest starting point.
| Office |
Cambria County Courthouse 200 South Center Street, Suite 110 Ebensburg, PA 15931 Phone: 814-472-1637 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | cambriacountypa.gov/prothonotary |
Searching Cambria County Divorce Records
Cambria County offers online access to civil docket information through the CountySuite Online Portal. You can search for a Cambria County divorce decree by party name or case number. The portal shows case index information for records from 1996 onward. This is the fastest way to find a case number before contacting the Prothonotary for copies.
The statewide UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us also covers Cambria County court records. You can search by participant name and get a docket sheet showing filings, dates, and orders. This free tool works for any Cambria County divorce case entered into the state system. It shows whether a divorce decree was entered and when, which is useful if you need to confirm the date of a past Cambria County divorce.
For in-person searches, the Prothonotary charges a $5.00 search fee per name. This covers staff time to look through indexes and locate the file. You can also search public records during business hours at the courthouse. If you find the file you need, copy fees are $0.50 per page and certification fees are $5.00 per document for a certified Cambria County divorce decree.
Note: Cambria County divorce records are indexed but the actual files are sealed from remote viewing. You may confirm a case exists online, but getting document copies requires contacting the Prothonotary directly.
Cambria County Divorce Decree Fees
Cambria County charges a $5.00 search fee per name for each record search. This applies when staff must search indexes to find a case. The copy fee is $0.50 per page for plain copies of divorce decree documents. Certified copies require an additional $5.00 certification fee per document. A certified Cambria County divorce decree typically costs $5.00 for certification plus $0.50 for each page of the document.
These fees apply to copies obtained directly from the Cambria County Prothonotary. Fees are set by the county and may change over time. Call the Prothonotary at 814-472-1637 before visiting to confirm current rates. Payment methods accepted at the Ebensburg courthouse vary, so confirm whether cash, check, or card is accepted for your type of request.
Divorce Decree Filing in Cambria County
All Cambria County divorce cases begin with a complaint filed at the Prothonotary office. The Prothonotary assigns a case number and dockets all papers. Pennsylvania requires that at least one spouse live in the state for six months before filing. The divorce can be filed in Cambria County if either spouse lives there. Under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3323, the court issues a final decree once all grounds and procedural steps are complete.
The Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure Chapter 1920 governs divorce actions in all counties. This includes rules for serving the other spouse, filing affidavits, joining related claims like property and support, and transmitting the record to the judge. Cambria County courts follow all of these statewide rules. The final divorce decree is entered by the judge and filed on the Cambria County docket by the Prothonotary.
Pennsylvania law under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3105 treats written property agreements between divorcing spouses as enforceable orders. These agreements become part of the Cambria County court record when filed with the Prothonotary. If you need a copy of a property agreement from a Cambria County divorce case, the Prothonotary can provide it along with the decree.
What Is in a Cambria County Divorce File
A Cambria County divorce file contains the complaint in divorce, all responses and motions filed by either party, proof that the other spouse was served, consent affidavits if applicable, any property settlement agreement, and the final divorce decree. The decree is the document most people need. It confirms the marriage was dissolved and names both parties. If a name change was granted, the decree states that too.
Cambria County divorce records are public under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law. Any member of the public can request a copy. Certified copies are most often needed for legal purposes such as changing your name with the Social Security Administration, updating a driver's license, or completing a property transfer after a Cambria County divorce. Plain copies work for personal reference.
Historical Cambria County divorce records from before 1804 do not exist at the county level because the county was formed that year. Records from the colonial era and early statehood are held at the Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg if they survive at all. For any Cambria County divorce from 1804 onward, the Prothonotary in Ebensburg is the right source.
State Resources for Cambria County Records
The Pennsylvania Department of Health does not issue copies of divorce decrees. It directs all requests to the county prothonotary where the divorce was granted. For Cambria County divorce decree copies, the courthouse in Ebensburg is the only official source. The state health department does maintain birth and death records but not divorce records.
The Pennsylvania Courts public records page explains how case records are accessible under the statewide public access policy. It notes that family court records including divorce cases are open to the public except for certain sealed information. Cambria County follows this policy. You can learn more about what is accessible and what may be protected before making a request at the Ebensburg courthouse.
Free legal help for Cambria County residents who qualify based on income is available through Pennsylvania Legal Aid. If you need help with a divorce case in Cambria County and cannot afford an attorney, PA Legal Aid can provide guidance. The FamilySearch Pennsylvania Divorce Records wiki is also useful for genealogy researchers looking for older Cambria County divorce records.
Note: The Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Title 23 governs all domestic relations matters including divorce in Cambria County.
Nearby Counties
Cambria County is in central Pennsylvania and borders several counties. If the divorce you are searching for was filed elsewhere, check the nearby county offices below.