Delaware County Divorce Decree Records
Delaware County divorce decree records are maintained by the Office of Judicial Support (OJS) at the Delaware County Courthouse in Media, Pennsylvania. The divorce decree, which is the court order that ends the marriage, is available to any member of the public in Delaware County. To request a copy, you first need the docket number, which you can find using the public access screen. Copies cost $1.00 per page for plain copies and $6.00 for each certified copy. This page explains how to search for and obtain a divorce decree in Delaware County.
Delaware County Quick Facts
Delaware County Office of Judicial Support
The Delaware County Office of Judicial Support (OJS) functions as the Prothonotary for civil cases in the county, including all divorce actions. The OJS is at the Government Center Building, 201 West Front Street, Media, PA 19063. Phone numbers are (610) 891-4324 and (610) 891-4370. The office maintains divorce case files for the current year and the five prior years on-site. Older files are kept in archives and must be requested in advance.
To get a copy of a divorce decree in Delaware County, you must first know the docket number. If you do not have it, use the public access screen at the OJS office to look it up by party name. Once you have the docket number, you can request a copy of the decree. The divorce decree is available to anyone, meaning you do not need to be a party to the case. However, the full divorce file is restricted to parties and their attorney of record.
Copy fees in Delaware County are specific: a simple plain copy costs $1.00 per page, and each certified copy costs $6.00. You can mail your request with a self-addressed stamped envelope and a money order to the OJS office. For older files beyond the five-year on-site window, call ahead so the archive can retrieve the record before your visit or mail request.
The image below shows the Delaware County OJS website, where you can find information on how to request divorce records:
The OJS website at delcopa.gov/ojs has additional details on how to request court documents in Delaware County.
| Office |
Office of Judicial Support (OJS) Government Center Building Delaware County Courthouse 201 West Front Street Media, PA 19063 Phone: (610) 891-4324 or (610) 891-4370 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | delcopa.gov/ojs |
Delaware County Register of Wills
The Delaware County Register of Wills is Vincent A. Rongione, Esq. This office handles probate of wills and also issues marriage licenses in Delaware County. While the Register does not directly maintain divorce records, the office plays a role in related legal matters. After a divorce in Delaware County, parties who need to update estate plans or probate a will during the divorce process may interact with the Register of Wills.
The Register of Wills also serves as the Clerk of the Orphans' Court, which handles guardianships and estate matters. If a divorce decree in Delaware County intersected with an estate or guardianship case, some related records may exist at the Register's office. The Register of Wills is also located at the Delaware County Courthouse complex in Media.
The Register of Wills website at delcopa.gov/row has information on probate, estate filings, and marriage licenses in Delaware County.
The Register of Wills and OJS are both part of the Delaware County court system at the Government Center Building in Media.
Searching for a Delaware County Divorce Decree
Start your search at the Pennsylvania UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us. Search by participant name or docket number. The portal covers Delaware County along with every other Pennsylvania county. Search results show docket sheets with case numbers, party names, and filing dates. This is the quickest way to find the docket number you will need to request the actual decree from the OJS office.
If the case does not appear on the UJS Portal, visit the OJS office in Media. Use the public access screen on-site to search by name and find the docket number. Once you have it, you can request the divorce decree directly at the counter. Bring identification when visiting in person. For mail requests, send a letter with the docket number, your name, mailing address, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a money order for the copy fee to the OJS office at 201 West Front Street, Media, PA 19063.
Remember that the OJS keeps files for the current year and the five prior years at the office. For records older than that, call (610) 891-4324 first to request that the file be retrieved from the archive. Processing time for archive requests may vary, so plan ahead if you need an older Delaware County divorce record.
Note: Only parties to the case and their attorney of record may access the full divorce file in Delaware County. The divorce decree itself is available to any member of the public without restriction.
What the Delaware County Divorce Decree Shows
The Delaware County divorce decree is the final court order from the Court of Common Pleas that ends the marriage. It follows the Pennsylvania standard form under Rule 1920.76 and states that the parties are divorced from the bonds of matrimony. It shows the names of both spouses, the date the decree was entered, and the judge's signature. A certified copy bears the OJS office seal.
The decree itself does not show the terms of any property settlement, support agreement, or custody arrangement. Those details are in separate documents within the full divorce file. Only parties and their attorneys can access the full file in Delaware County. However, the decree is often all that is needed to prove the divorce for legal purposes such as name changes, remarriage, or financial transactions.
Under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3323, Pennsylvania sets the requirements for a final divorce decree. Act 106 of 2022 added a required notice about beneficiary designations to all decrees entered after the law took effect. This notice appears in all Delaware County divorce decrees from that time forward.
Filing for Divorce in Delaware County
Divorce cases in Delaware County begin with a complaint filed at the OJS office in Media. At least one spouse must have been a Pennsylvania resident for six months before filing. If you live in Delaware County, you file in Media at the Government Center Building. The OJS assigns a docket number and your case enters the public record.
Pennsylvania no-fault divorce allows for mutual consent, where both spouses sign affidavits and the court may enter the decree after a 90-day waiting period. Separation-based divorce requires a two-year period of irretrievable breakdown. Under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3105, marital agreements on property and support carry the force of a court order and may be enforced the same way. Fault-based divorce is also allowed under Pennsylvania law but is uncommon.
The Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure Chapter 1920 governs every step of the divorce process in Delaware County, from the form of the initial complaint to the final decree. Review these rules or consult an attorney before you begin the process to avoid procedural mistakes that can delay your case.
If you need free legal help in Delaware County, Pennsylvania Legal Aid serves eligible low-income residents. They can assist with divorce filings and related legal matters in the Media area.
Related Records in Delaware County
Other Delaware County offices hold records that connect to divorce cases. The Recorder of Deeds handles property transfers that follow many divorce settlements. The Domestic Relations office manages child support orders arising from family court proceedings. These offices are all part of the Delaware County courthouse complex at 201 West Front Street in Media.
For online research, the Pennsylvania Courts public records page explains the statewide rules governing access to court files. Delaware County follows the same standards as all other counties under the Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System. The FamilySearch Pennsylvania divorce records guide is also a helpful resource for genealogical research involving Delaware County.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health does not issue divorce decrees but does confirm that copies must come from the county Prothonotary or OJS. For Delaware County, that is the OJS at the Media courthouse. The state office in New Castle handles birth and death certificates only.
Nearby Counties
Delaware County borders Philadelphia to the east. If a divorce was filed in a neighboring county, contact that county's Prothonotary office. Each county maintains only the records for cases filed within its borders.