Lackawanna County Divorce Decree Records
Lackawanna County divorce decree records are maintained by the Clerk of Judicial Records and the Family Court Division at the county administration building in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Records in Lackawanna County go back to 1878. The Family Court Division, established in 2008, specifically handles divorce actions, custody matters, PFA filings, and related family court documents. If you need to search for or obtain a divorce decree from Lackawanna County, Scranton is where the records are held and where certified copies are issued.
Lackawanna County Quick Facts
Lackawanna County Clerk of Judicial Records
The Clerk of Judicial Records is Lackawanna County's equivalent of the Prothonotary found in most other Pennsylvania counties. This office maintains all civil court records, including divorce decrees, going back to 1878. The office is located at the Lackawanna County Administration Building at 200 Adams Ave. in Scranton. Staff can search records by party name or case number and provide certified copies of divorce decrees filed in Lackawanna County.
The Clerk of Judicial Records collects filing fees, time-stamps documents at submission, and maintains the official case index for all civil matters. For divorce decree records in Lackawanna County, this is the primary point of contact. Written requests by mail are accepted. In-person visits are welcome during normal business hours.
| Office |
Lackawanna County Clerk of Judicial Records Lackawanna County Administration Building 200 Adams Ave. Scranton, PA 18503 Phone: 570-963-6723 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | lackawannacounty.org - Clerk of Judicial Records |
Clerk of Judicial Records Online Access
The Lackawanna County Clerk of Judicial Records website at lackawannacounty.org provides information on how to search and obtain divorce decree records maintained by this office in Scranton.
The site includes contact details, office hours, and guidance on submitting records requests to the Clerk of Judicial Records. Use this resource before visiting or calling to confirm what information you need to bring and what fees to expect for Lackawanna County divorce decree copies.
Lackawanna County Family Court Division
Lackawanna County established a dedicated Family Court Division in 2008. This division handles all family-related court matters in the county, including divorce actions, custody cases, PFA filings, and related family court documents. The Family Court Division operates from the same administration building at 200 Adams Ave. in Scranton. Having a dedicated division means family court matters, including divorce decree cases, are handled by staff with specialized experience in that area of law.
The Family Court Division collects filing fees at submission, time-stamps all documents when filed, and maintains a separate index for family court actions. For divorce decree requests that involve family court filings, you may need to contact both the Clerk of Judicial Records and the Family Court Division. Call ahead to confirm which office holds the specific records you need.
| Office |
Lackawanna County Family Court Division 200 Adams Ave. Scranton, PA 18503 Phone: 570-963-5692 |
|---|---|
| Established | 2008 |
| Handles | Divorce, Custody, PFA Filings, All Family Matters |
| Website | lackawannacounty.org |
Lackawanna County Family Court Online
The Lackawanna County website at lackawannacounty.org provides information on the Family Court Division and how to access divorce decree and family court records in Scranton.
The Family Court Division is the specific division within the Lackawanna County court system that manages divorce actions, including the filing and storage of divorce decrees. Use the county website to find current contact information and any online services that may be available for case lookups.
Search Lackawanna County Divorce Decree Cases
The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us provides free online access to Lackawanna County court dockets, including divorce cases. You can search by the name of either party or by the docket number. Results show filing dates, docket entries, and current case status. The portal is open to the public without registration and is available at any time.
For certified copies of Lackawanna County divorce decrees, contact the Clerk of Judicial Records at 570-963-6723 or visit the administration building at 200 Adams Ave. in Scranton. If your case is a post-2008 Family Court filing, the Family Court Division at 570-963-5692 may be the more direct contact. Staff can advise you on which office holds the specific records you need and what fees apply for certified copies of divorce decrees.
Note: The UJS Portal is updated on a regular basis. Very recent filings may not appear immediately. Call the Clerk's office for the most current case information on recent Lackawanna County divorce filings.
Divorce Filing Process in Lackawanna County
A divorce action in Lackawanna County is filed with the Clerk of Judicial Records at the administration building in Scranton. For cases filed after 2008, the Family Court Division is the primary administrative unit handling the matter. Pennsylvania requires at least one spouse to have been a state resident for six months before the case is filed. Residency in Lackawanna County establishes proper venue. The Clerk assigns a docket number and collects the filing fee at submission.
Pennsylvania's no-fault divorce by mutual consent under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3301(c) is the most common approach. After a 90-day waiting period, both parties file signed consent affidavits. The court reviews the record and enters the final divorce decree under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3323. The decree ends the marriage and becomes a permanent public record held by the Clerk of Judicial Records in Scranton. Act 106 of 2022 amended 23 Pa.C.S. § 3323(b.1) to require a notice in all divorce decrees about beneficiary designations on life insurance and retirement accounts, so all recent Lackawanna County decrees will include this language.
Contested divorce cases in Lackawanna County may involve hearings before the court or an appointed hearing officer. Under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3105, property and support agreements can be enforced as court orders. The full procedural rules for divorce actions in Pennsylvania courts are set out in PA Code Chapter 1920.
What Lackawanna County Divorce Decree Files Contain
A complete Lackawanna County divorce case file contains the original complaint in divorce, proof of service, consent affidavits or responses, any settlement agreements, interim court orders, and the final divorce decree. Family Court cases filed after 2008 are organized and maintained by the Family Court Division, which also maintains custody records, PFA filings, and other family matter documents for the county.
The divorce decree is the most frequently requested document. It states the names of both parties, the date of the court's order, and the fact that the marriage is dissolved. Certified copies from the Clerk of Judicial Records carry the court seal and are accepted by banks, government agencies, and courts in other states that require proof of a Pennsylvania divorce. Plain informational copies are also available and cost less.
Lackawanna County divorce records going back to 1878 are held in the administration building in Scranton. Cases prior to the electronic docket era may require additional time for retrieval. Calling ahead with as much detail as possible, including the names of both parties and the approximate year, helps staff locate older files.
Legal Resources for Lackawanna County Divorce Cases
Lackawanna County residents who need help with a divorce case have several options. PA Legal Aid provides free civil legal services to qualifying residents in northeastern Pennsylvania. Income-based eligibility applies. Their network includes resources for Scranton and Lackawanna County. Visit palegalaid.net or call for information on how to apply for help with a divorce in Lackawanna County.
The Pennsylvania Bar Association's lawyer referral service at (800) 692-7375 can connect you with licensed family law attorneys who handle divorce cases in the 45th Judicial District. Many attorneys offer a first consultation at reduced cost. The Lackawanna Bar Association may also have local referral resources for Scranton-area family law practitioners. For self-represented litigants, the Pennsylvania Courts public records page and PA Code Chapter 1920 rules are good starting points for understanding how to file and manage a divorce case in Lackawanna County.
Note: Court staff at the Clerk of Judicial Records and Family Court Division can help with the mechanical steps of filing, but they cannot provide legal advice about your case.
Lackawanna County Divorce Records Online Search
Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us provides free public access to Lackawanna County divorce decree docket information, including cases maintained by the Family Court Division in Scranton.
The portal covers all levels of Pennsylvania courts, including the Court of Common Pleas in Lackawanna County. Use the name search or docket number to find Lackawanna County divorce cases. For certified copies of divorce decrees, contact the Clerk of Judicial Records at 570-963-6723 or the Family Court Division at 570-963-5692.
Nearby Counties
Lackawanna County is located in northeastern Pennsylvania near several other counties. Verify where the parties lived at the time of filing to confirm that Lackawanna County is the right courthouse for your divorce record search.