Lebanon County Divorce Decree Docket Search
Lebanon County divorce decree records are maintained by the Prothonotary at the Court of Common Pleas in Lebanon. The Prothonotary keeps all civil case files for Lebanon County, including every divorce case filed with the court. If you need to search for a divorce decree, verify a case, or get a certified copy of a divorce record, the Prothonotary office on S. 8th Street in Lebanon is where to go. The county seat is Lebanon, and the courthouse serves all residents of Lebanon County.
Lebanon County Quick Facts
Lebanon County Prothonotary Office
The Lebanon County Prothonotary serves as the official clerk for civil cases at the Court of Common Pleas. This office stores and manages all divorce records filed in Lebanon County. The Prothonotary can search records by the names of the parties or by case number. Staff can provide both plain copies and certified copies of divorce decrees and other documents from the case file. The office is at 400 S. 8th Street in Lebanon.
You can reach the Lebanon County Prothonotary by phone at (717) 228-4403. The office is in the Lebanon County Courthouse at 400 S. 8th Street, Lebanon, PA 17042. For information about services and how to submit a records request, visit lebcounty.org/prothonotary. You can visit in person during regular business hours or contact the office to ask about mail-in requests.
The Pennsylvania Courts system provides a statewide view of public court records. The image below is from pacourts.us/public-records, which explains how court records are accessed across all counties in Pennsylvania.
Lebanon County divorce records, like those in all Pennsylvania counties, are part of the public court record system and can be accessed by any member of the public.
| Office |
Lebanon County Prothonotary Lebanon County Courthouse 400 S. 8th Street Lebanon, PA 17042 Phone: (717) 228-4403 |
|---|---|
| Website | lebcounty.org/prothonotary |
| Court | Court of Common Pleas, Lebanon County |
Searching Divorce Decree Records in Lebanon County
The easiest way to begin a Lebanon County divorce record search is online through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal. Go to ujsportal.pacourts.us and use the case search to look up Lebanon County Court of Common Pleas cases. You can search by the name of either party or by the case number. The portal shows docket sheets at no cost. It is a public site and anyone may use it. Docket information includes filing dates, court events, and party names but not full document text.
For actual copies of the documents in a Lebanon County divorce file, you need to contact the Prothonotary. Visit the office at 400 S. 8th Street in Lebanon, bring a photo ID, and ask staff to pull the file. They can search by name or case number and provide copies. Copy fees apply and vary by document type. If you need a certified copy of the divorce decree, ask specifically for a certified copy as those carry the official court seal and are required for most legal purposes.
If you cannot visit in person, you may be able to submit a written request by mail. Address your request to the Lebanon County Prothonotary at 400 S. 8th Street, Lebanon, PA 17042. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate year the divorce was filed, and your contact information. Ask the office about their fee schedule before sending payment.
Note: Recent entries in the court filing system may not appear on the UJS Portal right away. If you cannot find a case online, call the Prothonotary directly to confirm whether the case has been entered into the system yet.
Filing a Divorce Case in Lebanon County
Divorce cases in Lebanon County are filed with the Prothonotary at the Lebanon County Courthouse. Pennsylvania law under Title 23 governs how divorces are started and handled in all counties, including Lebanon. At least one spouse must have lived in Pennsylvania for at least six months before a complaint can be filed. If you reside in Lebanon County, you file your divorce here.
You start by submitting a complaint in divorce to the Prothonotary. You pay the filing fee and receive a case number. Your case is now part of the court record in Lebanon County. Next, you serve the other party with the divorce papers. Service can be made through the Lebanon County Sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail. A proof of service is filed with the court once service is complete.
Under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3323, Pennsylvania courts follow specific rules for entering a final divorce decree. For mutual consent divorce under Section 3301(c), both parties must sign affidavits after a 90-day waiting period. For divorce based on irretrievable breakdown under Section 3301(d), the parties must have been separated for at least one year. Fault-based grounds are also recognized under Pennsylvania law. Once the court is satisfied that the requirements are met, the judge signs the divorce decree and it is filed with the Lebanon County Prothonotary.
If the parties have agreed on property, support, or custody, those agreements can be incorporated into the court record under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3105. This allows the agreement to be enforced as a court order. All such documents become part of the Lebanon County divorce case file.
What Lebanon County Divorce Case Files Include
A divorce case file at the Lebanon County Prothonotary can contain many different types of documents. The complaint in divorce is always the first document. Other common papers include an answer by the responding party, financial disclosure statements, property settlement agreements, support orders, and any motions or court orders entered during the case. The final divorce decree is the last and most important document in the file.
The divorce decree from Lebanon County shows that the marriage has been legally ended by the Court of Common Pleas. It states the names of both parties, the date the court granted the divorce, and any provisions for name restoration. Most legal and government agencies require a certified copy of the decree, not a plain photocopy. Certified copies are issued by the Lebanon County Prothonotary with the court seal and a certification by the clerk.
Lebanon County divorce records are public records under Pennsylvania law. Any person may ask to view or copy them. Some parts of a file may be sealed by the court, especially when minor children are involved. Sealed portions are not shown to public requesters. The core case documents, including the divorce decree, remain accessible to the public at the Lebanon County courthouse.
For older Lebanon County divorce cases, the file may be stored in an archive rather than in the active filing system. The Prothonotary can advise you on how to access archived records and whether any delays apply for older files. Historical research into Lebanon County divorce records can also be supported by genealogical resources such as the FamilySearch Pennsylvania Divorce Records guide.
Divorce Records and Pennsylvania Vital Statistics
The Pennsylvania Department of Health maintains vital records for the state but does not issue copies of divorce decrees. Their office at pa.gov/agencies/health handles birth and death records. For divorce records in Lebanon County, the Department of Health directs requests to the county Prothonotary. This is true for all 67 Pennsylvania counties.
The Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg holds some very old court records, including Supreme Court divorce papers from before 1815. For Lebanon County divorce records from 1804 forward, the county Prothonotary is the official custodian. If you are researching historical divorces in Lebanon County, the Prothonotary should be your first contact. For pre-1804 cases, the State Archives may have relevant materials.
Note: The PennsylvaniaCourtRecords.us divorce records guide confirms that each page of a divorce record copy is typically charged at 25 cents, while certified copy fees vary by county. Contact the Lebanon County Prothonotary at (717) 228-4403 for their current fee schedule.
Legal Resources in Lebanon County
If you need help with a divorce case in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania Legal Aid provides free assistance to people with low income. Visit palegalaid.net to find the office serving Lebanon County and to check whether you qualify. Legal aid can assist with forms, court procedures, and understanding your rights at each stage of a divorce case in Lebanon County.
The Lebanon County Bar Association maintains a lawyer referral service for residents seeking a private family law attorney. An attorney who practices in Lebanon County can advise you on local court procedures, help you negotiate a property settlement, and represent you at hearings. For self-represented parties, the Lebanon County courthouse and the Pennsylvania Courts website both have resources to help you understand the process. The Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Title 23 contains the full text of the Divorce Code that applies in Lebanon County.
Nearby Counties
Lebanon County is in south-central Pennsylvania. Check where the filing party lived at the time of the divorce to confirm which county holds the records. Contact the correct Prothonotary to get the records you need.