Lehigh County Divorce Decree Records Access

Lehigh County divorce decree records are maintained by the Prothonotary at the Court of Common Pleas in Allentown. The Prothonotary holds current divorce filings and case files for Lehigh County. For older records, typically those filed before 1970, the Lehigh County Historical Records Center serves as the archive. Whether you need a certified copy of a divorce decree, want to search an old case, or are reviewing documents in a pending matter, this guide covers how to access Lehigh County divorce records and where each type of record is kept.

Lehigh County Prothonotary and Records Center

The Lehigh County Prothonotary office is located at the Lehigh County Courthouse at 455 West Hamilton Street in Allentown. This office handles all current divorce case filings and maintains case files for recent records. The Prothonotary can search records by party name at a fee of $20.00 per name. Copies of documents cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $10.00 per document plus the copy fee. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Call 610-782-3550 for questions or to confirm what you need before visiting.

For older Lehigh County divorce records, typically those from before 1970, contact the Lehigh County Historical Records Center. That office is at 17 South 7th Street in Allentown, within the Lehigh County Government Center. The Historical Records Center phone is 610-782-3280. Hours there are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM. The Historical Records Center page at lccpa.org has more detail on what records they hold.

The image below is from the Lehigh County Prothonotary divorce records page, which provides specific information about fees and the types of documents held by the office.

The Prothonotary is the official keeper of civil court records for Lehigh County, including all divorce decree filings and related documents.

Lehigh County Divorce Record Fees

Lehigh County has a published fee schedule for divorce record searches and copies. Knowing the fees in advance helps you prepare for your visit or mail request. The Prothonotary charges $20.00 per name for a record search. This fee applies when staff search the index for a specific person's name. If you already have the case number, ask whether the search fee still applies for direct case lookups.

Copies of documents from Lehigh County divorce case files cost $0.50 per page. This applies to plain, uncertified copies. Certified copies cost $10.00 per document, plus the $0.50 per page copy fee on top of that. A certified copy includes the court seal and the clerk's certification, which is required for most legal purposes. If a decree is 10 pages, for example, the certified copy total would be $10.00 plus $5.00 in copy fees.

The fee schedule at the Lehigh County Historical Records Center for pre-1970 records may differ. Call 610-782-3280 before visiting to confirm current fees for older Lehigh County divorce records. Both offices accept in-person payments. Contact each office to confirm whether mail-in requests and check or money order payments are accepted.

Note: Fee schedules can change. Always confirm current amounts with the Lehigh County Prothonotary or the Historical Records Center before submitting payment.

How to Access Lehigh County Divorce Decree Records

Start any search for Lehigh County divorce records at the UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us. This free public tool lets you search the statewide docket system by party name or case number. It covers all courts in Pennsylvania, including the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas. The portal shows docket sheets with filing dates, case events, and hearing information. You can use this to confirm that a case exists and get the case number before contacting the Prothonotary for copies.

For current Lehigh County divorce records, visit the Prothonotary at 455 West Hamilton Street in Allentown. Bring a photo ID and the names of both parties or the case number. Staff will search the index and pull the file. You can view documents there and order copies. For older cases from before 1970, go to the Lehigh County Historical Records Center at 17 South 7th Street in Allentown. Call ahead to confirm that the records you need are available and to ask about any special procedures for older files.

The image below is from the Lehigh County Historical Records Center website, which serves researchers needing access to older Lehigh County court and civil records.

The Historical Records Center holds Lehigh County civil records, including divorce filings, from before 1970 and is a key resource for genealogical and historical research in Lehigh County.

Mail requests are also accepted by the Prothonotary. Write to the office at 455 West Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101. Include the names of both parties, the approximate year of the divorce, the case number if known, and your contact details. Ask about the fee schedule so you can include the correct payment. For older records, write to the Historical Records Center at 17 South 7th Street, Allentown, PA 18101.

Lehigh County Divorce Decree Document Types

The Lehigh County Prothonotary holds a wide range of documents from each divorce case. These records span the full life of the case from the first filing through the final decree. Knowing what types of documents exist helps you request the right ones for your purpose.

Divorce records in Lehigh County include complaints and petitions that start the case, financial disclosure statements submitted by both parties, property settlement agreements, custody arrangements for any children involved, court orders entered during the case, and the final divorce decree. The divorce decree is the court order that legally ends the marriage. It is signed by the judge and filed with the Lehigh County Prothonotary upon entry.

Certified copies of Lehigh County divorce decrees are the most commonly requested documents. Legal, financial, and government agencies typically require a certified copy, not a plain photocopy. The Prothonotary issues certified copies with the official court seal. Financial disclosure statements and custody arrangements may contain sensitive personal information and could be subject to restricted access in some cases.

Lehigh County divorce records are public records under Pennsylvania law. Any person may request to view or copy them. Under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, the Prothonotary cannot refuse a request for access to public court records without a valid legal reason. If any portion of a file has been sealed by court order, that portion is withheld from public copies.

Note: Under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3105, agreements between parties in a Lehigh County divorce can be enforced as court orders. Copies of such agreements are part of the case file and may be requested from the Prothonotary.

Filing for Divorce in Lehigh County

Divorce cases in Lehigh County start at the Prothonotary office on West Hamilton Street in Allentown. The filing process follows the Pennsylvania Divorce Code under Title 23 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. At least one spouse must have been a Pennsylvania resident for six months before filing. Residents of Lehigh County file their cases here at the Court of Common Pleas.

You begin by submitting a complaint in divorce. You pay the filing fee and the Prothonotary assigns a case number. Service on the other spouse follows, using the Lehigh County Sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail. A proof of service is then filed with the court. Pennsylvania offers no-fault divorce under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3323. Mutual consent divorce has a 90-day waiting period; divorce based on irretrievable breakdown requires one year of separation. Fault grounds also exist under the Divorce Code.

Once conditions are met, the court enters the final divorce decree. All steps and the final decree are part of the case file at the Lehigh County Prothonotary. The Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure, Chapter 1920 covers all procedural requirements for divorce actions in Lehigh County and throughout the state. Property division, support, and custody matters can be handled within the same case under these rules.

Legal Help for Lehigh County Divorce Cases

Pennsylvania Legal Aid serves Lehigh County residents who qualify based on income. Visit palegalaid.net to find the local office and eligibility requirements. Legal aid can assist with understanding divorce law, completing forms, and navigating court procedures in Lehigh County. For residents who do not qualify for legal aid, the Lehigh County Bar Association offers a lawyer referral service to connect you with a private family law attorney.

For self-represented parties, the Lehigh County Courthouse has resources to help you manage your own case. The Pennsylvania Courts website provides information about accessing records and court policies. The Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Title 23 has the full text of the Divorce Code that governs cases in Lehigh County. Reviewing those statutes before your hearing can help you prepare your case.

Nearby Counties

Lehigh County is in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania. If you need divorce records from a neighboring county, contact that county's Prothonotary directly.

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