Luzerne County Divorce Decree Case Records
Luzerne County divorce decree records are maintained by the Prothonotary at the Court of Common Pleas in Wilkes-Barre. The Prothonotary keeps all civil case files for Luzerne County, including divorce cases filed with the court. An online docket search is available through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System, and the Prothonotary also accepts in-person and mail requests. Whether you need to look up a current case or obtain a certified copy of a divorce decree from Luzerne County, the courthouse in Wilkes-Barre is the place to start.
Luzerne County Quick Facts
Luzerne County Prothonotary Office
The Luzerne County Prothonotary is the official keeper of civil court records in Luzerne County. The office stores all divorce case files, including complaints, court orders, settlement agreements, and final divorce decrees. Staff can search records by party name or case number and provide copies of documents on request. The Prothonotary is located at the Luzerne County Courthouse at 200 N. River Street in Wilkes-Barre.
You can reach the Luzerne County Prothonotary by phone at (570) 825-1715. The office address is Luzerne County Courthouse, 200 N. River Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711. For online information about the Prothonotary's services, visit luzernecounty.org/prothonotary. The office also notes that family court counseling referrals are available for cases that require that kind of support.
The image below is from the Pennsylvania Department of Health Vital Records page, which directs all requests for divorce decrees to the county Prothonotary rather than to the state office.
The Department of Health confirms that for any Pennsylvania county, including Luzerne, divorce records must be requested directly from the Prothonotary at the county courthouse.
| Office |
Luzerne County Prothonotary Luzerne County Courthouse 200 N. River Street Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711 Phone: (570) 825-1715 |
|---|---|
| Website | luzernecounty.org/prothonotary |
| Court | Court of Common Pleas, Luzerne County |
| Special Services | Online docket search; family court counseling referrals |
Online Docket Search for Luzerne County Divorce Records
Luzerne County offers online access to divorce case docket sheets through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System web portal. This is the easiest first step for most people searching for a Luzerne County divorce decree. Go to ujsportal.pacourts.us and select the Court of Common Pleas. Search by the name of either party or by the case number if you have it. The portal shows the docket for each case, including all filing dates, case events, and party information.
The UJS Portal is a free public tool. Anyone with internet access can use it. It does not require you to create an account or provide a reason for your search. The portal covers Luzerne County and all other Pennsylvania courts at the Court of Common Pleas level and above. Docket information is generally current, though recent filings may take a short time to appear in the system.
The portal shows case docket information but not the full text of documents. To get copies of the actual filings in a Luzerne County divorce case, you must contact the Prothonotary. Use the case number from the portal when you call or visit the courthouse. This speeds up the search and helps staff locate the right file for you.
Note: The UJS portal is a public resource. Secure or sealed information from Luzerne County family court cases is not shown to public users on the portal.
Filing a Divorce in Luzerne County
Luzerne County divorce cases are filed at the Prothonotary office in the courthouse on N. River Street in Wilkes-Barre. Pennsylvania law under Title 23 governs the process in all counties, including Luzerne. At least one spouse must have been a Pennsylvania resident for six months before the complaint is filed. Luzerne County residents file at the Court of Common Pleas in Wilkes-Barre.
The first step is filing a complaint in divorce with the Prothonotary. You pay the filing fee and the Prothonotary assigns a case number. Your case is now part of the public record in Luzerne County. After filing, you must serve the other spouse with the divorce papers. You can use the Luzerne County Sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail with return receipt. A proof of service document must then be filed with the court.
Under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3323, Pennsylvania courts may grant divorce by mutual consent after a 90-day waiting period, or based on irretrievable breakdown after one year of separation. Fault-based grounds are also available under the Divorce Code. Once the court finds all conditions are met, a judge signs the divorce decree. The decree is filed with the Luzerne County Prothonotary and becomes part of the permanent case record.
Property, support, and custody matters may all be addressed within the same Luzerne County divorce case. The Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure, Chapter 1920 covers every procedural step in a divorce action. Keeping your own copies of all filed documents is wise practice in any divorce case.
What Luzerne County Divorce Records Include
A Luzerne County divorce case file at the Prothonotary can hold many documents. The file starts with the complaint in divorce. Common additions include the answer filed by the other party, financial disclosures, property settlement agreements, custody and support orders, and any motions or rulings entered during the case. The final entry is the divorce decree signed by the judge.
The divorce decree is the most important document for most people who request Luzerne County divorce records. It is the court order that legally dissolves the marriage. It shows both parties' names, the date the court granted the divorce, and any provision for name restoration. Many agencies require a certified copy of the decree, not just a plain copy. Certified copies from the Luzerne County Prothonotary carry the official court seal and the clerk's certification.
Luzerne County divorce records are public records under Pennsylvania law and under the court's public access policy at pacourts.us/public-records. Any person may request access to them without having to show a reason. Portions of a file may be sealed by the court, which is more common when minor children are involved. Sealed portions are withheld from public copies. The core case documents, including the divorce decree, remain open to public access in Luzerne County.
For genealogy and historical research into older Luzerne County divorce records, the FamilySearch Pennsylvania Divorce Records guide notes that county Prothonotary offices have held divorce records since 1804. Luzerne County records going back many decades are part of this system. Some very old records may be held in archives rather than the active filing system, so calling ahead is helpful when researching older cases.
Note: Under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3105, agreements between parties in a Luzerne County divorce can be enforced as court orders. Copies of such agreements are part of the case file and are available from the Prothonotary.
Luzerne County Family Court and Counseling Services
Luzerne County's Prothonotary notes that family court counseling referrals are available for cases where that support may be helpful. Divorce cases that involve children or contested matters may benefit from counseling resources offered through or connected to the Luzerne County Court. Ask the Prothonotary or the court's family division about what referral options are available when you file or during your case.
The Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas handles all family law matters in the county. This includes divorce, child custody and support, and protection orders. All of these case types create records at the Prothonotary office. If you have related matters in Luzerne County beyond the divorce itself, they may be connected to the same case number or filed under a separate docket.
For child support matters in Luzerne County, the Pennsylvania Child Support Program can be reached at 1-877-727-7238. The PennsylvaniaCourtRecords.us divorce records guide provides an overview of how family court records work throughout the state, including Luzerne County.
Vital Records and Divorce Certificates in Luzerne County
The Pennsylvania Department of Health does not issue copies of divorce decrees for any county, including Luzerne. The PA Vital Records office handles birth and death certificates but directs all requests for divorce records to the county Prothonotary where the divorce was granted. For Luzerne County, that means contacting the Prothonotary in Wilkes-Barre.
The CDC confirms this approach in its guide on where to write for Pennsylvania vital records at cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/pennsylvania.htm. That guide states that for Pennsylvania divorce records, you must apply to the Prothonotary at the county courthouse. The cost of copies varies by county. For Luzerne County, contact the Prothonotary at (570) 825-1715 for current copy fee information.
If you need to prove that a divorce occurred for purposes like remarriage or a name change, the Luzerne County Prothonotary can provide a certified copy of the divorce decree. Ask whether that will satisfy the requirement of the agency or institution you are dealing with, as some may accept an informational copy while others require the certified version with the court seal.
The Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg holds some very early court records from before 1815. For Luzerne County divorce records from 1804 onward, the county Prothonotary is the official source.
Legal Help in Luzerne County
Pennsylvania Legal Aid serves Luzerne County and can provide free legal assistance to residents who qualify based on income. Visit palegalaid.net to find the office nearest to Wilkes-Barre and to check eligibility. Legal aid can help with understanding divorce law, filling out court forms, and navigating the steps of a Luzerne County divorce case. For those who do not qualify for legal aid, the Luzerne County Bar Association can refer you to a private family law attorney who handles divorce cases in the county.
The Pennsylvania Courts website has information about court records access and self-help resources for parties who represent themselves. The Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Title 23 contains the full Divorce Code that applies in Luzerne County. Reviewing the relevant statutes before any court date helps you understand what the court is looking for and what rights you have under Pennsylvania law.
Nearby Counties
Luzerne County is in northeastern Pennsylvania. Several counties border Luzerne. If you are not sure which county handled a divorce case, check where the filing party lived at the time of the divorce and contact the right Prothonotary.