Northampton County Divorce Decree Records

Northampton County divorce decree records are held by the Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in Easton. The Prothonotary is the primary repository for all divorce records in Northampton County, covering cases from recent years as well as historical records going back before 1970. You can search for a divorce decree by name or case number, request certified copies, and review case files at the 669 Washington Street location in Easton. Northampton County is in eastern Pennsylvania along the Delaware River border with New Jersey.

Northampton County Prothonotary Divorce Decree Office

The Northampton County Prothonotary at 669 Washington Street, 1st Floor, Easton, is the official location for all divorce case records in this county. The office handles all divorce, custody, support, and family court matters for the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas. The Court of Common Pleas for Northampton County is also reachable through nccpa.org. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Fees at the Northampton County Prothonotary are clearly set. A record search costs $20.00 per name. Certified copies of documents cost $10.00 per document. Regular copies cost $0.50 per page. For recent records, processing takes 3 to 5 business days. For archived materials, the wait is 2 to 3 weeks. Historical records from before 1970 are kept at the same address, so you do not need to go elsewhere for older Northampton County divorce cases.

Note: Allow 3 to 5 business days for recent Northampton County divorce records and 2 to 3 weeks for archived materials from before 1970.

Searching Northampton County Divorce Records

Northampton County divorce decree records can be found through in-person searches at the Easton courthouse, through mail requests, or through the Pennsylvania UJS Portal online. Each method serves a different need. Online searching is best for a quick case lookup. In-person visits allow you to review the full file and get copies on the spot. Mail requests work for those who cannot travel to Easton.

For online searches, the Pennsylvania UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us covers Northampton County Court of Common Pleas cases. Search by party name or docket number to find a divorce case. The portal shows docket sheets with case information, filing dates, and case status. It does not display the text of filed documents. Once you have the case number, you can use it when requesting copies from the Prothonotary in Easton.

To request records in person, visit 669 Washington Street, 1st Floor, Easton, PA 18042 during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID and the names of both parties in the divorce. The $20.00 search fee per name applies. Tell the clerk what type of copy you need. Certified copies cost $10.00 per document, and regular copies cost $0.50 per page. Bring enough for these fees or ask about accepted payment methods in advance.

To submit a mail request, write to the Northampton County Prothonotary at the address above. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate year of the divorce, a description of what you need, and your return address. Include payment for the search fee and ask about copy fees in your letter. Processing takes 3 to 5 business days for recent records.

Northampton County Divorce Decree Contents

A Northampton County divorce decree is the official court order ending a marriage. It is signed by a judge of the Court of Common Pleas and filed with the Prothonotary in Easton. Under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3323, the decree states that the parties are divorced from the bonds of matrimony. It includes the required warning about updating beneficiary designations on insurance policies, pensions, annuity contracts, and similar accounts, which was added to Pennsylvania law in 2022.

The Northampton County divorce case file attached to the decree contains many documents. The complaint in divorce starts the file. Next comes proof of service on the other spouse. Affidavits for mutual consent or separation are in the file if that method was used. If a hearing was held, the hearing officer's report and the judge's order are in the file. Settlement agreements on property, alimony, and other matters are also part of the record when they are made part of the court order. Under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3105, these agreements have the enforcement force of court orders. All documents are preserved at the Easton courthouse.

Most people need a certified copy of the Northampton County divorce decree for legal matters. Certified copies carry the court seal and are accepted by government agencies, courts in other states, Social Security offices, and title companies. They cost $10.00 per document at the Northampton County Prothonotary. Regular copies at $0.50 per page are acceptable for personal use but may not meet official requirements.

Historical Northampton County Divorce Records

Northampton County has a long history. It was one of the original three counties formed in Pennsylvania in 1752. The county's Court of Common Pleas has been handling divorce cases since the early 1800s when Pennsylvania law gave that jurisdiction to the county courts. Pre-1970 records are held at the same 669 Washington Street address as current records, so you do not need to go to a separate archive location for older Northampton County divorces.

For genealogy research involving Northampton County, the FamilySearch guide to Pennsylvania divorce records is a helpful starting point. It covers the history of Pennsylvania divorce record-keeping and points researchers to county-level collections. The Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg holds some early divorce records from the state court level that may be relevant for cases from before 1804. The Archives can be reached at (717) 783-3281 or by email at ra-statearchives@pa.gov.

Records from before 1804, when the Pennsylvania legislature and Supreme Court handled divorce matters, would not be at the Northampton County Courthouse. For those records, the State Archives at 1681 N. Sixth Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102 is the right place to contact.

Note: Processing time for pre-1970 Northampton County archived materials is typically 2 to 3 weeks. Plan accordingly when requesting older records.

Filing a Divorce in Northampton County

To start a divorce in Northampton County, file a complaint in divorce with the Prothonotary at 669 Washington Street in Easton. The court handles all divorce, custody, support, and family matters for Northampton County. At least one spouse must have lived in Pennsylvania for six months before the filing date. Northampton County residents file their cases in Easton.

Once the complaint is filed and a case number is assigned, service on the other spouse must be completed. Accepted service methods include the county sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail with return receipt. Proof of service must be filed with the Prothonotary. The case then follows the steps outlined in Chapter 1920 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure. These rules cover every step of a Pennsylvania divorce, from filing through final decree.

Pennsylvania's no-fault divorce options are available to Northampton County residents. Under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3301(c), both parties can consent after 90 days. Under § 3301(d), one party can proceed after a one-year separation. Fault grounds are also available. Once all required steps are complete, the judge enters the final decree. That decree is filed with the Northampton County Prothonotary and becomes a permanent public record in Easton.

Northampton County residents who need legal assistance with a divorce and qualify based on income can contact Pennsylvania Legal Aid for free help. Their network serves eastern Pennsylvania counties including Northampton.

Northampton County Divorce Records vs. State Records

The Pennsylvania Department of Health does not issue copies of Northampton County divorce decrees. For the full court order and case file, contact the Prothonotary in Easton. For a simple confirmation that a divorce occurred, the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records can point you to available state-level documentation. Their phone number is (724) 656-3100 and their mailing address is PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103.

The CDC confirms at cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/pennsylvania.htm that divorce copies must be obtained from the Prothonotary in the county seat where the divorce was granted. For Northampton County, that means the 669 Washington Street office in Easton. You can also use VitalChek as an authorized vendor for certain Pennsylvania vital records requests. For most legal needs, however, only the certified copy of the Northampton County divorce decree from the Prothonotary in Easton will meet official requirements.

Nearby Counties

Northampton County is in eastern Pennsylvania near the New Jersey border. It shares borders with several other counties. Divorce records are always held in the county where the case was filed. Contact the correct county courthouse if you need records from outside Northampton County.

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