Search Pike County Divorce Decree Records

Pike County divorce decree records are held by the Prothonotary at the county courthouse in Milford. The Prothonotary is the official civil records keeper and maintains all divorce case filings in Pike County. You can search for a divorce decree online using the state portal or visit the courthouse in person to review the case file and get copies. Pike County sits in the Pocono region of northeastern Pennsylvania, and the Prothonotary office in Milford serves all residents and requestors who need access to divorce records from this county.

Pike County Prothonotary Office

The Prothonotary of Pike County is the clerk of the Court of Common Pleas. This office keeps all civil court records, including divorce cases filed in Pike County. When someone files for divorce in Pike County, the Prothonotary opens a case file and assigns a case number. Every document filed in that case goes into the record held at the courthouse in Milford.

The Pike County Courthouse is at 412 Broad Street in Milford. The Prothonotary can be reached at (570) 296-3483. Staff can search records by name or by case number. Certified copies of divorce decrees are available for a fee. The fee schedule was updated effective January 1, 2026, so call ahead or visit the Pike County Prothonotary website to confirm current copy and filing costs before submitting a request.

The Pennsylvania Courts public records page outlines access rights and policies for divorce decree case files across all counties including Pike County.

How to Access Pike County Divorce Records

Finding a divorce decree in Pike County starts with knowing where the records are held. All divorce case records are at the Prothonotary in Milford. You can search online first and then contact the office to get copies.

The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us is a free statewide tool. It covers Pike County divorce cases along with all other Pennsylvania courts. Search by the name of one or both spouses or by the case number if you have it. The portal shows docket entries and case status. It does not provide certified copies, but it confirms whether a case exists and gives you the case number to use when contacting the Prothonotary.

An in-person visit to the Pike County Courthouse at 412 Broad Street in Milford is the best way to get copies of documents. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can retrieve the case file and provide plain or certified copies. Certified copies carry the court seal and are required for most legal purposes. Fees apply for each copy, so ask about current rates when you call ahead.

Note: Cases involving sealed financial information or minor children may have portions of the file that are not open to the general public. Ask the staff about any restrictions that may apply to the specific case you are searching.

Pike County Divorce Decree and Case Documents

The divorce decree is the final court order that ends a marriage. Every decree entered by the Pike County Court of Common Pleas is filed with the Prothonotary and becomes part of the permanent record. Under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3323, the decree must be in written form and entered in the court docket. It states that the parties are divorced from the bonds of matrimony.

A Pike County divorce case file typically contains more than just the final decree. The complaint in divorce starts the record. Affidavits, notice documents, and agreements between the parties all become part of the file. If the case was contested, motions and judge's orders are also there. A settlement agreement covering property division, support, or other matters is part of the public record unless sealed by court order. The Prothonotary in Milford can provide copies of any document in the file. Most legal uses require certified copies, which include the court seal and signature.

Divorce Filing Process in Pike County

Pennsylvania law governs how divorce cases are filed and processed in Pike County. The rules are set out in Chapter 1920 of the Rules of Civil Procedure. You must file a complaint in divorce with the Prothonotary at the Pike County Courthouse. At least one party must have lived in Pennsylvania for six months before filing. You can file in Pike County if you or your spouse lives there.

After filing, you serve the divorce papers on the other spouse. Pennsylvania allows no-fault divorce by mutual consent after a 90-day waiting period. Both spouses sign affidavits agreeing that the marriage is over. If one spouse does not consent, the case can proceed after a one-year separation period based on irretrievable breakdown. Once all steps are done and any economic claims are resolved, the judge enters the decree. The 23 Pa.C.S. § 3105 provision governs how agreements between parties are treated by the court. After the decree is entered, it is filed with the Prothonotary in Milford and becomes a public record in Pike County.

Note: Pike County updated its filing fee schedule effective January 1, 2026. Contact the Prothonotary at (570) 296-3483 for current rates before filing your complaint.

Divorce Certificates Versus Decrees in Pennsylvania

Some people confuse a divorce certificate with a divorce decree. They are different documents. The decree is the full court order from the Pike County Court of Common Pleas. The certificate is a summary document from the state. Each serves a different purpose.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health does not issue divorce decrees. That office handles birth and death certificates only. For a Pike County divorce decree, the Prothonotary in Milford is the correct place to request the record. The CDC's Pennsylvania vital records guide confirms this, noting that divorce copies must be obtained from the county Prothonotary where the divorce was granted. A certified copy from the Prothonotary is needed for legal matters like remarriage, name changes on government documents, and property transfers.

As the PA Department of Health makes clear, divorce records are county-level records held at the Prothonotary, not at the state vital records office.

Resources for Pike County Divorce Cases

Several free resources help Pike County residents understand divorce law and access court records. These are available online at no cost.

The full text of Pennsylvania's divorce statutes is at Title 23 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. Free legal assistance for those who qualify is available through Pennsylvania Legal Aid. For genealogy or historical research involving Pike County divorce records, start with the FamilySearch Pennsylvania Divorce Records guide. The Pennsylvania State Archives holds older Supreme Court divorce papers for cases before 1804. For current case searches, the UJS Portal remains the fastest free option for Pike County divorce decree searches.

Nearby Counties

Pike County is in northeastern Pennsylvania. If you are unsure which county handles your case, check where you or your spouse currently lives.

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