Wyoming County Divorce Decree and Civil Records
Wyoming County divorce decree records are held by the Prothonotary at the county courthouse in Tunkhannock. The Prothonotary's office is the official keeper of all civil records for Wyoming County, including every divorce action filed before the Court of Common Pleas. If you need a copy of a final decree or want to search for a case filed in the county, start at the Prothonotary in Tunkhannock. The state's public docket portal also lets you search basic case details online at no cost before contacting the office directly.
Wyoming County Quick Facts
Wyoming County Prothonotary Office
The Prothonotary's Office at the Wyoming County Courthouse in Tunkhannock maintains all civil court records for the county. Divorce cases are part of the civil docket and are filed and stored by this office. The Prothonotary can search the case index, pull files, and issue copies of the divorce decree and other case documents.
Wyoming County is a small county in northeastern Pennsylvania. The courthouse is at 1 Courthouse Square in Tunkhannock. Staff are accessible during normal business hours. Call (570) 836-3200 before your visit to ask about current copy fees and office hours. Bring valid photo ID and the names of the parties or the docket number for the case you are researching. For older cases, giving staff advance notice by phone will speed up the retrieval of paper records.
The image above is from the Pennsylvania UJS Portal, which provides free online access to Wyoming County divorce case docket information.
| Office |
Wyoming County Prothonotary Wyoming County Courthouse 1 Courthouse Square Tunkhannock, PA 18657 Phone: (570) 836-3200 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, normal business hours |
| Website | wycopa.org/prothonotary |
How to Search Wyoming County Divorce Records
Two paths are available to search for a Wyoming County divorce decree: online through the state portal, and in person at the Tunkhannock courthouse.
The UJS Portal from the Pennsylvania court system is free and open to anyone. Search by a party's full name to find matching cases in Wyoming County. Results include docket numbers, filing dates, and lists of documents entered in the case. This is a good first step to confirm a case exists and to get the docket number before you contact the Prothonotary. You do not need an account to search the portal.
For physical copies of the divorce decree or other case documents, contact the Wyoming County Prothonotary. Call (570) 836-3200 to confirm hours and copy fees. You can also visit 1 Courthouse Square in Tunkhannock during normal business hours. Staff will pull the case file and make copies upon request. Certified copies cost more than plain ones but are needed for legal purposes. Let the staff know which type you need before they prepare the copies.
Note: Wyoming County is a smaller county, so staff may be limited on busy days. Calling ahead helps ensure someone is available to assist you with your Wyoming County divorce record request.
Wyoming County Divorce Decree Filing Process
A Wyoming County divorce begins when one party files a complaint with the Prothonotary. The complaint names both parties, states the grounds for divorce, and asks the court for specific relief. The Prothonotary opens the case and assigns a docket number. Every paper filed after that point carries the same number and becomes part of the permanent case file in Wyoming County.
Pennsylvania law requires at least one party to have lived in the state for six months before filing. After the complaint is filed and served, the no-fault mutual consent route allows the court to enter a decree after a 90-day waiting period, provided both parties file consent affidavits. The irretrievable breakdown route requires a one-year separation. Under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3323, the judge signs the final decree when all conditions are met. That signed decree is filed with the Wyoming County Prothonotary and becomes the official record of the dissolved marriage.
Settlement agreements on property and support are also part of the case file. These documents become enforceable court orders when filed, under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3105. All filed documents in a Wyoming County divorce case are public records unless a judge has ordered specific portions sealed. Any person may request copies from the Prothonotary.
Wyoming County Divorce Case File Contents
A Wyoming County divorce file starts with the complaint and closes with the final decree. Between those two documents, the file may contain proof of service, any response from the second party, motions filed by either side, judge's orders, and settlement agreements. The total number of documents depends on how contested the case was and whether property disputes or custody matters were part of the proceeding.
The divorce decree names both parties and states the date the marriage was legally ended. It may also include provisions on property division, spousal support, and name restoration. Certified copies of the Wyoming County divorce decree are issued by the Prothonotary with an official seal. These are needed for legal purposes such as updating a driver's license, transferring a deed, or applying for a marriage license in another jurisdiction.
Wyoming County divorce records are generally accessible to the public under Pennsylvania law. The PennsylvaniaCourtRecords.us guide explains that any member of the public may request informational copies of public divorce records. Certified copies may have additional requirements. Information about minor children may be redacted in copies given to non-parties. If any part of the file was sealed, a court petition is required to access those portions.
State Resources for Wyoming County Divorce Records
The Pennsylvania Department of Health does not hold divorce records. Pennsylvania's divorce records stay at the county level, specifically with the Prothonotary in the county where the divorce was granted. For Wyoming County, that means the courthouse in Tunkhannock. The state health office handles birth and death records only and will direct any divorce inquiry to the county courthouse.
The CDC vital records guide for Pennsylvania confirms this, stating that divorce copies require a request to the county Prothonotary and that costs vary by county. Always call the Wyoming County Prothonotary at (570) 836-3200 before your visit to confirm the current fee schedule.
For genealogy researchers, FamilySearch provides guidance on finding Pennsylvania divorce records going back to 1804. Historical Wyoming County divorce cases are stored at the courthouse. For records predating the county-level system, the Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg holds early Supreme Court divorce papers from the late 1700s and early 1800s.
Legal Help for Wyoming County Divorce Cases
Wyoming County residents who need legal help with a divorce can contact Pennsylvania Legal Aid for free or reduced-cost services based on income. Legal aid can assist with forms, court procedures, and hearing preparation for cases in the Court of Common Pleas in Tunkhannock.
The Wyoming County Bar Association can connect you with local family law attorneys. Self-represented parties can ask the Prothonotary which forms to file, though staff cannot give legal advice. The Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure Chapter 1920 lays out all required steps for divorce actions in the state and is available online free of charge. The Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes give you access to the full divorce code any time.
Nearby Counties
Wyoming County borders several counties in northeastern Pennsylvania, each with its own Prothonotary office for divorce records.