Records of divorce in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, are available through several sources—online tools, the court that issued the decision, the Prothonotary's Office, and the state office of vital records. LancasterPACourt.us allows you to find publicly available information about divorce records in this county. Additionally, you can contact the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas, the Prothonotary's Office, or the Division of Vital Records at the Pennsylvania Department of Health directly.
Lancaster Divorce Records Search
In Pennsylvania, divorce cases are handled by the Court of Common Pleas—a court of general jurisdiction at the county level. In Lancaster County, the Prothonotary's Office is responsible for maintaining civil court cases, including divorces. It is the custodian of divorce decrees, property settlement agreements, child custody decisions, and other related documents.
The collection of records includes:
- Divorce decrees
- Settlement agreements
- Custody and support decisions
- Petitions and motions filed by the parties
- Divorce certificates—at the state level
To search court cases online, use the UJS Case Search portal, which supports searches by participant's last name or case number. Older records, especially those from before the mid-20th century, are stored by the Lancaster County Archives Division.
Lancaster County Prothonotary's Office
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Lancaster
When a judge of the Court of Common Pleas signs a divorce decree, this document is officially registered in the Prothonotary's Office. This is the main point for obtaining copies of the court decision—the decree itself, its appendices, and any related orders.
At the state level, the Pennsylvania Department of Health maintains statistical records of divorces. However, there is an important distinction: the Department of Health does not issue divorce certificates as a separate document. Instead, it collects statistics on marriages and divorces and can confirm the fact of divorce based on reports submitted by the courts. To obtain an official copy of the decree, you need to contact the Prothonotary.
Where to contact depending on the need:
- Copy of the divorce decree or case materials — Prothonotary's Office, 50 North Duke Street, Lancaster, PA 17602; phone (717) 299-8282.
- Confirmation of the fact of divorce at the state level — Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records; P.O. Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103; phone (724) 656-3100.
According to the official Lancaster County FAQ page, divorce decrees are issued by the Prothonotary's Office. The Clerk of Courts is responsible for criminal and juvenile cases, so this office is not suitable for civil divorce records.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Lancaster
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce record search (Prothonotary) | Inquire at the office | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Regular copy of divorce decree | $0.25 per page | During visit |
| Certified copy of divorce decree (Prothonotary) | Inquire at the office | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Confirmation of divorce (PA Division of Vital Records) | $20.00 | 4–6 weeks by mail |