Records of divorce in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, are available through several channels: online tools, the court that issued the decision, the office of the county's court records clerk, and the state's Division of Vital Records. LuzerneCourt.us provides quick access to public divorce information in the county. Additionally, documents are stored in the Court of Common Pleas of the 11th Judicial District, in the Prothonotary's Office of Luzerne County, and in the Division of Vital Records of the state of Pennsylvania.
Luzerne Divorce Records Search
Divorce cases in Luzerne County are handled by the Court of Common Pleas — Civil Division. After a decision is made, documents are stored by the Prothonotary — an official who performs the functions of a civil court clerk in Pennsylvania. The Prothonotary maintains a register of all civil cases, including divorce cases.
The collection of records includes:
- Divorce decrees
- Settlement/property distribution agreements
- Custody orders
- Support orders
- Related procedural documents — motions, responses, court records
Case information — number, dates, parties — can be viewed for free through the UJS Web Portal. The state also issues divorce certificates through the Division of Vital Records at the Department of Health.
Prothonotary of Luzerne County
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Luzerne
In Pennsylvania, divorce is a civil case handled by the Court of Common Pleas of the county where the plaintiff or defendant resides. In Luzerne County, this is the 11th Judicial District. Once a judge signs a divorce decree, the document is entered into the Prothonotary's register and becomes part of the court case.
At the same time, the court reports the divorce to the state registry. The Division of Vital Records at the Pennsylvania Department of Health stores statistical divorce certificates issued since 1946. These certificates are not a complete copy of the court case but a concise document confirming the fact of divorce.
Which office to choose depends on what you need:
- Full court case (decree, agreements, orders) — contact the Prothonotary of Luzerne County.
- Divorce certificate to confirm marital status — order from the Division of Vital Records.
- View case registration data online — use the UJS public records portal.
Note: The Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania determines which documents are open and which are restricted. Some parts of the case (e.g., financial affidavits or records regarding children) may be closed to public view.
Prothonotary of Luzerne County
Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records
For checking local court rules of Luzerne County and the procedure for accessing case materials, contact the Prothonotary's office or review the rules on the Pennsylvania Bulletin website. According to the Court Administration Rules of Luzerne County, the Prothonotary ensures the storage and public access to court records in accordance with current legislation.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Luzerne
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Prothonotary register search (by name) | Free in person; online — free via UJS Portal (basic information) | Immediately |
| Regular copy of a document from the case (Prothonotary) | $0.25 per page | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Certified copy of a document (Prothonotary) | $6.00 for certification + $0.25 per page | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Divorce certificate (Division of Vital Records) | $20.00 | 4–6 weeks |