Divorce records in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, are available through several channels: online tools, the court that issued the decision, the county's office of judicial records, and the state bureau of vital records. PhiladelphiaCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about divorce records in this county. Additionally, copies of decisions can be obtained directly from the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, through the Office of Judicial Records, as well as from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, which maintains divorce certificates at the state level.
Philadelphia Divorce Records Search
In Philadelphia County, divorce cases are handled by the Family Division of the Court of Common Pleas — part of the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania. After a divorce decree is issued, it is stored in the Office of Judicial Records at this court.
The collection of records includes:
- Divorce decrees
- Settlement agreements
- Custody orders
- Related procedural documents (motions, petitions)
Separate from court records, the Pennsylvania Department of Health maintains a registry of divorce certificates — brief documents that confirm the fact of divorce without case details. To search for court case information online, use the Family Division registry search or the UJS portal.
Office of Judicial Records — Family Division
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Philadelphia
The structure for storing divorce records in Philadelphia depends on whether you need a full court decision or a concise state certificate.
Court of Common Pleas — Family Division
All divorce cases in Philadelphia County are handled by the Family Division of the Court of Common Pleas. This is where decisions are made, party agreements are approved, and the final decree is issued. Once the decision takes effect, it is stored in the Office of Judicial Records. If you need a certified copy of the court decision itself, contact them here.
The City of Philadelphia publishes instructions on obtaining a copy of a divorce decree. A detailed PDF guide is also available from the First Judicial District.
Pennsylvania Department of Health (Vital Records)
The state has maintained divorce certificates since 1946. This document does not contain the terms of the agreement or case details — it only confirms the fact of divorce, the date, and the names of the parties. It is useful for changing a surname, entering a new marriage, or other administrative needs.
In short: if you need the full text of the court decision, contact the Office of Judicial Records in Philadelphia. If a brief confirmation of the fact of divorce is sufficient, submit a request to the Division of Vital Records of the state of Pennsylvania.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Philadelphia
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of divorce decree (Office of Judicial Records, in person) | $16.50 | Same day or within a few business days |
| Certified copy of divorce decree (by mail) | $16.50 + postage | 2–4 weeks |
| Divorce certificate (PA Dept. of Health, standard request) | $20.00 | 4–6 weeks |