Scranton Dissolution Of Marriage Records and Case Lookup
Scranton dissolution of marriage records are held by the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas. Scranton serves as the county seat of Lackawanna County and is home to approximately 76,000 residents. Because Scranton is the county seat, the court that handles dissolution cases for Scranton residents is located within the city itself, at the Lackawanna County Government Center on Wyoming Avenue. Lackawanna County uses the title "Clerk of Judicial Records" rather than Prothonotary, a distinction unique among many Pennsylvania counties. This page covers how to access dissolution dockets, obtain certified decree copies, and navigate the filing process for Scranton cases.
Scranton Quick Facts
Scranton Court Location and Clerk of Judicial Records
Scranton residents file dissolution of marriage cases at the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas, located inside the city at 123 Wyoming Avenue, 1st Floor, Scranton, PA 18503. The Clerk of Judicial Records, currently Lauren Mailen, maintains all dissolution dockets for cases filed in Lackawanna County. The Clerk's office is the official custodian of dissolution records, responsible for accepting new filings, logging docket entries, and providing public access to case information.
Because Scranton is the county seat, residents do not need to travel to a different city to file or search dissolution records. The courthouse is centrally located in downtown Scranton, making it convenient for Scranton residents to appear in person for filings, hearings, or records requests. Office hours and specific filing procedures are available directly from the Clerk of Judicial Records. Dissolution case records filed in Scranton are part of the official Lackawanna County docket and are accessible to the public under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law. Scranton filers should bring a valid photo ID when visiting the Government Center.
| Court | Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas |
|---|---|
| Address | Lackawanna County Government Center 123 Wyoming Avenue, 1st Floor Scranton, PA 18503 |
| Clerk of Judicial Records | Lauren Mailen |
| Phone | (570) 963-6723 |
| Hours | Contact office for current hours |
| Website | lackawannacounty.org |
The Scranton City Government website provides municipal services information and directs residents to county court resources for dissolution filings. City offices in Scranton do not maintain dissolution case records. All dissolution filings for Scranton residents are processed through the Lackawanna County Clerk of Judicial Records at the Government Center.
Scranton's city government website serves as a gateway to Lackawanna County court information, with links pointing to the Clerk of Judicial Records as the proper office for all dissolution filings, case dockets, and certified decree requests.
How to Search Scranton Dissolution Of Marriage Dockets
Dissolution case records for Scranton are indexed in the Unified Judicial System Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us. The UJS Portal covers all Pennsylvania Courts of Common Pleas, including Lackawanna County. Searching by the name of either party or by case number returns docket entries showing filing dates, party information, attorney names, and case status. The portal does not display document text, but it confirms whether a dissolution case exists and provides the case number needed for more detailed records requests.
For in-person searches, the Clerk of Judicial Records office at 123 Wyoming Avenue in Scranton maintains all dissolution case files and can retrieve records by name or docket number. This is especially useful for older Scranton dissolution cases that may predate electronic filing. Plain copies and certified copies of Scranton dissolution decrees are available from the Clerk's office for a fee. Certified copies bear the court seal and are suitable for use in legal and government proceedings. Contact the Scranton Clerk's office at (570) 963-6723 to confirm current copy fees and office hours before visiting.
Lackawanna County was formed from Luzerne County on August 21, 1878. Dissolution records from early Lackawanna County history may require additional research through county archives or the State Library. For a step-by-step guide to using the UJS Portal for docket searches, see the Jenkins Law Library docket search guide.
The VitalChek Pennsylvania vital records portal provides an additional route for Scranton residents who need state-level documentation of a dissolution alongside the certified decree held by the Lackawanna County Clerk of Judicial Records.
VitalChek processes online orders for Pennsylvania divorce certificates issued by the Department of Health, giving Scranton residents a convenient way to obtain state-level dissolution documentation separate from the certified decree on file with the Lackawanna County Clerk of Judicial Records.
Dissolution Of Marriage Filing Requirements in Scranton
Pennsylvania law governs all dissolution of marriage proceedings in Scranton. Under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3104, at least one spouse must have been a Pennsylvania resident for six months prior to the filing date. Scranton residents who meet this requirement submit the Scranton dissolution complaint to the Lackawanna County Clerk of Judicial Records at 123 Wyoming Avenue. Each document submitted creates a docket entry and becomes part of the official Scranton case record maintained by the Clerk.
Under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3301, Pennsylvania provides two primary no-fault grounds for dissolution. The mutual consent path requires both parties to sign affidavits of consent after a 90-day waiting period from the date of service. The separation-based path requires a one-year period of irretrievable breakdown, a standard that became available through amendments effective December 5, 2016. Scranton filers may also pursue fault-based dissolution under grounds including adultery, cruel treatment, and desertion. The complaint must state the ground on which dissolution is sought, and that allegation becomes part of the public docket.
After the waiting period passes and all affidavits are filed with the Lackawanna County Clerk of Judicial Records, the court can enter a Scranton dissolution decree. The Scranton decree is a public record under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101. Members of the public may request access to Scranton dissolution records unless the court has entered a specific sealing order.
Property in Scranton dissolution cases is divided through equitable distribution following 23 Pa.C.S. § 3502. Scranton courts weigh the length of the marriage, contributions of each spouse, and the economic situation of both parties. Child custody and support for Scranton cases may be resolved in the same dissolution proceeding or through separate filings, each generating additional docket entries with the Lackawanna County Clerk of Judicial Records.
Scranton Dissolution Of Marriage Certified Copies and State Certificates
Once a dissolution decree is entered in a Scranton case, the Clerk of Judicial Records office provides certified copies upon request. A certified copy of the Scranton dissolution decree carries the court seal and official certification, making it acceptable for legal, financial, and government purposes including name changes and benefits updates. Scranton residents may request certified copies in person at the Government Center or by mailing a written request to the Clerk. The per-page fee for certified copies varies; calling (570) 963-6723 before visiting confirms current rates and processing times for Scranton requests.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health Vital Records division issues state-level divorce certificates for dissolutions granted from 1906 to the present. The certificate fee is $20 per certified copy. Requests are accepted online through VitalChek or by mailing a completed application to the Division of Vital Records, PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103. The state certificate documents that a dissolution occurred in Pennsylvania but does not include the specific terms ordered by the Lackawanna County court.
Most legal and government agencies require the certified decree from the Clerk of Judicial Records rather than the state certificate. The decree contains property terms, custody provisions, and the full text of the court order. For Scranton residents updating records with the Social Security Administration or a passport agency, the decree is generally the document required.
Legal Aid and Resources for Scranton Dissolution Cases
Scranton residents who need help with dissolution proceedings have access to several legal resources in Lackawanna County and northeastern Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Legal Aid serves the Scranton area through offices that provide free legal assistance to income-eligible applicants for Scranton dissolution cases and other family law matters. Applications, eligibility information, and office locations are available at palegalaid.net. Scranton residents with contested dissolution cases may particularly benefit from legal aid representation before the Lackawanna County court.
The Lackawanna County Courts page on the Pennsylvania Courts website provides links to court forms, local rules, and the Clerk of Judicial Records contact details. Scranton residents who plan to file without an attorney should review local rules carefully before submitting any Scranton dissolution documents. Key definitions for dissolution proceedings, including what constitutes "marital property" and the meaning of "grounds," appear at 23 Pa.C.S. § 3103. These definitions help Scranton filers complete petitions accurately and interpret docket notices from the Clerk of Judicial Records.
For Scranton residents with contested dissolution cases involving property or custody disputes, consulting a licensed Pennsylvania family law attorney before filing is advisable. The Pennsylvania Bar Association lawyer referral service at (800) 692-7375 can provide referrals to attorneys practicing in Lackawanna County who handle Scranton dissolution matters.
Lackawanna County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
All dissolution of marriage cases for Scranton residents are part of the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas docket. The county records page covers full filing procedures, fee schedules, the Clerk of Judicial Records contact details, and resources for researching Lackawanna County dissolution case history.
Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Cities near Scranton each file dissolution cases through their own county court. Docket access, filing fees, and record procedures vary by county. Select a nearby city to find dissolution record information for that jurisdiction.