Upper Darby Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Upper Darby is one of the most densely populated municipalities in Pennsylvania, with about 85,000 residents in Delaware County. When Upper Darby residents need to file for Dissolution Of Marriage or access dissolution records, they work through Delaware County's court system. Delaware County uses the Office of Judicial Support rather than a traditional Prothonotary, and that office maintains all dissolution records for the county. The county seat is Media, which is where residents file and where records are stored.
Upper Darby Quick Facts
Where Upper Darby Residents File for Dissolution Of Marriage
Upper Darby Township is located in Delaware County. All Dissolution Of Marriage cases for Upper Darby residents are filed at the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas. Delaware County uses the Office of Judicial Support to manage civil court records. This office handles the same functions that a Prothonotary's office handles in most other Pennsylvania counties.
Upper Darby residents must travel to Media, the county seat, to file a dissolution case or access court records in person. The Delaware County Government maintains information about court services, office hours, and contact details for the Office of Judicial Support.
Under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3103, a person must have lived in Pennsylvania for at least six months before filing for dissolution of marriage. Upper Darby residents who meet that requirement file in Delaware County. Upper Darby borders Philadelphia County to the east, so some residents may have recently moved from Philadelphia. The six-month residency period applies to the state, not the county.
The Upper Darby Township website provides general civic information for residents but does not handle court matters. All dissolution filings and record requests go through Delaware County.
| Court | Delaware County Court of Common Pleas, Office of Judicial Support |
|---|---|
| Address | 201 W. Front Street, Media, PA 19063 |
| Phone | (610) 891-4370 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | Delaware County Courts |
Note: Delaware County's use of the Office of Judicial Support rather than a Prothonotary's office is a structural difference from most other Pennsylvania counties, but it performs the same record-keeping and filing functions.
Delaware County Dissolution Records
Dissolution of marriage records in Delaware County include several types of documents. A typical case file contains the divorce petition, the complaint or affidavit, any property settlement agreement, child custody orders, support orders, and the final decree signed by the court. These records are public under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law at 65 P.S. § 67.101, with limited exceptions for sealed documents ordered by the court.
The Delaware County Court Records resource provides public access to case information. For certified copies, you must contact the Office of Judicial Support directly. The statewide UJS Portal also includes Delaware County cases and allows free public searching by party name or docket number.
To search or request records, have the full names of both parties ready along with an approximate year for the filing. If you have a case number, bring that too. For in-person visits, bring a valid photo ID. Mail requests should include all relevant information and payment for copy fees.
The Upper Darby Township website provides local government services but does not maintain court records. All dissolution case records are held by Delaware County.
Upper Darby residents access their dissolution records through the Delaware County Office of Judicial Support in Media, the county seat located a short drive from the township.
Pennsylvania Dissolution Of Marriage Grounds
Pennsylvania provides both no-fault and fault grounds for dissolution of marriage. The governing statute is 23 Pa.C.S. § 3301. Most Upper Darby residents who file for dissolution choose a no-fault ground because it is simpler and requires less evidence.
Mutual consent divorce is the first no-fault option. Both spouses must sign affidavits agreeing to the dissolution, and the court waits 90 days after the complaint is served before entering the decree. This path works well when both parties cooperate and have already worked out the details of property and custody.
The second no-fault option is based on separation. Since December 5, 2016, Pennsylvania has required one year of separation when only one spouse wants the divorce. Before that date, the required period was two years. Living separately for a full year while the marriage is effectively over gives the court grounds to grant the dissolution even without both spouses' agreement.
Fault grounds still exist under Pennsylvania law. These include desertion for one year, adultery, cruel treatment, bigamy, and imprisonment following a criminal conviction. Fault cases are harder to prove and take longer to resolve. Upper Darby residents considering fault grounds should talk to an attorney before filing. The Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network can help qualifying residents understand their options at no cost.
Note: For residents of Upper Darby who need help understanding the dissolution process, the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network offers free services to those who meet income guidelines.
Property and Support in Upper Darby Dissolution Cases
Upper Darby is one of the most populated townships in southeastern Pennsylvania, and many residents have significant assets, including homes, pensions, and business interests. Pennsylvania's equitable distribution law at 23 Pa.C.S. § 3502 governs how marital property is divided when a dissolution case goes before the court. Equitable means fair, and courts weigh several factors to decide what that means in each case.
Those factors include the length of the marriage, the age and health of both spouses, their income and earning ability, their contributions to the marital estate, and the tax consequences of any proposed division. Courts also look at the standard of living during the marriage and whether one spouse has significantly greater economic resources than the other.
Many Upper Darby couples reach a private agreement on property before going to court. A signed marital settlement agreement can be filed with the case and made part of the final decree. That agreement is then enforceable as a court order. If the parties cannot agree, the court holds a hearing and decides based on the factors listed in the statute.
Support orders, including spousal support and alimony, may also be part of the case. The case file at the Office of Judicial Support will contain any orders entered by the court on those issues. Those are public records unless sealed by court order.
For state-level certified divorce certificates, contact the Pennsylvania Department of Health Vital Records. State certificates cost $20 each and serve different purposes than court-certified copies of the decree. You can also order online through VitalChek.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health offers certified state divorce certificates for use in legal, administrative, and personal matters.
State divorce certificates from the Department of Health are distinct from court copies but are often required for purposes such as name changes, remarriage, and benefits applications.
Upper Darby County Divorce Records
Upper Darby residents file all Dissolution Of Marriage cases at the Delaware County Courthouse in Media, where the Office of Judicial Support maintains the complete index of dissolution records for the county.
Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Dissolution of marriage cases in neighboring cities are handled through their county court systems. Use these links to find record access for nearby communities.