Find Allegheny County Dissolution Of Marriage
Allegheny County dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the Department of Court Records in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As the second-largest county in the state with over 1.25 million residents, Allegheny processes a substantial volume of divorce filings each year. Whether you need to verify a past divorce, obtain a certified copy of a decree, or search active case status, this guide covers where to go, which offices handle what, and how the online search tools work for Allegheny County divorce records.
Allegheny County Quick Facts
Allegheny County Divorce Records: Where to Start
The Department of Court Records serves as the official keeper of dissolution of marriage documents for Allegheny County. This office functions similarly to a Prothonotary in other Pennsylvania counties. All divorce complaints are filed at the Department of Court Records at the City-County Building, 1st Floor, 414 Grant Street, Pittsburgh. Each case is assigned a docket number upon filing, which becomes the primary reference for the entire dissolution of marriage proceeding. Records for civil cases, including divorce, date back to 1995 in digital form and further back in paper format.
The Allegheny County marriage and divorce records page provides an overview of how both types of documents are managed. The divorce division operates separately from the marriage license bureau. Under Pennsylvania law, divorce records have been kept at the county level since 1804, and Allegheny County holds one of the largest collections of such records in the state.
| Court | Court of Common Pleas, Allegheny County |
|---|---|
| Address | 436 Grant Street, Room 1500, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 |
| Phone | (412) 350-4200 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | alleghenycountycourts.org |
The Allegheny County Divorce Division of the Family Court handles the judicial side of dissolution proceedings. Economic claims may be addressed by the assigned judge. Divorce Hearing Officers can also be assigned to handle evidentiary matters. When all required documents are filed and the waiting periods have passed, the court reviews and grants divorces administratively.
Search Allegheny County Dissolution Of Marriage Online
The Allegheny County Civil Case Search allows free online access to civil records from 1995 to the present. You can search by party name or case number and view docket entries, filed pleadings, and case status. This system covers all civil filings in the county, including dissolution of marriage cases. For cases filed before 1995, you must contact the Department of Court Records directly to request a manual records search.
The Unified Judicial System Web Portal provides a statewide search tool that also includes Allegheny County cases. Using either portal requires knowing at least one party's name. Case results show filed documents, hearing dates, and current status. Neither system provides complete document images for all older cases, but recent filings are well represented.
Note: The county's online civil index does not include sealed case portions. Social Security numbers, minor children's identifying information, and financial account numbers are redacted from public-facing records per court rules.
The Allegheny County Family Division covers divorce, custody, and support matters under one organizational umbrella. Attorneys and self-represented parties can find local rules, forms, and procedural information on the Family Division's website.
The Allegheny County marriage and divorce records office maintains both types of vital civil documents, with the dissolution of marriage files held in the Department of Court Records at the City-County Building.
Filing a Dissolution Of Marriage in Allegheny County
To file for dissolution of marriage in Allegheny County, at least one spouse must have been a Pennsylvania resident for six months before filing, as required by 23 Pa.C.S. § 3104. All filings begin at the Department of Court Records on the first floor of the City-County Building. Local Rule 1920.12 governs the content and format of all divorce complaints in Allegheny County. Filing fees range from approximately $200 to $350 depending on the counts included in the complaint.
Grounds for divorce in Pennsylvania are defined at 23 Pa.C.S. § 3301. No-fault divorce is available under two paths: mutual consent, which requires both spouses to sign an affidavit and imposes a 90-day waiting period, and irretrievable breakdown, which requires a one-year separation for separations beginning on or after December 5, 2016. Fault grounds, including adultery, abandonment for one year without cause, cruel and barbarous treatment, and bigamy, remain available but are less commonly used.
When property division is at issue, the case is governed by 23 Pa.C.S. § 3502, Pennsylvania's equitable distribution statute. Equitable distribution does not mean equal distribution; the court considers many factors including the length of the marriage, each spouse's contribution to marital assets, and future earning capacity. The Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network assists low-income individuals in understanding their rights under these statutes.
For the Family Division's mailing address, use P.O. Box 64437, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-4437, or visit the office at 440 Ross Street, Room 328, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.
The Allegheny County Divorce Division within the Family Court handles all judicial proceedings related to dissolution of marriage, including hearings before Divorce Hearing Officers and final review by the assigned judge.
Obtaining Certified Copies of Allegheny Divorce Decrees
Certified copies of dissolution of marriage decrees in Allegheny County are obtained from the Department of Court Records. You can appear in person at the City-County Building, first floor, during business hours. Mail requests are also accepted. Provide the full names of both parties, the approximate year of the divorce, and the docket number if known. A valid photo ID is required for in-person requests.
At the state level, the Pennsylvania Department of Health issues certified divorce certificates from its Division of Vital Records. The mailing address is PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103-1528, and the phone number is (724) 656-3100. State-issued divorce certificates cost $20 per certified copy and can be ordered through VitalChek. The PA Department of Health Vital Records page explains the full ordering process.
The Allegheny County Civil Case Search system covers records from 1995 to the present and allows the public to search dissolution of marriage cases by party name or docket number at no charge.
Public Access and Privacy in Allegheny Divorce Records
Dissolution of marriage records in Allegheny County are public records under 65 P.S. § 67.101, Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law. This means that anyone can request to view or obtain copies of filed documents. However, the court routinely redacts specific categories of sensitive information before releasing documents to the public. Social Security numbers, bank and financial account numbers, and details about minor children are the most commonly redacted items.
For genealogical research, the FamilySearch Pennsylvania Divorce Records guide is a useful resource for locating older Allegheny County divorce records. The PA Courts Allegheny County page provides information about the court's structure and contact details. Terms used throughout Pennsylvania divorce law are defined at 23 Pa.C.S. § 3103.
Nearby Counties
Allegheny County borders several western Pennsylvania counties. If a divorce was filed in a neighboring jurisdiction, you can search those records through the links below.