Delaware County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Delaware County dissolution of marriage records are held by the Office of Judicial Support at the Delaware County Courthouse in Media, Pennsylvania. Unlike most Pennsylvania counties where the Prothonotary keeps civil records, Delaware County uses a dedicated Office of Judicial Support for this purpose. The office maintains a complete archive of every dissolution of marriage case filed in the county, including petitions, decrees, property settlement agreements, custody orders, and support records. Whether you are a party to a past case, a legal professional, or someone researching family history, this page explains how to search Delaware County divorce records and which official sources can help.
Delaware County Quick Facts
Delaware County Office of Judicial Support
Delaware County handles its civil court records differently from most other Pennsylvania counties. Instead of a traditional Prothonotary, the county uses the Office of Judicial Support to manage all civil filings, including dissolution of marriage cases. This office is located at the Delaware County Courthouse in Media and operates under the authority of the Court of Common Pleas. The office receives, indexes, and stores every document filed in a dissolution case from the initial complaint through the final decree.
The records maintained by the Office of Judicial Support include the Petition for Divorce, Affidavit of Consent, Marriage Settlement Agreement, Child Custody Orders, and Support Orders. Some records are available to the general public while certain portions may be limited to the parties involved and their legal representatives, particularly documents involving minor children. The office follows the same public access standards established under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law for all court records not specifically sealed by judicial order.
Delaware County is the most densely populated county in Pennsylvania outside of Philadelphia and is a core part of the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Its location along the Delaware River and proximity to the city means that the Office of Judicial Support processes a large volume of dissolution filings each year. Staff are experienced with complex cases involving significant marital assets and multi-county arrangements.
| Court | Court of Common Pleas - Delaware County |
|---|---|
| Address | 201 West Front Street, Media, PA 19063 |
| Phone | (610) 891-4370 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | delcopa.gov/prothonotary |
The Pennsylvania Courts website for Delaware County lists judicial officers, court schedules, and links to public resources for the Court of Common Pleas.
How to Search Delaware County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
There are several ways to search for dissolution of marriage records in Delaware County. The fastest starting point for most people is the Unified Judicial System Web Portal, which provides free statewide access to case dockets. You can search by party name, docket number, or date range. The portal shows case status, filed documents, and scheduled hearings. For older cases or certified copies, a direct request to the Office of Judicial Support in Media is required.
When making an in-person request, bring the full legal names of both spouses and the approximate year of filing if you know it. Delaware County's high filing volume means that electronic indexes go back many years, but very old cases may require staff to retrieve physical files from off-site storage. Allow extra time for those requests.
The Pennsylvania Court Records portal for Delaware County is another resource that aggregates public case information. For a broader overview of where divorce records are maintained across the state, CountyOffice.org's Pennsylvania divorce records page provides county-by-county guidance. Researchers looking into older records can consult the FamilySearch Pennsylvania Divorce Records wiki for historical context.
Note: The Register of Wills in Delaware County maintains marriage records, while the Office of Judicial Support holds all dissolution of marriage records. These are separate offices, so contact the correct one for the type of record you need.
Delaware County Court Records and Images
The Pennsylvania Court Records site for Delaware County provides an online view of public case data filed through the county court system.
Public case records for Delaware County dissolution of marriage proceedings are indexed by party name and docket number, making it straightforward to locate filings once you have basic case information.
The Delaware County Government website offers access to a range of county services, including links to the Office of Judicial Support and other departments that handle civil matters.
Delaware County's government structure reflects its size as one of Pennsylvania's most populous counties, with dedicated offices handling each area of civil record-keeping.
The Pennsylvania Courts page for Delaware County is the official state-level source for court contact information and judicial resources.
The Delaware County Court of Common Pleas in Media handles all dissolution of marriage proceedings and maintains jurisdiction over family law matters throughout the county.
Filing for Dissolution of Marriage in Delaware County
To start a dissolution of marriage case in Delaware County, at least one spouse must have lived in Pennsylvania for six months before the filing date, as set out in 23 Pa.C.S. § 3104. The filing party submits a Complaint in Divorce to the Office of Judicial Support in Media. The complaint must identify the grounds for dissolution. Pennsylvania recognizes both no-fault and fault-based grounds under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3301.
No-fault dissolution can proceed in one of two ways. If both parties agree, they may file affidavits of consent and wait 90 days before the court enters a final decree. If only one party wants to end the marriage, they can cite irretrievable breakdown of the marriage after a one-year separation, provided the separation began on or after December 5, 2016. Fault grounds include willful desertion for one year, adultery, cruel and barbarous treatment that endangers life or health, bigamy, imprisonment for two or more years, and indignities making life burdensome.
Delaware County cases involving significant assets, business interests, or complex custody arrangements often benefit from experienced legal counsel. The PA Legal Aid Network can help residents who meet income guidelines navigate the process without the full cost of private representation. Pennsylvania is an equitable distribution state, meaning marital property is divided fairly but not always equally, as governed by 23 Pa.C.S. § 3502.
Note: Delaware County's proximity to Philadelphia means many residents have access to a large pool of family law attorneys, legal aid organizations, and courthouse self-help resources.
Certified Copies and State Vital Records
Certified copies of dissolution of marriage decrees are available from the Office of Judicial Support in Media. You can request a copy in person or by mail. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate year of the case, and a check or money order for the applicable fee. The office will provide a certified copy with the court seal, which is accepted for legal and administrative purposes such as name changes, insurance updates, and remarriage applications.
For a state-issued divorce certificate, contact the Pennsylvania Department of Health Division of Vital Records at PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103. A certified divorce certificate from the state costs $20. You may also order through VitalChek, the authorized online ordering service for Pennsylvania vital records. Keep in mind that the state certificate confirms the dissolution occurred but does not include the full court record.
Public Access Under Pennsylvania Law
Dissolution of marriage records in Delaware County are generally public under 65 P.S. § 67.101, the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law. Any person may request access to court case records, and the Office of Judicial Support must respond within the time limits the law sets. Some portions of a dissolution file may be sealed by court order, particularly sections that include detailed financial statements, medical information, or records involving minor children.
If you are unsure whether you are entitled to access a specific document, the Office of Judicial Support staff can advise you. Parties to the case and their attorneys always have the right to access their own case records. Third parties may face more restrictions, especially for sealed or confidential portions of the file. The PA Legal Aid Network provides free guidance to qualifying residents on how to request records and understand their rights under Pennsylvania law.
The definitions in 23 Pa.C.S. § 3103 clarify key terms used throughout Pennsylvania's domestic relations statutes, which can be helpful when reading older case records that use formal legal language.
Nearby Counties
Delaware County borders three other Pennsylvania counties, each of which maintains its own dissolution of marriage records through its local court office.