Fayette County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Fayette County dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the Prothonotary at the Fayette County Courthouse in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. Established in 1783 and named for the Marquis de Lafayette, this southwestern Pennsylvania county borders both West Virginia and Maryland and has a long legal history. The Prothonotary's Office in Uniontown holds the complete record of every dissolution of marriage case filed in Fayette County, including petitions, decrees, support orders, and property settlement agreements. This page covers how to search Fayette County divorce records, what the filing process involves, and where to turn for certified copies and legal help.
Fayette County Quick Facts
Fayette County Prothonotary Office
The Fayette County Prothonotary is the elected official who manages all civil court records for the county, including dissolution of marriage filings. Since 1804, Pennsylvania law has required that divorce records be maintained by the Prothonotary in the county where the case was granted. Fayette County has followed this practice throughout its long history, and the office in Uniontown holds records going back many decades. The Prothonotary receives each new filing, assigns a docket number, and preserves all documents related to the case.
Fayette County is in the southwestern corner of Pennsylvania, sharing borders with Westmoreland, Somerset, Greene, and Washington counties, as well as the state of West Virginia. The county seat of Uniontown is the largest city in the county and is home to the courthouse. Fayette County is known for its ties to the French and Indian War era and is home to Fallingwater, the iconic Frank Lloyd Wright house that draws visitors from around the world. The county has a population of around 130,000 and a mix of small towns and rural communities.
| Court | Court of Common Pleas - Fayette County |
|---|---|
| Address | 61 East Main Street, Uniontown, PA 15401 |
| Phone | (724) 430-1272 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | fayettecountypa.org/prothonotary |
The Pennsylvania Courts page for Fayette County provides official contact information and links to judicial resources for the Court of Common Pleas.
Searching Fayette County Divorce Records
The quickest way to begin a search for Fayette County dissolution of marriage records is through the Unified Judicial System Web Portal. This free statewide case search tool allows anyone to search by party name, docket number, or filing date. Results include case status, event history, and documents that have been filed. For many recent cases, this portal provides enough detail to confirm whether a dissolution occurred and when.
For older cases or requests that require a certified copy, a direct request to the Fayette County Prothonotary in Uniontown is necessary. You can submit a written request by mail or visit the office during business hours. Bring the full names of both parties and an approximate year for the case if you have it. Staff will search the index and retrieve the file.
The CountyOffice.org Pennsylvania divorce records directory provides a helpful statewide overview of where records are maintained and how to request them. Genealogical researchers can consult the FamilySearch Pennsylvania Divorce Records guide for information on historical record collections and older indexes.
Note: Fayette County's proximity to West Virginia means that some residents may have had cases filed in neighboring states. Be sure to check whether the dissolution was filed in Pennsylvania or in West Virginia, as those records would be held in different offices.
Fayette County Court Records
The Pennsylvania Courts website for Fayette County provides official information about the Court of Common Pleas that handles all dissolution of marriage cases in the county.
The Fayette County Court of Common Pleas in Uniontown processes all dissolution of marriage filings for the county and maintains jurisdiction over family law matters throughout the region.
The VitalChek Pennsylvania vital records service allows individuals to order state-issued dissolution certificates online, which can be a faster alternative to mail requests sent directly to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
State-issued divorce certificates ordered through VitalChek are certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and are accepted for most legal and administrative purposes.
Filing for Dissolution of Marriage in Fayette County
To file for dissolution of marriage in Fayette County, at least one spouse must have been a Pennsylvania resident for six months prior to filing, as required by 23 Pa.C.S. § 3104. The filing spouse submits a Complaint in Divorce to the Prothonotary's Office in Uniontown along with the applicable filing fee. The complaint must identify the grounds for the dissolution and provide basic identifying information about both spouses.
Pennsylvania recognizes both no-fault and fault-based grounds for dissolution under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3301. No-fault dissolution is the most common route taken in Fayette County. Under the mutual consent path, both parties sign affidavits agreeing to dissolve the marriage, and the court enters a final decree after a 90-day waiting period. If one spouse does not consent, the filing party can allege irretrievable breakdown of the marriage following a one-year separation, for separations that began on or after December 5, 2016. Fault grounds include willful desertion without cause for at least one year, adultery, cruel and barbarous treatment, bigamy, and imprisonment following conviction of a crime.
Pennsylvania is an equitable distribution state under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3502. The court divides marital property in a way that is fair and considers factors such as the length of the marriage, each spouse's income and earning capacity, and contributions made during the marriage. Fayette County residents who need help navigating the filing process may qualify for free assistance through PA Legal Aid.
Obtaining a Certified Copy of a Dissolution Decree
Certified copies of Fayette County dissolution of marriage decrees are available from the Prothonotary's Office at the courthouse in Uniontown. You can request a copy in person or by mailing a written request along with the names of both parties, the approximate year of the case, and payment for the copy fee. The certified copy will carry the official court seal and is accepted for name change requests, insurance updates, and other legal matters.
For a state-level divorce certificate, contact the Pennsylvania Department of Health Division of Vital Records at PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103. The fee for a certified state divorce certificate is $20 per copy. You may also order through VitalChek, the authorized online ordering partner for Pennsylvania vital records. The state certificate confirms that a dissolution was granted but does not provide the full court record, which is held by the Prothonotary in Uniontown.
Public Access to Dissolution Records
Fayette County dissolution of marriage records are generally open to the public under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101. Any person may ask to view or copy civil court records, and the Prothonotary must respond within the time frames the law establishes. Some portions of a dissolution file may be sealed by court order, particularly records involving minor children or detailed financial disclosures. Sealed portions are not available to third parties without a court order granting access.
The parties to the case and their attorneys always have the right to access all records in their own case file. If you are unsure whether a record you need is publicly available, the Prothonotary's staff can answer your question. Residents who need help understanding their rights or preparing a records request may contact PA Legal Aid for free guidance if they meet income requirements.
Nearby Counties
Fayette County shares borders with four other Pennsylvania counties, each of which maintains its own dissolution of marriage records through its local Prothonotary.