Franklin County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Franklin County dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the Prothonotary at the Franklin County Courthouse in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Established in 1784 and located in south-central Pennsylvania along the Maryland border, Franklin County has a rich history and a growing suburban population. The Prothonotary's Office is the official custodian of all dissolution of marriage filings in the county. Whether you need to verify a past case, obtain a certified copy, or learn how to file, this page walks through every step of the process for Franklin County residents and researchers.
Franklin County Quick Facts
Franklin County Prothonotary Office
The Franklin County Prothonotary is the elected official who manages all civil court records for the county, including every dissolution of marriage case filed within Franklin County. Since 1804, Pennsylvania has required that divorce and dissolution records be maintained at the local Prothonotary level in the county where the case was granted, and the Franklin County office follows this tradition. The Prothonotary receives each new complaint, assigns a case docket number, and stores all filed documents from the initial petition through the final decree.
Chambersburg is the county seat and the only Pennsylvania county seat that was burned by Confederate forces during the Civil War, in July 1864. Today it is a growing small city with a mix of agriculture, manufacturing, and suburban growth driven by its location along I-81. The county also includes Waynesboro and Greencastle, both of which are served by the Court of Common Pleas in Chambersburg. Franklin County borders Maryland to the south, making it a common destination for residents of both states who work across the border.
The Franklin County Prothonotary's Office accepts walk-in requests, phone inquiries, and mail requests for records. Staff can assist with locating case files, explaining the copy process, and providing guidance on certified document requests. The office is open Monday through Friday during normal business hours.
| Court | Court of Common Pleas - Franklin County |
|---|---|
| Address | 157 Lincoln Way East, Chambersburg, PA 17201 |
| Phone | (717) 261-3872 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | franklincountypa.gov/prothonotary |
The Pennsylvania Courts page for Franklin County provides official information about the Court of Common Pleas and links to statewide judicial tools.
How to Search Franklin County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
The Unified Judicial System Web Portal is the best starting point for most searches. It is a free, statewide tool that lets you search Franklin County dissolution of marriage records by party name, docket number, or date range. Results include case status, filed documents, and event history. Many searches can be completed entirely online without a trip to the courthouse.
For cases that predate electronic records, or when you need a certified copy of a decree or other filed document, contact the Prothonotary's Office in Chambersburg directly. In-person visits are welcome during business hours. Written requests by mail are also accepted. Include the full names of both parties and an approximate year for the case to help staff locate the record quickly.
The CountyOffice.org Pennsylvania divorce records page provides a useful statewide overview of how records are maintained by county. For historical research, the FamilySearch Pennsylvania Divorce Records guide covers how older dissolution of marriage records are organized and where indexes can be found for cases going back many decades. Researchers interested in the Civil War era history of Chambersburg may find that Franklin County's historical society also holds relevant family records that complement court files.
Note: Franklin County's proximity to Maryland means some residents may have divorced in both states at different times. If you do not find a record in the Franklin County system, consider checking Maryland court records as well.
Franklin County Dissolution Of Marriage Records Images
The Franklin County Prothonotary's Office in Chambersburg maintains all dissolution of marriage records filed in the county and provides access to researchers, parties, and the general public.
The Franklin County Prothonotary office is the official repository for all civil court records in the county, including every dissolution of marriage filing from petition to final decree.
The Pennsylvania Courts website for Franklin County provides court contact details and links to judicial resources for the Court of Common Pleas that handles all family law matters.
The Franklin County Court of Common Pleas in Chambersburg processes all dissolution of marriage filings and maintains jurisdiction over all family law cases in the county.
Filing for Dissolution of Marriage in Franklin County
To start a dissolution of marriage case in Franklin County, at least one spouse must have lived in Pennsylvania for six months before the filing date, as required under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3104. The filing party submits a Complaint in Divorce to the Prothonotary at the Franklin County Courthouse and pays the applicable fee. The complaint must identify the grounds for dissolution and include basic information about both spouses.
Pennsylvania law provides both no-fault and fault-based grounds under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3301. No-fault dissolution is the most frequently used path. Mutual consent dissolution requires both spouses to file affidavits agreeing to end the marriage, followed by a 90-day waiting period before the court enters a final decree. If one spouse does not consent, the filing party can allege irretrievable breakdown of the marriage after living separate and apart for at least one year, for separations that began on or after December 5, 2016. Fault grounds under Pennsylvania law include willful desertion without cause for at least one year, adultery, cruel and barbarous treatment, bigamy, and imprisonment following a criminal conviction.
Pennsylvania divides marital property under the equitable distribution standard set out in 23 Pa.C.S. § 3502. Fair does not mean equal. The court weighs the length of the marriage, each spouse's income and earning capacity, each spouse's contributions to the marital estate, and other relevant factors. Franklin County residents who need legal help and qualify based on income can reach out to PA Legal Aid for free guidance.
Certified Copies and Vital Records
Certified copies of Franklin County dissolution of marriage decrees come from the Prothonotary's Office at the courthouse in Chambersburg. You can request a copy in person or by mailing a written request 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 changes, and other legal needs.
For a state-issued divorce certificate, contact the Pennsylvania Department of Health Division of Vital Records at PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103. The fee is $20 per certified copy. You may also order through VitalChek, Pennsylvania's authorized online ordering partner, which can be faster than a direct mail request. The state-issued certificate confirms that a dissolution occurred in Pennsylvania but does not include the full court record.
Public Access to Franklin County Court Records
Franklin County dissolution of marriage records are generally available to the public under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101. Anyone may request access to civil court records, and the Prothonotary must respond within the required time frames. Portions of a file that a judge has sealed, or records involving minor children, may be restricted to the parties and their attorneys.
The parties to any dissolution case always have the right to access their own full case record. Third parties seeking access to specific documents should contact the Prothonotary's Office to learn what is available without a formal court order. Franklin County residents who need help with the records request process or understanding their rights can contact PA Legal Aid for guidance. The definitions in 23 Pa.C.S. § 3103 clarify key legal terms used throughout Pennsylvania's domestic relations statutes and can help when reading older case files.
Nearby Counties
Franklin County shares borders with several Pennsylvania counties and Maryland, each of which maintains its own dissolution of marriage records through its local court office.