Lackawanna County Divorce and Dissolution Records

Lackawanna County dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the Clerk of Judicial Records at the courthouse in Scranton, Pennsylvania. This northeastern Pennsylvania county, formed from Luzerne County in 1878, serves a large and diverse population in the Scranton and Wilkes-Barre metro area. Residents who need to locate a past dissolution of marriage filing, obtain a certified copy of a divorce decree, or research a family law case will find the Clerk of Judicial Records to be the primary source. This page covers how to search Lackawanna County divorce records and what you can expect from the process.

Lackawanna County Clerk of Judicial Records

The Clerk of Judicial Records at the Lackawanna County Courthouse serves as the official custodian of all civil court filings, including dissolution of marriage records. The office maintains docket indexes, receives new case filings, and processes requests for copies of court documents. Every dissolution of marriage petition filed in Lackawanna County since the county's formation in 1878 is part of this record system.

The Scranton courthouse sits at Courthouse Square in the heart of the city. Family Court Division operations run Monday through Friday during regular business hours. The Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas handles all dissolution of marriage cases, from the initial petition through the final decree. Because Lackawanna is one of the more populous counties in northeastern Pennsylvania, the court processes a substantial volume of family law cases each year.

Lackawanna County Dissolution Records - Court Images

The Lackawanna County government website provides contact information for the Clerk of Judicial Records and other offices that handle dissolution of marriage matters in Scranton.

The Lackawanna County Clerk of Judicial Records office at Courthouse Square in Scranton is the central repository for all dissolution of marriage case files in the county.

The Pennsylvania Courts website for Lackawanna County provides current information about the Court of Common Pleas and links to court services.

Lackawanna County's Court of Common Pleas processes dissolution of marriage petitions for the entire county, serving Scranton and surrounding communities throughout northeastern Pennsylvania.

Searching Lackawanna County Divorce Records

The Unified Judicial System Web Portal is the most direct way to search Lackawanna County dissolution of marriage records online. The portal provides free access to case dockets, document lists, and case status information. Most cases filed after electronic docketing began are accessible by name or case number. Results show the parties, the filing date, and a list of documents on record.

For cases predating electronic dockets, contacting the Clerk of Judicial Records directly is the right approach. Staff can search physical index books using the names of the parties and an approximate date range. Mail requests work for many older records, though in-person visits allow staff to assist with unusual or complex searches. The CountyOffice.org Pennsylvania divorce records directory lists county-level resources across the state.

Dissolution of marriage records are public records in Pennsylvania under 65 P.S. § 67.101, the Right-to-Know Law. Any person may request access to Lackawanna County court records. Certain sealed portions require court authorization, but the vast majority of dissolution case dockets are open to the public without restriction.

Note: The VitalChek service offers online ordering for certified Pennsylvania divorce certificates issued by the state Department of Health, separate from the court decree held by the Clerk of Judicial Records.

Filing Dissolution of Marriage in Scranton

To file for dissolution of marriage in Lackawanna County, at least one spouse must have lived in Pennsylvania for six consecutive months before the filing date, as required by 23 Pa.C.S. § 3104. The case is filed with the Clerk of Judicial Records at Courthouse Square in Scranton, and the Court of Common Pleas will then have jurisdiction over all proceedings.

Pennsylvania allows no-fault dissolution under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3301. Mutual consent requires both spouses to sign affidavits after a 90-day waiting period. Irretrievable breakdown applies when the parties have lived separate and apart for at least one year, for separations beginning on or after December 5, 2016. Fault-based grounds remain an option and include willful desertion for one year, adultery, cruel and barbarous treatment, and bigamy.

When spouses share property, the court applies equitable distribution under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3502. Pennsylvania courts consider the length of the marriage, each spouse's income, contributions to the household, and the standard of living during the marriage. Lackawanna County residents who need legal assistance can contact PA Legal Aid, which serves the northeastern Pennsylvania region.

Certified Copies and Vital Records

Certified copies of Lackawanna County dissolution of marriage decrees are available from the Clerk of Judicial Records. These copies contain the full court order and are used to enforce the terms of the decree, including support and property arrangements. Call (570) 963-6723 for current copy fees and mail request procedures.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health issues a separate state divorce certificate for all divorces granted in the commonwealth since 1804. A certified copy costs $20 and can be ordered by mail to PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103. Online ordering through VitalChek is also available and provides a faster processing option for many applicants.

Nearby Counties

Lackawanna County borders five other counties in northeastern Pennsylvania, each with its own court system responsible for local dissolution of marriage records.

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