Lebanon County Divorce and Dissolution Records

Lebanon County dissolution of marriage records are held by the Prothonotary at the county courthouse in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Located in the Lebanon Valley between the Blue Mountain and South Mountain ridges, this south-central Pennsylvania county was established in 1813 and has a largely suburban and agricultural character. If you need to search a past divorce case, obtain a certified copy of a dissolution decree, or review family law filings for Lebanon County, the Prothonotary is the primary source. This guide explains how the records system works and what steps to take for each type of request.

Lebanon County Prothonotary Office

The Lebanon County Prothonotary serves as the official record keeper for all civil cases in the county, including dissolution of marriage cases. The office maintains docket books and case files dating back to the county's formation in 1813. Staff can search records by party name, provide docket information, and process requests for certified copies of court documents.

Lebanon city sits in the center of the county along Quittapahilla Creek. It is a compact urban area surrounded by agricultural and suburban townships. The Lebanon County Court of Common Pleas handles all dissolution of marriage cases for the county, from the initial petition through the final decree. The court also oversees related family law matters including child custody and support disputes that often arise during a dissolution proceeding.

Lebanon County Court Records

The Pennsylvania Courts page for Lebanon County links to court services and current docket information for the Court of Common Pleas in Lebanon.

The Lebanon County Court of Common Pleas handles dissolution of marriage cases for all residents of this south-central Pennsylvania county in the Lebanon Valley.

The Pennsylvania State Library vital records research guide explains how to locate historical dissolution records and other vital documents through state library collections.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health maintains state-level divorce certificates for all dissolutions granted in the commonwealth, including those from Lebanon County, going back to 1804.

Searching Lebanon County Dissolution of Marriage Records

The UJS Web Portal is the primary online tool for searching Lebanon County dissolution of marriage records. Free name-based searches return case dockets, party information, and lists of filed documents. The portal covers cases entered into the electronic system and is accessible any time without a courthouse visit.

For older cases not yet in the electronic system, contacting the Prothonotary directly is necessary. Staff maintain physical index books for pre-digital filings and can search by party name and approximate date. Mail requests are accepted at 400 South 8th Street, Lebanon, PA 17042. Call (717) 274-2801 to confirm current procedures and copy fees before sending a request.

The CountyOffice.org Pennsylvania divorce records page lists county-by-county resources and can be a useful reference when determining which office holds the records you need. The State Library vital records guide is particularly helpful for anyone researching Lebanon County dissolution cases from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Note: Dissolution of marriage records in Lebanon County are public records under 65 P.S. § 67.101, though a judge can order specific documents sealed when a compelling reason exists.

Filing for Dissolution of Marriage in Lebanon County

Before filing in Lebanon County, at least one spouse must have lived in Pennsylvania for six consecutive months, as required by 23 Pa.C.S. § 3104. Cases are filed with the Prothonotary, and the Court of Common Pleas in Lebanon then takes jurisdiction over all proceedings.

Pennsylvania's no-fault dissolution law under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3301 gives couples two options. Mutual consent allows both spouses to sign affidavits and finalize the case after a 90-day waiting period. Irretrievable breakdown with separation applies where both parties have lived separately for at least one year, for separations on or after December 5, 2016. Fault grounds are available and include willful desertion for one year without cause, adultery, cruel and barbarous treatment endangering life, and bigamy.

Lebanon County courts apply equitable distribution when dividing shared property, under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3502. The court considers factors like how long the couple was married, each party's income and health, and the standard of living they maintained. Under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3103, property owned before the marriage or received as a gift or inheritance is generally not classified as marital property. Residents who need free legal help can contact PA Legal Aid.

Certified Copies of Lebanon County Decrees

Certified copies of dissolution of marriage decrees from Lebanon County are available from the Prothonotary at 400 South 8th Street in Lebanon. These are the official court documents and include the full decree and all related orders. Fees vary by request type; call (717) 274-2801 to confirm current pricing before submitting a mail or in-person request.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health Division of Vital Records provides a separate state divorce certificate for all dissolutions granted in Pennsylvania since 1804. These cost $20 per copy and can be ordered by mail to PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103, or through the state's online ordering system. The certificate is often used for name change applications and proof of marital status changes.

Nearby Counties

Lebanon County sits in south-central Pennsylvania and borders four counties, each with its own Prothonotary maintaining local dissolution of marriage records.

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