Lehigh County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Lehigh County dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the Clerk of Judicial Records at the courthouse in Allentown, Pennsylvania. One of the more populous counties in the state, Lehigh County anchors the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania. Residents of Allentown, Bethlehem's Lehigh County side, and surrounding communities who need to search a past divorce case, obtain a certified copy of a decree, or review a dissolution of marriage filing can access records through the Clerk of Judicial Records or the county's online systems. This guide covers all the key access points for Lehigh County dissolution records.
Lehigh County Quick Facts
Lehigh County Clerk of Judicial Records
The Clerk of Judicial Records, currently Andrea E. Naugle, is the official custodian of all civil court records in Lehigh County, including every dissolution of marriage case on file. The office is in Room 122 at 455 W. Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101. Dissolution of marriage filings for Lehigh County are stored, indexed, and made available for public inspection through this office. Court services related to divorce specifically are handled in Room 423 of the same courthouse.
The Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas operates with ten full-time judges and handles a high volume of family law matters. The court is at 455 West Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101, and can be reached at (610) 782-3000. The Clerk of Judicial Records in Room 122 can be reached directly at 610-782-3148. The court serves all of Lehigh County, including Allentown and the surrounding townships and boroughs.
| Court | Court of Common Pleas - Lehigh County |
|---|---|
| Address | 455 West Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101 |
| Phone | (610) 782-3148 (Clerk of Judicial Records) |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | lehighcounty.org/Departments/Clerk-of-Judicial-Records |
Lehigh County Court and Records Images
The Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas is one of the larger Pennsylvania trial courts and handles dissolution of marriage cases for the Allentown metro area.
The Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas at 455 West Hamilton Street processes all dissolution of marriage petitions and family law matters for residents of the Lehigh Valley.
The Lehigh County Clerk of Judicial Records office in Room 122 of the courthouse maintains all civil filings, including every dissolution of marriage case on record.
The Clerk of Judicial Records indexes and stores all dissolution case files, provides copies to requesters, and maintains the official docket for every civil matter in Lehigh County.
The Lehigh County Court divorce self-help page provides forms and guidance for parties who represent themselves in dissolution of marriage cases without an attorney.
The Family Court Office at the Lehigh County Courthouse offers forms for self-represented litigants in dissolution of marriage cases who do not have property, assets, or debts in dispute.
The Lehigh County Odyssey Public Access system allows online searching of court records, including dissolution of marriage dockets, without visiting the courthouse.
Odyssey Public Access gives Lehigh County residents a convenient way to search dissolution of marriage dockets and track case status online at any time.
Online Access to Lehigh County Dissolution Records
Lehigh County offers two strong options for online record searches. The county's own Odyssey Public Access system allows free name-based or case-number searches of local court dockets, including dissolution of marriage cases. This system is county-specific and often more detailed for local filings than the statewide portal.
The Unified Judicial System Web Portal provides a second search option and covers all 67 Pennsylvania counties. It returns docket entries, party names, and case status information for dissolution of marriage cases statewide. Using both systems maximizes the chance of locating an older or unusual case.
For cases predating electronic records, the Clerk of Judicial Records in Room 122 can search physical indexes. The Jenkins Law Library docket search guide provides detailed tips for getting the most out of the UJS portal, including search strategies for common names and older filings.
Note: Dissolution records in Lehigh County are public under 65 P.S. § 67.101; sealed portions of a case require a court order to access and will not appear in either online system.
How Dissolution of Marriage Works in Lehigh County
Filing for dissolution of marriage in Lehigh County requires at least one spouse to meet the six-month Pennsylvania residency requirement under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3104. The case is filed with the Clerk of Judicial Records at 455 W. Hamilton Street, and the Court of Common Pleas takes jurisdiction from that point forward.
Pennsylvania's no-fault dissolution options under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3301 are known locally as Section C and Section D cases. Section C is mutual consent dissolution, where both parties file affidavits following a 90-day waiting period. Section D applies to irretrievable breakdown cases where spouses have lived separate and apart. For separations that began on or after December 5, 2016, the required separation period is one year. Separations that began before that date required two years under the prior statute. Fault grounds remain available and include willful desertion, adultery, and cruel treatment.
Cases involving shared assets or debts go through equitable distribution under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3502. The Lehigh County Court weighs the length of the marriage, income and earning capacity, contributions to the household, and other statutory factors. The Family Court Office at the courthouse provides forms for self-represented litigants who do not have property, assets, or debts to divide. Those with assets or debts are encouraged to seek legal counsel. PA Legal Aid serves Lehigh County residents who qualify for free legal assistance.
Certified Copies and Vital Records
Certified copies of Lehigh County dissolution of marriage decrees are available from the Clerk of Judicial Records in Room 122 at 455 W. Hamilton Street, Allentown. Call 610-782-3148 for current copy fees and to confirm the mail request process. The decree is the court-issued document that specifies the terms of the dissolution and is required for enforcement of property, support, and custody orders.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health Division of Vital Records issues a state-level divorce certificate separate from the court decree. This certificate confirms the dissolution was granted in Pennsylvania and is used for name changes and similar administrative purposes. A certified copy costs $20. Order online through the state's system or by mail to PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103, phone (724) 656-3100.
Nearby Counties
Lehigh County is part of the Lehigh Valley region and shares borders with four other Pennsylvania counties, each with its own court system for dissolution of marriage records.