Luzerne County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Luzerne County dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the Prothonotary at the courthouse in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. This large northeastern Pennsylvania county sits in the Wyoming Valley and was established in 1786, making it one of the oldest counties in the state. Residents of Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton, and communities throughout the valley who need to search a past divorce case, obtain a certified copy of a dissolution decree, or track a family law filing will find the Prothonotary to be the right contact. This guide explains how to access Luzerne County dissolution of marriage records and what to expect from each type of request.
Luzerne County Quick Facts
Luzerne County Prothonotary Office
The Luzerne County Prothonotary is the official keeper of all civil case records in the county, including dissolution of marriage filings going back to 1786. The office indexes all cases, maintains the court docket, and provides copies of filed documents to authorized requesters. With a county population of around 320,000, the Prothonotary processes a significant volume of civil filings each year.
Wilkes-Barre, the county seat, sits along the Susquehanna River in the heart of the Wyoming Valley. The city and the surrounding communities have a long history tied to coal mining and manufacturing. The Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas processes all dissolution of marriage cases and related family law matters. Note that Lackawanna County was carved from Luzerne County in 1878, so researchers looking for records predating that split may find relevant filings in either county's archive depending on where the case was heard.
| Court | Court of Common Pleas - Luzerne County |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 North River Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711 |
| Phone | (570) 825-1500 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | luzernecounty.org/prothonotary |
Luzerne County Court Records
The Pennsylvania Courts page for Luzerne County provides current information about the Court of Common Pleas and links to court services for dissolution of marriage and other civil matters.
Luzerne County's Court of Common Pleas at the Wilkes-Barre courthouse processes dissolution of marriage filings for residents throughout this large northeastern Pennsylvania county.
The Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network provides free and low-cost legal services to qualifying residents, including help with dissolution of marriage cases in Luzerne County.
Luzerne County residents who cannot afford an attorney for a dissolution of marriage case may qualify for free legal assistance through PA Legal Aid's northeastern Pennsylvania offices.
Searching Luzerne County Dissolution of Marriage Records
The UJS Web Portal is the starting point for most online searches of Luzerne County dissolution of marriage records. The portal offers free name-based and case-number searches and returns docket entries, party information, and case status for electronically indexed cases. The system covers both active and closed dissolution cases and is accessible at any hour.
Older dissolution records that predate electronic docketing are in physical index books at the Prothonotary's office in Wilkes-Barre. Staff can search by party name and filing year. Mail requests are accepted. Call (570) 825-1500 before submitting a written request to confirm current procedures and copy fees.
Dissolution of marriage records in Luzerne County are public documents under 65 P.S. § 67.101. The CountyOffice.org Pennsylvania divorce records page offers additional context on statewide record access. For historical Luzerne County dissolution cases, the VitalChek ordering service provides state divorce certificates going back to 1804.
Note: Some cases involving minors or sensitive financial information may have sealed docket entries that are not visible through the UJS portal, even though the main case record is public.
Filing Dissolution of Marriage in Luzerne County
At least one spouse must have lived in Pennsylvania for six months before filing for dissolution of marriage, under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3104. Once the residency threshold is met, the petition is filed with the Prothonotary at 200 North River Street, Wilkes-Barre, and the Court of Common Pleas takes jurisdiction.
Pennsylvania provides two no-fault routes to dissolution under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3301. Mutual consent allows both parties to sign affidavits after a 90-day waiting period. Irretrievable breakdown by separation requires that both spouses have lived apart for at least one year, for separations beginning on or after December 5, 2016. Fault grounds remain available, including willful desertion for one year, adultery, cruel and barbarous treatment, and bigamy. The choice of grounds affects how the case proceeds and how long it may take.
When a Luzerne County dissolution involves shared property, the court applies equitable distribution under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3502. Factors include the duration of the marriage, each spouse's income and earning potential, the economic circumstances of each party, and contributions to the marriage. Property acquired before the marriage or received by gift or inheritance is generally excluded from marital property under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3103. Luzerne County residents who need legal help can contact PA Legal Aid.
Certified Copies of Luzerne County Dissolution Decrees
Certified copies of dissolution of marriage decrees are available from the Luzerne County Prothonotary at 200 North River Street, Wilkes-Barre. These court-issued copies include the full decree and all relevant orders. Call (570) 825-1500 to confirm current copy fees before submitting a request by mail or in person.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health Division of Vital Records issues state-level divorce certificates separately. These confirm that a dissolution was granted and are commonly used for name change applications and administrative filings. Certified copies cost $20. Order by mail at PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103, or online through the state's ordering system. The state vital records office handles requests for all Pennsylvania dissolution certificates, including Luzerne County cases, going back to 1804.
Nearby Counties
Luzerne County is surrounded by six other Pennsylvania counties in the northeastern and north-central regions of the state, each maintaining its own dissolution of marriage records.