Northampton County Divorce and Dissolution of Marriage Records
Northampton County dissolution of marriage records are filed and maintained by the Prothonotary at the courthouse in Easton, Pennsylvania. Sitting at the confluence of the Lehigh and Delaware Rivers in the heart of the Lehigh Valley, Northampton County is a growing county with strong connections to both eastern Pennsylvania and neighboring New Jersey. If you are looking for a dissolution of marriage filing, a certified decree copy, or historical case records, this guide covers the tools and steps you need to find Northampton County records.
Northampton County Quick Facts
Northampton County and the Lehigh Valley Court System
Northampton County is in eastern Pennsylvania and shares its eastern border with New Jersey along the Delaware River. Easton, the county seat, sits at the point where the Lehigh River flows into the Delaware. The city has a long history as a commercial and transportation hub for the region. Today Easton is home to the county courthouse and all civil court functions, including dissolution of marriage proceedings.
The county is part of the Lehigh Valley metropolitan area, which also includes Lehigh County to the west. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania's third-largest city, straddles the border between Northampton and Lehigh counties, with a portion of the city lying in each. This means that residents of Bethlehem may need to confirm which county handles their court filings based on their specific address.
The Northampton County Court of Common Pleas handles all domestic relations matters in the county. The court operates as the 3rd Judicial District. It is the only court in Northampton County with authority to grant a dissolution of marriage and enter the final decree.
Note: Northampton County borders New Jersey to the east, and some residents who moved across the Delaware may still have open cases in the Easton courthouse. Always check the county of filing when searching records for someone who may have lived near the state border.
The Northampton County Prothonotary and Dissolution Records
The Northampton County Prothonotary is the elected official responsible for maintaining all civil court records in the county. Every dissolution of marriage case filed in Northampton County is recorded by the Prothonotary, from the initial complaint through service, court orders, and the entry of the final decree. Pennsylvania has required county-level record keeping for these cases since 1804.
Public access terminals are available at the Prothonotary's Office inside the courthouse. These terminals provide free access to basic case information, including docket numbers, filing dates, and case status. You do not need to pay to use the terminal or to look up case information. Printing from the terminal costs $0.50 per page. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
The Northampton County divorce records search also provides an online interface for locating case data before visiting the courthouse. This can help you identify a docket number and narrow down the records you need before making a trip to Easton.
| Court | Northampton County Court of Common Pleas |
|---|---|
| Address | 669 Washington Street, Easton, PA 18042 |
| Phone | (610) 829-6473 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | northamptoncounty.org/prothonotary |
The Northampton County Law Library is located at 669 Washington Street in Easton and is open to the public. Researchers who need access to legal reference materials or older case records may find the law library a useful complement to the Prothonotary's Office.
The Northampton County divorce records page shows what information is publicly available and how to structure a records request before contacting the courthouse.
Northampton County dissolution of marriage records are public records held at the courthouse in Easton and accessible through both the Prothonotary's terminals and the UJS online portal.
How to Search Northampton County Dissolution Records
The Unified Judicial System (UJS) Portal is the primary online tool for searching Northampton County dissolution of marriage records. You can search by party name or docket number and view case status, key dates, and filed documents. The system is free to use and covers most cases from the past two decades. For guidance on how the UJS portal works, the Jenkins Law Library docket search guide provides a helpful walkthrough.
For older records or certified documents, you have two options. You can visit the Prothonotary's Office in person and use the free public access terminals, or you can submit a written request by mail. Either way, you should have the full names of both parties and an approximate year of filing. Printed copies from the courthouse cost $0.50 per page.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health Vital Records office also holds statewide divorce certificates that confirm the fact of a dissolution of marriage. A certified copy costs $20.00 and can be requested by mail to PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103. This state certificate is separate from the full court file and does not include settlement terms or custody orders.
For historical research, the Pennsylvania State Library maintains research guides that explain where older vital and court records are held across the state. Historical Northampton County records may be in paper or microfilm form and require a visit to the courthouse or a written request.
Note: Free public access terminals at the Northampton County courthouse let you look up basic case data without charge, which makes in-person research more accessible than in counties where you must pay for each search.
Northampton County Court Records
The Northampton County government website provides information about court services, the Prothonotary, and other public offices in the county.
The county government website is the best starting point for finding current contact information, office hours, and procedures for the Prothonotary's Office in Easton.
The Pennsylvania Courts website shows how Northampton County's Court of Common Pleas is organized and provides links to judicial assignments and case resources.
The Pennsylvania Courts site confirms Northampton County's judicial district and links to resources for the Common Pleas bench, which handles all dissolution of marriage matters in the county.
Pennsylvania Dissolution of Marriage Law Applied in Northampton County
Pennsylvania requires at least six months of state residency before filing for dissolution of marriage. Under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3301, the case must be filed in the county where at least one spouse lives. For Northampton County residents, that means filing with the Prothonotary at the Easton courthouse. The court has broad authority under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3104 to handle all connected issues, including property, child custody, and support.
No-fault dissolution of marriage proceeds through mutual consent, with a 90-day waiting period, or through a one-year separation. The one-year separation ground replaced the earlier two-year standard on December 5, 2016. Fault grounds are still available but require a hearing before the court and evidence supporting the claim.
Property in Northampton County cases is divided under Pennsylvania's equitable distribution rules in 23 Pa.C.S. § 3502. The court evaluates each party's financial situation, contributions to the marriage, and other relevant factors. Equitable distribution is not always a 50/50 split, and the outcome can vary significantly based on the facts of each case.
If you need legal help with a Northampton County dissolution of marriage filing or records request, Pennsylvania Legal Aid offers free or low-cost civil legal services to eligible residents. The North Penn Legal Services organization also provides civil legal aid in the greater Lehigh Valley area and may serve Northampton County residents who qualify.
Nearby Counties
Dissolution of marriage cases must be filed in the county where at least one spouse resides, so confirm the correct county before you begin your records search.