Divorce records in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania can be accessed through several channels. DauphinCourt.us can help you find publicly available divorce record information. You can also search records through the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas, the Dauphin County Prothonotary's Office, and the Pennsylvania Department of Health's vital records division. Each office holds different types of divorce documentation, so the right starting point depends on whether you need a court filing or a vital record certificate.
Dauphin County Divorce Records Search
Divorce records in Dauphin County are maintained by two primary offices. The Dauphin County Prothonotary records and files all civil court papers, including divorce complaints, decrees, settlement agreements, custody orders, and related filings from the Court of Common Pleas. The Prothonotary's Office is the official custodian of these court-level records.
At the state level, the Pennsylvania Department of Health maintains divorce verification records for divorces granted in the state. These are not full case files — they confirm that a divorce occurred and provide basic details such as the names of the parties and the date of the decree.
You can search Dauphin County civil case records online through the Prothonotary's public case search portal. The statewide Unified Judicial System case search also provides access to docket sheets for cases filed in the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas.
Dauphin County Prothonotary's Office
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Dauphin County
In Pennsylvania, divorce cases are handled by the Court of Common Pleas in the county where the action is filed. For Dauphin County, that means divorce complaints, motions, and final decrees all pass through the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas. Once a divorce decree is entered by a judge, it is filed and maintained by the Prothonotary's Office.
The Dauphin County Self-Help Center, located on the 4th floor of the Dauphin County Courthouse, provides divorce instructions and forms for individuals representing themselves.
Which office to contact depends on what you need:
- Full divorce case file (complaint, decree, settlement agreement, custody orders, docket entries) — Contact the Dauphin County Prothonotary's Office or search the searchable civil records online.
- Divorce verification or certificate — Contact the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records.
Dauphin County Prothonotary's Office
Pennsylvania Department of Health — Division of Vital Records
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Dauphin County
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Prothonotary — copies of civil/divorce documents | $0.25 per page | Same day to several business days (in-person or by mail) |
| Prothonotary — certified copy of divorce decree | $6.00 per document (plus per-page copy charges) | Same day to several business days |
| PA Department of Health — divorce verification | $20.00 | 4–6 weeks (standard mail) |