Divorce records in Centre County, Pennsylvania, can be accessed through several channels. CentrePACourt.us can help you find publicly available divorce record information. You can also request records directly from the Court of Common Pleas of Centre County, the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts, or the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records. Each office holds different types of divorce documentation, so the right contact depends on what you need.
Centre County Divorce Records Search
In Centre County, divorce records are maintained by two offices. The Centre County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts serves as the permanent record-keeping office for the Court of Common Pleas and holds all civil court filings, including divorce cases. The collection includes:
- Divorce decrees and final orders
- Divorce complaints and related pleadings
- Property settlement agreements
- Custody orders filed as part of divorce proceedings
- Support orders and related filings
At the state level, the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records maintains divorce certificates — a shorter summary document confirming that a divorce occurred. These certificates cover divorces granted in Pennsylvania from 1946 forward.
You can search Centre County civil court dockets online through the Centre County Civil Court Case Search portal or through the statewide UJS Web Portal.
Centre County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Centre County
In Pennsylvania, divorce cases are handled by the Court of Common Pleas in the county where the action is filed. For Centre County, that means all divorce complaints, motions, and final decrees go through the Centre County Court of Common Pleas. Once a divorce decree is entered by the court, the original record is filed and maintained by the Prothonotary's office.
The Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records also keeps a record of each divorce in the form of a divorce certificate. This is not the same as the full court file — it is a one-page document that confirms the names of the parties, the date of the decree, and the county where it was granted.
Which office you contact depends on what you need:
- Full divorce decree, settlement agreement, custody orders, or other court filings — contact the Centre County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts.
- Divorce certificate (verification that a divorce occurred) — contact the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records.
Centre County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts
Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records
According to Centre County's Records Management page, divorce records should be requested from the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts. The county's Office of Records Management does not provide records directly to the public.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Centre County
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce certificate (PA Division of Vital Records) | $20.00 | 4–6 weeks by mail |
| Court record copies (Prothonotary, per page) | $0.25–$0.50 | Same day to several business days |
| Certified copy of court document (Prothonotary) | Varies; contact office | Same day to several business days |
| Online docket search (UJS Portal or County Portal) | Free | Immediate |