Perry County Public Records /Perry County Divorce Records

Perry County Divorce Records

How To Find a Divorce Record In Perry County in 2026

PerryRecords.org provides access to publicly available data and information related to divorce records in Perry County. Members of the public may find case summaries, final decrees, docket entries, and related court documents through official channels. Record availability depends on the filing date, case type, and applicable privacy protections. Relevant record categories include:

Final judgments of dissolution
Divorce decrees and court orders
Parenting plans and custody agreements
Property settlement documents
Post-judgment modification orders

Divorce records in Perry County may be searched through official court resources, the Clerk of Court's office, public access terminals at the courthouse, and authorized online portals. The following methods are available to members of the public seeking these records.

Online Searches

1. Clerk of Court Case Search

The Perry County Circuit Court maintains an online case search system that allows members of the public to locate divorce case information by party name or case number. Basic case information is available at no charge; fees apply for document copies or certified records. Members of the public may access the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal to search court dockets statewide.

2. State Court System Portal

Pennsylvania's statewide court portal consolidates case information across jurisdictions. The UJS Web Portal allows searches across multiple counties, including Perry County, and provides docket sheets, case status, and filing dates.

3. State Vital Records

Pennsylvania does not issue divorce certificates through the state vital records office in the same manner as birth or death certificates. The Pennsylvania Department of Health provides divorce verification letters for divorces granted in Pennsylvania, which serve as official confirmation of a divorce. A fee applies for this service.

In-Person Searches

Clerk of Court — Perry County Court of Common Pleas:

Members of the public may visit the Clerk of Courts office to search case files, view documents, request certified copies, and use public access terminals with staff assistance.

Perry County Courthouse — Clerk of Courts
25 West Main Street
New Bloomfield, PA 17068
Phone: (717) 582-2131
Perry County Court of Common Pleas

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Services available in person:
- Case file searches by party name or case number
- Document inspection at public access terminals
- Certified copy requests
- Staff assistance for locating archived records

By Mail

Written Request:

Mail requests to the Clerk of Courts at the address above. Each written request should include:

Full legal names of both parties
Maiden names, if applicable
Approximate date of divorce or filing
Case number, if known
Requestor's full name and contact information
Purpose of the request, if required
Payment for applicable copy fees
A self-addressed stamped envelope for return correspondence

Processing time for mail requests is typically one to two weeks, depending on record volume and whether archival retrieval is required.

By Phone

Limited Information Available:

Clerk of Courts: (717) 582-2131
Staff may confirm:
- Whether a case exists in the system
- Case number and filing date
- Current case status
Staff cannot provide:
- Detailed document contents by phone
- Copies of filed documents
- Confidential or restricted information

Through Attorneys

An attorney licensed in Pennsylvania may access divorce case files on behalf of a client, request sealed documents through proper court motion, and assist with complex or older cases. Members of the public seeking legal representation may use the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service to locate qualified family law counsel.

Information Needed for Search

Essential Information:

Full legal names of both spouses
Maiden names, if applicable
Approximate date of divorce
Case number, if known

Helpful Information:

Date and location of marriage
Previous addresses in Perry County
Names of children, if applicable
Names of attorneys of record, if known

Search in Correct County

Divorce proceedings in Pennsylvania are filed in the Court of Common Pleas in the county where either spouse resided at the time of filing. Members of the public who are uncertain of the filing county may need to search multiple counties. Under 23 Pa. C.S. § 3104, jurisdiction for divorce actions lies in the county of residence of either party.

Residency Requirement:

Pennsylvania requires that at least one spouse be a bona fide resident of the Commonwealth for a minimum of six months prior to filing for divorce. The action is filed in the county where that spouse resides.

Time Considerations

Recent Divorces:

Records may not appear in online systems immediately following a final hearing
Allow several business days to several weeks for processing after the final decree is entered
Electronic filing has reduced processing time for more recent cases

Older Divorces:

Records predating electronic filing may be archived in paper format
Retrieval of archived records may require additional time and a specific written request
Some older records may not be digitized and require in-person inspection

What If You Cannot Find a Record

Common Issues:

Incorrect county — the divorce may have been filed in a neighboring county
Name variations, including married versus maiden name
Spelling differences or clerical errors in the original filing
The case may still be pending and not yet finalized
Very old records may be in off-site storage
The case may be sealed or subject to confidentiality protections

Next Steps:

Contact the Clerk of Courts at (717) 582-2131
Attempt alternate name spellings for both parties
Search under both spouses' names
Request a divorce verification letter from the Pennsylvania Department of Health
Consult a licensed Pennsylvania family law attorney

What Are Perry County Divorce Records?

Perry County divorce records are official court documents generated during divorce proceedings filed in the Perry County Court of Common Pleas. These records constitute part of the family law case file maintained by the Clerk of Courts and are subject to Pennsylvania's public records laws as well as applicable court rules governing family law matters.

Types of Divorce Records:

Court Case Files

The complete case file for a divorce proceeding in Perry County includes:

Petition for dissolution of marriage
Response or answer to the petition
Financial affidavits submitted by both parties
Parenting plans and custody agreements, where applicable
Marital settlement agreements
Motions, responses, and court orders
Transcripts of court hearings
Final judgment of dissolution of marriage

Final Decree

The final decree of divorce is the official court order that legally dissolves the marriage. It serves as the primary legal proof of divorce and establishes:

The date of dissolution
Division of marital property and debts
Alimony or spousal support terms, if any
Child custody and timesharing arrangements, if applicable
Child support orders, if applicable
Restoration of a former name, if requested

Certified copies of the final decree are available through the Clerk of Courts upon payment of applicable fees.

Supporting Documents

Supporting documents within the case file may include:

The original marriage certificate submitted as an exhibit
Financial disclosure statements and supporting financial records
Property inventories and appraisals
Parenting plan details and modifications
Post-judgment modification orders

Purpose of Divorce Records

Legal Purposes:

Proof of marital status for remarriage
Documentation for legal name change
Property transfer and title documentation
Estate planning and beneficiary designations
Immigration proceedings requiring proof of prior marriage dissolution
Social Security benefit eligibility determinations

Personal Purposes:

Genealogical and family history research
Personal record-keeping and verification of divorce terms

Who Maintains Divorce Records

The Clerk of Courts for the Perry County Court of Common Pleas serves as the primary custodian of all divorce records. The office maintains complete case files, provides certified copies, and indexes records by the names of the parties. The Pennsylvania Department of Health maintains a separate registry of divorce records for the purpose of issuing verification letters.

Legal Framework

Divorce proceedings in Pennsylvania are governed by the Divorce Code, 23 Pa. C.S. § 3101 et seq., which establishes the grounds for divorce, procedural requirements, and the legal framework for dissolution of marriage. Public access to court records is governed by Pennsylvania's court records access policy as established by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Are Perry County Divorce Records Public?

Divorce records filed in the Perry County Court of Common Pleas are public court records, subject to the presumption of public access under Pennsylvania law. Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, and most filed documents. Certain categories of information are restricted or redacted to protect sensitive personal data, the privacy of minor children, and the safety of domestic violence victims.

What Is Public:

Case number and filing date
Names of the parties (petitioner and respondent)
Names of attorneys of record
Court hearing dates and scheduled events
Court orders and judgments
Final divorce decree
Property division orders
General case status and docket entries

What May Be Restricted:

Financial Information:

Social Security numbers are redacted from all public filings pursuant to Pennsylvania court rules
Bank account and credit card numbers are redacted
Detailed financial statements may have limited public access
Tax returns submitted as exhibits may be subject to restricted access

Children's Information:

Names and addresses of minor children may be redacted or restricted
Schools attended by children are not disclosed in public records
Medical and psychological information about children is restricted
Child custody evaluations may be sealed by court order
Guardian ad litem reports are subject to restricted access

Sensitive Personal Information:

Domestic violence allegations and related evidence may be sealed
Mental health and substance abuse records are restricted
Personal addresses of domestic violence victims are protected
Medical records submitted as exhibits are subject to HIPAA protections

Sealed Records:

A court may seal all or part of a divorce case file upon a showing of good cause. Circumstances that may result in sealing include cases involving allegations of abuse, high-profile parties, confidential settlement terms, or protective orders. Mediation communications are confidential and are not part of the public record.

Who Can Access Records:

General public: May access most case information, view docket summaries, and obtain copies of public documents upon payment of applicable fees
Parties to the case: Have full access to their own case file, including confidential information
Attorneys of record: Have access to case files and may petition the court for access to sealed documents upon a proper showing
Researchers and media: May access public portions of case files; access to sealed records requires a court order

Prohibited Uses:

Stalking, harassment, or intimidation of any party
Identity theft or fraudulent purposes
Violation of existing protective orders
Any use prohibited by applicable state or federal law

How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Perry County?

The Perry County Clerk of Courts charges standard fees for copies and certified copies of divorce records. Current fees are established pursuant to 42 Pa. C.S. § 1725, which governs costs and fees in Pennsylvania courts.

Standard Fee Schedule:

Service	Fee
Plain copy (per page)	$0.25–$0.50 per page
Certified copy of final decree	$5.00–$15.00 (varies)
Certification fee	$5.00 per document
Search fee (if applicable)	Varies by request
Divorce verification letter (PA Dept. of Health)	$20.00

Accepted Payment Methods:

Cash (in-person only)
Money order (for mail requests)
Certified check (for mail requests)
Credit or debit card (availability varies; confirm with the Clerk's office)

Electronic Records:

Online docket sheets are available at no charge through the UJS Web Portal
Fees apply for downloading or printing certified electronic documents

Fee Waivers:

Parties who qualify as indigent may petition the court for a waiver of filing and copy fees
Fee waiver requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the presiding judge

What Is Available at No Charge:

Viewing case docket information online through the UJS Web Portal
Inspecting case files in person at the courthouse (no copy fee for inspection only)
Confirming case existence and status by phone

What's Included in Divorce Records in Perry County

A complete divorce case file maintained by the Perry County Clerk of Courts contains a comprehensive set of documents generated throughout the dissolution proceeding. The contents vary depending on whether the divorce was contested or uncontested, whether children were involved, and the complexity of the marital estate.

Basic Case Information

Case Caption:

Assigned case number
Court name and division (Court of Common Pleas, Perry County)
Full legal names of petitioner and respondent
Name of the assigned judge
Names and contact information of attorneys of record

Filing Information:

Date the petition was filed
Filing fees paid
Case type designation (divorce/dissolution)
Basis for jurisdiction

Initial Pleadings

Petition for Dissolution of Marriage:

Identifying information for both parties
Date and location of marriage
Date of separation, if applicable
Grounds for divorce (irretrievable breakdown under Pennsylvania's no-fault standard, or fault grounds where applicable)
Information regarding minor children, including names and dates of birth
Claims regarding marital property
Requests for spousal support, child support, and custody

Response/Answer:

Respondent's position on the petition
Admissions or denials of allegations
Counterclaim for divorce, if filed
Respondent's requests for relief

Financial Affidavits:

Income from all sources for both parties
Monthly living expenses
Complete asset inventory, including real property, vehicles, bank accounts, investments, and retirement accounts
Complete liability inventory, including mortgages, loans, and credit card debt

Property-Related Documents

Marital asset inventory with estimated values
Debt inventory and allocation proposals
Real property appraisals
Business valuations, if applicable
Expert reports on asset values

Children-Related Documents (Where Applicable)

Parenting Plan:

Legal custody (decision-making authority)
Physical custody and primary residence designation
Regular timesharing schedule
Holiday, summer, and vacation schedules
Transportation arrangements
Provisions for communication between parents and children
Decision-making responsibilities for education, healthcare, religion, and extracurricular activities
Relocation restrictions

Child Support:

Child support calculation worksheet
Income information for both parties
Number of overnight stays with each parent
Health insurance and childcare cost allocations
Ordered support amount and payment schedule
Provisions for modification

Settlement Documents

Marital Settlement Agreement:

Comprehensive written agreement resolving all contested issues
Real and personal property distribution
Debt allocation between the parties
Spousal support terms and duration
Child-related provisions, if applicable
Tax filing provisions
Attorney fee allocation
Signatures of both parties and notarization

Court Orders and Judgments

Temporary Orders:

Temporary custody and support arrangements
Temporary use and possession of marital property
Temporary restraining orders or injunctions, if issued

Final Judgment of Dissolution:

Official court order dissolving the marriage
Date of dissolution
Findings of fact and conclusions of law
Property division awards to each party
Debt allocation orders
Spousal support orders
Child custody, timesharing, and support orders
Name restoration order, if requested
Judge's signature and court seal

Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO):

Issued when retirement accounts are divided
Directs the retirement plan administrator to divide benefits
Filed as a separate order in the case file

Post-Judgment Documents (Where Applicable)

Petitions to modify custody or support
Court orders on modification requests
Contempt motions and enforcement actions
Income deduction orders
Lien filings related to support arrears

What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed

Social Security numbers (redacted from all public documents)
Bank account and financial account numbers (redacted)
Addresses and schools of minor children
Domestic violence allegations and related evidence (may be sealed)
Mental health evaluations and substance abuse records
Mediation communications (confidential by statute)
Settlement negotiations not incorporated into filed documents

How Information Is Organized

Case files are organized in chronological order by filing date, with each document assigned a filing date and document number. The case docket serves as an index of all filed documents. Recent cases are maintained in electronic format through Pennsylvania's electronic filing system; older cases may exist in paper format or as scanned digital images.

How to Get Proof of Divorce in Perry County?

Proof of divorce in Perry County is obtained through the Clerk of Courts or, for a summary verification, through the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The method selected depends on the level of detail required and the purpose for which the proof is needed.

Certified Copy of Final Decree (Most Common Method):

A certified copy of the final judgment of dissolution of marriage is the standard form of proof accepted for legal, financial, and immigration purposes. Members of the public may obtain a certified copy by:

Visiting the Perry County Clerk of Courts in person at 25 West Main Street, New Bloomfield, PA 17068, during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
Submitting a written mail request to the same address, including the case number, names of both parties, approximate date of divorce, and payment for applicable fees
Requesting a certified copy through the UJS Web Portal for cases available in the electronic filing system

Pennsylvania Divorce Verification Letter:

For purposes that require only confirmation that a divorce occurred, the Pennsylvania Department of Health issues divorce verification letters for divorces granted in Pennsylvania. The current fee is $20.00 per letter. This document confirms the fact of divorce but does not contain the full terms of the decree.

Pennsylvania Department of Health — Division of Vital Records
101 South Mercer Street
New Castle, PA 16101
Phone: (724) 656-3100
Pennsylvania Department of Health Vital Records

For Older Records:

Members of the public seeking proof of divorces finalized prior to the implementation of electronic filing should contact the Clerk of Courts directly to arrange retrieval of archived paper records. Additional processing time may be required.

Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Perry County?

Divorce proceedings in Perry County are presumptively public, but Pennsylvania law and court rules permit certain records or portions of records to be sealed or treated as confidential under specific circumstances.

Circumstances Under Which Records May Be Confidential:

Domestic violence cases: Personal addresses, contact information, and safety-related details of victims may be withheld from public records to protect the safety of the parties involved
Sealed case files: A party may file a motion requesting that the court seal all or part of the case file; the court applies a balancing test weighing the public interest in transparency against the privacy interests of the parties
Children's information: Names, addresses, schools, and medical information of minor children are subject to redaction and restricted access under Pennsylvania court rules
Mental health and medical records: Records pertaining to mental health treatment, substance abuse, or medical conditions submitted as exhibits are restricted from public access
Mediation communications: Under Pennsylvania law, all communications made during mediation are confidential and are not part of the public court record
Financial account numbers and Social Security numbers: These are redacted from all publicly accessible documents pursuant to Pennsylvania Supreme Court administrative rules

Members of the public seeking to seal a divorce record must file a formal motion with the Court of Common Pleas and demonstrate good cause. The Pennsylvania court records access policy governs the standards applied to such requests.

How Long Does Perry County Keep Divorce Records?

Perry County maintains divorce records in accordance with Pennsylvania's court records retention schedules, which establish minimum retention periods for different categories of court documents.

Retention Periods for Divorce Records:

Final judgments and decrees: Retained permanently as part of the official court record; these documents are never destroyed
Complete case files (contested divorces): Retained for a minimum of 20 years following the close of the case under Pennsylvania court records retention guidelines
Complete case files (uncontested divorces): Retained for a minimum of 10 years following the close of the case, though many counties retain these records longer
Financial affidavits and supporting financial documents: Retained for the duration of the case file retention period
Electronic records: Cases filed electronically are maintained in the Pennsylvania court electronic filing system indefinitely
Archived paper records: Older paper records may be transferred to off-site storage or converted to microfilm or digital format; retrieval may require additional time

Members of the public seeking records of older divorces should contact the Perry County Clerk of Courts directly to confirm the location and format of the records. Pennsylvania's court records retention policy is established by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court through administrative orders governing all courts of common pleas in the Commonwealth.

Perry County Courthouse — Clerk of Courts
25 West Main Street
New Bloomfield, PA 17068
Phone: (717) 582-2131
Perry County Court of Common Pleas