Records of divorce in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, are available through several channels. MercerCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about divorce cases in this county. Additionally, documents can be obtained directly from the court that issued the decision, the Court of Common Pleas, or through the Mercer County Prothonotary's Office, which maintains civil cases. Divorce information at the state level is also maintained by the Division of Vital Records at the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Mercer Divorce Records Search
Since 1804, divorce records in Pennsylvania have been kept in the Prothonotary's Office of the county where the court decision was made. In Mercer County, this function is performed by the Office of the Prothonotary, which registers and stores all civil documents filed with the Mercer County Court of Common Pleas.
The collection includes:
- Divorce decrees
- Settlement agreements on property division and alimony
- Custody orders
- Related procedural documents — complaints, motions, court orders
Information about county court cases, including civil divorce cases, can be searched online through the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania portal. This tool allows you to find data by party name or case number.
Office of the Prothonotary — Mercer County
Separately, the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records maintains limited statistical data on divorces, but the full set of court documents is located in the county.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Mercer
In Pennsylvania, divorce cases are handled by the Court of Common Pleas, a court of general jurisdiction that operates in each county. After a decision is made, all documents remain with the Mercer County Prothonotary. This office is the official custodian of the originals.
Where to apply depends on what you need:
- Full court record (decisions, agreements, motions) — Mercer County Prothonotary.
- Information on the date of divorce or verification — Division of Vital Records at the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
- Online search by case number or name — UJS Portal Case Search.
Mercer County Court of Common Pleas
Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records
Note: The Division of Vital Records does not issue copies of court decisions. If you need a certified copy of a decree, contact the Mercer County Court of Common Pleas directly.
Public access to court records in Pennsylvania is governed by the Right-to-Know Law (Act 3 of 2008). Most divorce records are public, but some materials, such as financial affidavits or records related to minors, may be restricted by court order.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Mercer
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce record search (Prothonotary) | Inquire at the office | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Copy of court document (non-certified) | $0.25 per page | During visit |
| Certified copy | Inquire at the Prothonotary's Office | 5–10 business days |
| Online search via UJS Portal | Free | Instant |
| Request via Right-to-Know (Open Records) | Free (submission); copying charged separately | 5 business days (may be extended to 30) |