Divorce records in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, are available through several channels. LehighCourt.us allows quick access to public divorce information in the county. Additionally, court records are maintained by the Clerk of Judicial Records at the Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County, and divorce certificates can be ordered through the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Requests can also be made in person, by mail, or through the state's online court system portals.
Lehigh Divorce Records Search
Divorce cases in Lehigh County are handled by the Court of Common Pleas — a court of general jurisdiction operating in every county in Pennsylvania. Court documents for these cases — divorce decrees, property settlement agreements, child custody orders, and related motions — are kept by the Clerk of Judicial Records of Lehigh County.
The state Department of Health maintains a separate registry of divorce certificates starting from 1946. A certificate confirms the fact of divorce but does not include details of property settlements or custody arrangements.
To search for information on a specific case, use the UJS Web Portal, where docket sheets — case cards listing all procedural actions — can be viewed for free.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Lehigh
In Pennsylvania, divorces are processed exclusively through the Court of Common Pleas of the county where the plaintiff or defendant resides. For residents of Lehigh County, this is the Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County, located in the courthouse in Allentown.
Once a judge signs the divorce decree, the document is filed with the office of the Clerk of Judicial Records. This is where you should go if you need a copy of the decree, settlement agreement, or any other procedural document from the case.
If you only need official confirmation of the divorce — for example, for a name change or to enter into a new marriage — order a divorce certificate from the state Department of Health.
Where to Go Depending on Your Needs
- Complete Court Case File (decree, agreements, custody orders) — Clerk of Judicial Records, Lehigh County Courthouse
- Online Case Card — docket sheets on the Unified Judicial System portal
- Divorce Certificate (from 1946) — Division of Vital Records, PA Department of Health
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Lehigh
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce Record Search (divorce certificate) — PA Dept. of Health | $20.00 | 4–6 weeks (by mail) |
| Certified Copy of Court Document — Clerk of Judicial Records | $6.50 for the first page, $0.50 for each additional page | Usually the same day for in-person requests |
| Uncertified Copy of Court Document — Clerk of Judicial Records | $0.25 per page | Same day for in-person requests |
| Online Docket Sheet Viewing — UJS Web Portal | Free | Instant |