Find Delaware County Family Court Records
Delaware County family court records are maintained by the Office of Judicial Support at the Government Center Building in Media, Pennsylvania. The Court of Common Pleas handles all family law matters including divorce, custody, child support, spousal support, juvenile dependency, and Protection from Abuse proceedings. You can search Delaware County family court records online through the county's public portal or through the statewide UJS Portal, with docket coverage extending back to 1986. In-person and mail requests to the Office of Judicial Support are also available.
Delaware County Quick Facts
Delaware County Family Court System
Delaware County is the 32nd Judicial District of Pennsylvania. The Court of Common Pleas operates multiple divisions, including Criminal, Civil, Family, and Orphans' Court. Family Court handles divorce proceedings, child custody and visitation disputes, legal separation, juvenile dependency, juvenile delinquency, and domestic violence matters. The court operates under 42 Pa.C.S. § 301, which establishes the Unified Judicial System structure.
The Orphans' Court division in Delaware County handles wills and estate administration, guardianships, trusts, and marriage license issuance. Vincent A. Rongione, Esq. serves as Register of Wills and can be reached at 610-891-4400 or RegOfWills@co.delaware.pa.us. This office manages the probate process and estate filings separately from the family court docket. The Office of Judicial Support, headed by Mary J. Walk, serves the function of the Prothonotary in Delaware County.
Delaware County also offers specialty court programs including Veterans Court and Drug Court. These programs provide alternative tracks for qualifying cases and are administered separately from the main family court docket. Family court matters involving veterans or parties with substance use issues may be eligible for referral to these programs depending on the nature of the case.
All family court proceedings in Delaware County follow Title 23 Pa.C.S., Pennsylvania's Domestic Relations Code. This includes custody determinations based on the best interests of the child, support calculations under the statewide guidelines, and divorce grounds and procedures.
Delaware County Family Court Records Access
Delaware County provides online access to court records with coverage dating back to 1986. Coverage is limited before 2010, with more complete records from that year forward. Documents became available online around 2013. The Delaware County court website at delawarecountycourt.org is the starting point for online case searches. This site provides docket information, case history, and links to available documents for cases in the 32nd Judicial District.
Under 204 Pa. Code § 213.81, Pennsylvania's Public Access Policy governs what is available through remote access. Party names, docket numbers, docket entries, filing dates, case type, and court orders are generally accessible online. Certain sensitive records involving children or sealed proceedings may require an in-person request. The policy ensures consistent access standards across all 67 Pennsylvania counties.
The statewide UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us also covers Delaware County cases at no cost. This is a useful secondary search tool that cross-references the statewide system against the county's own records. Searching by party name or docket number returns basic case information, filing dates, and docket entries.
In-person access to Delaware County family court records is available at the Government Center Building, 201 W. Front Street, Media, PA 19063. Staff at the Office of Judicial Support can search records, pull case files, and prepare copies. Older records predating 1986 may only be available in physical form in the county archives. Call the office ahead of time to confirm availability for older records.
Note: Delaware County's online records go back to 1986, but the level of detail varies by time period. Records from 1986 through the mid-2000s may show only index information, while more recent filings include detailed docket entries and document images.
Types of Family Court Records in Delaware County
Delaware County family court records cover a broad range of proceedings managed by the Office of Judicial Support and the various court divisions. Understanding which division handles which type of case helps focus your records search.
Family Court handles the widest range of domestic relations matters. Custody and visitation records here include the full case history from initial filing through any modifications. Given Delaware County's substantial population and proximity to Philadelphia, the court sees a high volume of custody matters. Each case is assigned a docket number that stays with it through all modifications and hearings. Online access from 2013 forward means that most document images for recent custody cases are available without a courthouse visit.
Juvenile dependency and delinquency matters are also handled within the family court division. Dependency cases involve children who are in the care of the county child welfare system. These records have additional confidentiality protections compared to regular custody matters. Domestic violence cases, including Protection from Abuse petitions, are processed through family court as well. The PFA docket includes the petition, any emergency order, and the final order after hearing.
- Custody and visitation orders and modifications
- Child support and spousal support orders
- Protection from Abuse petitions and orders
- Divorce and legal separation proceedings
- Juvenile dependency and delinquency records
- Adoption and guardianship records (Orphans' Court)
- Marriage licenses (Register of Wills)
Divorce records in Delaware County are part of the family court docket. The file includes the complaint, any counter-filings, property settlement agreements, and the final decree. Online docket access goes back to 1986, and documents are available from around 2013 forward. Certified copies of divorce decrees are available from the Office of Judicial Support. The Register of Wills at delcopa.gov/row handles marriage records and related Orphans' Court matters.
Delaware County Office of Judicial Support
Mary J. Walk serves as the head of the Office of Judicial Support, which functions as Delaware County's equivalent of the Prothonotary. This office maintains all civil and family court records, provides public access to dockets, and processes copy requests. The office is located at the Government Center Building in Media.
The Government Center Building is at 201 W. Front Street, Media, PA 19063. The main county courts website at delawarecountycourt.org provides access to the online docket system and information about all court divisions. The Delaware County government website at delawarecountypa.gov/depts/courts offers additional court information and office directories. The Register of Wills at delcopa.gov/row handles marriage and estate records. The Temple Law Library guide at guides.temple.edu provides statewide context for Delaware County court record access.
| Office |
Office of Judicial Support Mary J. Walk 201 W. Front Street Government Center Building Media, PA 19063 |
|---|---|
| Register of Wills | Vincent A. Rongione, Esq. | (610) 891-4400 | RegOfWills@co.delaware.pa.us |
| Online Access | Records back to 1986. Limited pre-2010. Documents from ~2013. |
| Website | delawarecountycourt.org |
The Delaware County Courts website provides the main gateway to online docket searches, court division information, and records access for the 32nd Judicial District.
The Delaware County Register of Wills handles marriage licenses, estate records, and Orphans' Court matters separate from the main family court docket in Media.
Legal Help for Delaware County Family Court Matters
Delaware County residents dealing with family court proceedings have access to a range of legal resources. From free legal aid to the Delaware County Bar Association's referral service, help is available for custody, support, PFA, and divorce matters.
Pennsylvania Legal Aid provides free civil legal assistance to income-qualifying residents, including those in Delaware County. Visit palegalaid.net to find the office serving your area and to apply. Legal aid handles custody, support, PFA, and other family court matters. The Delaware County Bar Association also offers a lawyer referral service for those who need private family law representation in the Media area.
The Pennsylvania Courts website at pacourts.us offers self-help resources and official court forms. Standard forms for all family court proceedings are available at pacourts.us/forms. Using current, official forms ensures they will be accepted by the Delaware County Court. Veterans Court and Drug Court programs may also be available as alternative resolution options for qualifying family court matters.
Note: Delaware County's Family Court, Orphans' Court, and Office of Judicial Support are all at the Government Center Building in Media. Calling ahead to confirm which office handles your specific matter can save time during an in-person visit.
Cities in Delaware County
Delaware County is a densely populated suburban county bordering Philadelphia. It includes numerous municipalities, boroughs, and townships. All family court matters for Delaware County residents are filed at the Government Center Building in Media regardless of which municipality the party lives in.
Nearby Counties
Delaware County is in southeastern Pennsylvania, bordering Philadelphia to the north and east. Surrounding counties each have their own Courts of Common Pleas for family court matters. Family court jurisdiction follows the county of residence of the filing party.