Franklin County Family Court Records in Chambersburg, PA
Franklin County family court records are maintained by the Prothonotary at the Court of Common Pleas in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. The Franklin County Prothonotary handles all civil and family case filings including divorce, child custody, support, and Protection from Abuse matters for the 39th Judicial District. The courthouse is located at 157 Lincoln Way E, Chambersburg, PA 17201. Online docket access is available for Franklin County cases, and you can also search records through the statewide UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us before visiting the courthouse in person.
Franklin County Quick Facts
Franklin County Family Court System
The Franklin County Court of Common Pleas operates under 42 Pa.C.S. § 301, which established the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania. Franklin County sits in south-central Pennsylvania near the Maryland border and serves a growing community of residents across Chambersburg and the surrounding municipalities. The court handles all family law matters arising within the county, from initial divorce filings to custody modifications and protective orders.
Family court proceedings in Franklin County are governed by Title 23 Pa.C.S. Domestic Relations. This statute defines the grounds for divorce in Pennsylvania, establishes the framework for custody determinations based on the best interests of the child, and sets out the rules for child and spousal support calculations. Franklin County judges apply these rules alongside local procedural requirements set by the court's own standing orders.
The Franklin County Prothonotary, currently Pam Mentzer, serves as the civil clerk for all family court filings. This office assigns case numbers, maintains docket entries, stores the official case files, and issues certified copies of court orders and decrees. The Prothonotary's office at 157 Lincoln Way E is the primary destination for anyone seeking Franklin County family court records.
The statewide UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us includes Franklin County cases in its public docket search. You can search by party name or case number to locate Franklin County family court filings. Contact the Prothonotary directly to confirm the date range covered by the online docket system.
Note: Franklin County case dockets list the parties, filing dates, and court orders but do not always include links to the full documents; contact the Prothonotary for copies of specific filings.
Franklin County Family Court Records Access
Online docket access is available for Franklin County family court records. The statewide UJS Case Search at ujsportal.pacourts.us/CaseSearch is the primary tool for searching Franklin County cases remotely. This system is free to use and does not require registration. Enter a party name or case number to find Franklin County family court proceedings and view the docket sheet.
Under 204 Pa. Code § 213.81, the Pennsylvania Public Access Policy defines what court records are available remotely. Docket entries, court orders, and published judicial opinions can be accessed online. Full pleadings, financial affidavits, exhibits, and other case documents must be requested in person at the Franklin County Courthouse or by mail. This rule applies across all Pennsylvania counties including Franklin County.
The Franklin County government website provides additional information about courthouse services and department contacts. The Franklin County Prothonotary page at franklincountypa.gov/prothonotary lists current procedures for requesting copies and filing new documents. For a broad overview of what records exist in Franklin County, visit franklincountypa.gov.
The Franklin County government website shown below is where residents find court department contact information and public service details.
The Franklin County website provides links to the Prothonotary, court schedules, and other public services related to family court records in Chambersburg.
Note: The Prothonotary's office can confirm the exact date coverage of the online docket and whether specific document types are available through the UJS system or require an in-person visit.
Types of Family Court Records in Franklin County
Franklin County family court records encompass all civil family law proceedings filed at the Court of Common Pleas. Each case generates a file that includes the initial complaint or petition, any responsive pleadings, interim orders, and the final decree or order. These records are maintained by the Prothonotary under a docket number assigned at filing and remain accessible under Pennsylvania's public access rules.
Divorce records in Franklin County include the complaint in divorce, the affidavit of consent or affidavit of separation, any property settlement agreement, and the final divorce decree. The decree is typically the document most requested for legal purposes such as name changes and remarriage. Custody records contain the custody complaint, any emergency or interim custody orders, parenting plan submissions, and the final custody order addressing legal and physical custody. Support records document income submissions, the support order, and any later modifications to the original order amount.
Protection from Abuse records in Franklin County reflect petitions, emergency orders, and final PFA orders. Final PFA orders are forwarded to the Pennsylvania State Police for inclusion in the statewide abuse registry as required by state law. Adoption records are confidential and sealed by statute. Name change records and paternity actions are also filed through the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas and are accessible through the Prothonotary's office.
The Pennsylvania court records resource below provides an additional search tool for locating Franklin County family court filings.
This third-party resource indexes Franklin County court records and can be used to locate case information before contacting the Prothonotary directly.
Franklin County Prothonotary Office
Prothonotary Pam Mentzer leads the Franklin County Prothonotary's office, which is responsible for all civil and family court records in Chambersburg. The office accepts new case filings, maintains the official docket, stores case files, issues certified copies, and processes fee payments. Staff can search for records by party name, case number, or filing date range.
To request certified copies of Franklin County family court records, visit the Prothonotary's office in person at 157 Lincoln Way E, Chambersburg, PA 17201. You can also submit a written mail request including the case number or party names, the year the case was filed, and payment for copy fees. The Prothonotary can certify copies of divorce decrees, custody orders, support orders, and other court documents for use in legal proceedings.
The Franklin County Prothonotary page shown below details office procedures and services for obtaining family court records in Chambersburg.
The Prothonotary's office page at franklincountypa.gov/prothonotary provides current contact details, hours, and procedures for accessing Franklin County family court records.
| Court |
Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Prothonotary: Pam Mentzer 157 Lincoln Way E Chambersburg, PA 17201 |
|---|---|
| Records Access | Online dockets via UJS Portal; full documents in person or by mail |
| Website | franklincountypa.gov/prothonotary |
Legal Help for Franklin County Family Court Cases
Franklin County residents facing family court matters have access to several legal assistance resources. Whether you need help filing a custody complaint, responding to a divorce, or obtaining a Protection from Abuse order, these organizations can connect you with legal support in the Chambersburg area.
Pennsylvania Legal Aid provides free legal services to qualifying low-income residents of Franklin County. Contact palegalaid.net to find the regional office serving Chambersburg and south-central Pennsylvania. Legal aid handles custody disputes, PFA applications, support matters, and other family law issues. Income-based eligibility requirements apply. The Temple Law Pennsylvania Family Court Research Guide is a comprehensive online resource for understanding the procedures and statutes that govern Franklin County family court cases.
For self-represented litigants, downloadable court forms for custody, support, divorce, and PFA cases are available at pacourts.us/forms. The Pennsylvania Bar Association lawyer referral service at (800) 692-7375 can connect Franklin County residents with family law attorneys in the Chambersburg area.
Note: The Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101, gives Franklin County residents the right to request access to public court records and to appeal any denial of access through established administrative channels.
Nearby Counties
Franklin County borders several Pennsylvania counties and is located near the Maryland state line. If your case involves a party who resides in a neighboring county, records may be filed in that county's court system instead of Franklin County.