Lancaster County Family Court Records - Divorce, Custody, and Support
Lancaster County family court records are maintained by Prothonotary Ann Herr at the 2nd Judicial District Court of Common Pleas in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Lancaster County offers free online access to family court records with docket coverage extending back to the late 1980s, and documents are sometimes linked directly depending on case type and date. The Lancaster County Courthouse is at 50 N. Duke Street, Lancaster, PA 17602. Search Lancaster County family court records online through the statewide UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us, or visit the Prothonotary's office in person for certified copies.
Lancaster County Quick Facts
Lancaster County Family Court System
The Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas is part of Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System under 42 Pa.C.S. § 301. Lancaster County is one of the largest and most populous counties in south-central Pennsylvania. The 2nd Judicial District handles all family law matters for Lancaster County residents including divorce, child custody, support, Protection from Abuse, adoption, guardianship, name changes, and paternity actions. The court serves the city of Lancaster and all surrounding townships and boroughs.
Lancaster County family court proceedings follow Title 23 Pa.C.S. Domestic Relations. A divorce decree in Lancaster County shows the specific terms of the divorce including property division, name restoration if requested, and any related custody or support provisions incorporated by reference. A divorce certificate, by contrast, is a shorter document issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Health confirming only that a divorce occurred. A divorce certificate is often sufficient for name changes or remarriage, while the full decree is needed for more complex legal matters. Lancaster County residents should understand the difference when requesting records from the Prothonotary.
Marriage records in Lancaster County are maintained by the Register of Wills, not the Prothonotary. Marriage records are public records in Pennsylvania and are available to anyone who requests them. Divorce records are maintained exclusively by the Prothonotary's office at 50 N. Duke Street. Prothonotary Ann Herr and her staff maintain the official docket and case files for all civil and family court proceedings in Lancaster County.
The Lancaster County courts website at lancastercountycourt.org provides comprehensive information about court services, procedures, and resources for all Lancaster County residents. The statewide UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us also includes Lancaster County cases in its free public docket search.
Lancaster County Family Court Records Access
Lancaster County provides free online access to family court records. Coverage extends back to the late 1980s, and documents are sometimes linked directly through the online system depending on the case type and the filing date. This free access makes Lancaster County one of the most accessible counties in Pennsylvania for remote family court record searches, serving residents throughout the county as well as researchers and legal professionals.
Under 204 Pa. Code § 213.81, the Pennsylvania Public Access Policy permits remote access to dockets, orders, and published opinions. Lancaster County has implemented this policy in its online system, which allows users to view docket entries and, where available, linked documents at no cost. For certified copies with official court stamps, an in-person visit to the Lancaster County Prothonotary at 50 N. Duke Street or a mail request is required.
The Lancaster County marriage and divorce records page shown below explains the difference between divorce decrees and divorce certificates and how to obtain each type of record in Lancaster County.
The Lancaster County courts website explains when you need a divorce decree versus a divorce certificate, and how to request each type of record from the appropriate office in Lancaster.
Note: Lancaster County divorce decrees are maintained by the Prothonotary; marriage records from the Register of Wills are public and available to anyone regardless of their relationship to the parties.
Types of Family Court Records in Lancaster County
Lancaster County family court records cover the full range of domestic relations proceedings heard at the 2nd Judicial District Court of Common Pleas. The Prothonotary maintains all civil family case files including divorce, custody, support, and PFA records. The Register of Wills maintains marriage records and handles probate matters through the Orphans' Court. Each office serves a distinct function within the Lancaster County court system.
Divorce records in Lancaster County are filed with the Prothonotary. A divorce decree shows the specific terms of the divorce including grounds, property division, name restoration, and any incorporated agreements on custody and support. The decree is the document most needed for legal matters after a divorce. A divorce certificate from the Pennsylvania Department of Health confirms only that a divorce occurred and is typically sufficient for name change purposes. Child custody records document the custody complaint, any temporary orders, the final custody arrangement, and subsequent modification orders.
Support records include income documentation, the original support order calculated under the Pennsylvania Support Guidelines, and all modifications. Protection from Abuse records in Lancaster County reflect the complete PFA process, with final orders forwarded to the Pennsylvania State Police for the statewide registry. Marriage records in Lancaster County are public records available to anyone, going back through the Register of Wills. Adoption records are sealed under Pennsylvania law. Name change petitions and paternity actions are filed through the Court of Common Pleas and maintained by the Prothonotary.
The Lancaster County Prothonotary page at the county government website shown below provides procedures for requesting divorce records, certified copies, and other family court documents in Lancaster.
The Lancaster County Prothonotary page at lancastercountypa.gov/203/Prothonotary provides details about Ann Herr's office, filing fees, and procedures for accessing divorce and family court records in Lancaster.
Lancaster County Prothonotary Office
Prothonotary Ann Herr leads the Lancaster County Prothonotary's office at 50 N. Duke Street in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. As the civil clerk for the 2nd Judicial District Court of Common Pleas, the Prothonotary receives all family court filings, maintains the official docket, stores case files, and provides certified copies of court orders and decrees. The office handles divorce records exclusively (while marriage records go to the Register of Wills), along with custody, support, PFA, name change, and all other civil family court filings in Lancaster County.
To request records in person, visit the Prothonotary's office at 50 N. Duke Street, Lancaster, PA 17602, during regular business hours. Staff can search by party name, docket number, or filing date range. Certified copies of divorce decrees and other court orders are available for a per-page fee. For mail requests, include the full names of all parties, the approximate filing year, the docket number if known, a description of the documents needed, and payment for estimated copy fees. The Lancaster County government website provides current contact details and any updates about courthouse procedures.
The Lancaster County courts website shown below is the primary online resource for court services, forms, and information about Lancaster County family court proceedings.
The Lancaster County courts website at lancastercountycourt.org provides comprehensive information about all court divisions, procedures, and resources for family court matters in Lancaster County.
| Court |
Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas 2nd Judicial District Prothonotary: Ann Herr 50 N. Duke Street Lancaster, PA 17602 |
|---|---|
| Records Access | Free online from late 1980s; documents sometimes linked; in-person for certified copies |
| Marriage Records | Register of Wills (separate from Prothonotary) |
| Website | lancastercountycourt.org |
The Lancaster County government website shown below provides access to all county departments including the Prothonotary and Register of Wills for marriage and divorce records.
The Lancaster County government website at lancastercountypa.gov connects residents to the Prothonotary, Register of Wills, and all other county offices involved in family court matters.
Legal Help for Lancaster County Family Court Cases
Lancaster County residents have access to a range of legal assistance resources for family court matters. Free legal services, self-help forms, and attorney referrals are available to help residents navigate divorce, custody, support, and PFA proceedings in the 2nd Judicial District.
Pennsylvania Legal Aid serves Lancaster County through local offices in the Lancaster area. Visit palegalaid.net to find the appropriate office and apply for free legal assistance. Legal aid handles custody disputes, PFA applications, support modifications, and divorce matters for qualifying individuals based on income. The Temple Law Pennsylvania Family Court Research Guide is a free online resource covering statutes, procedures, and record access policies relevant to Lancaster County family court cases.
Downloadable court forms are available at pacourts.us/forms and are accepted by the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas. The Lancaster County courts website at lancastercountycourt.org provides additional local resources and information. The Pennsylvania Bar Association lawyer referral service at (800) 692-7375 can connect Lancaster County residents with experienced family law attorneys practicing in the Lancaster area.
Note: Under 65 P.S. § 67.101, Lancaster County residents may invoke the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law to request access to public court records and to appeal any denial through the established administrative process.
Cities in Lancaster County
Lancaster County includes the city of Lancaster and numerous surrounding townships and boroughs. All family court cases for Lancaster County residents are filed at the Court of Common Pleas at 50 N. Duke Street.
Nearby Counties
Lancaster County is surrounded by several Pennsylvania counties in south-central Pennsylvania. Family court jurisdiction is determined by residence at the time of filing, so verify the correct county before requesting records or initiating new proceedings.