Clinton County Public Records /Clinton County Divorce Records

Clinton County Divorce Records

How To Find a Divorce Record In Clinton County in 2026

ClintonPARecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Clinton County, Pennsylvania. Members of the public may find case numbers, filing dates, party names, final decrees, and related court documents. Available record categories include dissolution of marriage filings, final judgments, property settlement agreements, custody orders, and support determinations. Access and completeness of records may vary depending on the age of the case and applicable confidentiality provisions.

Divorce records in Clinton County may be searched through official court resources, the Clerk of Courts office, public access terminals at the courthouse, and online tools maintained by the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System. The following methods are available to members of the public seeking these records.

Online Searches

1. Clerk of Court Case Search

The Clinton County Court of Common Pleas maintains civil and family court case information accessible through the court's public scheduling and case portal. Members of the public may search by party name or case number at no charge for basic case information. Obtaining copies of filed documents may require payment of applicable fees.

Access the Clinton County Court of Common Pleas case schedules portal for civil and family division case information.
Basic case information is available at no charge.
Document copies require payment of applicable per-page fees.

2. State Court System Portal

The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System operates the Pennsylvania court case search portal, which allows members of the public to search docket information across all Pennsylvania courts of common pleas, including Clinton County. This consolidated database provides docket entries, case status, and party information.

3. State Vital Records

Pennsylvania does not issue divorce certificates through the Pennsylvania Department of Health in the same manner as birth or death certificates. Divorce decrees are maintained exclusively by the Clerk of Courts in the county where the divorce was filed. The Pennsylvania Department of Health vital records office provides guidance on obtaining divorce verifications, which are limited documents confirming that a divorce occurred.

In-Person Searches

Clerk of Courts — Clinton County Courthouse

Members of the public may visit the Clerk of Courts office to search case files, view documents, request certified copies, and use public access terminals with staff assistance.

Clinton County Clerk of Courts
230 East Water Street
Lock Haven, PA 17745
Phone: (570) 893-4010
Clinton County Court of Common Pleas

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Services available in person:
- Case file searches by party name or case number
- Review of filed documents at public access terminals
- Requests for certified copies of final decrees and orders
- Staff assistance for locating archived or older case files

By Mail

Members of the public may submit written requests for divorce records by mail to the Clerk of Courts office.

Written Request — Mail To:

Clinton County Clerk of Courts
230 East Water Street
Lock Haven, PA 17745

Include the following with any written request:

Full legal names of both parties (including maiden names if applicable)
Approximate date of divorce or filing
Case number, if known
Requestor's full name and contact information
Purpose of the request, if required
Payment for applicable copy fees
A self-addressed stamped envelope for return of documents

Processing time for mailed requests is typically one to two weeks, depending on case volume and whether records require retrieval from archives.

By Phone

The Clerk of Courts office may confirm limited information by telephone, including whether a case exists, the assigned case number, current case status, and the original filing date. Staff are not able to provide detailed document contents, copies of filed documents, or confidential case information by phone.

Clerk of Courts Phone: (570) 893-4010

Through Attorneys

An attorney licensed in Pennsylvania may access divorce case files on behalf of a client, request documents, and in appropriate circumstances petition the court for access to sealed or restricted records. Members of the public seeking assistance with complex record searches may consult the Pennsylvania Bar Association's lawyer referral service.

Information Needed for Search

To conduct an effective search, the following information is essential:

Full legal names of both spouses at the time of filing
Maiden names, if applicable
Approximate date of divorce or date the petition was filed
Case number, if previously obtained

The following additional information may assist in locating records:

Date and location of marriage
Previous addresses in Clinton County
Names of children, if any
Names of attorneys of record, if known

Search in Correct County

Under Pennsylvania law, a divorce action is filed in the county where either spouse resides at the time of filing. Members of the public who are uncertain of the filing county may need to search multiple counties. The county where the marriage ceremony occurred is not necessarily the county where the divorce was filed. Pursuant to 23 Pa. C.S. § 3104, venue for divorce proceedings lies in the county of residence of either party.

Pennsylvania requires that at least one spouse have been a bona fide resident of the Commonwealth for a minimum of six months prior to filing for divorce.

Time Considerations

Recent divorce cases may not appear in online systems immediately following a final hearing. Members of the public should allow several business days to several weeks for records to be processed and indexed after a final decree is entered. Older divorce records, particularly those predating electronic filing systems, may be archived in paper format and may require additional retrieval time. Cases filed prior to the implementation of electronic records may not be fully digitized and may require an in-person or written request.

What If You Cannot Find a Record

Common reasons a divorce record may not be located include:

The divorce was filed in a different county
Name variations between married and maiden names, or spelling differences
The case has not yet been finalized and remains pending
Very old records stored in off-site archives
The case has been sealed by court order

If a record cannot be located, members of the public may contact the Clerk of Courts at (570) 893-4010, attempt alternate name spellings, search under both spouses' names, check the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal, or consult a licensed Pennsylvania attorney.

What Are Clinton County Divorce Records?

Clinton County divorce records are official court documents generated during and after divorce proceedings filed in the Clinton County Court of Common Pleas. These records constitute part of the family law court file and are maintained by the Clerk of Courts as the primary custodian. Divorce records serve as the legal documentation of the dissolution of a marriage and encompass all pleadings, orders, agreements, and judgments entered in a given case.

Types of Divorce Records

Court Case Files include the full set of documents filed with the court throughout the divorce proceeding:

Petition for divorce or complaint in divorce
Response or answer filed by the respondent
Financial affidavits and disclosure statements
Parenting plans and custody agreements
Property settlement agreements
Motions, briefs, and court orders
Transcripts of court hearings
Final decree of divorce

The Final Decree of Divorce is the official court order that legally dissolves the marriage. It establishes the date of dissolution, the division of marital property, any alimony or spousal support obligations, child custody and visitation arrangements, child support orders, and any court-approved name changes. Certified copies of the final decree are available through the Clerk of Courts.

Supporting Documents filed as part of the case record may include the original marriage certificate, financial disclosure documents, property inventories, appraisals, parenting plan details, and any post-divorce modification orders.

Purpose of Divorce Records

Divorce records serve numerous legal and personal purposes, including:

Providing proof of marital status for remarriage
Supporting name change documentation
Facilitating property transfers and estate planning
Documenting legal status for immigration proceedings
Establishing eligibility for Social Security or pension benefits
Supporting genealogical and family history research

Legal Framework

Divorce proceedings in Pennsylvania are governed by the Divorce Code, 23 Pa. C.S. § 3101 et seq., which establishes the grounds for divorce, procedural requirements, and the legal standards for property division, support, and custody. The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq., governs public access to government records, including court records, subject to applicable exemptions for sensitive personal information.

Are Clinton County Divorce Records Public?

Divorce records filed in Clinton County are public court records subject to the presumption of public access under Pennsylvania law. Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, court orders, and final decrees. However, certain categories of information within divorce case files are restricted or redacted to protect sensitive personal and financial data.

What Is Public

The following information is accessible to members of the general public:

Case number and filing date
Names of the parties (petitioner and respondent)
Names of attorneys of record
Court hearing dates and scheduled events
Court orders and judgments, including the final divorce decree
Property division orders
General case status and docket entries

What May Be Restricted

Financial Information: Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and credit card numbers are redacted from publicly accessible documents pursuant to Pennsylvania court rules. Detailed financial statements and tax returns may be subject to limited access.

Children's Information: The names and addresses of minor children, the schools they attend, medical information, psychological evaluations, child custody evaluations, and guardian ad litem reports may be restricted or sealed to protect the welfare of minor children.

Sensitive Personal Information: Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence, mental health records, medical records, substance abuse treatment information, and personal addresses in cases involving protective orders may be withheld from public access.

Sealed Records: A court may seal an entire case file or specific documents upon a showing of good cause. Cases involving abuse, high-profile parties, or confidential settlements may be subject to sealing orders.

Who Can Access Records

General public: May access most case information, view docket summaries, and obtain copies of public documents upon payment of applicable fees. Photo identification may be required.
Parties to the case: Have full access to their own case file, including documents that may be restricted from general public access.
Attorneys: Have professional access to case files and may petition the court for access to sealed documents upon an appropriate showing.
Researchers and media: May access public portions of case files; access to sealed records requires court authorization and may implicate First Amendment considerations.

Prohibited Uses of Divorce Records

Members of the public who obtain divorce records may not use them for stalking, harassment, identity theft, fraudulent purposes, or in violation of any protective order. Permitted uses include legal proceedings, background research, genealogical research, news reporting, academic research, and personal verification of divorce status.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Clinton County?

The Clinton County Clerk of Courts charges standard fees for copying and certifying divorce records. Current fees applicable to divorce record requests are as follows:

Service	Fee
Copies of filed documents	$0.25 per page
Certified copy of final decree	$5.00 per document (plus per-page copy fee)
Certification fee	$5.00
Search fee	No separate search fee for in-person requests

Inspection of public records at the courthouse is available at no charge.
Electronic copies, where available through the court's online portal, may be accessed at no charge for basic docket information; document downloads may incur fees.
Accepted payment methods at the Clerk of Courts office include cash, check, and money order made payable to the Clinton County Clerk of Courts. Members of the public should confirm current accepted payment methods prior to submitting a request.
Fee waivers may be available for indigent parties upon submission of an in forma pauperis petition approved by the court.
Fees for court records in Pennsylvania are governed by applicable court rules and the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.1307, which establishes the framework for fees charged by agencies for public records.

What's Included in Divorce Records in Clinton County

A complete Clinton County divorce case file contains all documents filed with the Court of Common Pleas from the initiation of the proceeding through final judgment and any post-judgment actions. The contents of a divorce case file are organized chronologically and indexed by document type.

Basic Case Information

The case caption identifies the case number, the name of the court and division, the names of the petitioner and respondent, the judge assigned to the matter, and the attorneys of record. Filing information includes the date the petition was filed, the filing fees paid, the case type, and the basis for the court's jurisdiction.

Initial Pleadings

The Complaint in Divorce or Petition for Divorce sets forth the petitioner's identifying information, the respondent's identifying information, the date and location of the marriage, the date of separation if applicable, the grounds for divorce, information regarding any children of the marriage, claims regarding marital property, and the relief requested. Pennsylvania recognizes both no-fault divorce based on irretrievable breakdown of the marriage and fault-based grounds under 23 Pa. C.S. § 3301. The respondent's answer or counter-complaint sets forth the respondent's position, admissions or denials, and any affirmative requests for relief.

Financial Affidavits and Discovery Documents

Both parties are required to submit financial affidavits disclosing income from all sources, monthly expenses, assets including real property, vehicles, bank accounts, investment and retirement accounts, and personal property, as well as all liabilities. Discovery documents may include tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, investment account statements, retirement account statements, business financial records, written interrogatories and answers, and requests for production of documents.

Property-Related Documents

The marital asset inventory identifies and values all real property, vehicles, financial accounts, retirement accounts, business interests, and personal property subject to equitable distribution. The debt inventory identifies all mortgages, vehicle loans, credit card obligations, personal loans, and other liabilities. Appraisals, business valuations, and expert reports on asset values may also be included in the case file.

Children-Related Documents

Where the parties have minor children, the case file includes a parenting plan establishing legal and physical custody, a detailed timesharing schedule including regular, holiday, summer, and vacation provisions, transportation arrangements, and provisions for decision-making regarding education, healthcare, religion, and extracurricular activities. Child support calculation worksheets, income information for both parties, health insurance and childcare cost documentation, and the child support order are also part of the record. Custody evaluations, home studies, and guardian ad litem reports, where ordered by the court, are included but may be subject to restricted access.

Support Documents

Alimony or spousal support provisions, where applicable, identify the type of support ordered, the amount and duration, the payment schedule, modification and termination conditions, and applicable tax treatment. Calculation worksheets reflecting each party's income, standard of living during the marriage, and need and ability to pay are included in the file.

Settlement Documents

A Marital Settlement Agreement, where the parties resolve issues by agreement, is a comprehensive document addressing property division, debt allocation, spousal support, child-related provisions, tax matters, and attorney fee allocation. Mediation agreements, where the parties participated in mediation, may be incorporated into the settlement agreement or filed separately.

Court Orders and Final Judgment

Temporary orders entered during the pendency of the case may address temporary custody, temporary support, temporary use of marital property, and temporary restraining orders. The Final Decree of Divorce is the court's conclusive order dissolving the marriage, setting forth findings of fact, conclusions of law, the equitable distribution of marital assets and debts, spousal support orders, child custody and support orders, any approved name restoration, and the judge's signature and court seal. Where retirement accounts are divided, a Qualified Domestic Relations Order is filed as a separate court order directing the plan administrator to divide the benefit.

Post-Judgment Documents

Post-judgment filings may include petitions to modify custody or support, court orders on modification requests, contempt motions alleging non-compliance with court orders, income deduction orders, and enforcement actions.

What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed

The following categories of information are redacted or restricted from public access within divorce case files:

Social Security numbers and financial account numbers
Children's residential addresses and school information
Domestic violence details and related evidence
Mental health and substance abuse evaluation records
Trade secrets contained in business valuations
Mediation communications, which are confidential under Pennsylvania law
Settlement negotiations not incorporated into filed documents

How to Get Proof of Divorce in Clinton County?

Proof of divorce in Clinton County is obtained through a certified copy of the Final Decree of Divorce issued by the Clinton County Clerk of Courts. A certified copy bears the court's official seal and the clerk's certification, making it legally acceptable for remarriage, name change, immigration, Social Security, and other official purposes.

Members of the public may obtain a certified copy of a divorce decree through the following methods:

In Person: Visit the Clinton County Clerk of Courts at 230 East Water Street, Lock Haven, PA 17745, during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). Provide the names of both parties and the approximate date of divorce or case number. Pay the applicable certification and copy fees.

By Mail: Submit a written request to the Clerk of Courts at the address above, including the names of both parties, the approximate date of divorce, the case number if known, a check or money order for applicable fees, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Online: Basic case information and docket entries may be accessed through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal. Certified copies are not available through the online portal and must be obtained directly from the Clerk of Courts.

Clinton County Clerk of Courts
230 East Water Street
Lock Haven, PA 17745
Phone: (570) 893-4010
Clinton County Courts

For individuals who need verification that a divorce occurred but do not require a full certified copy, the Pennsylvania Department of Health provides a divorce verification service for divorces granted in Pennsylvania.

Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Clinton County?

Divorce proceedings in Clinton County are presumptively public, but Pennsylvania law and court rules permit certain records or entire case files to be sealed under defined circumstances.

The following categories of information or records may be treated as confidential:

Sealed by court order: A party may petition the Court of Common Pleas to seal specific documents or an entire case file upon a demonstrated showing of good cause, such as the presence of sensitive personal information, ongoing safety concerns, or the involvement of minor children whose welfare requires protection.
Domestic violence cases: Where a party has obtained a Protection From Abuse order or where domestic violence allegations are central to the case, the court may restrict public access to addresses, contact information, and related evidence to protect the safety of the victim.
Mental health and medical records: Records pertaining to mental health evaluations, substance abuse treatment, and medical conditions are restricted from general public access under applicable state and federal privacy laws, including HIPAA.
Children's information: Custody evaluations, guardian ad litem reports, and identifying information about minor children may be sealed or redacted to protect the children's welfare.
Mediation records: Communications made during court-ordered mediation are confidential under Pennsylvania law and are not part of the public court record.
Confidential settlements: Terms of settlement that the parties agree to keep confidential may be incorporated by reference into the final decree without being disclosed in full in the public record.

Members of the public seeking access to sealed records must file a motion with the court and demonstrate a legitimate legal basis for access.

How Long Does Clinton County Keep Divorce Records?

Clinton County maintains divorce records in accordance with Pennsylvania's judicial records retention schedules established by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts.

Retention periods for divorce records in Clinton County are as follows:

Final decrees and judgments: Retained permanently. Final divorce decrees are considered permanent court records and are not subject to destruction.
Complete case files (contested divorces): Retained for a minimum of 20 years following the close of the case, after which records may be transferred to archival storage or microfilmed.
Uncontested divorce case files: Retained for a minimum of 10 years following the close of the case.
Financial affidavits and discovery documents: Retained as part of the case file for the applicable retention period; may be purged from the active file after a set number of years while the final decree is retained permanently.
Post-judgment modification orders: Retained as part of the case file and subject to the same retention schedule as the original case.
Archived records: Older records that have been transferred to archival storage may require additional retrieval time and may not be available through the online case portal.

Members of the public seeking records from cases that may have been archived should contact the Clinton County Clerk of Courts directly at (570) 893-4010 to confirm availability and retrieval procedures. Pennsylvania's judicial records retention policies are administered pursuant to the Pennsylvania Rules of Judicial Administration, Rule 507, which governs the retention and disposition of court records statewide.

Lookup Divorce Records in Clinton County

Clinton County Court of Common Pleas — civil case schedules and family division case information