How to find divorce records without knowing the county?

Submitted by ViciousSquid t3_11sa6aa in Pennsylvania

My mom is trying to get a copy of her divorce records from the early 90s, but she doesn't know which county her ex-husband filed it in. (TIL you can file your divorce in any ol' county.)

Has anyone been in this situation? The records for this are at a county level, and it didn't seem like there were any resources for this on a state level. And I'm not sure if those random online record search sites will be helpful. Thanks in advance!

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cecls t1_jccp98e wrote

For some counties, there are online portals and you can just type in her name and see if there is a divorce record. Those are helpful if and only if one of those counties had jurisdiction. For example: https://proportal.cambriacountypa.gov/civil.publicsearch/(S(kf3ef14n3ok0y1ysvdrebq2m))/Default.aspx.

I would touch base with the prothonotary for the counties, though. They should be able to help. https://www.pacourts.us/courts/courts-of-common-pleas/prothonotaries

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ViciousSquid OP t1_jccptdg wrote

Thanks! I will start just browsing to see if there are any quick search options. Unfortunately, she has no idea which county to start, so I was hoping not to contact every single one. My mom was not involved in the filing, and apparently the ex "saw a newspaper ad" and filed with a random county to save money.

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just_play_one_on_tv t1_jccvwu4 wrote

Just an FYI - that random county is typically Potter County. That's where mine came from when it wasn't in person.

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ViciousSquid OP t1_jccw6ka wrote

Oh wow, their website is really...something. Thank you!

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just_play_one_on_tv t1_jccy2iu wrote

You're welcome. I really feel that's the best place to start, as they run a lot of "$400 quick and easy divorce" ads.

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RealLeanNight t1_jccpzig wrote

If there was any transfer of real estate in the divorce decree it will be cross recorded in the county that the property is in.

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ViciousSquid OP t1_jccq9yv wrote

Interesting, thanks!

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RealLeanNight t1_jccr03f wrote

Run their names in both the clerk of courts and recorder of deeds. The clerk may have the full docket or the recorder of deeds may have just the final order or decree of distribution.

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the_dorf t1_jcd691u wrote

Potter county is your best bet if it was a "no-fault" and just want the cheapest way out. But with children and/or assets involved, it's easier to settle in the same county as where the divorce occurred at.

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tinymonesters t1_jcf0cxx wrote

Cameron was too. I'm not sure if it changed but it would cost more in gas money than filing fees unless you were pretty close to begin with.

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TSUTigers95 t1_jccp6ax wrote

Contact the lawyer who filed the papers

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ViciousSquid OP t1_jccpvp8 wrote

Unfortunately we don't have this info either, but good suggestion!

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TSUTigers95 t1_jccq103 wrote

What about her ex husband? Is she in contact with him to find out if possible?

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