Divorce records in Butler County, Pennsylvania, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, the court that issued the decree, the county offices, and the state vital records office. ButlerPACourt.us can help you find publicly available divorce record information for Butler County. You can also contact the Butler County Court of Common Pleas, the Prothonotary's office, or the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records for additional access to divorce documents and certificates.
Butler Divorce Records Search
In Pennsylvania, divorce records are maintained at two levels: the county court where the divorce was granted and the state vital records office. In Butler County, the Court of Common Pleas handles all divorce cases, and the Prothonotary's office serves as the official custodian of civil court records, including divorce decrees, settlement agreements, custody orders, and related filings.
The Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records (part of the Department of Health) maintains divorce certificates — shorter documents that confirm a divorce occurred, listing the parties' names, date, and county. These certificates cover divorces from 1946 to the present.
What the Butler County divorce records collection typically includes:
- Divorce decrees and final orders
- Divorce complaints and petitions
- Property settlement agreements
- Custody and support orders
- Related motions and court filings
Butler County Prothonotary
You can also search for Butler County court case docket information through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal, which allows public searches by name or docket number.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Butler
Understanding where divorce records are filed helps you contact the right office the first time.
Butler County Court of Common Pleas — Civil Division
All divorce cases in Butler County are filed in and decided by the Court of Common Pleas, which is the trial-level court in Pennsylvania. After a divorce decree is entered by a judge, the final order and all associated documents remain on file with the Prothonotary's office at the courthouse.
Contact the Prothonotary if you need:
- A copy of the actual divorce decree or court order
- Settlement agreements or property division documents
- Custody or support orders filed as part of the divorce
- Any pleadings or motions from the case file
Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records
The state vital records office maintains divorce certificates (not full court files) for divorces finalized in Pennsylvania from 1946 onward. A divorce certificate is a standardized document confirming the divorce took place — useful for remarriage, name changes, or benefits applications.
Contact the Division of Vital Records if you need:
- A certified divorce certificate (verification that a divorce occurred)
- A divorce record for a case where you do not know the exact county
If you're unsure which office to start with, a good rule of thumb: go to the Prothonotary for the detailed court file, and go to the state for a simple certificate confirming the divorce.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Butler
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Prothonotary — uncertified copy of court document | $0.25 per page | Same day if requested in person |
| Prothonotary — certified copy of divorce decree | $5.00–$6.00 per document | Same day to several business days |
| PA Division of Vital Records — divorce certificate search | $20.00 | 4–6 weeks by mail |
| PA Division of Vital Records — additional copy (same order) | $10.00 | Included with initial order |