Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania Divorce Records
Westmoreland County divorce records are official documents that document the formal end of marriages in Westmoreland County, PA. These records are created by the Family Division of the Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas during divorce proceedings, and are maintained by the Westmoreland County Prothonotary's Office. Westmoreland divorce records have several uses; they serve as authoritative proof that a marriage is legally over. Hence, individuals can use divorce records to:
- Obtain a license to remarry.
- Revert to the maiden names (name change).
- Show compliance with settlement agreements during financial and property transactions.
- Update beneficiary designations in estate planning or adjust pension and retirement accounts.
Divorce in Westmoreland: In 2024, 31,639 of Westmoreland County's 350,935 residents were divorcees (the U.S. Census Bureau 2024 Community Survey Report). This figure comprises 15,066 males and 16,573 females, and accounted for 3.04% of the 1,043,212 divorced persons in Pennsylvania in 2024. The U.S. Census Bureau also reported that 1,640 males and 2,163 females were separated from their spouses.
Are Divorce Records Public in Westmoreland County?
Yes, divorce records are public in Westmoreland County, Westmoreland. In Westmoreland County, public access to divorce records is established by constitutional principles, common law, and judicial policy.
While Article I, Section 11 of the Pennsylvania Constitution and Common Law Right of Access (sources: the Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition Guide and the Reporter Committee for Freedom of Press) guarantee public right to access Westmoreland County divorce records and other official government documents, the Case Records Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania governs how individuals view and copy divorce records and other court-related documents.
Under Pennsylvania laws, access to Westmoreland County divorce records does not require an ID; anyone can visit the Westmoreland County Prothonotary's Office and request copies of public-facing divorce records, including divorce filings, motions, and final decrees. However, Pennsylvania's Public Access Policy does not permit unauthorized disclosure of sensitive documents, such as:
- Income and expense statements, tax returns, and detailed financial source statements
- Social Security and financial account numbers
- Medical and psychological records
- Minor children's details
- Certain property settlement agreements.
How to Find Divorce Records in Westmoreland County
Individuals seeking Westmoreland County divorce records can access them online or directly through the county’s prothonotary's office. Regardless of the method, access to divorce records in Westmoreland County requires a systematic approach. To access Westmoreland County divorce records:
- Gather the data that will aid the search for the specific divorce record, including:
- The full names of the parties involved in the divorce
- Approximate year of the divorce
- Case number (if known)
- Choose a search method (online or through the county’s prothonotary's office). For online search, log in to the Westmoreland County Prothonotary's Public Access website (iJEM), click “Public Search”, and accept the disclaimer to access the search portal. Individuals using this option to access divorce records should note that divorce and custody cases from 2018 to the present are not accessible through the Westmoreland County iJEM portal. For offline access, visit or send a written request to the Westmoreland County Prothonotary's Office at:
The Westmoreland County Courthouse
21 North Main Street, Suite 500,
Greensburg,
PA 15601
Phone: (724) 830-3502, (724) 830-3507
Mail request for a Westmoreland County divorce record should include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a money order (to cover applicable costs) payable to the Westmoreland County Prothonotary's Office.
| Method | Where to Go | Info Needed | Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Westmoreland County Prothonotary's Office iJEM Online Portal | Full name, date range, case number | Free | Instant |
| In Person | Westmoreland County Prothonotary's Office | Valid ID, case information | $0.75 per page $3.25 for a first page sent through email or fax, and $1.30 for each subsequent page $6.75 per certified certificate | Same day |
| By Mail | Westmoreland County Prothonotary's Office | Written request, payment | $23.00 | 1 to 3 weeks. |
Overview of the Westmoreland County Court System
In Westmoreland, the court system comprises the Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas and the Magisterial District Courts. Under Pennsylvania's judicial structure, Courts of Common Pleas have general jurisdiction over civil and criminal trials. The Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas has divisions that handle various types of cases, including a Family Court, which oversees divorce proceedings and other family matter-related trials within the county.
Individuals seeking access to Westmoreland family court divorce filings should contact the Westmoreland County Family Court or the Westmoreland County Prothonotary's Office using the following details:
Westmoreland County Family Court
Westmoreland County Courthouse,
2 North Main Street,
Greensburg,
PA 15601
Phone: (724) 830-3665
Westmoreland County Prothonotary's Office
Westmoreland County Courthouse
2 Main Street,
Greensburg,
PA 15601
Phone: (724) 830-3502
Online Access to Westmoreland County Divorce Records
The Westmoreland County Prothonotary's Office iJEM portal is the official resource for accessing the county’s divorce records online. This access tool allows users to find Westmoreland divorce records online using a date range as the search parameter. For a Westmoreland free online divorce lookup:
- Visit the Westmoreland County Prothonotary's Office Public Access website.
- Click the “Public Search” link.
- On the subsequent page, scroll down, tick the agreement box, and click “Accept” to link the search page.
- Click the last search option under the “New Search” header.
- Expand the “Case Sub Type” menu, locate, and tick “Divorce”.
- Enter a date range into the search tool or expand the calendar and select from the options.
- Click “Search” to submit the query.
- Review the result, identify the required name, and click the case number to reveal the divorce details.
Information seekers can also search for Westmoreland County's divorce records online using third-party resources. While these unofficial sources are alternative ways to find these records, users should note that they do not guarantee accurate, up-to-date, or complete records.
What’s Typically Included in a Westmoreland Divorce Record
The information displayed in a Westmoreland County divorce record depends on the requester; only the parties involved, court personnel, and attorneys of record can access full divorce case files. Nonetheless, individuals can access basic information contained in Westmoreland County divorce records. Consequently, a public-facing Westmoreland County divorce record displays:
- Names and addresses of the plaintiff and defendant
- Case/docket number
- Filing date
- The date the divorce became final
- Case type
- Docket entries
- Court orders and opinions
- Assigned judge.
For privacy and confidentiality, Pennsylvania restricts access to sensitive information in divorce records. Unauthorized persons cannot access:
- Social Security and driver’s license, and financial account numbers
- Income and expense statements
- Marital property inventories and pre-trial statements
- Medical and psychological records
- Minors' education records
- Financial source documents. For instance, tax returns
- Children and Youth Service (CYS) records.
| Information | Available to the Public? |
|---|---|
| Names of spouses | Yes |
| Divorce date | Yes |
| Case number | Yes |
| Custody arrangements | Sometimes restricted |
| Social Security Number | No |
| Medical and mental health records | No |
| Income and expense statements | No |
| Financial disclosures | No. |
How to Get Certified Copies of Westmoreland Divorce Records
There is a clear distinction between a certified copy of a Westmoreland County divorce record and an informational or verification copy of the same document. The difference is in their legal status and uses.
In Westmoreland County, certified divorce decrees are true photocopies of the original documents obtained from the Westmoreland County Prothonotary's Office. These versions of the documents bear the seal and stamp of the custodian agency, making them licit for administrative and legal purposes. Obtaining certified copies of Westmoreland County's divorce records requires identification, because these documents, because these are legally acceptable copies that only the subjects of the documents and authorized persons can access
In contrast, informational or plain copies of Westmoreland County's divorce records cannot be used for formal purposes because they do not bear the seal and stamp of the Westmoreland County Prothonotary's Office, and they lack official validation. Nonetheless, individuals can use them for personal purposes and genealogical research.
For an official divorce record copy in Westmoreland County, interested parties should mail their requests or visit the county’s Prothonotary Office at:
Westmoreland County Courthouse
2 Main Street,
Greensburg,
PA 15601.
Individuals seeking certified divorce decrees in Westmoreland County must provide valid government-issued identification documents. Additionally, a mail request for certified copies of Westmoreland divorce records should include a self-addressed stamped envelope and money order to cover applicable costs (the county's Prothonotary Office charges $23.00 for a divorce decree).
| Type of Copy | Use Case | Who Can Request | Legally Valid? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Copy | Remarriage, legal proceedings | Spouse, attorney, court | Yes |
| Informational Copy | Genealogy, general info | Anyone (if public) | No |
Westmoreland Divorce Records Summary
| Custodian | Available Record Type | Access Method | Fees & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westmoreland County Prothonotary's Office | Full case files, judgments | Public portal, mail, in person | Divorce decree - $23.00 Standard photocopies- $0.75 per page Email/Fax copy - $3.25 for the first page and an additional $1.30 for each subsequent page |
| Third-Party Websites | Compiled records | Paid online searches | Costs and accuracy may vary across platforms. |