Where to File Your Paperwork in Philadelphia County?
To start your divorce in Philadelphia County, you must file your paperwork with the Office of Judicial Records (formerly the Prothonotary). In Philadelphia, the Family Court is centralized in one building, so your filing and your potential hearings will typically occur at the same location.
Address: 1501 Arch Street, 11th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Phone: (215) 686-4000
Business Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where to File: Submit your divorce complaint and all supporting documents at the Clerk’s office on the 11th floor of the Family Court building.
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Divorce Requirements: Do You Qualify?
To file for divorce in Philadelphia County, you or your spouse must have lived in Pennsylvania for at least six months immediately before filing. This isn’t just a minor suggestion; it is a strict legal requirement. While you generally file in the county where one of you lives, you can file in Philadelphia even if neither of you resides there, provided you both agree to it in writing and meet the state’s residency rules. Instead, it’s more of a mutual decision that gives you flexibility on where to handle your case.
Using online divorce services makes your divorce process much easier. We help you follow these local rules and ensure your paperwork is ready for the Philadelphia County court system.
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Filing for an Uncontested Divorce (When Both Spouses Agree)
An uncontested divorce (a “Mutual Consent” divorce) is the most efficient way to end a marriage in Pennsylvania. This process is governed by 23 Pa. C.S. § 3301(c), allowing you to bypass long court battles.
The process follows these simple steps:
- File the Complaint: You begin by filing a “Notice to Defend and Divorce Complaint” at 1501 Arch Street. The current filing fee in Philadelphia is approximately $333.73 (subject to change and additional fees for custody claims).
- Serve Your Spouse: You must officially notify your spouse. If they are cooperative, they can sign an Acceptance of Service form, which removes the need for a professional process server.
- The 90-Day Waiting Period: Pennsylvania law requires a mandatory 90-day “cooling off” period that begins once your spouse is served.
- File Affidavits of Consent: After the 90 days, both parties sign a sworn Affidavit of Consent confirming the marriage is irretrievably broken and you both want the divorce.
- Request the Decree: You file the final “Praecipe to Transmit Record.” A judge will review the file and sign your Divorce Decree, usually without requiring a court appearance.
Pro Tip: You can use the 90-day waiting period to finalize a written property settlement agreement. Having this contract ready before the 90 days are up ensures a smoother transition for dividing assets like homes or bank accounts.
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Common Philadelphia County Divorce Forms You Will Need
The Philadelphia Family Court requires a specific set of forms to process your case. These include:
- Notice to Defend and Divorce Complaint: The initial legal document.
- Verification: A sworn statement that the complaint is truthful.
- Domestic Relations Cover Sheet: A mandatory summary for the Philadelphia court system.
- Affidavit of Service: Legal proof that your spouse received the papers.
- Affidavit of Consent: Signed by both spouses after the 90-day wait.
- Waiver of Notice: Allows the court to finalize the divorce without extra “intent to file” warnings.
- Praecipe to Transmit Record: The final formal request for a judge to sign the decree.
If you have minor children, you will also need:
- Criminal Record/Abuse History Verification: Required for any case involving custody.
- Proposed Custody Order: Outlining your parenting plan.
- Confidential Information Form: To protect Social Security numbers and sensitive data.
You can find official Philadelphia Family Court forms on the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania website. Always confirm you have the most recent versions before heading to the 11th floor.
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Divorce Filing Fees and Costs
As of 2026, the base fee to file a divorce complaint in Philadelphia is $333.73. In fact, though we’ll keep saying that Philadelphia does not accept personal checks or cash, you must typically pay via money order, credit card, or debit card. If you have a low income and cannot afford these costs, you may file a Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (IFP) to ask the court to waive the filing fees for the rest-and, in some ways, make the process more accessible.
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