In the state of Pennsylvania, divorce records are managed and disseminated by the courthouse in the county where the divorce was granted. By law, these divorces decrees are public record and can be made available to interested members of the public upon request.
Certified copies of a divorce decree can be obtained at the Allegheny County Department of Court records. Consult instructions, fees, and hours. Divorce pleadings are filed at Allegheny County Department of Court Records, (not the Allegheny County Family Division).
Call the Allegheny County Department of Court Records at (412) 350-4201 and tell them you're looking for information on a legal name change. They will describe the entire process to you, including estimated costs, and mail you the necessary forms. As of September 2017, these are the name change petition forms.
Couples in Pennsylvania cannot be “legally separated” because there is no legal status for separated but still married couples. If a couple wants to separate and have it enforced by the law, they must be eligible for and obtain a divorce.
Certified copies of a divorce decree can be obtained at the Allegheny County Department of Court records. Consult instructions, fees, and hours. Divorce pleadings are filed at Allegheny County Department of Court Records, (not the Allegheny County Family Division).