Civil lawsuits occur when individuals have a disagreement involving what legal responsibilities they may or may not have with each other. Criminal lawsuits, however, involve felonies and misdemeanors — specific crimes with punishment attached.
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.
Name Change Due to Marriage Pennsylvania does not require a name change for marriage. If the applicant wishes to change his/her name after marriage, certified copies of the marriage record will be required in order to change your driver's license and social security card.
You start a lawsuit by filing a complaint. In some circumstances, you file a petition or a motion. The court has several complaint forms that you may use in drafting your complaint. The forms are available online and at the Pro Se Intake Unit.
You can get the form from the Prothonotary (the clerk of the civil part of the Common Pleas Court). Appendix A shows a Notice of Appeal. Once you have filled out the Notice of Appeal, you must file it with the Prothonotary in the Common Pleas Court where the office of the District Justice is located.
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).
PITTSBURGH — District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala, Jr.
Jennifer Satler is a judge of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas in Pennsylvania. She assumed office in 2014. Her current term ends on January 2, 2034.