Pennsylvania Divorce Forms — Complete Guide (2026)

One of the most confusing parts of handling your own divorce is figuring out which forms you need. Pennsylvania uses standardized statewide divorce forms, but individual counties may have additional requirements or preferred local versions.

This page explains exactly which forms you need, where to get them, and how they work together.

Disclaimer: Form requirements can vary by county. Always confirm requirements with your county Prothonotary before filing.

The Short Answer: Use pacourts.us

The most important thing to know: pacourts.us/learn/representing-yourself is the official Pennsylvania Courts self-help resource. It provides free, court-approved divorce forms for all standard situations, updated regularly.

Pennsylvania uses standardized statewide divorce forms. Your county courthouse may also have a self-help center where staff (though not attorneys) can help you identify the correct forms.

PACFile (pacourts.us/pacfile) allows you to file documents online in most counties, including paying fees by card.

Which Set of Forms Do You Need?

Core Forms Breakdown — Mutual Consent Divorce

Starting the Case

Complaint in Divorce The document that opens your case. Filed with the Prothonotary at the Court of Common Pleas. This is the formal legal document starting the divorce proceeding.

What it includes:

• Both spouses' full legal names and addresses
• Confirmation of Pennsylvania residency (6 months)
• Date of marriage and date of separation
• Grounds for divorce (irretrievable breakdown)
• What you are requesting: divorce, equitable distribution claim (or incorporation of MSA), name change, etc.

Critical note: If you want the court to divide your marital property, you must include an equitable distribution claim in the Complaint (or as a counter-claim). If you plan to resolve property in an MSA instead, attach the MSA and request its incorporation. Do not finalize the divorce without addressing property or you permanently waive those rights.

Notice to Defend and Claim Rights Required to be served on the defendant along with the Complaint. This notice informs your spouse of their rights in the proceeding — including the right to claim equitable distribution, alimony, and custody if they have not already done so.

This is a standard form included in the divorce packet from pacourts.us.

Serving Your Spouse

Acceptance of Service Your spouse signs this form voluntarily, confirming they received the Complaint and the Notice to Defend, and waiving formal service. This is the simplest approach in an agreed divorce — no sheriff, no certified mail, no cost.

The Acceptance of Service must reference your docket number, so your spouse cannot sign it until after you have filed.

Affidavit of Service Filed with the Prothonotary to confirm your spouse has been served. For Acceptance of Service, this is completed when your spouse signs. For formal service (sheriff, mail), the process server or postal receipt provides proof.

During the Case

Income and Expense Statement Both the plaintiff and defendant must complete and file this financial disclosure form. It lists income from all sources, monthly expenses, assets, and debts. Required in all Pennsylvania divorces regardless of whether property division is contested.

File with the Prothonotary and exchange with the other party.

Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) Not a court form per se, but the most important document in an uncontested divorce. The MSA is a contract between both spouses that resolves all financial matters — property division, debt assignment, alimony, and (if applicable) custody and support.

A well-drafted MSA is incorporated into the Final Decree, making it enforceable as a court order.

You can draft an MSA yourself using a template, use an online service, or have an attorney draft it. Given how important this document is, professional review is strongly recommended if any significant assets are involved.

Finalizing the Divorce

Affidavit of Consent — Plaintiff's Version Signed by the person who filed (the plaintiff) after 90 days have passed from the date of service. Confirms the plaintiff consents to the divorce and acknowledges the marriage is irretrievably broken.

Filed with the Prothonotary.

Affidavit of Consent — Defendant's Version Signed by the other spouse (the defendant) also after the 90-day period. Same content as the plaintiff's form — consent to divorce, acknowledgment of irretrievable breakdown.

Filed with the Prothonotary. Both affidavits must be filed before proceeding.

Praecipe to Transmit Record A short form filed after both Affidavits of Consent are in the record. This asks the Prothonotary to transmit the case file to the judge for final processing and issuance of the decree.

In most counties, this is the last thing you file before the Final Decree is issued.

Final Decree in Divorce The official court order that ends the marriage. Signed by the judge. Incorporates your MSA if one was filed. Once issued, you are legally divorced.

Request certified copies from the Prothonotary when you pick up the decree — you'll need them for every name change and account update that follows.

Additional Forms — With Children

Complaint in Divorce (with Custody/Support Claims) If you have minor children, your Complaint should include claims for legal and physical custody, and child support — unless these are fully resolved in your MSA.

Custody Agreement / Parenting Plan Details the legal custody arrangement (who makes major decisions), the physical custody/parenting time schedule, holiday schedule, and other parenting terms. Incorporated into the divorce order.

Child Support Order Formalizes the child support obligation. Pennsylvania uses an "income shares" model — both parents' incomes and the number of overnights factor into the calculation. Use the Pennsylvania Child Support Calculator at humanservices.pa.gov to estimate the amount.

Support Wage Attachment Order When child support is ordered, a wage attachment (like Texas's income withholding order) is typically required — it directs the paying parent's employer to deduct support from each paycheck. Required in virtually all Pennsylvania child support orders.

Medical Support Provisions Specifies which parent carries health insurance for the children and how uninsured medical expenses are divided. Often incorporated directly into the support order.

Forms for Two-Year Separation Divorce

The initial filing forms are largely the same — Complaint in Divorce, Notice to Defend. Key differences:

Affidavit Regarding Separation Filed by the plaintiff confirming the parties have lived separate and apart for at least 2 full years. Documents the separation date and confirms the grounds.

No defendant's Affidavit of Consent is required — that's the whole point of the two-year separation path. The plaintiff proceeds unilaterally.

Praecipe to Transmit Record Same as mutual consent — filed after the required period has passed to request the Final Decree.

Where to Get Pennsylvania Divorce Forms

Free Sources

pacourts.us/learn/representing-yourself — Best overall source

• Complete form packets for each situation
• Court-approved, updated regularly
• Free, no account required
• Plain-English instructions included

Your County Court of Common Pleas Self-Help Center

• Many courthouses have a self-help room with forms and guidance
• Staff cannot give legal advice but can help you identify the right forms
• Check your county's court website for location and hours

Your County Prothonotary's Website

• Some counties post their own preferred local versions of forms
• Worth checking before you file to confirm no county-specific requirements
• Philadelphia: courts.phila.gov
• Allegheny: county.allegheny.pa.us
• Montgomery: montcopa.org

palawhelp.org — Pennsylvania Legal Aid

• Free help for those who qualify
• Can connect you with a pro bono attorney for form review

Paid Sources (If You Want Help Completing Forms)

Hello Divorce — hellodivorcetx.com Flat fee service. Software guides you through the forms with access to specialists.

Online Divorce — onlinedivorce.com Starting at $139. Generates completed divorce forms based on your answers.

3StepDivorce — 3stepdivorce.com Flat fee for uncontested divorces. Simple and straightforward.

LegalZoom — legalzoom.com $200–$500 depending on complexity. Includes document review options.

Tips for Completing Forms Correctly

Leave no blanks. Write "N/A" or "None" if something doesn't apply. Blank fields cause rejections.

Use full legal names. Names must match exactly as they appear on your marriage certificate and ID.

Be specific about property. In the MSA, don't say "the car" — say "2021 Honda CR-V, VIN [number]." Vague descriptions cause disputes.

Check the revision date. Make sure forms you download are current. Outdated forms may be rejected.

Make copies before filing. Keep at least 3 copies of everything — one for your records, one for your spouse, one working copy.

Confirm county requirements. Call your Prothonotary to confirm there are no local forms or requirements not listed on the state website. Five minutes on the phone can save multiple wasted trips.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to notarize any forms? The Acceptance of Service typically requires notarization. The Affidavits of Consent also require notarization or acknowledgment before a notary or court officer. Check each form's instructions carefully.

Can I handwrite the forms or do they need to be typed? Typed forms are preferred and look more professional. Neatly handwritten forms in blue or black ink are generally accepted. If using PDFs, the fillable fields make typing easy.

What if I can't find a form for my specific situation? Call your county Prothonotary. They handle this question regularly. You can also call or email the Pennsylvania Courts' self-help line via pacourts.us.

Do I file all forms at once? No — forms are filed in stages. The Complaint is filed at the start. The Income and Expense Statement is filed and exchanged during the process. The Affidavits of Consent and Praecipe are filed at the end of the 90-day period. The MSA should be filed before or at the time of the Praecipe.

What if my forms are rejected? The Prothonotary will tell you why. Common reasons: missing information, wrong form version, missing county-specific cover sheet, or missing notarization. Correct and refile — it adds time but doesn't end your case.

Last reviewed: March 2026 | Form requirements can change. Always verify with pacourts.us and your county Prothonotary for the most current versions.

Last reviewed: March 2026 · Verify current fees and forms with your local court before filing.