Pennsylvania divorce at a glance
Official source: Pennsylvania court forms & self-help. Always confirm current forms and fees with the court before filing.
How to file for divorce in Pennsylvania: step by step
Pennsylvania’s simplest no-fault path is a mutual-consent divorce: file, wait 90 days, then both sign consent affidavits. Here is what to expect.
- Confirm you can file in Pennsylvania
One spouse must have lived in Pennsylvania for 6 months. The easiest no-fault path is mutual consent (§ 3301(c)); the alternative is a one-year separation (§ 3301(d)).Source: 23 Pa.C.S. § 3301 - File the Divorce Complaint
Prepare and file the Divorce Complaint (the statewide Rule 1920 no-fault form set) with the Court of Common Pleas, and pay the fee (roughly $170–$350) or file an In Forma Pauperis petition.Source: Pa.R.C.P. 1920; Pa.R.C.P. 240 (IFP) - Serve your spouse
Serve the complaint on your spouse (Pennsylvania has specific service rules — often by mail with an acceptance).Source: Pa.R.C.P. 1930.4 - Wait 90 days, then sign the consent affidavits
For a mutual-consent divorce, wait 90 days from service, then both spouses sign Affidavits of Consent.Source: 23 Pa.C.S. § 3301(c) - Handle support (usually separate)
Child and spousal support in Pennsylvania usually run as a separate action through the county Domestic Relations Section, not inside the divorce decree.Source: Pa.R.C.P. 1910 - Submit the praecipe and get your decree
File the praecipe to transmit the record with a proposed decree; the court enters your Divorce Decree.Source: Divorce Decree
What does filing “pro se” (without a lawyer) mean in Pennsylvania?
Pro se — also called self-represented — means you handle your own divorce without hiring an attorney. Check the linked court resources for the self-represented filing paths and forms available where you will file. Local requirements and the issues in your case determine which documents you need.
Filing pro se is usually a good fit when: you both agree on the divorce, you can agree on splitting property and debts, and any parenting time and support are worked out. It’s worth talking to a lawyer when: you disagree about custody or money, one spouse hides assets or won’t cooperate, there’s a business or significant property to divide, or there has been any abuse.
LawCat helps you organize your case information and find official court resources. Available generated drafts depend on your state and case path; review the court’s complete checklist before filing.
Child support resources for Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania child support calculator → An itemized estimate from Pennsylvania’s official guideline, figures effective 2026-01-01. The court’s worksheet controls.
Use the current official worksheet and instructions for your case. Income definitions, parenting arrangements, deductions, other obligations and additional expenses can affect the result. A simple percentage of the higher earner’s income does not establish an obligation.
Official court forms and guidance →
How long does a Pennsylvania divorce take?
For a mutual-consent divorce, a 90-day waiting period runs from when the complaint is served before both spouses sign their consent affidavits. After that, the timeline depends on the court’s calendar and how quickly each step is completed. An uncontested, pro-se divorce is typically the fastest path — most of the wait is the statutory period, not paperwork.
Common reasons Pennsylvania divorce filings get rejected
- Missing signatures, or forms that aren’t notarized where the court requires it.
- Skipping the financial disclosure both spouses are required to exchange.
- Filing before meeting the residency requirement.
- Mistakes serving the other spouse, or forgetting to file the proof of service.
- Not following local county rules. High. Each of 67 counties has its own fees, cover sheets, and local rules; Philadelphia’s procedure differs substantially from the rest of the state.
LawCat’s guided questions and filing checklist are built to prevent exactly these — the errors that send self-represented filers back to the clerk’s window.
Prepare Pennsylvania opening papers
Prepare an unsigned divorce-only complaint for the intended mutual-consent path under section 3301(c)(1), or a separate self-represented appearance for the actual plaintiff or defendant. Each download includes an unsigned privacy certification and editable and printable copies. The complaint requires actual Pennsylvania residence, county venue and local notice contacts, marriage details, prior-action information and an explicit decision about economic claims. A divorce-only complaint does not preserve every economic claim. The appearance records actual self-representation and the current service contact; it does not remove an existing attorney. People with or without children can prepare these opening papers, but custody, support and dependent issues remain separate. Do not put child identities, private identifiers or settlement terms in these public drafts. Save ordinary answers and return to review them. These papers do not establish either spouse’s consent or complete service. Separate saved interviews prepare an unsigned acceptance of service, one spouse’s affidavit of consent, or one spouse’s notice waiver. Acceptance is separate from divorce consent. These papers use actual filed-case facts, reviewed current process, the applicable waiting period and each person’s independent choices. A final-decree waiver requires resolved economic claims; a grounds-only waiver is a distinct choice. Both copies of the selected paper and its unsigned privacy certification are included. Personal-service proof is held pending review. Actual execution, filing of service proof, agreements, economic-claim preservation, final orders and county requirements remain separate. This is not a complete divorce packet; an unsupported preparation branch does not mean self-service is unavailable.
Organize your case →Why LawCat is free
Most “online divorce” sites charge $137–$499 for the same public court forms, and some add monthly fees. LawCat’s document preparation is free, with no subscription and no card on file.
Compare divorce filing fees in every state →
Pennsylvania divorce FAQ
Do I need a lawyer to get divorced in Pennsylvania?
No lawyer is required: Pennsylvania courts accept divorce filings from self-represented (pro se) people, and the official court resources linked on this page explain the forms and steps. Many people talk to a lawyer when custody, support or property is disputed. LawCat prepares selected Pennsylvania form drafts free of charge; it does not give legal advice.
How long do I have to live in Pennsylvania to file for divorce?
One spouse must have lived in Pennsylvania for at least 6 months before filing. Confirm the current rule with the official Pennsylvania court source before filing.
How much does it cost to file for divorce in Pennsylvania?
The court filing fee varies widely by county, roughly $170–$350+. File an In Forma Pauperis petition (Pa.R.C.P. 240) to have fees waived. LawCat’s available drafts have no document-preparation charge; court costs, service and other expenses are separate.