GENERAL INFORMATION

If you intend to represent yourself in divorce actions, please visit Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania: Representing Yourself in Divorce Proceedings. The website will provide useful information including family law forms and plain language instructions. You will also need to familiarize yourself with the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure regarding actions in divorce, Rule 1920.1 through Rule 1920.92. Neither the Prothonotary and staff nor court staff can give you legal advice. Contact an attorney if you are seeking legal advice and/or representation. Please note that your attorney does not need to be established within Clarion County.

Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 1930.4, Service of Original Process in Domestic Relations Matters, is of great importance as it will be your responsibility to make service on the Defendant in the divorce action. Please read it carefully and follow the directives set forth.

• PA Rule of Civil Procedure 1930.4, Service of Original Process in Domestic Relations Matters
• PA Rule of Civil Procedure 440, Service of Legal Papers Other than Original Process

WHERE TO FILE

?If you wish to file a Complaint in Divorce in Clarion County, you will file it at the Office of the Prothonotary, located in the Clarion County Courthouse at 421 Main Street, Clarion, Pennsylvania 16214.

The Prothonotary is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except for legal holidays. The holiday schedule can be found in the County & Community Calendar. If you are coming to file something please arrive no later than 4:00 p.m.

FEES

At the time you file your divorce complaint, please be prepared to pay the filing fee. Cash or money order are the preferred methods of payment. Filing fee information can be found on the Prothonotary's Fee Schedule.

NUMBER OF COPIES

You will need to file only the original of the Complaint in Divorce. However, you should have no fewer than three photocopies with you as you will wish to keep one for your records and it will be your responsibility to serve the defendant in the action and you may need two copies for your service. You may ask the Prothonotary to clock in the copies so that you have a record of when the original document was filed. Please have your copies already made as the Prothonotary's Office does not provide copies.

Once service has been made, you must file proof of that by filing a Certificate of Service with the Prothonotary. Certificates of Service that you may use can be found on this website. 

Websites of Interest to the Self Represented Litigant in a Divorce Action

Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania: Representing Yourself in Divorce Proceedings
This is the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania website. This link will take you to the information for those considering representing themselves in divorce actions. A great deal of information, plus links to County websites and many forms are available here.

PALawHelp.org
This site has information on civil legal issues, including divorce.

PA General Assembly: Consolidated Statutes
This site has the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes (laws).

Pennsylvania Legal Resources: Pennsylvania Courts, Rules & Forms
From here you can access the Pennsylvania Rules of Court, find links to County Courts and many other sites of importance.

Local Rules of the Court of Common Pleas of Clarion County
Here you can find Local Rules of Court, as well as other information that you will need to represent yourself.

Prothonotary's Fee Schedule
This is the Clarion County Prothonotary's fee schedule. Here you will find filing fee information.