Pennsylvania Divorce Checklist: Every Document You Need

Filing for divorce in Pennsylvania requires a specific sequence of forms, notices, and sworn statements. The forms themselves are available free from the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania — but knowing which ones to file, in what order, and at what stage is where most pro se filers get lost.

Here is the complete document checklist, organized by phase.

Phase 1: Initial Filing Packet

These documents go to the Prothonotary together when you first file:

• [ ] Notice to Defend and Divorce Complaint (Form 1) — the core legal document initiating the case. The Notice to Defend must be attached on top; your signed Verification must be attached at the bottom.
• [ ] Statewide Civil Cover Sheet — required in all counties
• [ ] County Family Division Cover Sheet — required in some counties (check with your Prothonotary)
• [ ] Vital Statistics Form (H105/SFN) — Pennsylvania Department of Health form collecting demographic data and Social Security numbers
• [ ] Certificate of Compliance with UJS Public Access Policy — certifies you have redacted confidential information (bank accounts, SSN, driver's license)
• [ ] Confidential Information Sheet — sealed form containing the redacted information for court use only
• [ ] In Forma Pauperis Petition (if requesting fee waiver) — must be filed simultaneously with the complaint, never retroactively

Copies needed: The original plus two copies. The clerk retains the original, time-stamps the copies, and returns them to you. One time-stamped copy is for your records; the other is for service on your spouse.

Phase 2: Service of Process

After filing, you must serve your spouse and then file proof with the court:

• [ ] Acceptance of Service (Form 3a) — if your spouse voluntarily signs. File within 10 days of signing.

OR:

• [ ] Affidavit of Service (Form 3c) — if served by a process server or sheriff. The server signs this; file within 10 days of service.

OR:

• [ ] Proof of service by certified mail — the signed green return receipt card, plus your affidavit describing the mailing

If your spouse cannot be found:

• [ ] Motion for Special Order of Court for Alternative Service (Rule 430)
• [ ] Affidavit of Diligent Search — documenting all attempts to locate your spouse
• [ ] Published notice (once in the local legal journal + once in a newspaper of general circulation)

Phase 3: Finalization (Mutual Consent Pathway)

After the 90-day waiting period:

• [ ] Affidavit of Consent — Plaintiff (signed on or after Day 91)
• [ ] Affidavit of Consent — Defendant (signed on or after Day 91)
• [ ] Waiver of Notice of Intention to File Praecipe to Transmit Record (both parties sign — skips the 20-day notice period)
• [ ] Praecipe to Transmit Record (Form 10) — the formal request to send the file to a judge
• [ ] Proposed Divorce Decree — the signature page for the judge
• [ ] Self-addressed stamped envelopes — one for each party (the court mails certified copies of the signed decree)

If the defendant signs the consent affidavit but refuses to sign the waiver:

• [ ] Notice of Intention to File the Praecipe to Transmit Record — mailed to defendant
• [ ] Blank Counter-Affidavit — enclosed with the notice
• [ ] Wait 20 days, then file the Praecipe

Phase 3 (Alternative): Finalization (Separation Pathway)

After one year of living separate and apart:

• [ ] Affidavit under Section 3301(d) — plaintiff's sworn statement of separation date
• [ ] Notice of Intention to File the Praecipe to Transmit Record — served on defendant
• [ ] Blank Counter-Affidavit under Section 3301(d) — served with the notice
• [ ] Wait 20 days for response
• [ ] Praecipe to Transmit Record (Form 10)
• [ ] Proposed Divorce Decree
• [ ] Self-addressed stamped envelopes

Optional Documents (As Applicable)

• [ ] Property Settlement Agreement — if dividing assets/debts by agreement
• [ ] QDRO (Qualified Domestic Relations Order) — if dividing retirement accounts
• [ ] Notice of Intention to Resume Prior Surname — if requesting a name change
• [ ] Parenting Plan / Custody Agreement — if custody count is joined
• [ ] Child Support Guidelines Calculation — if requesting support

Personal Documents to Gather Before Filing

Beyond the court forms, collect these for your records and for completing financial disclosures:

• Marriage certificate (certified copy)
• Both spouses' Social Security numbers
• Financial records — bank statements, retirement account statements, mortgage documents
• Property deeds and vehicle titles
• Income documentation — pay stubs, tax returns, W-2s
• Debt records — credit card statements, loan agreements
• Children's information — birth certificates, school enrollment, medical records

Common Rejection Reasons

Court clerks reject filings for:

• Missing the Notice to Defend attachment on top of the complaint
• Failing to attach the Verification at the bottom
• Unredacted Social Security numbers or bank account numbers in the complaint
• Missing the Certificate of Compliance
• Wrong county (filing where neither spouse lives)
• Filing fee not in an accepted payment method

The Pennsylvania Divorce Filing Process Guide provides the complete document checklist as a trackable worksheet, with deadline fields, filing-date columns, and plain-language instructions for completing each form correctly.

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