Pennsylvania Divorce Decree Apostille
Court document (county level) → certified copy first
PA apostille fee is $15 per document
Destination country determines apostille vs certification
Return shipping has strict rules (no FedEx/DHL returns)
20-Second Check: Is Your PA Divorce Decree Apostille-Ready?
Pick what you have:
What "Divorce Decree" Means in Pennsylvania (Plain English)
A Pennsylvania divorce decree for apostille is usually:
- The Final Decree in Divorce (court order) and/or
- The docketed order showing the case caption, docket number, and final judgment.
It is NOT:
- a simple "letter confirming you're divorced"
- a lawyer's copy
- a screenshot from a portal
- a generic photocopy
Foreign agencies typically want the certified court record because it proves authenticity at the source.
Snapshot: Pennsylvania Divorce Decree Apostille
| Document type | Court document (county) — certified copy required |
|---|---|
| Issuing authority | County court custodian of records (often Prothonotary / Clerk of Courts) |
| Apostille authority | Pennsylvania Department of State — Document Certification |
| Notarization required | Usually no if you have a true certified court copy |
| PA apostille fee | $15 per document (not per page) |
| Destination country | Required on PA request form |
| Hague vs non-Hague | Hague: apostille; non-Hague: certification + possible embassy steps |
The #1 Mistake That Wastes Weeks
People try to apostille a copy.
And PA responds (politely) with a "nope."
For court documents, you want the court-certified copy first. If you don't start with a certified copy, you're basically mailing "paper that looks important" and hoping the state will bless it. It won't.
✅ Accepted
- ✓ Certified copy of PA divorce decree issued by the county court (custodian of records).
- ✓ Clear certification stamp/seal + authorized court signature.
- ✓ Request includes destination country + correct fee.
❌ Not Accepted / High Risk
- ✗ Photocopies, scans, emailed PDFs without court certification.
- ✗ "Notarized copy" used instead of a court-certified record.
- ✗ Documents from the wrong state.
- ✗ Missing destination country on PA form.
Requirements Checklist (Reject-Proof)
Must have
-
1
Certified copy of the final divorce decree
From the county court (not a regular copy).
-
2
PA Apostille/Certification Request Form
Destination country required.
-
3
Payment
$15 per document payable to "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania".
-
4
Return shipping
Self-addressed stamped envelope OR prepaid airbill (with PA rules).
Cannot Accept
⭐ Want a fast "will this be accepted?" check before you mail the original?
We confirm you have the correct certified court copy, the right legalization track (apostille vs certification), and a clean submission package—so you don't donate 2–3 weeks to the "rejection loop."
Start Free Pre-CheckHow to Apostille a Pennsylvania Divorce Decree
Step 1 — Identify the county where the divorce was finalized
In Pennsylvania, certified court copies come from the county court that granted the divorce, not from the state-level Vital Records office.
Step 2 — Order a certified copy from the county court (Prothonotary / Clerk of Courts)
Request a certified copy of the final divorce decree (include docket number, names, year if possible). Counties typically require a fee + SASE for mail requests.
Step 3 — Check the certified copy before you submit
Make sure you see:
- a certification stamp/seal
- an authorized court signature
- the case caption / docket reference
If any of that is missing, it's not a certified copy.
Step 4 — Complete the PA Apostille/Certification Request Form
The PA form asks for the destination country and number of documents.
Step 5 — Add payment: $15 per document
PA Department of State charges $15 per document (not per page), payable to Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Step 6 — Set up return shipping correctly
PA's request form includes return instructions and restrictions. If you mess this up, your documents don't teleport back to you. They stall.
Step 7 — Submit to Pennsylvania Department of State
Use the official mailing address from the request form.
201 North Office Building
401 North Street
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Step 8 — Don’t "fix" the apostille packet after it's issued
Once the apostille is attached (often by staple), don't remove staples or separate pages. Some foreign authorities treat that as tampering.
Fees & Timing (What to Expect)
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| County certified divorce decree | Varies by county | Paid to county court |
| PA apostille/certification | $15 per document | State fee |
| Processing time | Varies | Depends on volume + submission method |
| Shipping time | Varies | Add buffer both ways |
Reality: the slow part is often getting the certified court copy, not the apostille step.
FAQ
How do I apostille a divorce decree in Pennsylvania?
Get a certified copy of the final divorce decree from the county court, then submit it to the PA Department of State with the request form, destination country, and $15 fee.
Where do I get a certified copy of my Pennsylvania divorce decree?
From the county court where the divorce was granted (often through the Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts office).
Do I need to notarize my divorce decree before apostille?
Usually no—if you have a true court-certified copy, notarization is not needed. The state apostille authenticates the public official's signature on the certified court record.
How much is an apostille in Pennsylvania?
$15 per document (not per page), payable to Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
What if my destination country is not in the Hague Apostille Convention?
Pennsylvania may issue a certification instead of an apostille, and you may need additional legalization steps through the destination country's embassy/consulate.