Family cases in Lawrence County are filed at the Lawrence County Government Center, 430 Court Street, New Castle. Divorce and custody papers go to the Prothonotary's Office on the first floor, support goes to the Domestic Relations Section across Court Street, and the four judges of the Court of Common Pleas enter the orders.
For families in Ellwood City, New Castle and the rest of the county, most collaborative and mediated cases need the courthouse only for paperwork. This guide explains each office, the county's own forms and published fees, and what to bring. For the local overview, see our Ellwood City and Lawrence County page; for the approach, our collaborative family law page.
How a family case moves through the Lawrence County Courthouse, step by step
- Prepare the papers. The county publishes a divorce packet and custody forms. Lawyers usually prepare their own versions of the same documents.
- File with the Prothonotary. The divorce packet says to file in the Prothonotary's Office on the first floor of the Government Center. The custody directions say the same for custody complaints.
- Serve the other party. For custody, the directions require service of the complaint and verification forms by personal service, or by first class mail and certified mail, restricted delivery, followed by a certificate of service filed with the Prothonotary.
- Support, if needed. Support claims go through the Domestic Relations Section, which enters, modifies and enforces support orders.
- Agreed orders. A custody consent order and, in a divorce, the settlement and final papers are submitted for the judge.
- The decree. After affidavits of consent, waivers and the praecipe to transmit the record, the court enters the divorce decree.
| Office or item | Details from official county sources |
|---|---|
| Lawrence County Government Center | 430 Court Street, New Castle, PA 16101-3503; Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm; (724) 658-2541 |
| Prothonotary | Government Center, 430 Court Street; (724) 656-2126; legal custodian of civil documents filed with the Court of Common Pleas; divorce and custody filings on the first floor |
| Domestic Relations Section | Across Court Street from the main courthouse, upper floor of the white building with the pillars; part of the Family Court division; free parking in the Government Center complex |
| Court of Common Pleas | Four courtrooms, each with an assigned judge |
| Divorce packet filing fees | Complaint in divorce $186.00; praecipe to transmit record $19.00 (as listed in the county packet) |
| Custody complaint filing cost | $196.70 (custody directions, revised July 22, 2025) |
| Fee schedule | Prothonotary schedule in effect December 1, 2025; $5.00 automation fee on initial filings; fees subject to change |
Divorce filings
The county's divorce packet lists the documents for an agreed, no-fault divorce: a complaint in divorce, a notice to defend and claim rights, an acceptance of service, a praecipe to transmit record, two affidavits of consent (one for each spouse), two waivers of notice and a divorce decree. The packet's complaint form recites the six-month residency requirement and the statement that the marriage is irretrievably broken, consistent with 23 Pa.C.S. §§ 3104 and 3301. The packet also warns that courthouse staff cannot give legal advice and urges people to contact an attorney.
Under the statewide rules, affidavits of consent are signed at least 90 days after the complaint is served and filed within 30 days of signing (Pa.R.C.P. 1920.42). See how to finalize a collaborative divorce.
Custody filings
The custody directions (revised July 22, 2025) list the forms filed with a complaint for custody: a Confidential Information Form (only the children's full names and birth dates in the relevant section), the complaint itself (using only the children's initials and ages), an entry of appearance for a party without a lawyer, a Criminal Record/Abuse History Verification Form for the filing party and each household member under Pa.R.Civ.P. 1915.3-2, and a petition to proceed in forma pauperis for anyone asking the court to waive fees. If there is already a custody case, a petition to modify is used instead of a new complaint. The court's published forms also include a copy of the custody factors in 23 Pa.C.S. § 5328, a custody pretrial statement and a petition for contempt.
Parents who have an agreement submit it as a consent order; see turning a custody agreement into an order. If the court refers parents to mediation, the statewide rules apply; see court-ordered custody mediation.
Support at Domestic Relations
The Domestic Relations Section mainly enters, modifies and enforces orders for child support, spousal support and alimony pendente lite. To file for support, the county says you must appear and bring a photo ID (preferably a driver's license or state ID), your Social Security card with the same name as the ID, the birth certificate and Social Security card of each child, and any existing support order from elsewhere. See child support when parents settle.
How a cooperative case uses the courthouse
For families who settle through collaborative practice or mediation, the courthouse is a place for filing rather than arguing. The negotiation happens privately, often at a lawyer's office or by video, and the court receives finished documents: a complaint and acceptance of service at the start, then the consent custody order, any support stipulation, the affidavits of consent and the praecipe at the end. That sequence keeps filings short and predictable, and it means the four judges of the Court of Common Pleas see an agreed outcome rather than a dispute. See how a collaborative divorce works, step by step.
Other offices people ask about
Lawrence County's Orphans' Court office handles marriage licenses and adoption records, and the Prothonotary's Office also runs a passport office. Name changes after divorce do not require a separate court case: a party may resume a prior surname by filing a notice with the prothonotary of the county where the divorce was filed (54 Pa.C.S. § 704). The court also lists PFA services among its departments for anyone who needs protection; see when mediation is not safe.
A practical visit checklist
If you need to visit the Government Center in person, plan for the building's hours, Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, and allow time for parking and security. Bring photo identification, every page you have received with the case number, and copies of anything you intend to file. Check the current Prothonotary fee schedule before you go, and bring the right form of payment, since filing fees must be paid when papers are filed unless a fee waiver is granted. Know which building you need: divorce and custody papers go to the Prothonotary in the Government Center, while support goes to Domestic Relations across Court Street. And remember that staff cannot give legal advice or help complete forms, so questions about what to file belong with your lawyer.
What changes the answer
- Which county. Ellwood City lies in both Lawrence and Beaver counties, so confirm venue; see our Lawrence County page.
- Current fees. County documents published at different times list different amounts; the Prothonotary's current schedule controls.
- A filed case moving to collaborative. Contested steps can pause; see switching to collaborative after filing.
- A failed process. If a collaborative case ends, the court process resumes; see what happens if it breaks down.
- Allegheny instead. If the case belongs in Pittsburgh, see the Allegheny County Family Division guide.
A worked example
For example, imagine a hypothetical couple in Ellwood City's Lawrence County section who settle their divorce and parenting plan through mediation. Their lawyers file a mutual consent complaint and a custody complaint with the Prothonotary on the first floor of the Government Center, serve the custody papers by certified and first class mail, and file the certificate of service. Each parent files the abuse history verification form. They submit the consent custody order, enter child support through Domestic Relations across Court Street, and after the 90-day period file affidavits of consent, waivers and the praecipe to transmit the record. This is an illustration only.
Common mistakes
- Using a complaint when a case already exists. Use a petition to modify instead.
- Putting children's full names on the complaint. The directions call for initials and ages only.
- Skipping the certificate of service. It must be filed after service.
- Going to the wrong building for support. Domestic Relations is across Court Street.
- Relying on an old fee figure. Check the current schedule.
What to do this week
- Confirm that Lawrence County is the right county.
- Download the divorce packet or custody forms you need.
- Gather IDs and children's documents if support is involved.
- Check the current Prothonotary fee schedule.
- Call Breonna Frisk at (412) 760-9188 or use our contact page to talk through the process.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Lawrence County Courthouse?
The Lawrence County Government Center is at 430 Court Street, New Castle, PA 16101-3503.
Where do I file for divorce in Lawrence County?
In the Prothonotary's Office, first floor of the Government Center.
What does it cost to file?
The county's divorce packet lists $186.00 for the complaint and $19.00 for the praecipe; the custody directions list $196.70 for a custody complaint. Check the current schedule.
Where is Domestic Relations?
Across Court Street from the main courthouse, on the upper floor of the white building with the pillars.
Can courthouse staff help me fill in forms?
No. The county says staff are not permitted to give legal advice or help complete forms.
Can I change my name back at the courthouse?
Yes, by filing a notice to resume a prior surname with the Prothonotary under the divorce docket.
Sources
- Lawrence County Government Center, directions and hours
- Lawrence County Prothonotary
- Lawrence County Domestic Relations Section
- Lawrence County Court of Common Pleas and custody forms
- Lawrence County divorce packet
- Lawrence County complaint for custody directions
- Lawrence County Prothonotary fee schedule
- Pa.R.C.P. 1920.42, mutual consent procedure
- 54 Pa.C.S. § 704, resuming a prior name
