Northumberland County court records in Pennsylvania are available through several channels. NorthumberlandCourt.us allows you to search for public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through official state court system portals, the Clerk of Court's office in person or by phone, and through public terminals installed directly in the courthouse.
Northumberland Court System & Jurisdictions
Northumberland County is part of the 8th Judicial District of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania. The main court, the Court of Common Pleas, handles a wide range of cases: criminal charges (from felonies to misdemeanors), civil lawsuits, family law (divorce, custody, alimony), as well as inheritance and probate cases (Orphans' Court Division). Detailed information about the court's structure can be found on the Northumberland County page on the Unified Judicial System's website.
Magisterial District Courts serve the county at the local level. These courts handle:
- Traffic violations and fines
- Small claims up to $12,000
- Landlord-tenant disputes
- Preliminary hearings in criminal cases
- Violations of local ordinances
If you need a state-level criminal history check, use the Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History (PATCH) system, administered by the Pennsylvania State Police. To search for inmates in state correctional facilities, there is the Department of Corrections' Inmate Locator.
Northumberland Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The schedule of court hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week is published through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal. To find a specific case and hearing date, use the UJS Portal Case Search — enter the party's last name or docket number, and the system will show scheduled events.
Step by step:
- Go to the UJS Portal Case Search page.
- Select the search type: by Participant Name or by Docket Number.
- Specify the county — Northumberland.
- In the results, click on the docket number to view the hearing calendar and filed documents.
You can also call the Clerk of Court's office directly to confirm the date and time of a specific hearing. The schedule for Magisterial District Courts is available separately through the same portal — select the "Magisterial District" option when searching.
How to Get a Copy of a Northumberland Court Document
Copies of court documents are issued by the Northumberland County Clerk of Courts. There are two types of copies: regular (uncertified) and certified. A certified copy has the court's seal and the clerk's signature — it is required if the document is submitted to another court or government agency.
How to obtain a copy:
- In person — visit the Clerk of Courts office in the courthouse. You will need the case number or the full name of the party and an approximate date.
- By mail — send a written request specifying the case number, type of document, number of copies, and return address. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
- Online — through the Pennsylvania Judiciary web portal you can view public records and in some cases order copies.
Mailing address for the office:
Records related to real estate (deeds, mortgages, liens) are kept by the county's Register & Recorder at the same address, on the first floor. Birth and death certificates are issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Northumberland Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court documents in Pennsylvania are set according to the rules of the Unified Judicial System and local administrative orders. Below are approximate fees — check directly with the court office for exact amounts, as they may change.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Registry search (per name) | $10–$15 |
| Regular document copy (per page) | $0.25–$1.00 |
| Certified copy (certification fee) | $5–$10 per document |
| Criminal history check via PATCH | $22 (online) |
| Register & Recorder copy (per page) | $0.50–$1.00 |
Payment at the office is accepted in cash, check, or money order. Some online services accept credit cards. For requests under the Right-to-Know Law (RTKL), the first five pages of copies are usually free, with a fee charged for each additional page according to the law.
If you need a criminal history check for employment or volunteer activities, the request is submitted separately through the State Police — this is not a service of the court office.