Criminal records in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, are available through several channels. NorthumberlandCourt.us allows for quick access to public information on criminal cases. Additionally, records can be obtained through the state's Unified Judicial System portal, the office of the Clerk of Courts of Common Pleas, and law enforcement agencies — including the Pennsylvania State Police. Below are step-by-step instructions for each method of searching and obtaining records.
How to Search Criminal Records in Northumberland
Start by determining what specific information you are looking for: details about a specific case, a criminal history check, or inmate status. This will determine where to go.
Online Search
- NorthumberlandCourt.us — enter a name or case number to view publicly available information on county criminal cases.
- UJS Portal (Case Search) — the official portal of the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System. Here you can search by participant name, case number, or docket number. The portal covers Courts of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Courts.
- PATCH (Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History) — the State Police system for checking an individual's criminal history. The result — "No Record" or "Record" — is displayed online and needs to be printed by the user.
- Inmate Locator of the Department of Corrections — allows you to find individuals in Pennsylvania state correctional facilities.
What You Need to Start a Search
- Full name of the individual
- Date of birth (preferably)
- Case number or docket number (if known)
In-Person Request
The office of the Clerk of Courts of Common Pleas in Northumberland County accepts requests for searches and copies of criminal records. The court is located in the Northumberland County Court of Common Pleas building. Public access terminals for court records are usually located directly in the courthouse — check with the clerk.
Written Request
A request for a criminal history check can be mailed to the Pennsylvania State Police. You must complete the appropriate request form and include payment. A separate request can be submitted through the Office of Open Records under the Right-to-Know Law.
Search Northumberland Criminal Cases by Case Number
Case numbers in Pennsylvania have a standard format used on the UJS portal. The typical structure:
CP-49-CR-0001234-2024
- CP — Court of Common Pleas
- 49 — Northumberland County code in the Pennsylvania court system
- CR — case type: Criminal
- 0001234 — sequential case number
- 2024 — year the case was filed
For Magisterial Court cases, the format is different — it starts with "MJ" instead of "CP" and includes the Magisterial District Judge's number. If you only know part of the number, try searching by last name through the UJS Portal.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Northumberland
When you find a case on the UJS portal or through the court clerk, you will see several key data blocks. Each has practical significance.
Charges
| Element | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific section of the Pennsylvania Criminal Code (Title 18) or another law |
| Severity Level | Felony, Misdemeanor, or Summary offense |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change or drop individual charges during the case |
Case Status
- Active — the case is under consideration
- Pending — awaiting a hearing or decision
- Disposed — the case is completed (verdict rendered, closed, or dismissed)
- Closed — all procedural actions are completed, including sentence execution
Hearings
A criminal case in Northumberland County goes through several stages:
- Arraignment — initial presentation of charges; the defendant pleads guilty or not guilty
- Preliminary Hearing — a magistrate judge determines if there is enough evidence to transfer the case to the Court of Common Pleas
- Pre-Trial Conference — parties discuss the possibility of a plea agreement or prepare for trial
- Trial — substantive consideration of the case
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty plea
- Review Hearing — checking compliance with sentence conditions (e.g., probation)
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Found not guilty |
| Dismissed | Case closed without a verdict |
| Nolle Prosequi | Prosecutor declined to prosecute |
| Acquitted | Acquitted after trial |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Northumberland
Certified copies of criminal records are required for official purposes — employment, licensing, immigration. There are several ways to obtain them.
Through the Clerk of Courts Office
The Northumberland County Clerk of Courts issues certified copies of court documents for criminal cases. Visit in person or send a written request.
When contacting, provide the defendant's full name, case number (if known), and the type of document you need. Bring valid photo identification.
Through State Police (PATCH)
To obtain an official criminal history certificate, use the PATCH system online or send a request by mail to the Pennsylvania State Police. More details about the procedure are on the criminal history background check request page.
For a mail request, you need:
- Completed request form (SP4-164)
- Payment in the form of a money order or check
- Full name, date of birth, and social security number of the person being checked
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Northumberland
The cost depends on the type of request and the institution you contact. Below are the main fees.
| Service | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal history check via PATCH (online) | $22.00 | Pennsylvania State Police |
| Criminal history check by mail | $22.00 | Pennsylvania State Police |
| Copy of court document (uncertified) | $0.25 per page (approximate) | Clerk of Courts |
| Certification of copy | Additional fee — check with the clerk | Clerk of Courts |
Processing Times
- PATCH online — the result usually appears within minutes
- Mail request to PSP — approximately 2–4 weeks
- Certified copies through the court clerk — often issued the same day for in-person requests; mail requests may take up to two weeks
Copy fees at the clerk's office are set according to court-approved rates. It's best to confirm specific amounts directly by calling (570) 988-4151 before visiting, as they may change.