Allegheny County Court Dockets

Allegheny County court records are maintained by the Department of Court Records at the Allegheny County Courthouse in Pittsburgh. The county is Pennsylvania's second most populous, and its court system handles tens of thousands of cases each year across four divisions. Searching Allegheny County court records online is free through the state UJS Portal and through the county's own case search portal. This guide walks you through every method for finding criminal, civil, family, and real estate court records in Allegheny County.

Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas

The Allegheny County Department of Court Records provides comprehensive access to court information for the Fifth Judicial District of Pennsylvania. The Court of Common Pleas is organized into four divisions: Civil, Criminal, Family, and Orphans' Court. The main courthouse is at 436 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. The Civil and Family Division is located at 414 Grant Street on the first floor of the City-County Building.

The Department of Court Records website publishes court schedules, daily and weekly docket listings, and local court rules. Forms are available in PDF format for download. Attorneys are now required to use the DCR E-Filing Portal at dcr.alleghenycounty.us, which became mandatory in November 2023. Self-represented litigants are encouraged but not required to use the portal. The main Civil Division phone number is 412-350-5400. The Criminal Division phone is 412-350-1229. The Orphans' Court phone is 412-350-4182.

The Allegheny County Clerk of Courts handles criminal case records. The Criminal Division is at Room 220, 436 Grant Street, Pittsburgh. Expungement petitions must be filed in person. Forms are available at the office only and are not offered online. Expungement petitions must be served on the District Attorney at Room 303 of the same building.

How to Search Allegheny County Court Records

Allegheny County offers multiple ways to search court records. For criminal and traffic cases, use the Pennsylvania UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us. You can search by defendant name, docket number, or OTN (Offender Tracking Number). Docket sheets are free to view and can be printed or downloaded. For civil and family cases, the county's own case search portal at dcr.alleghenycounty.us allows searching by case number. View the Event Schedule box on any case page to find hearing dates.

Basic docket information is free for all public cases. Sealed or confidential dockets are not available online. Case histories show all events, filings, and dispositions. Hearing schedules display with dates, times, and courtroom assignments. Financial information including fines and restitution is shown for criminal cases. Registration is required for full access to online features. PDF docket sheets are available for download in most cases.

For in-person access, go to the Department of Court Records during regular hours. Public access terminals are available for searching both civil and criminal records at no cost. Certified copies are available upon request with the statutory fee. Staff can assist with locating records and explaining procedures. Written requests by mail are also accepted for document copies.

Note: The Housing Court Help Desk is located on the first floor inside the Department of Court Records. Call 412-350-4462 or email HCHelpdesk@alleghenycourts.us for help with housing-related civil matters.

Types of Court Records in Allegheny County

Allegheny County court records span all four divisions of the Court of Common Pleas. The Criminal Division dockets felony and misdemeanor prosecutions. The Civil Division handles contract disputes, tort claims, and property matters. The Family Division processes divorce, custody, child support, and Protection from Abuse orders. The Orphans' Court Division manages estates, wills, guardianships, and adoptions. Each division keeps its own set of records with its own filing rules and access procedures.

Real estate records in Allegheny County are available through a separate system. The Allegheny County land records portal provides access to deeds and mortgage records from 1986 to the present. The system is available 24 hours a day. Copies cost $10.00 per copy by mail with a money order. Property records can be searched by parcel number, owner name, or document type. Records before 1986 require an in-person visit to the Recorder's office.

Allegheny County Criminal Court Records

The Allegheny County Criminal Division maintains records for all felony and misdemeanor cases brought to Common Pleas Court. These records are public unless sealed by court order. Dockets show charges, hearing dates, motions, bail decisions, verdicts, and sentencing. Appeals are also tracked through the system. The ARD Unit at 412-350-4632 handles diversion program records. The Adult Probation office is at 412-350-2320.

The Pittsburgh Municipal Court handles cases within Pittsburgh city limits. This court processes over 70,000 cases per year. It is part of the Magisterial District Judge System. Cases include non-traffic summary offenses, traffic offenses, violations of city ordinances, and preliminary hearings for felony and misdemeanor charges. The court also handles preliminary hearings on homicide cases across all of Allegheny County. Records from the Municipal Court are searchable through the UJS Portal.

Allegheny County has 46 Magisterial District Court districts. These handle more than 20,000 case filings each year. MDJ jurisdiction covers summary criminal matters, traffic citations, civil claims up to $12,000, landlord-tenant disputes, and emergency Protection from Abuse petitions. District courts also set bail and issue arrest warrants. All MDJ records are searchable on the state UJS Portal at no charge.

For a statewide criminal history check, use the PATCH system at epatch.pa.gov. This official Pennsylvania criminal history report costs $22 and covers records across all 67 counties, not just Allegheny.

Allegheny County Civil Court Records

The Allegheny County Civil Division handles a wide range of cases. Contract disputes, personal injury claims, and property matters are common. The division also processes Protection from Abuse orders and appeals from lower courts in civil matters. Dockets are available to the public and show case status, parties, filings, and hearing dates. The compulsory arbitration system handles civil cases with damage claims up to $50,000. The Arbitration Division is on the 7th floor of the City-County Building and is open 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday.

Divorce and custody cases fall under the Family Division. These records are kept by the Department of Court Records and include petitions, custody agreements, support orders, and divorce decrees. Under 204 Pa. Code § 213.81, some sensitive information is redacted from publicly viewable records. The full case file is available for review at the courthouse. Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure under Title 231 govern how civil cases are filed and managed in Allegheny County.

Public Access to Allegheny County Court Records

Allegheny County court records are available to the public under 65 P.S. § 67.101, the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law. Anyone can request court records without stating a reason. Docket sheets are available for free on the UJS Portal and the county case search system. Sealed or confidential matters, including juvenile records and adoption files, are not accessible to the public.

Certified copies of court documents are available from the Department of Court Records. Fees are set by state statute. Historical records going back several decades are maintained in the courthouse. Daily docket listings and weekly schedules are published on the county courts website. The five trial terms per year are managed by the Calendar Control Judge. For jury service questions, contact Jury Operations at 412-350-5336.

Note: The Office of Conflict Counsel serves defendants who need legal representation when there is a conflict with the Public Defender. Contact them at 600 Manor Building, 564 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, or call 412-350-4850.

Cities in Allegheny County

Allegheny County includes the City of Pittsburgh, the county seat and Pennsylvania's second largest city. Court records for Pittsburgh residents and businesses are filed at the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas at 436 Grant Street.

Nearby Counties

Allegheny County is surrounded by several western Pennsylvania counties. If you need court records from a neighboring area, start with the county where the case was filed.

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