Armstrong County Case Filings

Armstrong County court records are kept by a combined Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts office at the Armstrong County Courthouse in Kittanning. This single office handles both civil and criminal records for the Court of Common Pleas. You can search Armstrong County court records free of charge through the Pennsylvania UJS Portal, or visit the courthouse during business hours for in-person access. This page covers how to find case filings, what information is available, and where to request copies of documents in Armstrong County.

Armstrong County Court of Common Pleas

Armstrong County has one courthouse serving all court functions. The combined Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts office is located at Armstrong County Courthouse, 500 E. Market Street, Suite 103, Kittanning, PA 16201. The phone number for general inquiries and record requests is 724-548-3252. Office hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. The office closes for lunch from noon to 1:00 PM. James A. Favero, Esq. serves as the Solicitor for the office.

As Prothonotary, this office is the chief custodian of civil records of the Court of Common Pleas. The office maintains civil dockets and indices for public inspection during regular business hours. Domestic relations records and filings are kept here as well. The Prothonotary also collects and distributes state-mandated fees for civil filings and provides general notarizing services. Civil cover sheets, praecipes for settlement, and other standard court forms are available through the office.

As Clerk of Courts, the same office serves as the chief custodian of criminal records. The office maintains criminal cases certified to the Court of Common Pleas from Magisterial District Courts. Juvenile records are kept here with restricted access per state law. The office assesses, collects, and distributes fines, costs, and restitution ordered by the court. Processing bail bonds and related documentation is also handled during business hours.

How to Search Armstrong County Court Records

The Pennsylvania UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us is the starting point for most record searches in Armstrong County. This free tool covers criminal dockets, traffic cases, and MDJ records. Search by name, docket number, OTN, incident number, or citation number. Docket sheets show the court, judge, all documents filed, and all hearings. No account is needed for basic searches.

For civil records, visit the combined Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts office in Kittanning. Civil dockets and indices are available for public inspection during regular office hours. The office can look up cases by party name or docket number. Copies of documents cost the applicable fee set by state law. For cases not yet available online, in-person review at the courthouse is the best option.

Fines and court costs can be paid online through the UJS Portal for participating courts. Debit and credit cards are accepted through the secure payment system. A service fee applies to all card transactions. Payments are typically processed within 24 to 48 hours and are reflected on the case docket. Large payments may need to be made in person at the courthouse. Receipts are emailed to the payer for confirmation.

Note: Not all Armstrong County case types are eligible for online payment, depending on court participation in the UJS e-payment program.

Types of Court Records in Armstrong County

Armstrong County court records include criminal, civil, family, and orphans' court filings. Criminal records document every step in a felony or misdemeanor case from charging through final disposition. Civil records cover contract disputes, injury claims, property matters, and appeals from district courts. Family court records include divorce decrees, custody orders, and support agreements. Orphans' court records cover estate administration, wills, guardianships, and adoptions.

Standard forms used in Armstrong County civil cases include the Civil Cover Sheet for starting litigation, the Praecipe for Settlement and Discontinuance to close cases, and the Petition for License Suspension Appeal for challenging driver's license actions. Attorneys must file an Appearance Form when entering a case. The Notice to Resume Prior Surname form is available for individuals who resume a maiden name after divorce. These forms are available through the Armstrong County government website.

Expungement records in Armstrong County are handled by the combined Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts office. Instruction sheets for Rules 490, 790, and 791 guide eligible individuals through the process. Defendants whose addresses change during an open case must file a Change of Address Form. The office also administers oaths and affirmations and reports dispositions to the Department of Transportation for traffic and certain criminal cases.

Armstrong County Criminal Court Records

Criminal records at the Armstrong County Court of Common Pleas begin when a case is certified up from a Magisterial District Court. The Clerk of Courts function of the combined office dockets the case and tracks every subsequent filing. Felony and misdemeanor charges, bail decisions, pretrial motions, trial outcomes, and sentencing orders all appear in the docket. Appeals to Commonwealth Court and Superior Court are also processed through this office.

Magisterial District Courts in Armstrong County handle the earliest stages of criminal cases. Summary offenses, traffic citations, and preliminary hearings for more serious crimes all take place at the MDJ level. MDJ courts also handle small civil claims under $12,000. All MDJ dockets are searchable on the UJS Portal. Once a case is bound over to Common Pleas, a new docket is created at the county level.

The Armstrong County office also licenses private detectives, which is a statutory duty. The office serves as a passport acceptance agent for the U.S. Department of State. Passport photos are available for $10.00 at the courthouse acceptance facility. Passport services are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The PATCH system at epatch.pa.gov provides official statewide criminal history reports for $22 per search.

Armstrong County Civil Court Records

The Prothonotary function of Armstrong County's combined office manages all civil case records for the Court of Common Pleas. This includes initial complaints, responses, motions, discovery notices, court orders, final judgments, and appeals. Judgments are recorded and indexed so lien searches can be run against a debtor's property. All civil records follow the procedures under Title 231 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure.

Divorce records in Armstrong County are filed with the Prothonotary. The civil docket shows every filing in a divorce case from the initial complaint through the final decree. Custody orders and domestic relation filings are also part of this record. Name change petitions are processed here. Appeals from Magisterial District Courts in civil matters come to the Prothonotary for new docket assignment.

Public Access to Armstrong County Court Records

Armstrong County court records are public documents under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101. The combined Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts office maintains civil dockets and indices for public inspection during regular hours. You can view records in person without an appointment. The UJS Portal provides free access to criminal and traffic dockets from any computer or device.

Some records are not available to the public. Juvenile records are kept with restricted access per state law. Adoption records are sealed. Certain family court documents may be restricted by court order. Sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers is redacted from public-facing dockets under 204 Pa. Code § 213.81. Full case files with all exhibits and attachments are reviewed in person at the courthouse only.

Certified copies of Armstrong County court documents are available upon request. Copy fees and certification fees apply as set by state statute. Written requests by mail are accepted. Include the case number or full name of the party, the approximate year, and payment or instructions on how to submit payment. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope for return of documents.

Note: The criminal history record information system is governed by 18 Pa.C.S. § 9101, which sets the rules for how criminal records in Pennsylvania are collected, maintained, and shared.

Nearby Counties

Armstrong County sits in western Pennsylvania. Neighboring counties have their own court systems. Check where the case was filed to find the right county courthouse.

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