Berks County Court Records
Berks County court records are maintained at the Berks County Courthouse at 633 Court Street in Reading. The courthouse houses the Clerk of Courts, the Prothonotary, the Register of Wills, and Family Court Administration. Each office handles a different set of Berks County court records. You can search online through the county portal at berksrecords.us, through the Pennsylvania UJS Portal, or visit the courthouse in person. This page explains how to find criminal, civil, family, and estate records in Berks County.
Berks County Quick Facts
Berks County Court of Common Pleas
The Berks County Court Records portal provides comprehensive access to court information across all divisions. The courthouse is at 633 Court Street, Reading, PA 19601. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The portal covers criminal, civil, family, and orphans' court records. Online search capabilities are available for registered users. The system integrates with the statewide UJS Portal for docket searches.
The Prothonotary's office is at 633 Court Street, 2nd Floor, Reading, PA 19601. Phone: 610-478-6970. The Prothonotary is the chief clerk and record keeper for all civil case filings. The office reviews pleadings for compliance with Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure and Berks County local court rules. Filing fees cover all daily operating expenses, making the office self-supporting. Currently, e-filing is available for attorneys only. Copy fees are $0.25 per page for public document requests.
The Clerk of Courts handles criminal records at 633 Court Street, 4th Floor, Reading, PA 19601. Phone: 610-478-6550. This office maintains all criminal case files for Common Pleas Court. Records include arraignment information, bail decisions, motions, court orders, trial transcripts, verdicts, sentencing documents, and probation conditions. Appeal documentation is processed for cases going to higher courts. The Berks County Family Court Administration is at 633 Court Street, 6th Floor. Phone: 610-478-6208.
| Prothonotary (Civil) |
633 Court Street, 2nd Floor Reading, PA 19601 Phone: 610-478-6970 |
|---|---|
| Clerk of Courts (Criminal) |
633 Court Street, 4th Floor Reading, PA 19601 Phone: 610-478-6550 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | berksrecords.us |
How to Search Berks County Court Records
Berks County offers multiple ways to search court records. The county's own portal at berksrecords.us/court-records provides access to criminal, civil, family, and orphans' court records through a unified interface. Online search is available for registered users. The system also connects to the Pennsylvania UJS Portal, which is free and requires no account for basic searches. Go to ujsportal.pacourts.us to search by name, docket number, OTN, citation number, or incident number.
For civil records, the Prothonotary's online records system provides free docket entries for most cases. Actual document images may require a per-page fee. Copy fees are $0.25 per page for document requests. The office emails or mails notices of judgments, orders, and decrees to parties and counsel. Attorneys registered in the e-filing system can submit pleadings electronically. Self-represented parties can file in person at the courthouse during regular hours.
For criminal records, the Clerk of Courts at 610-478-6550 can search the criminal docket by defendant name or case number. Copies of criminal case documents are available in person. The UJS Portal provides free docket access for all public criminal cases. Trial transcripts may be ordered through the court reporter's office. Historical records are maintained in addition to current case information.
Note: Online records for Berks County extend back to various historical dates depending on the record type, with some historical records only available in person at the courthouse.
Types of Court Records in Berks County
Berks County court records cover all four divisions of the Court of Common Pleas. Criminal records from the Clerk of Courts include arraignment documents, bail decisions, motion filings, court orders, verdicts, sentencing, and probation or parole conditions. Civil records from the Prothonotary include initial complaints, service of process documentation, answers, motions and briefs, court orders, final judgments, and post-judgment enforcement filings such as garnishments and executions. Appeal documentation for civil cases is also filed and transmitted to appellate courts through the Prothonotary's office.
Family court records in Berks County are maintained at the 6th floor office. These include divorce petitions and decrees, child custody agreements and orders, support calculations and orders, Protection from Abuse filings, paternity determinations, and name change petitions. Family court mediation services may be available to help parties reach agreements without a full hearing. The Register of Wills and Orphans' Court office handles wills, estate inventories, guardianship petitions, trust documents, incapacity determinations, marriage licenses, and inheritance tax returns.
Berks County Criminal Court Records
The Berks County Clerk of Courts maintains all criminal case files for the Court of Common Pleas in Reading. Every felony and misdemeanor case that comes to Common Pleas gets a docket here. The docket tracks every filing from the initial arraignment through final sentencing and any appeal. Bail and pretrial release documentation is kept in the file. Motions and responses from both parties are recorded as they are filed. Verdict or plea information is documented in the case record. Sentencing documents including terms of incarceration or probation are filed and maintained for the full record.
Magisterial District Courts across Berks County handle the earliest stages of criminal cases. Summary offenses, traffic citations, and preliminary hearings take place at the MDJ level. All MDJ dockets are searchable on the UJS Portal. When a case is bound over to Common Pleas, the Clerk of Courts opens a new docket. Both records may be needed to understand the complete history of a case. Berks County has multiple MDJ districts serving different areas of the county.
For an official statewide criminal history check, use the PATCH service at epatch.pa.gov. This report covers all 67 Pennsylvania counties and costs $22. It reflects records maintained by the Pennsylvania State Police. Under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9101, the Criminal History Record Information Act governs how this data is collected, maintained, and used across the state.
Berks County Civil Court Records
The Berks County Prothonotary at berksrecords.us is the chief clerk and record keeper for all civil filings. Types of cases processed include civil actions, family court matters, equity actions, judgments, federal and state tax liens, municipal liens, arbitrations, license suspension appeals, and appeals to higher courts. The office reviews each pleading for compliance with Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure and Berks County local rules before accepting it for filing. The office notifies parties of judgments, orders, and decrees by email or mail.
Divorce records in Berks County are filed with the Family Court Administration at 610-478-6208. Child custody agreements and orders are recorded and enforced through the same division. Support calculations and orders for both child and spousal support are established in family court. Protection from Abuse filings are processed on an emergency basis when needed. Name change petitions for adults and minors go through the family court division. All family court matters follow the procedures under Title 234 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure and Title 231 of the Rules of Civil Procedure as applicable.
Public Access to Berks County Court Records
Berks County court records are open to the public under 65 P.S. § 67.101, the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law. Anyone can request records. No explanation is required. The county's records portal at berksrecords.us provides online access to multiple record types. The UJS Portal provides free criminal docket access. In-person access is available at each office during business hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Some Berks County records are not available to the public. Juvenile records are restricted by state law. Adoption records are sealed. Incapacity records maintained by the Orphans' Court may be restricted. Certain family court orders may seal specific documents. Under 204 Pa. Code § 213.81, the Electronic Case Record Public Access Policy governs what personal information is visible in public online records. Full unredacted case files are available for in-person review at the courthouse, subject to any sealing orders.
Note: The Berks County Register of Wills and Orphans' Court office at 633 Court Street, 2nd Floor, can be reached at 610-478-6600 for probate and orphans' court matters including estate administration, wills, and guardianships.
Cities in Berks County
Berks County includes the City of Reading, the county seat and a major urban center in eastern Pennsylvania. Court records for Reading residents and businesses are filed at the Berks County Court of Common Pleas at 633 Court Street.
Nearby Counties
Berks County sits in eastern Pennsylvania. Neighboring counties each have their own court systems. Check the county where the case was filed to find the right courthouse.