Lehigh County Court Records in Allentown

Lehigh County court records are maintained by the 31st Judicial District, centered in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The Lehigh County Courthouse at 455 West Hamilton Street in Allentown houses the Clerk of Judicial Records, which oversees the Civil Division, Criminal Division, Register of Wills Division, and Recorder of Deeds Division. The Lehigh County Government Center at 17 South 7th Street handles additional county services. Lehigh County offers multiple online tools including Attorney Docket Access, e-Filing, Online Records Access, and Odyssey Public Access. These resources make Lehigh County one of the more accessible court systems in Pennsylvania.

Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas

The Court of Common Pleas is the primary trial court for Lehigh County in the 31st Judicial District. It handles felony criminal cases, major civil litigation, and family court matters for all residents of the county. The court is located at the Lehigh County Courthouse at 455 West Hamilton Street in Allentown.

The Clerk of Judicial Records in Lehigh County is Michelle Graupner. This office oversees four divisions, all located in Room 122 of the Lehigh County Courthouse. Office hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday. The office is closed on all major holidays and as directed by the President Judge. Passport applications are processed from 9 AM to 3 PM only, and passport appointments can be booked online.

The Lehigh County Clerk of Judicial Records manages all court records for the 31st Judicial District from the courthouse in Allentown.

How to Search Lehigh County Court Records

Lehigh County offers several ways to search court records online. The county's own online tools include Attorney Docket Access, e-Filing, Online Records Access (ORA), and Odyssey Public Access. These tools are available through the Lehigh County Courts page. Odyssey Public Access and Online Records Access let the public search court dockets for cases in the 31st Judicial District.

The statewide Pennsylvania UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us also covers Lehigh County. This free tool lets you search by party name or case number for cases at the Court of Common Pleas and the magisterial district courts. Criminal, Miscellaneous, and Summary Appeal dockets are all viewable through the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts website.

The Lehigh County Courts Department page lists all online access tools for court records, including ORA, Odyssey Public Access, and e-Filing options for the 31st Judicial District.

For in-person access, visit the Clerk of Judicial Records at the courthouse in Room 122. Staff in the Civil Division can help with civil record searches. Staff in the Criminal Division handle criminal docket inquiries. Call the relevant division before you visit to confirm what you need to bring and what fees apply. The courthouse is at 455 West Hamilton Street in Allentown.

Note: The Recorder of Deeds in Lehigh County is staffed but does NOT conduct searches or provide research for the public. Contact a title company for property title searches. Staff cannot provide legal advice, and personal information such as Social Security numbers should not appear on recorded documents.

Types of Court Records in Lehigh County

Lehigh County court records are divided among four divisions of the Clerk of Judicial Records office. Each division keeps a different type of record for the 31st Judicial District. Understanding which division handles your record type saves time when you contact the courthouse.

The Civil Division maintains civil case filings, divorce and custody records, judgments, liens, and all other civil dockets. The Criminal Division maintains all criminal-related court records. Court clerks in the Criminal Division administer oaths, document the court's dictation of orders, and enter all docket information into the case management system. The Register of Wills Division handles probate, estate administration, wills, guardianships, and marriage licenses. The Recorder of Deeds Division maintains land records for Lehigh County, including deeds and mortgages, with GIS PIN Certification available from 8:00 AM to 3:45 PM.

Lehigh County Criminal Court Records

Criminal court records for Lehigh County are managed by the Criminal Division of the Clerk of Judicial Records. The Chief Deputy of the Criminal Division is Jill Herschman, and the Assistant Chief Deputy is Catherine Ruth. The division is at Room 122 of the courthouse at 455 West Hamilton Street in Allentown. The phone number is 610-782-3077.

The Criminal Division maintains all criminal-related court records for the 31st Judicial District. Court clerks in this division administer oaths, document court orders as they are dictated by the judge, and keep the docket current. Every criminal case at the Court of Common Pleas level is tracked here from the initial charge through the final disposition and any appeals.

Criminal, Miscellaneous, and Summary Appeal dockets for Lehigh County are viewable on the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts website and on the UJS Portal. The Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History system at epatch.pa.gov provides statewide criminal history reports that include Lehigh County convictions. The District Attorney of Lehigh County is Gavin P. Holihan, and the office runs programs including a Victim/Witness Unit and a Marijuana Diversionary Program.

Lehigh County Civil Court Records

Civil court records in Lehigh County are maintained by the Civil Division of the Clerk of Judicial Records. The Chief Deputy of the Civil Division is Sayra Tineo, and the Assistant Chief Deputy is Justine French. The division phone number is 610-782-3148, with a fax at 610-871-2895. Location is Room 132 of the Lehigh County Courthouse at 455 West Hamilton Street in Allentown.

The Prothonotary function in Lehigh County is part of the Clerk of Judicial Records. The Prothonotary office at Room 132 of the courthouse handles civil case filings, divorce and custody records, and judgment and lien indexing. Judgments and liens are recorded so anyone can search for legal claims against persons or property in Lehigh County.

The Lehigh County Prothonotary at the Lehigh County courthouse maintains all civil records for the 31st Judicial District, including divorce, custody, and judgment filings.

Lehigh County offers e-Filing for attorneys and Attorney Docket Access for online case management. Online Records Access (ORA) and Odyssey Public Access are available to the general public. These tools reduce the need for in-person visits and make civil record searches faster and more convenient for Lehigh County residents.

Note: Lehigh County land records are maintained by the Recorder of Deeds Division at Room 122 of the courthouse. This office is available from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday, with GIS PIN Certification services ending at 3:45 PM.

Public Access to Lehigh County Court Records

Pennsylvania law and the rules of the Unified Judicial System give the public broad access to Lehigh County court records. Anyone can view or request copies of most court filings. You do not need to be a party to the case. Lehigh County's multiple online tools make this access easier than in many other counties.

Some records have restricted access. Juvenile records are sealed by law. Certain mental health records, sealed court orders, and specific family court documents are also restricted. Outside of these exceptions, Lehigh County court records at the Court of Common Pleas and the magisterial district courts are open to all.

Online access options include the UJS Portal, Odyssey Public Access, and Online Records Access through the county. For documents and certified copies, contact the relevant division of the Clerk of Judicial Records. Fees apply for paper copies. The Sheriff's Office in Lehigh County, led by Sheriff Joseph Hanna, handles Sheriff Sales and related records. The Public Defender's office provides an overview of the criminal court and juvenile systems and offers internship programs.

Lehigh County Magisterial District Courts

Lehigh County is served by multiple magisterial district courts, particularly in and around the Allentown area. These courts handle lower-level matters that do not require a full Court of Common Pleas proceeding. They are the first stop for most criminal cases and for many civil and landlord-tenant disputes.

Magisterial district courts in Lehigh County handle traffic violations, summary offenses, landlord-tenant issues, preliminary hearings, and civil claims up to $12,000. Records from these courts are also available through the UJS Portal. If you need to search for a case at the MDJ level in Lehigh County, the UJS Portal is the best place to start.

Decisions from the magisterial district courts can be appealed to the Court of Common Pleas. This creates a new set of records at the courthouse level. All such appeals go through the Civil or Criminal Division of the Clerk of Judicial Records, depending on the type of case.

Cities in Lehigh County

Lehigh County is centered on Allentown, the largest city in the county and the third-largest city in Pennsylvania. Allentown is the county seat and the home of the Lehigh County Courthouse. All Court of Common Pleas-level cases for the 31st Judicial District are handled at the Allentown courthouse.

Allentown is the judicial center of Lehigh County. The courthouse at 455 West Hamilton Street handles all county-level court records and filings for the 31st Judicial District.

Nearby Counties

Lehigh County is in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania. Several counties border Lehigh County. If you are unsure which court system covers your case, check where the relevant events occurred to find the right county court.

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