Montour County Court Records in Danville
Montour County court records are maintained at the county courthouse in Danville, Pennsylvania. Montour County is the smallest county in Pennsylvania by area, covering just 132 square miles along the Susquehanna River. Its population of about 18,136 makes it one of the least populous counties in the state. The Court of Common Pleas serves the 26th Judicial District, which it shares with Columbia County, and handles all major civil, criminal, and family law matters filed in Montour County. You can search Montour County court records through the Pennsylvania UJS portal for free or visit the courthouse during regular business hours.
Montour County Quick Facts
Montour County Court of Common Pleas
The Montour County Court of Common Pleas is the main trial court for all major civil and criminal cases in the county. It sits in the 26th Judicial District, shared with Columbia County. Judges of this court hear felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, civil lawsuits, family law matters, and orphans' court proceedings. All court records from these cases are maintained at the courthouse in Danville.
The courthouse and all county office buildings in Montour County, except the prison, are open to the public during normal business hours, Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Court offices include the Clerk of Courts, Prothonotary, and Register of Wills. All offices are closed on weekends and holidays. The Montour County Prison is open for visitation by appointment only and is a separate facility from the courthouse.
The Montour County official website at montourcounty.gov lists all county offices, hours, and contact details for court-related services in Danville.
| Court |
Montour County Court of Common Pleas 26th Judicial District Danville, PA |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Website | montourcounty.gov |
How to Search Montour County Court Records
The best starting point for searching Montour County court records is the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System (UJS) portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us. This free tool lets you search by party name, docket number, OTN, or citation. Results show the case type, assigned judge, all documents filed, scheduled hearings, and the current case status. No account is needed to run a basic search on the UJS portal for Montour County cases.
For full document access or certified copies, visit the Prothonotary or Clerk of Courts at the Montour County courthouse in Danville. Civil records are kept by the Prothonotary. Criminal records are kept by the Clerk of Courts. Both offices can search by name or docket number and make copies for a per-page fee. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Because Montour County is very small, staff at the courthouse are often able to assist you quickly when you call or visit. You may also submit a written request under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101. Courts must respond within five business days. Check the county website at montourcounty.gov for current office contact numbers before making a request.
Types of Court Records in Montour County
Montour County court records cover cases from both the Court of Common Pleas and the Magisterial District Judge (MDJ) courts that serve the county. MDJ courts handle small civil claims under $12,000, traffic violations, summary offenses, and criminal preliminary hearings. Records from MDJ courts are also searchable through the UJS portal and may later become part of a Common Pleas record if an appeal is filed.
Civil records maintained by the Prothonotary include personal injury cases, contract disputes, divorce and custody cases, protection from abuse orders, mortgage foreclosures, and judgment filings. Criminal records maintained by the Clerk of Courts include all felony and misdemeanor case dockets with complete histories. The Register of Wills keeps probate records and estate filings, and also issues marriage licenses for Montour County residents.
Note: Montour County shares the 26th Judicial District with Columbia County. In some situations, cases may involve both counties. The UJS portal covers both counties' court records.
Montour County Criminal Court Records
The Clerk of Courts in Montour County maintains all criminal records for the Court of Common Pleas. These records include every felony and misdemeanor case filed in the county. Each criminal docket shows the defendant's name, all charges, bail information, court appearances, motions and orders, and the final outcome of the case. Criminal records in Montour County are open to the public unless a court order seals or expunges them.
You can search Montour County criminal records for free at ujsportal.pacourts.us. Search by name, OTN, or case number. The docket sheet for each case shows the full history of every event in that case. For certified copies of criminal dockets or court orders, contact the Clerk of Courts in Danville.
For a complete statewide criminal history check, use the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system at epatch.pa.gov. A PATCH report costs $22 and covers records from all 67 Pennsylvania counties including Montour. This is the official source for a full criminal background search in Pennsylvania.
Montour County Civil Court Records
Civil court records in Montour County are managed by the Prothonotary at the Danville courthouse. These records include all civil cases filed with the Court of Common Pleas, such as divorce filings, custody cases, personal injury suits, contract disputes, mortgage foreclosures, liens, and protection from abuse petitions. Each civil record shows the parties, the filing date, all documents submitted, scheduled hearings, and the final judgment.
Civil docket entries for Montour County can be viewed for free through the UJS portal. To get copies of actual court documents, you need to visit the Prothonotary in Danville or send a written request. Fees apply per page copied. The Prothonotary also maintains probate records through the Register of Wills function and issues marriage licenses. Call ahead to confirm hours and copy fees before visiting the courthouse.
Public Access to Montour County Court Records
Most Montour County court records are open to the public under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101, and the Electronic Case Record Public Access Policy at 204 Pa. Code § 213.81. You do not need to be a party to a case to view or request public court records in Montour County. The UJS portal is the easiest and fastest way to start a public search.
Some records are restricted. Juvenile court records are not open to the public. Mental health records are protected. A judge can also order a specific file sealed. The Clerk of Courts and Prothonotary at the courthouse in Danville can tell you which records are open in any given case and guide you through a formal records request if needed. The courthouse is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and all offices are closed on weekends and holidays.
Montour County Probate and Estate Records
The Register of Wills in Montour County handles all probate and estate matters filed in the county. Probate records become public when a will is admitted and an estate is opened. The Register reviews wills, appoints executors or administrators, and maintains records of all estate proceedings. These records are available at the courthouse in Danville during regular business hours.
Guardianship proceedings for minors and adults who cannot manage their own affairs go through the Orphans' Court division of the Court of Common Pleas in Montour County. The Register of Wills also issues marriage licenses. Probate records include admitted wills, letters testamentary, estate inventories, and final accounts. Contact the courthouse at montourcounty.gov for current contact details for the Register of Wills office in Danville.
Nearby Counties
Montour County is surrounded by several other central Pennsylvania counties. If you are not sure which county holds a case, check where the person lives or where the case was filed.