Northampton County Court Records Search

Northampton County court records are kept at the Government Center in Easton, Pennsylvania. The county is located in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania and is part of the 3rd Judicial District. The Court of Common Pleas handles all major civil, criminal, family, and orphans' court cases filed in Northampton County. Court offices including the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts are located at 669 Washington Street in Easton. You can search Northampton County court records through the Pennsylvania UJS portal at no cost or visit the Government Center during business hours.

Northampton County Court of Common Pleas

The Northampton County Court of Common Pleas is the main trial court for the county and sits in the 3rd Judicial District. This court handles all major criminal cases, civil lawsuits, family court proceedings, and orphans' court matters. The court has four main divisions: the Criminal Division for felonies and misdemeanors, the Civil Division for major litigation, Family Court for domestic matters, and Orphans' Court for probate and guardianship.

All court offices are located at the Northampton County Government Center, 669 Washington Street, Easton, PA 18042. The Prothonotary can be reached at 610-559-3060. The Recorder of Deeds is at 610-559-3077. The Clerk of Courts office handles all criminal case records and is also in the Government Center. Northampton County has a clear public notice: the county will never contact residents to request payments over the phone, and no agency or employee will threaten arrest or detention for nonpayment of debt via phone call.

The Northampton County website at northamptoncounty.org provides contact information, office hours, and access to all county court services.

How to Search Northampton County Court Records

The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System (UJS) portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us is the best free tool for searching Northampton County court records. You can search by party name, docket number, OTN, or citation. Results include the court, assigned judge, all documents filed, scheduled hearings, and current case status. No account is required to run a basic case search.

For full document access or certified copies of Northampton County court records, visit the Prothonotary or Clerk of Courts at the Government Center in Easton. Civil records are maintained by the Prothonotary. Criminal records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts. Both offices can search by name or case number. A per-page fee applies for photocopies. Bring a photo ID when visiting in person.

You may also submit a written public records request under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101. Courts have five business days to respond. This option works well if you cannot visit the courthouse in Easton. Call the Prothonotary at 610-559-3060 to ask what information to include in your request before submitting.

Note: Northampton County will never ask you to pay fees over the phone or threaten arrest for not paying a debt by phone. If you receive such a call, do not provide personal information.

Types of Court Records in Northampton County

Northampton County court records come from two levels of courts. The Court of Common Pleas handles major cases. Magisterial District Judge (MDJ) courts handle smaller civil claims under $12,000, traffic violations, summary offenses, and criminal preliminary hearings. All MDJ records in Northampton County are also searchable through the UJS portal.

The Criminal Division handles felony and misdemeanor cases. Each criminal docket tracks all charges, bail, hearings, motions, orders, and outcomes. The Civil Division handles major litigation including personal injury cases, contract disputes, mortgage foreclosures, liens, and judgment filings. Family Court handles domestic matters such as divorce, custody, support, and protection from abuse orders. Orphans' Court handles probate, guardianship, and adoption proceedings in Northampton County.

Northampton County Criminal Court Records

Criminal court records in Northampton County are maintained by the Clerk of Courts at the Government Center in Easton. The Clerk handles all criminal case documents, dockets, and orders for the Court of Common Pleas. Records include all felony and misdemeanor cases with full case histories showing charges, bail, court dates, motions, rulings, and final outcomes. Criminal records in Northampton County are public unless a court order seals or expunges them.

The Northampton County Court of Common Pleas manages four court divisions with separate criminal, civil, family, and orphans' court records for the county.

The Clerk of Courts also coordinates bail proceedings and handles appeals to higher courts from Northampton County. For an official statewide criminal history check, use the PATCH system at epatch.pa.gov for $22. PATCH covers records from all 67 Pennsylvania counties and is the most reliable source for a complete background check on any person who has had cases in Northampton County or elsewhere in Pennsylvania.

Northampton County Civil Court Records

Civil court records in Northampton County are maintained by the Prothonotary at the Government Center in Easton. The Prothonotary records all civil case filings and maintains docket sheets for every civil case in the Court of Common Pleas. Civil records include divorce and custody cases, personal injury suits, contract disputes, mortgage foreclosures, mechanic's liens, judgment filings, and family court records. Judgments and liens are indexed for easy name-based searches.

Civil docket entries for Northampton County cases can be viewed for free through the UJS portal. Getting copies of actual documents filed in a case requires a visit to the Prothonotary in Easton or a written request. Copy fees apply per page. Some portions of family court records involving minor children may have restricted access. Call 610-559-3060 to confirm what is publicly available in a specific case before visiting.

Public Access to Northampton County Court Records

Court records in Northampton County are generally 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 most court records. The UJS portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us is free and available at any time. In-person visits to the Government Center in Easton give you the most complete access to Northampton County court records.

Some records are restricted by law. Juvenile court records are not public. Mental health records are protected. A judge may seal a specific case for other reasons. The Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts at the Easton Government Center can tell you what is available and guide you through a formal records request if needed. Contact the county at northamptoncounty.org for current office hours and phone numbers.

Family Court and Orphans' Court in Northampton County

Northampton County's Family Court handles all domestic matters filed in the county. This includes divorce petitions, custody cases, child support orders, spousal support, and protection from abuse petitions. Family Court records are maintained by the Prothonotary and are generally public, though portions involving minor children may be restricted. All family court filings become part of the Northampton County court record at the Government Center in Easton.

Orphans' Court in Northampton County handles probate and guardianship proceedings. When a person dies and leaves property in Northampton County, the estate may go through probate at this court. Orphans' Court also handles adoption proceedings, which are sealed from public access. Guardianship petitions for minors or incapacitated adults are open records, subject to court-ordered restrictions in specific cases. Contact the Government Center for more information on these Northampton County court records.

Cities in Northampton County

Northampton County includes several cities and municipalities. All major civil and criminal cases for these areas are filed with the Court of Common Pleas at the Government Center in Easton.

Bethlehem is the largest city in Northampton County. Cases involving Bethlehem residents are heard at the Court of Common Pleas in Easton for major civil and criminal matters, or at local MDJ courts for smaller cases.

Nearby Counties

Northampton County borders several other Pennsylvania counties in the Lehigh Valley and Pocono regions. Check where the case was filed to make sure you are searching the correct county court system.

View All 67 Counties