Pike County Pennsylvania Court Records
Pike County court records are maintained by the Court of Common Pleas in Milford, Pennsylvania. The 60th Judicial District serves Pike County and handles all criminal, civil, family, and probate cases filed in the county. Milford is the county seat, and the courthouse is the central location for all court files. You can search Pike County court records online through the free statewide UJS Portal or by visiting the courthouse in person. This guide explains what records exist, how to find them, and what each type of case file contains.
Pike County Quick Facts
Pike County Court of Common Pleas
The Pike County Court of Common Pleas is the trial court of general jurisdiction for the 60th Judicial District. It handles all major cases filed in Pike County. The court sits in Milford at the Pike County Courthouse. Criminal felonies and misdemeanors, civil cases, family law matters, and Orphans' Court proceedings all come before this court. Judges assigned to the 60th Judicial District hear cases throughout the year on a regular schedule.
The Criminal Division handles felony and misdemeanor cases. It keeps records of charges, hearings, pleas, verdicts, and sentences. The Civil Division handles litigation between parties, including personal injury, contract disputes, and property matters. The Family Court handles divorce, custody, child support, and domestic matters. The Orphans' Court handles probate, wills, guardianships, and estate administration. Each division maintains separate dockets and records at the Pike County Courthouse in Milford.
The Pike County government website at pikepa.org provides links to court-related offices and departments. Row offices including court-related offices are listed there. Office hours are Monday through Friday.
The screenshot below shows the Pike County government website, which links to court offices and services for Pike County court records.
Use the county website to find contact information for the Prothonotary, Clerk of Courts, and other offices that maintain Pike County court records.
How to Search Pike County Court Records
The main free tool for searching Pike County court records is the Unified Judicial System Portal. Go to ujsportal.pacourts.us to begin. You can search by party name, docket number, OTN, or citation number. Results show the court, judge, case type, charges or claims, and all scheduled or completed events. This tool covers both Common Pleas and Magisterial District Court cases in Pike County.
In-person searches are also available at the Pike County Courthouse in Milford. The Prothonotary handles civil records. The Clerk of Courts handles criminal records. Staff can search records by name or case number and make copies for you. Bring a photo ID and the name of the party you are searching or the case number if you have it. Older records may take more time to pull from storage. Call ahead to confirm hours and what you need to bring when visiting Pike County.
The Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History (PATCH) portal at epatch.pa.gov provides official criminal history reports for a $22 fee. PATCH searches cover statewide records, not just Pike County. For a full case file with all documents, an in-person visit or written request to the Pike County courthouse is required.
Note: Court records in Pike County are subject to the Electronic Case Record Public Access Policy at 204 Pa. Code § 213.81, which limits certain personal data in online records.
Types of Court Records in Pike County
Pike County court records include several different types of documents across multiple divisions. Criminal records cover charges, bail orders, preliminary hearing results, trial transcripts, verdicts, and sentences. Civil records cover complaints, answers, motions, judgments, and liens. Family court records include divorce decrees, custody orders, and support orders. Orphans' Court records include wills, estate inventories, and guardianship orders.
Magisterial District Court records in Pike County cover lower-level matters. These courts handle preliminary hearings for felony cases, summary offenses, traffic violations, and civil disputes under $12,000. After a preliminary hearing in a Magisterial District Court, felony cases move up to the Pike County Court of Common Pleas. Both levels of court maintain dockets accessible through the UJS Portal.
Each docket entry in Pike County shows the date of the event, what action was taken, and which judge or officer was involved. Documents filed in the case are listed and can be requested by name or number. The UJS Portal shows docket entries for free. Getting copies of the actual documents requires contact with the Prothonotary or Clerk of Courts in Pike County.
Pike County Criminal Court Records
Criminal court records in Pike County begin with arrest and booking. After an arrest, the defendant goes before a Magisterial District Judge for a preliminary arraignment. The judge sets bail and schedules a preliminary hearing. If the case moves forward, it is sent to the Pike County Court of Common Pleas for trial. All steps in this process create records that become part of the permanent court file.
The Clerk of Courts in Pike County maintains all criminal court records for Common Pleas cases. Records include informations, indictments, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and any appeals. Docket entries show each event in the case from start to finish. These records are available through the UJS Portal by searching the defendant's name or the docket number. For certified copies of criminal court records, contact the Clerk of Courts at the Pike County Courthouse in Milford.
Pike County Civil Court Records
Civil court records in Pike County are maintained by the Prothonotary. This office handles case filings, stores documents, and indexes judgments and liens. Civil cases in Pike County cover personal injury, contract disputes, property matters, and more. The Prothonotary can search civil records by party name or case number. Judgments recorded in Pike County are public records and can affect property ownership in the county.
Family court records are also part of the Prothonotary's responsibility in Pike County. Divorce cases, custody matters, and support orders are all filed through the Prothonotary or Domestic Relations office. These records are available at the courthouse in Milford. Some family court records, especially those involving children, may have restricted access or sealed portions. Contact the Pike County Prothonotary for guidance on what is accessible in any given case.
Note: Orphans' Court records in Pike County cover wills filed for probate, guardianships, and estate proceedings. These records are public and can be searched at the courthouse in Milford.
Public Access to Pike County Court Records
Court records in Pike County are public under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101. Any person may request access to court records without needing to explain why. Most criminal and civil dockets are open for viewing. Juvenile records and certain sealed cases are not available to the general public. Court orders can also seal specific records or portions of records in Pike County.
Online access is available through the UJS Portal at no cost. This tool shows docket information for all courts in the 60th Judicial District. For document copies, you must contact the appropriate office in Pike County. The Prothonotary handles civil document copies. The Clerk of Courts handles criminal document copies. Copy fees vary depending on the number of pages. Certified copies cost more than plain copies but are required for many legal uses.
The Pennsylvania Electronic Case Record Public Access Policy at 204 Pa. Code § 213.81 sets limits on what personal information can appear in online records. Social Security numbers, financial account details, and similar sensitive data are redacted from public court records in Pike County and across Pennsylvania.
Nearby Counties
Pike County borders several other Pennsylvania counties. If you are not sure which county holds the records you need, check the address where the case was filed or where the parties lived at the time.