Snyder County Court Records Guide
Snyder County court records are maintained by the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts at 9 West Market Street in Middleburg, Pennsylvania. The 17th Judicial District is a two-county, two-judge district that serves both Snyder and Union counties. Middleburg is the county seat for Snyder County. The combined Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts office keeps civil, criminal, and Orphans' Court records in one place. You can search Snyder County court records online through the UJS Portal or by visiting the courthouse in Middleburg during regular business hours.
Snyder County Quick Facts
Snyder County Court of Common Pleas
The 17th Judicial District serves both Snyder and Union counties with two judges. President Judge Lori R. Hackenberg has chambers at the Snyder County Courthouse at 9 West Market Street, Middleburg, PA 17842. Phone: (570) 837-4238. Judge Michael Piecuch has chambers at the Union County Courthouse in Lewisburg. Court Administrator Kelly Heeter can be reached at (570) 837-4344 or kheeter@snydercounty.org. Cases from Snyder County are heard at the Snyder County Courthouse in Middleburg.
Two Magisterial District Judges serve Snyder County. Judge Scott Zeigler presides over District 17-3-03 at 1025 US Rt. 522, Selinsgrove, PA 17870. Phone: (570) 374-0111. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Judge Bo Trawitz presides over District 17-3-04 at 32 East Market Street, Middleburg, PA 17842. Phone: (570) 837-4213. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. These courts handle preliminary hearings, summary offenses, traffic matters, and civil claims under $12,000.
The screenshot below shows the Snyder County government website, the main portal for court-related offices and services in Snyder County.
The county portal at snydercounty.org lists all departments and links to court-related services and elected officials in Snyder County.
How to Search Snyder County Court Records
The free statewide tool for searching Snyder County court records is the UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us. You can search by party name, docket number, OTN, or citation number. Results show the case type, judge, charges or claims, and all events in the case. This covers both Common Pleas and Magisterial District Court cases in Snyder County at no charge.
In-person access is available at the Snyder County Courthouse at 9 West Market Street, Middleburg, PA 17842. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. The combined Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts office handles civil, criminal, and Orphans' Court record requests. Electronic filing is now accepted for civil cases. A separate portal handles Orphans' Court electronic filings. The office also handles marriage licenses by appointment and passport applications with photo services for $15.
The screenshot below shows the Snyder County Prothonotary page, where you can find contact details, fee schedules, and forms for civil cases in Snyder County.
The Prothonotary page at snydercounty.org provides fee bills, custody forms, and instructions for filing in Snyder County court.
Note: The Snyder County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts cannot provide legal advice. Contact a licensed attorney for guidance on filing or responding to court cases in Snyder County.
Types of Court Records in Snyder County
Snyder County court records cover criminal, civil, and Orphans' Court matters. Criminal records include charges, arraignment results, bail decisions, hearing transcripts, plea agreements, verdicts, and sentences. Civil records include complaints, motions, judgments, and liens indexed by the Prothonotary. Orphans' Court records include wills, estates, guardianships, and related filings. Family court forms including custody filings are also available through the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts office in Middleburg.
Magisterial District Court records in Snyder County cover lower-level matters. District Judge Zeigler and District Judge Trawitz each maintain dockets for their service areas. These courts handle summary offenses, traffic cases, civil claims under $12,000, and preliminary hearings for felony cases. All of these records are accessible through the UJS Portal. When a felony case is bound over to Common Pleas Court in Middleburg, new records are created there as well.
Snyder County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Snyder County begin with an arrest and an appearance before a Magisterial District Judge. The judge sets bail and schedules a preliminary hearing. If charges are supported, the case moves to the Snyder County Court of Common Pleas. The Clerk of Courts maintains criminal Common Pleas records including the information or indictment, motions, hearing records, verdicts, and sentences. Court Reporter Megan Burlew handles transcription for court proceedings in Snyder County.
Criminal dockets for Snyder County cases can be searched by name or docket number through the UJS Portal at no cost. Certified copies of criminal court records require a visit to or a written request directed to the Clerk of Courts at the Snyder County Courthouse in Middleburg. For official statewide criminal history reports, use the PATCH portal at epatch.pa.gov for a $22 fee.
Snyder County Civil Court Records
Civil court records in Snyder County are maintained by the Prothonotary. This office records all civil case filings, stores documents, and indexes judgments and liens against property in Snyder County. Civil cases here cover contract disputes, personal injury, property matters, and other civil claims. Domestic matters including divorce and custody are also filed through the Prothonotary. Electronic filing is now accepted for civil cases in Snyder County, making it easier to submit documents without visiting the courthouse in Middleburg.
Judgments recorded with the Snyder County Prothonotary become liens against real property in the county. Lien searches are often done during real estate transactions to ensure clean title before a sale. These records are public and can be searched at the Prothonotary office. Fee bills for both Prothonotary and Orphans' Court filings are available on the county website to help you understand what costs apply before filing in Snyder County.
The screenshot below shows the Snyder County courts page, which provides details on the 17th Judicial District, its judges, and the Magisterial District Courts that serve Snyder County.
The courts page at snydercounty.org lists judge contact details, court administrator information, and MDJ locations for Snyder County.
Public Access to Snyder County Court Records
Snyder County court records are public under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101. Anyone may view most court records without providing a reason. Criminal and civil dockets are generally open to the public. Juvenile records and sealed cases are not available. The Electronic Case Record Public Access Policy at 204 Pa. Code § 213.81 limits what personal data appears in public online records for Snyder County and all Pennsylvania courts.
Free online docket access is available through the UJS Portal. For document copies, visit the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts in Middleburg. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Copy fees apply per page, and certified copies cost more. Jury and GTS coordination is handled by Abby Yorks in Snyder County, and jurors called for service receive information from that office about their obligations and schedule.
Note: The 17th Judicial District covers both Snyder and Union counties, so judges and some staff may rotate between the two courthouses. Check with the Snyder County Court Administrator if you need to confirm where a specific hearing is scheduled.
Nearby Counties
Snyder County borders several Pennsylvania counties. If you are not sure which county holds the court records you need, check where the case was originally filed.