Somerset County Court Records Search
Somerset County court records are maintained by the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts at the Somerset County Courthouse in Somerset, Pennsylvania. The 16th Judicial District serves Somerset County and handles all criminal, civil, family, and probate cases filed in the county. Somerset is both the county seat and the name of the county. The courthouse is located at 95 West Beau Street in Somerset. You can search Somerset County court records online through the UJS Portal or by visiting the courthouse Monday through Friday during regular business hours.
Somerset County Quick Facts
Somerset County Court of Common Pleas
The Somerset County Court of Common Pleas is the trial court of general jurisdiction for the 16th Judicial District. It handles all major cases filed in Somerset County including felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, civil disputes, family law matters, juvenile cases, and Orphans' Court proceedings. The court sits in Somerset at the courthouse on West Beau Street. General courthouse hours are 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, though hours vary by department.
Somerset County observes a standard list of county holidays for courthouse closures. These include Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Court offices are closed on these dates in Somerset County. Plan your courthouse visit around the holiday schedule to avoid a wasted trip. Call ahead to confirm hours if you are visiting near a holiday.
The county government website at co.somerset.pa.us provides access to court-related departments and links to offices that handle court records in Somerset County.
The screenshot below shows the Somerset County government website, your starting point for court-related information in Somerset County.
The county portal lists all departments and links to commissioner meeting information and county holiday schedules that affect courthouse access in Somerset County.
How to Search Somerset County Court Records
The free statewide tool for Somerset 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 court, judge, case type, and all events recorded in the case docket. This system covers both Common Pleas and Magisterial District Court cases in Somerset County.
In-person access is available at the Somerset County Courthouse at 95 West Beau Street in Somerset, PA. General courthouse hours are 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. The Prothonotary handles civil records. The Clerk of Courts handles criminal records. Staff can search by name or case number and provide document copies. Bring a photo ID and any case information you already have when visiting the Somerset County courthouse.
For official statewide criminal history records, use the PATCH system at epatch.pa.gov. PATCH searches cost $22 and provide a certified criminal history report covering all Pennsylvania counties including Somerset County. This is different from a docket search and provides a summary of convictions rather than full case files.
Note: Somerset County court records are subject to the Electronic Case Record Public Access Policy at 204 Pa. Code § 213.81, which protects certain personal information in online public records.
Types of Court Records in Somerset County
Somerset County court records span multiple divisions and record types. Criminal records cover all Common Pleas criminal cases and include charges, bail records, hearing results, plea agreements, verdicts, and sentences. Civil records include complaints, motions, judgments, and liens maintained by the Prothonotary. Divorce and custody matters are also maintained as civil or family records in Somerset County. Probate and estate records fall under Orphans' Court and cover wills, estate inventories, guardianships, and related matters.
Magisterial District Courts serve communities throughout Somerset County. These courts handle preliminary hearings for felony cases, summary offense trials, traffic cases, and small civil claims up to $12,000. Each MDJ maintains separate dockets accessible through the UJS Portal. Once a felony case is bound over to Common Pleas Court in Somerset, new records are created at the courthouse. All of these records are accessible through the online portal or in person at the relevant courthouse location.
Somerset County Criminal Court Records
Criminal court records in Somerset County begin with an arrest and a preliminary arraignment before a Magisterial District Judge. The judge sets bail and schedules a preliminary hearing. If the evidence is sufficient, the case is sent to the Somerset County Court of Common Pleas for trial. The Clerk of Courts maintains all criminal Common Pleas records including informations, indictments, motions, verdicts, and sentences. Bail bond coordination is also handled by the Clerk of Courts in Somerset County.
Criminal dockets for Somerset County cases are searchable through the UJS Portal by name or docket number at no cost. Certified copies require a written or in-person request to the Clerk of Courts at the Somerset County Courthouse. Juvenile records in Somerset County are sealed and not available to the public. A court order is required to access any sealed or juvenile record in Somerset County. Appeals to the Pennsylvania Superior or Supreme Court are processed through the Clerk of Courts as well.
Somerset County Civil Court Records
Civil court records in Somerset County are maintained by the Prothonotary. This office records civil case filings, stores documents, and indexes judgments and liens. Civil cases in Somerset County include contract disputes, personal injury matters, and other claims above the Magisterial District Court threshold of $12,000. Divorce and custody matters are filed through the Prothonotary as family court records. Judgments and liens are indexed and searchable at the Prothonotary office in Somerset.
The Somerset County Prothonotary serves as the civil clerk of court for the 16th Judicial District. It processes and tracks civil court dockets and works alongside the Clerk of Courts, which handles criminal records. Both offices are located at the Somerset County Courthouse on West Beau Street. The two offices together form the core of the court records system in Somerset County. Contact either office directly for questions about specific case types or fees for document copies.
The screenshot below shows the Somerset County homepage, which provides access to all county departments and court offices.
The Somerset County homepage at co.somerset.pa.us links to all departments involved in court records and county government in Somerset County.
Public Access to Somerset County Court Records
Somerset County court records are public under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101. Most criminal and civil dockets are open for public inspection. Anyone may request access without explaining their reason. Juvenile records and court-ordered sealed cases are not available to the general public. The Electronic Case Record Public Access Policy at 204 Pa. Code § 213.81 limits the personal data that appears in online public court records for Somerset County.
Free online docket access is available through the UJS Portal. For document copies, visit or write to the Prothonotary (civil records) or the Clerk of Courts (criminal records) at the Somerset County Courthouse. Hours are generally 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Copy fees apply and certified copies cost more than plain copies. Check the county website for current fee schedules before visiting the Somerset County courthouse to request records.
Note: Somerset County court records may be searched by case number, party name, or docket number through the UJS Portal. Contact the court directly for records that are older than what the online system shows.
Nearby Counties
Somerset County borders several Pennsylvania counties in the southwestern part of the state. Check the county where the case was filed to make sure you are searching in the right jurisdiction.