Sullivan County Court Records and Dockets
Sullivan County court records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts and Prothonotary at the Sullivan County Courthouse in Laporte, Pennsylvania. The 44th Judicial District serves Sullivan County. Laporte is the county seat. Sullivan County shares judges with Wyoming County under a shared judicial arrangement. The court offices in Laporte handle criminal, civil, and probate records for the county. You can search Sullivan County court records through the free statewide UJS Portal or by visiting the courthouse during business hours.
Sullivan County Quick Facts
Sullivan County Court of Common Pleas
The Sullivan County Court of Common Pleas is the trial court of general jurisdiction for the 44th Judicial District. It handles all major cases filed in Sullivan County including criminal felonies and misdemeanors, civil disputes, family law matters, and Orphans' Court proceedings. The court sits at the Sullivan County Courthouse in Laporte. Sullivan County is one of the smallest and most rural counties in Pennsylvania, which means court terms may be held on a less frequent schedule than in larger counties.
Sullivan County shares its judges with Wyoming County. President Judge Shurtleff and Judge Sordoni both preside over cases in Wyoming County as well. This shared arrangement is common in smaller Pennsylvania counties where the caseload does not require a full-time dedicated judge. Cases from Sullivan County are heard at the Laporte courthouse. Contact the court administrator to confirm the schedule for upcoming hearings in Sullivan County before making the trip to Laporte.
The Clerk of Courts in Sullivan County maintains criminal records for Common Pleas cases. The Prothonotary handles civil filings. These two offices together cover most of the court records generated in Sullivan County. Marriage licenses are also issued through these offices, and probate records are maintained for estates filed in the county.
The screenshot below shows the Sullivan County government website, the primary portal for court-related information in Sullivan County.
The county website at sullivancounty-pa.org provides access to county departments and services including court offices in Laporte.
How to Search Sullivan County Court Records
The best free tool for Sullivan 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, court, judge, and all events recorded in the docket. The portal covers both Common Pleas and Magisterial District Court cases in Sullivan County at no cost.
In-person access is available at the Sullivan County Courthouse in Laporte. The Clerk of Courts handles criminal records. The Prothonotary handles civil records. Staff can search by name or case number and provide document copies. Because Sullivan County is small and rural, it is a good idea to call ahead before visiting to confirm office hours and staff availability. Contact information and department listings are available on the county government portal at sullivancounty-pa.org.
The screenshot below shows the Sullivan County government portal page, listing departments and providing links to county services including court offices.
The departments page at sullivancounty-pa.org/government/departments-a-z lists all Sullivan County offices including the Clerk of Courts and Prothonotary.
Note: For official statewide criminal history reports covering Sullivan County cases, use the PATCH portal at epatch.pa.gov for a $22 fee per search.
Types of Court Records in Sullivan County
Sullivan County court records cover criminal, civil, and probate matters. Criminal records include charges, bail decisions, preliminary hearing results, plea agreements, verdicts, and sentencing orders for cases in Common Pleas Court. Civil records include complaints, motions, judgments, and liens filed with the Prothonotary. Probate records maintained by the Prothonotary or Register of Wills cover wills, estates, and guardianships in Sullivan County. Marriage licenses are also issued through the court offices in Laporte.
Magisterial District Courts serve areas of Sullivan County and handle lower-level matters. These courts manage preliminary hearings for felony cases, summary offense trials, traffic violations, and civil claims under $12,000. MDJ dockets for Sullivan County are available through the UJS Portal. When a case is bound over to Common Pleas Court, new records are created at the Sullivan County Courthouse in Laporte.
Sullivan County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Sullivan County begin with an arrest and an appearance before a Magisterial District Judge. The judge sets bail and schedules a preliminary hearing. If the evidence supports the charges, the case moves to the Sullivan County Court of Common Pleas. The Clerk of Courts in Sullivan County maintains all criminal Common Pleas records. These include the criminal information or indictment, all motions, hearing results, the verdict, and the sentencing order.
Criminal dockets for Sullivan County are searchable by name or docket number through the UJS Portal at no cost. Certified copies of criminal court records require a visit to or written request directed to the Clerk of Courts at the Sullivan County Courthouse in Laporte. Juvenile records in Sullivan County are sealed and not available to the public without a court order. Appeals to the Pennsylvania Superior Court are also processed through the Clerk of Courts in Sullivan County.
Sullivan County Civil Court Records
Civil court records in Sullivan County are maintained by the Prothonotary. This office records all civil case filings, stores documents, and indexes judgments and liens in the county. Civil matters in Sullivan County include contract disputes, personal injury cases, and other claims above the $12,000 Magisterial District Court threshold. Divorce and custody filings are also processed through the Prothonotary as civil or family records in Sullivan County.
Judgments recorded with the Sullivan County Prothonotary serve as liens against real property in the county. These lien records are public and can be searched at the Prothonotary office in Laporte. Probate records kept by the court offices include wills filed for probate, estate inventories, and guardianship orders. Marriage license records are also maintained by the court offices in Laporte. Contact the Sullivan County Prothonotary for more information on available records and how to request copies.
Public Access to Sullivan County Court Records
Sullivan County court records are public under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101. Most criminal and civil dockets are open to public inspection. Anyone may view court records without providing a reason. Juvenile records and court-ordered sealed cases are not open to the public. The Electronic Case Record Public Access Policy at 204 Pa. Code § 213.81 limits what personal data appears in public online court records for Sullivan County and all other Pennsylvania counties.
Free online docket access is available through the UJS Portal. For document copies, contact the Prothonotary or Clerk of Courts at the Sullivan County Courthouse in Laporte. Copy fees apply per page. Certified copies cost more than plain copies but are needed for many legal purposes. Because Sullivan County is small and rural, it is best to call ahead and confirm availability before visiting the courthouse in Laporte.
Note: Sullivan County's small size and shared judicial arrangement mean that court schedules can vary. Confirm hearing dates and courthouse hours with the court administrator before planning a visit to access Sullivan County court records in person.
Nearby Counties
Sullivan County is surrounded by several Pennsylvania counties in the north-central region. Check the correct county when searching for court records from a neighboring area.