Susquehanna County Court Records
Susquehanna County court records are kept by the Clerk of Courts, Prothonotary, and Register of Wills at the Susquehanna County Courthouse in Montrose, Pennsylvania. The 34th Judicial District serves Susquehanna County. Montrose is the county seat. The court offices in Montrose handle criminal, civil, probate, and family court records. You can search Susquehanna County court records through the free statewide UJS Portal at no cost or by visiting the courthouse in Montrose during regular business hours.
Susquehanna County Quick Facts
Susquehanna County Court of Common Pleas
The Susquehanna County Court of Common Pleas is the trial court of general jurisdiction for the 34th Judicial District. It handles all major cases filed in Susquehanna County including criminal felonies and misdemeanors, civil disputes, family law matters, juvenile cases, and Orphans' Court proceedings. The court sits at the Susquehanna County Courthouse in Montrose. Judges for the 34th Judicial District hear cases on a regular schedule throughout the year.
The Clerk of Courts in Susquehanna County maintains criminal records for all Common Pleas cases. Court dockets are processed and tracked through this office. Bail proceedings are also coordinated here. The Prothonotary handles civil case filings including divorce, custody, and civil judgments. The Register of Wills manages probate records including wills, estate inventories, guardianship proceedings, and marriage licenses. Each of these offices maintains public records that can be accessed at the courthouse in Montrose.
The county government information portal at susquehannacounty.com provides access to court-related services in Susquehanna County. Note that the county website requires JavaScript to load its full content. Contact the courthouse directly if you have trouble navigating the online portal.
The screenshot below shows the Susquehanna County government information website, the starting point for finding court offices and services in the county.
The county portal provides access to the courthouse in Montrose and links to the UJS Portal for searching Susquehanna County court records online.
How to Search Susquehanna County Court Records
The best free tool for Susquehanna County court records is the UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us. You can search by party name, docket number, OTN, or citation number. Results include the case type, court, judge, and all events recorded in the docket. This system covers both Common Pleas and Magisterial District Court cases in Susquehanna County at no cost to the user.
In-person access is available at the Susquehanna County Courthouse in Montrose. The Clerk of Courts handles criminal record requests. The Prothonotary handles civil record requests. The Register of Wills handles probate and estate records. Staff can search records by name or case number and provide document copies. Bring a photo ID and any case information you have when visiting the courthouse in Montrose. Call ahead to confirm office hours before your visit.
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 Susquehanna County. This is a separate tool from the UJS docket search and provides a summary of convictions rather than full case files with documents.
Note: Susquehanna 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 across Pennsylvania.
Types of Court Records in Susquehanna County
Susquehanna County court records cover several types across multiple offices. Criminal records at the Common Pleas level include charges, bail records, hearing results, plea agreements, verdicts, and sentences. Civil records include complaints, motions, judgments, and liens filed with the Prothonotary. Divorce and custody matters are also processed through the Prothonotary in Susquehanna County. Probate records kept by the Register of Wills cover wills, estate inventories, and guardianship proceedings. Marriage licenses are also issued through the court offices in Montrose.
Magisterial District Courts serve areas throughout Susquehanna County and handle lower-level matters. These courts conduct preliminary hearings for felony cases, summary offense trials, traffic citation hearings, and civil claims under $12,000. All MDJ dockets for Susquehanna County are accessible through the UJS Portal. Once a felony case is bound over to Common Pleas Court, new records are created at the courthouse in Montrose.
Susquehanna County Criminal Court Records
Criminal court records in Susquehanna County begin with an arrest and appearance before a Magisterial District Judge. The judge sets bail and schedules a preliminary hearing. If the charges are supported, the case moves to the Susquehanna County Court of Common Pleas. The Clerk of Courts maintains all criminal Common Pleas records in Susquehanna County. Court dockets are processed and tracked from filing through to sentencing and any subsequent appeals. Bail bond coordination is also handled through this office.
Criminal dockets for Susquehanna County are searchable through the UJS Portal by party name or docket number at no cost. Certified copies of criminal court documents require a visit to or written request directed to the Clerk of Courts in Montrose. Juvenile records in Susquehanna County are sealed under Pennsylvania law 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 Montrose.
Susquehanna County Civil Court Records
Civil court records in Susquehanna County are maintained by the Prothonotary. This office records all civil case filings, stores documents, and indexes judgments and liens. Civil matters in Susquehanna County include personal injury, contract disputes, property matters, and other claims above $12,000. Divorce and custody filings are processed through the Prothonotary and become part of the family court record in Susquehanna County.
Judgments recorded with the Susquehanna County Prothonotary become liens on real property in the county. These records are public and are often searched during real estate transactions to check for outstanding liens before a sale. The Register of Wills in Susquehanna County handles probate records including wills filed for probate, estate filings, and guardianship orders. These records are also public and can be searched at the courthouse in Montrose. Contact the appropriate office directly for information on document copy fees in Susquehanna County.
Public Access to Susquehanna County Court Records
Susquehanna 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. You do not need a reason or a connection to the case to view court records in Susquehanna County. Juvenile records and court-ordered sealed cases are not available to the public. The Electronic Case Record Public Access Policy at 204 Pa. Code § 213.81 limits personal data shown in online court records for Susquehanna County.
Free online docket access is available through the UJS Portal. For document copies, contact the Clerk of Courts (criminal) or the Prothonotary (civil) at the Susquehanna County Courthouse in Montrose. Copy fees apply per page, and certified copies cost more than plain copies. Call ahead to confirm office hours and current copy fees before visiting the Susquehanna County courthouse to request records.
Note: The Susquehanna County website requires JavaScript to display its full content. If you have trouble accessing information online, contact the Susquehanna County Courthouse in Montrose directly for court-related assistance.
Nearby Counties
Susquehanna County is located in northeastern Pennsylvania and borders several other counties. Make sure you are searching in the right county when looking for court records from the surrounding area.