Westmoreland County Court Records Lookup
Westmoreland County court records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts and the Prothonotary at the courthouse in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. The Court of Common Pleas for Westmoreland County handles all criminal felonies, serious misdemeanors, civil disputes, family law cases, and appeals from district courts. Records created by these courts are stored in Greensburg and can be searched online through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System. This page explains how to find Westmoreland County court records, which offices maintain different record types, and what tools are available to the public.
Westmoreland County Quick Facts
Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas
The Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas is the main trial court for the county. It handles all criminal cases above the district court level, including felonies and serious misdemeanors. It also handles civil cases, family law proceedings, juvenile matters, and probate and estate cases through the Orphans' Court division. Court administration manages day-to-day operations and publishes court schedules on the county website. The county is noted for its rural character, with about 80 percent of the land being forest or farmland, making Greensburg the central hub for all courthouse activity.
The Clerk of Courts maintains criminal records for the Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas. That office keeps all dockets, charging documents, bail records, and appeal filings. Juvenile records are held separately and have restricted public access. The Prothonotary in Westmoreland County serves as the civil clerk of court. It records all civil case filings, divorce and custody matters, judgments, and liens. The Prothonotary's office also tracks family court records and files related to domestic relations proceedings.
The Westmoreland County government website at co.westmoreland.pa.us provides access to department listings, courthouse news, and court schedules. The site is built through CivicPlus and allows residents to create an account to receive notifications about county news and event updates.
The Westmoreland County homepage also posts a calendar of events and court schedules. Visit the homepage to find updated information about scheduled court dates and county office hours in Greensburg.
Both county websites serve as entry points for residents seeking court information. Check the site before visiting the Greensburg courthouse to confirm current hours and any schedule changes.
How to Search Westmoreland County Court Records
The Unified Judicial System portal is the primary way to search Westmoreland County court records online. Go to ujsportal.pacourts.us and search by party name, docket number, OTN, or citation number. The portal is free to use, does not require a login, and is available at any hour. Search results return docket sheets showing the court name, the judge assigned, all filings, hearing schedules, and current case status. Both Court of Common Pleas and magisterial district court records appear in the portal.
Docket sheets show case-level information. To get copies of actual court documents, contact the Westmoreland County Clerk of Courts for criminal records or the Prothonotary for civil records. Both offices are at the courthouse in Greensburg. You can visit in person during regular business hours, call to ask about mail requests, or check whether the office accepts any form of remote document ordering. Staff locate records by party name or docket number and charge a per-page fee for copies.
Note: Older Westmoreland County records that were created before the digital court system was in place may not appear in the UJS portal. Contact the courthouse directly for files that may be in paper format only.
Types of Court Records in Westmoreland County
Westmoreland County court records span several categories depending on the case type. Criminal records from the Court of Common Pleas include criminal informations, bail documents, plea transcripts, sentencing orders, and post-conviction motions. Civil records include all pleadings and orders in contract, tort, and property cases. Family records cover divorce, custody, support, and protection from abuse matters. Orphans' court records include wills filed for probate, estate accountings, and guardianship orders. Each category is maintained by a different office at the courthouse.
The magisterial district courts in Westmoreland County also produce records. These courts hold preliminary hearings for criminal cases before they go to the Court of Common Pleas, decide summary offenses and traffic violations, and hear civil claims under $12,000. All district court records are part of the UJS portal, which lets you follow a case from its initial filing at the district level through to its final outcome in the Court of Common Pleas.
Westmoreland County Criminal Court Records
The Clerk of Courts in Westmoreland County holds all criminal records from the Court of Common Pleas. Docket sheets for each case are available free of charge through the UJS portal. A docket sheet shows the defendant's full name, the charges, bail conditions, attorney of record, all filings and their dates, scheduled hearings, and the final outcome. Pennsylvania's Rules of Criminal Procedure under Title 234 govern how criminal cases move through the system in Westmoreland County.
For an official certified background check, use PATCH at epatch.pa.gov. This service is run by the Pennsylvania State Police and covers criminal history from all 67 Pennsylvania counties for $22 per search. PATCH is the standard background check tool under the Criminal History Record Information Act, 18 Pa.C.S. § 9101, and provides a more thorough picture than searching only Westmoreland County dockets. Juvenile records in Westmoreland County have restricted access and are generally not part of public searches.
Westmoreland County Civil Court Records
The Westmoreland County Prothonotary keeps all civil court records. This office is the civil clerk of court, meaning it records every step of a civil case from the first complaint through final judgment. Civil cases in Westmoreland County include personal injury suits, breach of contract claims, property disputes, mortgage foreclosures, and landlord-tenant cases. The Prothonotary indexes all judgments by party name, making it possible to search for debt judgments entered against any person or property in Westmoreland County.
Divorce, custody, and support cases are filed with the Prothonotary as well. These family law matters follow the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure under Title 231. Westmoreland County civil court records are public under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101. Exceptions exist for sealed cases and for the specific data fields protected by the Electronic Case Record Public Access Policy at 204 Pa. Code § 213.81.
Public Access to Westmoreland County Court Records
Westmoreland County follows Pennsylvania's statewide rules for public access to court records. The Electronic Case Record Public Access Policy at 204 Pa. Code § 213.81 governs what is available online and at the courthouse. Docket-level information is publicly accessible. Personal data such as Social Security numbers and financial account numbers is redacted from public documents. Information about juvenile cases is restricted.
You have three ways to access Westmoreland County court records. Online access through the UJS portal is free and available around the clock. In-person access is available at the Westmoreland County Courthouse in Greensburg during regular business hours. Written mail requests can be sent to the appropriate office at the Greensburg courthouse. Include the party name and approximate year of filing so staff can locate the record promptly. Copy fees apply for all printed documents.
Note: Westmoreland County court schedules are posted online at the county website. Check the schedule before visiting the courthouse to confirm that the office you need will be open and available to assist you.
Westmoreland County Court Records Research Help
Several resources are available when researching Westmoreland County court records. The county government website at co.westmoreland.pa.us lists all courthouse departments with contact information and operating hours. The UJS portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us is the most efficient tool for a name-based case search across all Westmoreland County courts. The Pennsylvania Courts website at pacourts.us provides statewide forms, guides, and court contact information.
Pennsylvania Legal Aid can help qualifying residents of Westmoreland County navigate the court system at no cost. Visit palegalaid.net to check eligibility. The Pennsylvania Bar Association's lawyer referral service is available at 800-692-7375 to help you find a local attorney who handles cases in Westmoreland County. The Register of Wills in Westmoreland County handles probate filings, wills, guardianship matters, and marriage licenses that may relate to civil or estate cases at the courthouse.
Nearby Counties
Westmoreland County is in southwestern Pennsylvania, east of Pittsburgh. Each neighboring county maintains its own courthouse and separate records. Confirm the correct filing county before making a records request.