Berks County Court Records
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Berks County sits within the 23rd Judicial District of Pennsylvania, with its main courthouse at 633 Court Street in Reading. The court system covers everything from criminal prosecutions and civil disputes to family law and estate administration. Because different offices handle different types of records—the Clerk of Courts, the Prothonotary, the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans Court, and the Family Court office—figuring out which office you need is the right place to start.
If you're not sure where to begin, PennsylvaniaCourts.us offers statewide tools and directories that can point you toward the right court, help you find case docket information, and provide access to forms. Berks County also maintains its own online case search systems and in-person access at the Reading courthouse, where public terminals, clerk counters, and dedicated portals all let you look up case records.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Berks County?
You have a few different ways to search for a court case in Berks County, depending on what kind of case you're looking for and which records you need.
Online Search Options
- Unified Judicial System Web Portal — The UJS Case Search is the main statewide tool for finding court docket sheets. You can search by participant name, docket number, or case filing date. To narrow results to Berks County, just pick Berks from the county drop-down. Docket sheets and court summaries are free to view and download.
- Berks County Civil Court System (CMS) — The Prothonotary runs the Berks County Civil System, where you can search by party name or docket number for civil filings, judgments, liens, and family court docket entries.
In-Person Searches
You can visit the Berks County Courthouse at 633 Court Street, Reading, PA 19601. The office you need depends on what you're looking for:
- Criminal records — Clerk of Courts, 4th Floor
- Civil records — Prothonotary, 2nd Floor
- Probate, estate, and marriage records — Register of Wills, 2nd Floor (Services Center)
- Family law records — Family Court, 4th Floor
Open Records Requests
If what you need isn't available through a standard online search, Berks County accepts formal requests under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law. You can submit the county's Open Records Request Form in any of these ways:
- In person at the County Open Records Office
- By mail to 633 Court Street, Reading, PA 19601
- By email to Countyopenrecordsofficer@countyofberks.com
- By fax to (610) 478-6293
The county's Open Records Policy and Fee Schedule lays out the applicable copying charges and response timelines.
Are Court Records Public in Berks County?
Court records in Berks County are generally open to public inspection. Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.) establishes a presumption that public, legislative, and financial records are available for inspection and duplication unless a specific exemption applies. The statewide Case Records Public Access Policy, codified at 204 Pa. Code Chapter 213, sets out how the Unified Judicial System manages and releases court documents.
Under these rules, certain categories of information must be redacted or withheld, including:
- Social Security numbers
- Driver's license numbers
- Financial account numbers
- A minor's name, home address, and date of birth
- Personal medical and financial information
- Confidential informant identities
- Home, cellular, or personal phone numbers of parties and witnesses
- Spouses' names, marital status, beneficiary, or dependent information (in certain contexts)
Additional restrictions can arise from court orders, statutes, or attorney-client privilege. Adoption records, certain juvenile proceedings, and records sealed by a judge are among the categories that are not publicly available.
Section 213.81 of the Pennsylvania Code defines who qualifies as a custodian of court records and outlines their obligations for maintaining and releasing documents. When filing documents with any Berks County court office, parties are required to use Confidential Information Forms to keep protected data separate from the publicly accessible docket.
Berks County Criminal Court Records
Criminal case records in Berks County are maintained by the Clerk of Courts, the official recordkeeper for the Criminal Division of the Court of Common Pleas. The Clerk prepares and files all criminal dockets, signs writs and processes, administers oaths, and manages the collection and disbursement of fines, costs, and restitution.
Clerk of Courts
Address: 633 Court Street, 4th Floor, Reading, PA 19601
Phone: (610) 478-6550
Fax: (610) 478-6570
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Searching Criminal Court Records
- Online — Criminal docket sheets are available through the UJS Web Portal. Search by defendant name or docket number, then download docket sheets and court summaries at no charge.
- In person — Visit the Clerk of Courts office during business hours with identifying information for the case or individual you're searching.
- Open Records Request — Submit a completed request form to the Clerk of Courts Open Records Officer for records that aren't available through self-service options.
Criminal Background Checks
For formal criminal history reports, the Pennsylvania State Police operates the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system. You can submit a background check online through PATCH or by mailing a completed Criminal History Request Form (SP4-164) to the Commonwealth.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Individual criminal background check | $22.00 (non-refundable) |
| Notarized copy | Additional $5.00 |
Online payments accept credit cards. Mail requests require a certified check or money order. Keep in mind that fees apply even for misspelled names or duplicate submissions.
District Attorney's Office
Address: 633 Court Street, 5th Floor (Services Center), Reading, PA 19601
Phone: (610) 478-6000
Fax: (610) 478-6002
The Magisterial District Courts handle preliminary hearings in misdemeanor and felony cases, summary offenses, and preliminary arraignments. Berks County has seventeen magisterial district judges and two centralized courts—the Central Arraignment Court and Reading Central Court—both located on the 1st floor of the courthouse. Magisterial district court records are part of the statewide automated system and can be searched through the UJS Web Portal. Forms for filing actions in the magisterial district courts are available on the Pennsylvania Courts forms page.
Berks County Civil Court Records
The Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas is the chief clerk and recordkeeper for all civil filings in Berks County. The office processes civil actions, equity proceedings, judgments, federal and state tax liens, municipal liens, arbitrations, license suspension appeals, and appeals to higher courts.
Prothonotary's Office
Address: 633 Court Street, 2nd Floor, Reading, PA 19601
Phone: (610) 478-6970
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Searching Civil Records
The Berks County Civil Court System (CMS) is the Prothonotary's online search portal. You can look up civil docket entries by party name or docket number, with separate search indices for general and miscellaneous filings, judgments, and federal tax liens. If you'd rather search in person, stop by the Prothonotary's office during business hours. Staff review all pleadings for compliance with the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure and the Berks County Local Rules of Court.
Selected Prothonotary Filing Fees (Effective January 1, 2026)
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil action complaint (including mortgage foreclosure, replevin, summons) | $225.00 |
| Confession of judgment | $275.00 |
| Appeal from arbitration award | $60.00 |
| Appeal to appellate court | $100.00 |
| License suspension appeal | $250.00 |
| Mechanics lien or municipal lien | $60.00 |
| Name change | $250.00 |
| Certifying copy of document/divorce decree | $10.00 |
| Copies per page | $0.25 |
Additional surcharges may apply, including the Judicial Computer Project (JCP) fee of $41.25, the Prothonotary Automation Fee (PAF) of $5.00, e-filing fees, and a $1.00 conversion fee for documents not submitted electronically. Make checks payable to Prothonotary of Berks County. Returned checks carry a $50.00 service charge.
The Magisterial District Courts also handle civil claims where the disputed amount is under $12,000, including landlord/tenant disputes. These cases can be searched online through both the CMS and the UJS Web Portal.
Berks County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Berks County move through the Court of Common Pleas, handled by the Family Court Office and the Domestic Relations Section. The Prothonotary records and maintains all family court filings.
Family Court
Address: 633 Court Street, 4th Floor, Reading, PA 19601
Phone: (610) 478-6208, ext. 5770
Fax: (610) 478-4995
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Domestic Relations Section
Address: 633 Court Street, 6th Floor (Services Center), Reading, PA 19601
Phone: (610) 478-2900
Fax: (610) 478-6583
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Types of Family Court Records
Family Court handles proceedings related to divorce and annulment, child custody and visitation, child and spousal support, protection from abuse (PFA) orders, and property division. The Domestic Relations Section specifically focuses on establishing, modifying, and enforcing support orders. You can file for support by appearing in person at DRS between 8:00 AM and 3:30 PM, or by using the alternative filing methods described on the office's website.
Selected Family Court Filing Fees
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Custody complaint or modification | $225.00 |
| Divorce/annulment complaint (one count) | $250.00 |
| Each additional divorce count | $60.00 |
| Protection from abuse petition | $160.00 |
| Praecipe to transmit | $100.00 |
| Divorce hearing officer fee | $840.00 |
| Notice to resume prior surname | $45.00 |
An additional custody-related surcharge of $30.50 (combining the $15.00 local rule fee, $10.50 Act 119 fee, and $5.00 PAF fee) applies when custody claims are included in a divorce complaint.
Searching Family Court Records
Family court dockets can be searched online through the Berks County Civil Court System or the UJS Web Portal. Copies can be requested in person at the Prothonotary's office. Certain family court records—particularly those involving minors, domestic violence details, and confidential financial disclosures—may be restricted from third-party access by statute or court order.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued by the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans Court. Applications must be filed online; in-person applications are not currently accepted. The marriage license fee is $65.00. Pennsylvania imposes a three-day waiting period, and licenses expire after 60 days.
Marriage records from 2009 to the present can be viewed through the Register of Wills online services after registration. Older records, including those dating from 1885 to 2008, are also searchable through the office's genealogy research portal. Certified copies of marriage records are available by mail using the Marriage Certification Request Form along with the appropriate fee by check or money order.
Divorce Records
The Prothonotary's Office holds all divorce proceedings filed in the Court of Common Pleas. You can search divorce records online through the CMS or request them in person at the courthouse. Certified copies of divorce decrees cost $10.00.
Birth and Death Records
The Genealogy Department of the Register of Wills maintains Berks County birth and death records. Records from 1894 to 1906 are accessible to the general public. For records from 1906 to the present, contact the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records. Pennsylvania's Vital Statistics Law of 1953 governs the release of birth, death, fetal death, and marriage certificates, and certain records only become publicly available after a statutory waiting period.
Berks County Probate Court Records
Probate and estate matters in Berks County fall under the jurisdiction of the Register of Wills, who also serves as Clerk of the Orphans Court. The Register determines whether documents submitted for probate should be accepted as a decedent's last will. When disputes arise, the Register acts as a quasi-judicial officer with the authority to hold hearings, take testimony, review evidence, and render decisions on how an estate should be administered.
Register of Wills / Clerk of Orphans Court
Address: 633 Court Street, 2nd Floor (Services Center), Reading, PA 19601
Phone: (610) 478-6600
Fax: (610) 478-6251
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Types of Probate Records
The Register of Wills maintains records for estate administrations, wills, letters testamentary and of administration, inventories, inheritance tax returns, guardianship matters, and adoptions filed in the Orphans Court. The office also acts as an agent for the Commonwealth in collecting Pennsylvania inheritance taxes.
Probate Filing Fees (Effective December 1, 2025)
Probate fees are calculated based on the value of the estate under Table A of the fee schedule:
| Estate Value | Fee |
|---|---|
| Less than $2,500 | $30.00 |
| $2,501 – $5,000 | $50.00 |
| $5,001 – $10,000 | $75.00 |
| $10,001 – $25,000 | $100.00 |
| $25,001 – $50,000 | $130.00 |
| $50,001 – $75,000 | $200.00 |
| $75,001 – $100,000 | $250.00 |
| Each additional $100,000 or fraction | $125.00 |
Additional charges include the Judicial Computer Project fee ($41.25) and the Record Improvement Fund fee ($17.50). Other common Register of Wills fees include filing a petition and proposed order ($45.00), short certificates ($10.00), certifications ($10.00), filing a caveat ($15.00), and filing a bond ($10.00).
Accessing Probate Records
Probate records are open for public inspection at the Register of Wills office during business hours. Because the office is a mandated keeper of all records filed with it—and because those records must be preserved permanently—it also serves as a useful genealogical resource. Registered users can access certain records through the Register of Wills online search application, which includes searchable indices for estates, marriages, and other recorded documents.
Staff at the Register of Wills office are not permitted to give legal advice or complete estate documents on behalf of a personal representative. If you need legal guidance, contact the Berks County Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service at (610) 375-4591.
Estate disputes requiring a court ruling are referred to the Orphans Court, a division of the Court of Common Pleas. The Clerk of Orphans Court maintains dockets and files for adoptions, guardianships, and other matters before the Orphans Court judge. Under Section 3101 of the Probate, Estates, and Fiduciaries Code, savings institutions may release up to $10,000 to family members who present an original death certificate and a receipted funeral bill, and life insurance companies may release certain amounts under $11,000 directly to named family members without requiring full estate administration.