Berks County Court Records Search
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Berks County is part of the 23rd Judicial District of Pennsylvania, with its primary courthouse located at 633 Court Street in Reading. The county’s court system handles a broad range of legal matters—from criminal prosecutions and civil disputes to family law proceedings and estate administration. Multiple county offices maintain different categories of court records, including the Clerk of Courts, the Prothonotary, the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans’ Court, and the Family Court office. Understanding which office holds the records you need is an essential first step in any court records search.
Residents and members of the public looking for court case information in Pennsylvania can begin by consulting official court resources. PennsylvaniaCourts.us offers statewide tools and directories that can help users identify the appropriate court, locate case docket information, and access forms. Beyond the state-level resources, Berks County maintains its own online case search systems and in-person access points at the courthouse in Reading. Public access terminals, clerk office counters, and dedicated online portals all serve as entry points for locating case records.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Berks County?
Berks County provides several pathways for looking up a court case, depending on the type of case and the records involved.
Online Search Options
- Unified Judicial System Web Portal — The UJS Case Search is the primary statewide tool for finding court docket sheets. Users can search by participant name, docket number, or case filing date. To narrow results to Berks County, select “Berks” from the county drop-down menu. Docket sheets and court summaries can be viewed and downloaded at no charge.
- Berks County Civil Court System (CMS) — The Prothonotary maintains the Berks County Civil System, which allows searches by party name or docket number for civil filings, judgments, liens, and family court docket entries.
In-Person Searches
Individuals may visit the relevant office at the Berks County Courthouse, 633 Court Street, Reading, PA 19601. The office to contact depends on the record type:
- 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
For records not readily available through online searches, Berks County accepts formal requests under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law. Requestors can submit the county’s Open Records Request Form by any of the following methods:
- 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 details 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, further governs how the Unified Judicial System manages and releases court documents.
Under these rules, the following categories of information must be redacted or withheld from public access:
- 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
- Spouse’s name, marital status, beneficiary, or dependent information (in certain contexts)
Additional restrictions may apply by court order, statute, or attorney-client privilege. Adoption records, certain juvenile proceedings, and records sealed by a judge are among the categories exempt from public disclosure.
Section 213.81 of the Pennsylvania Code defines who qualifies as a custodian of court records and outlines the obligations for maintaining and releasing documents. When filing documents with any Berks County court office, parties are required to use Confidential Information Forms to separate protected data from the publicly accessible docket.
Berks County Criminal Court Records
Criminal case records in Berks County are maintained by the Clerk of Courts, which serves as 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. Users can search by defendant name or docket number and 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.
- Open Records Request — Submit a completed request form to the Clerk of Court’s Open Records Officer for records not 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. Background checks can be submitted 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 |
Credit card payments are accepted online. Mail requests require a certified check or money order. 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 on the 1st floor of the courthouse. Magisterial district court records are part of the statewide automated system and can also 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 record keeper 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. Users can look up civil docket entries by party name or docket number. The system includes separate search indices for general/miscellaneous filings, judgments, and federal tax liens.
Civil records can also be obtained by visiting the Prothonotary’s office in person. The office reviews 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. Checks should be made payable to “Prothonotary of Berks County”. Returned checks incur a $50.00 service charge.
The Magisterial District Courts also handle civil claims where the disputed amount is less than $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 are handled within the Court of Common Pleas through 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
The Family Court addresses 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 handles the establishment, modification, and enforcement of support orders. Individuals filing for support can appear in person at the DRS between 8:00 AM and 3:30 PM or use 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 |
Additional custody-related surcharges of $30.50 (combining the $15.00 local rule fee, $10.50 Act 119 fee, and $5.00 PAF fee) apply when custody claims are asserted 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 are filed online only; 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 marriage 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 with the appropriate fee by check or money order.
Divorce Records
The Prothonotary’s Office serves as the legal custodian of all divorce proceedings filed in the Court of Common Pleas. Divorce records can be searched online through the CMS or requested 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, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records is the primary custodian. Pennsylvania’s Vital Statistics Law of 1953 governs the release of birth, death, fetal death, and marriage certificates, with certain records becoming publicly available only 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 functions as a quasi-judicial officer empowered 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 serves as an agent for the Commonwealth in the collection of Pennsylvania inheritance taxes.
Probate Filing Fees (Effective December 1, 2025)
Probate fees are 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 available for public inspection at the Register of Wills office during business hours. The office is a mandated keeper of all records filed with it, and because these records must be preserved permanently, it also serves as a valuable genealogical resource. Registered users may 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 provide legal advice or complete estate documents on behalf of a personal representative. Individuals needing legal guidance can contact the Berks County Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service at (610) 375-4591.
Estate disputes requiring judicial resolution 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 coming before the Orphans’ Court judge. Section 3101 of the Probate, Estates, and Fiduciaries Code allows savings institutions to release up to $10,000 to family members with an original death certificate and receipted funeral bill, and life insurance companies may release certain amounts under $11,000 directly to named family members without estate administration.