Butler County Court Records Search
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Butler County, Pennsylvania, sits within the Fiftieth Judicial District and is served by the Butler County Court of Common Pleas along with seven Magisterial District Courts spread throughout the county. The county seat of Butler houses the primary courthouse and government center where most court records are filed and maintained. Criminal and juvenile case records fall under the custody of the Clerk of Courts, while all civil and family law filings are managed by the Prothonotary. Probate matters, wills, and marriage records are handled separately by the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans’ Court. Understanding which office holds the records you need is the first step toward a successful search.
Pennsylvania’s court system provides several tools for locating case records at both the state and county level. The Unified Judicial System (UJS) Web Portal allows the public to search docket sheets across all Pennsylvania courts by participant name, docket number, or case number. Locally, the Butler County Prothonotary’s online case search covers civil and family matters, while the Clerk of Courts and Register of Wills maintain their own records systems. Statewide court information and resources can also be accessed through PennsylvaniaCourts.us. Between these electronic databases, the public access terminals available at the courthouse, and the various clerk offices, most publicly available court case information in Butler County can be located without retaining an attorney.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Butler County?
Butler County provides online, in-person, and mail-based options for looking up court cases. The method you use depends on the type of case and whether you need copies of specific documents.
Online Searches
Two primary online tools cover Butler County court records:
- UJS Web Portal — The statewide case search hosted by the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania lets users search criminal, civil, family, and Magisterial District Court cases. Searches can be performed by participant name, docket or citation number, attorney name, offense tracking number, or complainant number. Users may create a free account or search anonymously.
- Butler County Prothonotary Online Search — The Prothonotary’s case management system provides access to civil and family court records filed with the Court of Common Pleas. Users can search by name, case number, participant name, or participant address.
In-Person Searches
The Clerk of Courts and Prothonotary offices both maintain public access computer terminals in their lobbies at the Butler County Government Center. Walk-in visitors can search electronic records and inspect case files during office hours.
| Office | Location | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clerk of Courts | 124 W. Diamond St., Butler, PA 16001 | (724) 284-5233 | Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Prothonotary | 124 W. Diamond St., Butler, PA 16001 | (724) 284-5214 | Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Register of Wills | 124 W. Diamond St., Level L, Butler, PA 16001 | (724) 284-5354 | Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
Mail Requests
Written requests can be sent to the appropriate office. The Clerk of Courts accepts requests using its Court Record Request Form. Mail should be directed to:
Butler County Clerk of Courts
P.O. Box 1208
Butler, PA 16003
For civil and family matters, mail requests go to the Prothonotary at the same P.O. Box. Include the case number or party names, the specific documents needed, and payment for any applicable fees.
Are Court Records Public in Butler County?
Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law (Act 3 of 2008) establishes a presumption that government records — including most court records — are open to the public. Requesters do not need to state a reason for seeking access. The law applies broadly to judicial agencies, which the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has defined to include courts, clerks of court, prothonotaries, clerks of Orphans’ Court, domestic relations offices, and probation offices.
Butler County’s Open Records page confirms that court records are available from the filing office of each individual court division. Civil case records can be obtained through the Prothonotary, criminal case records through the Clerk of Courts, and district court matters through the respective Magisterial District Judge office.
Records That Are Restricted or Confidential
Not all court records are publicly accessible. Pennsylvania law limits or prohibits access to:
- Juvenile court records involving minors under age 14 (except felony cases)
- Sealed or expunged criminal records
- Adoption proceedings
- Records containing personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and financial account numbers
- Records protected by specific court order
Financial records of the Unified Judicial System are governed separately under Rule 509 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Judicial Administration, which establishes its own request and appeal procedures.
Persons who believe a public records request has been improperly denied may appeal to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records, which adjudicates disputes under the Right-to-Know Law.
Butler County Criminal Court Records
The Clerk of Courts is the custodian of all criminal and juvenile records for the Butler County Court of Common Pleas. These records encompass felony and misdemeanor cases prosecuted in the county, including charging documents, bail information, plea records, trial transcripts, sentencing orders, and appellate filings.
Searching Criminal Case Records
Criminal docket sheets can be searched online through the UJS Web Portal at no charge. In person, the Clerk of Courts office at the Butler County Government Center maintains lobby terminals and staff available to assist with searches.
Requesting Copies
To obtain copies of criminal court documents, submit a completed Request for Court Documents form to the Clerk of Courts by mail or in person:
Butler County Clerk of Courts
Address: 124 West Diamond Street, Butler, PA 16001
Mailing: P.O. Box 1208, Butler, PA 16003
Phone: (724) 284-5233
Fax: (724) 284-5244
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Statewide Criminal History Checks
For a comprehensive criminal background report that aggregates records from law enforcement agencies across Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania State Police operates the statewide criminal records repository. Requests can be made two ways:
- By mail: Complete form SP4-164 and send it with a $22 fee (check or money order payable to “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania”) plus $5 for notarized copies to: Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository – RCPU, 1800 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758. Phone: (888) 783-7972
- Online: Use the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) portal. The fee is $22 per search, payable by credit card or PATCH account.
Butler County Sheriff’s Office
The Butler County Sheriff’s Office may hold records related to arrests, warrants, and civil process service. The Sheriff’s office is located at a separate building from the Government Center:
Butler County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 300 South Main Street, First Floor, Butler, PA 16001
Phone: (724) 284-5245
Butler County Civil Court Records
The Prothonotary serves as the official custodian of all civil court records in the Butler County Court of Common Pleas. This office processes and maintains records for contract disputes, personal injury lawsuits, mortgage foreclosures, zoning appeals, name changes, landlord-tenant matters on appeal from Magisterial District Courts, and all other civil actions.
Online Access
The Prothonotary maintains a dedicated case search system where the public can look up civil case records by name, case number, or participant details. Two public access computer terminals are also available in the Prothonotary’s lobby for onsite searches.
Copy Fees (Prothonotary)
The Prothonotary’s fee schedule, effective January 6, 2026, sets the following rates for common services:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Photocopies | $0.25 per page |
| Certified copy | $8.00 per document |
| Research fee | $10.00 |
| Storage retrieval | $15.00 |
The office accepts cash, money orders, business checks, and credit cards. A 2.5% convenience fee (minimum $2.00) applies to credit card transactions. Personal checks are not accepted.
Requests by Mail
Written requests for civil court records should be directed to:
Butler County Prothonotary
P.O. Box 1208
Butler, PA 16003-1208
Include the case number or full party names, describe the specific documents you need, and enclose payment for applicable fees.
Magisterial District Court Records
Civil claims up to $12,000, landlord-tenant disputes, and summary criminal offenses originate in Butler County’s Magisterial District Courts. Records from these courts are maintained by the individual District Judge’s office where the case was filed. Key Magisterial District Court locations include:
- 121 Sunnyview Circle, Suite 101, Butler, PA 16001 — Phone: (724) 284-5370
- 9028 Marshall Road, Cranberry Township, PA 16066 — Phone: (724) 772-1717
- 520 Kelly Boulevard, Slippery Rock, PA 16057 — Phone: (724) 794-6221
- 333 West Main Street, Suite 103, Saxonburg, PA 16056 — Phone: (724) 352-9465
- 202 East Main Street, Evans City, PA 16033 — Phone: (724) 538-3960
- 112 North Main Street, Chicora, PA 16025 — Phone: (724) 445-3366
- 107 Woody Drive, Butler, PA 16001 — Phone: (724) 431-4854
Contact the appropriate district court to determine record availability and request procedures.
Butler County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Butler County — including divorce, custody, paternity, protection from abuse (PFA), and support cases — are filed with and maintained by the Prothonotary, which serves as custodian for the Family Court division of the Court of Common Pleas. The Domestic Relations section handles support-related cases.
Butler County Family Court
Address: 124 West Diamond Street, Floor L, Butler, PA 16003
Phone: (724) 284-5181
Fax: (724) 284-5422
Searching Family Court Records
Public family court case records can be searched through the Prothonotary’s online case search or via lobby terminals at the Government Center. The UJS Portal also includes family court docket sheets. Note that as of 2026, new abuse cases receive their own case numbers rather than sharing a number with related divorce or custody filings.
Divorce Records and Filing Fees
Divorce complaints are filed through the Prothonotary. Filing fees for divorce cases are based on the number of counts:
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Divorce complaint (base) | $216.25 |
| One count | $257.50 |
| Two counts | $298.75 |
| Three counts | $340.00 |
| Four counts | $381.25 |
| Custody complaint/modification | $401.50 |
| Custody (with divorce pending) | $311.50 |
Certified copies of divorce decrees cost $8.00. The Prothonotary recommends calling the office before paying for a divorce decree to confirm its availability.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses in Butler County are issued by the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans’ Court. Certified copies of marriage licenses cost $5.00 each when picked up in person (cash). For mail requests, the total is $13.00 ($5.00 for the license, $5.00 for research and mailing, and a $3.00 credit card processing fee). Certified marriage license fees are waived for active military and veterans. Requests can be made by calling (724) 284-5354 or by submitting the Marriage Records Order Form to:
Butler County Clerk of Orphans’ Court
P.O. Box 1208
Butler, PA 16003
Marriage records from 2002 to present can also be searched online through the County Fusion website, which requires account creation. A subscription guide is available for assistance.
Birth and Death Records
Vital records are maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Division of Vital Records, not the courts. These records are restricted to the record subject (if over 18), certain family members, legal representatives, and authorized individuals. Certificates cost $20 per copy and can be requested using the official application forms for birth or death certificates. The nearest Vital Records office is located at 105 Nesbitt Road, New Castle, PA 16105, open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with same-day service available for applications submitted by 11:30 AM. Phone: (724) 656-3100
Butler County Probate Court Records
Probate jurisdiction in Butler County belongs to the Orphans’ Court Division of the Court of Common Pleas, with the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans’ Court serving as the filing office. This office maintains records for estates, wills, trusts, guardianships, adoptions, and conservatorships. Estate records from 1992 to the present are maintained electronically.
Searching Probate Records
Limited public probate records can be searched online through the County Fusion website, which includes estate records dating to 1992. Users must create a new account, and subscriptions are available for purchase under the preferences tab. For technical assistance, contact Kofile at (888) 608-1808 or gssupport@kofile.us. Older records or those not yet digitized may require an in-person visit to the office.
Requesting Copies
Copies of probate records can be obtained by visiting or writing to:
Butler County Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans’ Court
Address: 124 West Diamond Street, Level L, Butler, PA 16001
Mailing: P.O. Box 1208, Butler, PA 16003
Phone: (724) 284-1409
Fax: (724) 284-5278
Key fees from the Register of Wills fee schedule include:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Short certificate | $5.00 each |
| Photocopies (self-made) | $0.50 per page |
| Photocopies (staff-made) | $1.00 per page |
| Research fee (per name/record) | $5.00 |
| Certification of record | $40.00 + $2.00 per page |
| Small estates affidavit | $25.00 |
Probate filing fees for Letters Testamentary or Administration are scaled to the gross value of the estate, starting at $40.00 for estates not exceeding $5,000 and increasing incrementally. A JCS/ATJ/CJEA fee of $40.25 and an automation fee of $15.50 are assessed on all first filings. Only attorney or bank-certified checks, U.S. money orders, cash, or credit cards are accepted — no personal or estate checks for county filing fees.
The Register of Wills also offers virtual probate appointments for attorneys. Requests can be submitted by emailing sedwards@co.butler.pa.us. Additional forms related to estates, adoptions, guardianships, and Orphans’ Court petitions are available on the county website.