Chester County Court Records Search
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Chester County, one of the three original counties established by William Penn in 1682, is located in southeastern Pennsylvania with West Chester as its county seat. The county’s judicial system centers on the Court of Common Pleas — housed at the Chester County Justice Center — which exercises general jurisdiction over criminal, civil, family, and orphans’ court matters. In addition to the Court of Common Pleas, sixteen magisterial district courts serve communities across the county, handling preliminary criminal hearings, minor civil disputes, and summary offenses.
Court records generated throughout Chester County include case dockets, hearing transcripts, judgments, motions, orders, and trial records. These documents are maintained by several offices depending on case type: the Clerk of Courts handles criminal filings, the Prothonotary manages civil and family dockets, and the Register of Wills oversees probate and marriage records. Understanding which office holds the records you need is essential to an efficient search.
For those looking to search court records in Pennsylvania, resources are available through clerk offices at the courthouse, public access terminals, and electronic case search tools operated by the state judiciary. PennsylvaniaCourts.us may help users identify publicly available case information and connect with the appropriate court offices across the state, including those in Chester County.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Chester County?
Chester County court cases can be looked up through online search tools, in-person visits, or written requests to the relevant office. The method depends on whether the case is criminal, civil, or probate in nature.
Online Case Search
The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal is a free tool for searching court docket information statewide. Users can search by participant name, docket number, organization name, offense tracking number, police incident or complaint number, or state ID number. This portal covers Court of Common Pleas cases as well as magisterial district court filings.
For civil and family case docket entries specifically, the Prothonotary’s ChescoPIN subscription service provides access to Chester County courthouse records from any computer. ChescoPIN may also be accessed free of charge from the Prothonotary’s Office or Chester County libraries.
For probate and marriage license records, the Register of Wills offers a free Public Portal for online searches.
In-Person Searches
All major court offices are located at:
Chester County Justice Center
Address: 201 West Market Street, West Chester, PA 19380
Phone: (610) 344-6000
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The key offices at the Justice Center include:
| Office | Suite | Phone | Record Types |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clerk of Courts | Suite 1400 | (610) 344-6135 | Criminal cases |
| Prothonotary | Suite 1425 | (610) 344-6300 | Civil and family cases |
| Register of Wills / Orphans’ Court | Suite 2200 | (610) 344-6335 | Probate and marriage |
Requesting Copies by Mail
Written requests should be addressed to the appropriate office at the Chester County Justice Center, P.O. Box 2746, West Chester, PA 19380. Include the full name of the party, case number if known, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Payment by check or money order should be made payable to either the “Clerk of Courts” (criminal records) or the “Prothonotary of Chester County” (civil records).
Are Court Records Public in Chester County?
Pennsylvania’s Right to Know Law establishes that court records are public records and that any citizen may request to inspect or obtain copies. This right of access, however, is subject to specific exemptions outlined in Section 708 of the law and the Unified Judicial System’s Case Records Public Access Policy.
Records That Are Restricted or Confidential
Chester County follows the statewide public access policy that restricts certain personal information and document types. The following information must not appear in publicly filed documents and must instead be submitted on a separate Confidential Information Form:
- Social Security numbers
- Financial account numbers (except the last four digits when the account is the subject of the case)
- Driver’s license numbers
- State identification numbers (SIDs)
- Minors’ names and dates of birth (unless the minor is a criminal defendant)
- Abuse victims’ addresses and contact information in family court cases
Certain entire documents are classified as confidential and must be filed with a Confidential Document Form. These include financial source documents, minors’ educational records, medical and psychological records, Children and Youth Services records, marital property inventories, and income and expense statements in support matters.
Additional exemptions under Section 708 protect records that could endanger personal safety, interfere with judicial proceedings, reveal confidential law enforcement sources, or compromise a crime victim’s identity or safety.
Chester County Criminal Court Records
Criminal court cases in Chester County are filed with and maintained by the Clerk of Courts. The office handles all criminal dockets for the Court of Common Pleas, including felony and misdemeanor cases. Court filings may also be submitted and received through PACFile, the state judiciary’s electronic filing system for criminal dockets.
Requesting Criminal Records from the Clerk of Courts
Criminal record searches conducted by the Clerk of Courts cost $21 per search. Requests can be made in person or by mail at:
Chester County Clerk of Courts
Chester County Justice Center
201 West Market Street, Suite 1400
West Chester, PA 19380
Phone: (610) 344-6135
Fax: (610) 344-4465
Email: arosatihanley@chesco.org
Copies of criminal court documents are priced as follows:
- First page: $0.25
- Each additional page: $0.25
- Certified copies: $7.00 (includes first 4 pages), $0.65 per page thereafter
Pennsylvania State Police Background Checks
Statewide criminal history checks are available through the Pennsylvania State Police using the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system. The fee is $22 per check (non-refundable). As of April 2026, online PATCH requests incur an additional 2% credit card processing fee. Notarized copies cost an extra $5.
To submit a PATCH request by mail, download and complete Form SP4-164 and mail it with a certified check or money order payable to “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania” to:
Pennsylvania State Police
Central Repository – 164
1800 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758
Clean Slate
Under Pennsylvania’s Clean Slate law (Act 56 of 2018), certain criminal records may be automatically sealed or eligible for limited access petitions. Individuals seeking expungement should consult legal counsel and review the resources provided by the Clerk of Courts.
Magisterial District Courts
Preliminary criminal hearings and summary offenses are handled by Chester County’s sixteen magisterial district courts. Key locations include:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| MDJ 15-1-01 | 201 W Market St, #1307, West Chester, PA 19380 | (610) 431-4814 |
| MDJ 15-1-03 | 256 E Lincoln Hwy, Coatesville, PA 19320 | (610) 384-3159 |
| MDJ 15-2-01 | 347 Bridge St, Phoenixville, PA 19460 | (610) 935-1503 |
| MDJ 15-3-04 | 916 W Cypress St, Kennett Square, PA 19348 | (610) 444-6330 |
| MDJ 15-3-05 | 305 S Third St, Oxford, PA 19363 | (610) 932-4305 |
| MDJ 15-4-02 | 231 Boot Rd, Downingtown, PA 19335 | (610) 269-5250 |
A complete listing of all magisterial district courts and their jurisdictions is available through the Chester County Court of Common Pleas.
Chester County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Chester County — including contract disputes, personal injury claims, foreclosures, and liens — are handled by the Court of Common Pleas and filed with the Prothonotary’s Office. Small claims and minor civil disputes below the Court of Common Pleas’ threshold are heard in the magisterial district courts.
Filing Fees
The Prothonotary’s fee schedule, effective January 1, 2026, sets the following rates for common civil filings:
| Action | Fee |
|---|---|
| Commencement of action / Complaint | $184.75 |
| Writ of summons | $184.75 |
| Writ of execution, attachment, or possession | $35.50 |
| Confession of judgment | $38.50 |
| Mechanic’s lien | $37.50 |
| Name change petition | $195.75 |
| Exemplification (within PA) | $8.25 |
| Exemplification (out of state) | $23.00 |
Copy Fees
| Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| First page (plain copy) | $0.25 |
| Each additional page | $0.25 |
| Certified copies (includes first 4 pages) | $7.00 |
| Each page beyond 4 (certified) | $0.65 |
Payment is accepted in cash, check, money order, and major credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover). Credit and debit card payments incur a convenience fee of 2.25% (or $1.50 minimum). Checks and money orders should be made payable to “Prothonotary of Chester County”.
Online Access
Civil case docket entries can be searched online through the UJS Web Portal at no cost, or through the Prothonotary’s ChescoPIN subscription service for more detailed record access. Contact the office at (610) 344-6884 for information about ChescoPIN accounts, or email prothyfiledepartment@chesco.org for general inquiries.
The Prothonotary’s Office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Filings and copy requests requiring payment are not accepted after 4:15 p.m.
Chester County Family Court Records
Family court matters in Chester County are adjudicated by the Family Division of the Court of Common Pleas. Records relating to divorce, child custody and support, alimony, protection from abuse, and related proceedings are filed with and maintained by the Prothonotary’s Office.
Divorce Filing Fees
The Prothonotary’s fee schedule includes the following family court rates:
| Filing | Fee |
|---|---|
| No-fault divorce complaint | $215.25 |
| Each of first two ancillary relief counts | $80.25 |
| Each additional count beyond two (except counsel fees) | $41.25 |
| Custody count added to divorce (additional mediation and Act 119 fees) | add $46.00 |
| Standalone custody complaint | $215.25 |
| Petition to modify custody / Contempt | $128.00 |
| Protection from abuse petition | $184.75 |
All new divorce and custody cases require mediation, with a $20 mediation fee per case. A divorce complaint that includes a custody count will be assessed two mediation fees.
Obtaining Divorce Records
Divorce records are available through the Prothonotary’s Office. Requests can be made in person during business hours or by mail to 201 W. Market Street, Suite 1425, West Chester, PA 19380-0989. Provide the names of both parties, the approximate date of divorce, and a case number if available. Copy costs for divorce records are $0.25 per page for regular copies, $7.00 for certified copies, and $25.00 for exemplified copies.
On the state level, divorce records may also be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records.
Marriage Records
Marriage records in Chester County are maintained by the Register of Wills. To obtain a certified marriage record, complete the Certified Marriage Record Request form and submit it in person or by mail to:
Marriage License Department
Chester County Justice Center
201 W. Market Street, Suite 2200
West Chester, PA 19380-0989
Certified marriage records cost $20 per copy (money order payable to the Clerk of the Orphans Court). Walk-in requests are typically processed the same day; mailed requests take 7 to 10 business days. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope with mailed requests.
Marriage license records can also be searched online through the Register of Wills’ free Public Portal.
Birth and Death Records
Pennsylvania birth records are restricted from public access for 105 years, and death records for 50 years. During these periods, only eligible individuals — including the record subject, parents, siblings, children, grandparents, grandchildren, spouses, legal representatives, and those with a court order — may obtain copies. Requests can be submitted online through Pennsylvania’s authorized online vital records vendor, in person at a Division of Vital Records public office, or by mail using the appropriate application form for a birth certificate or death certificate. Each certificate costs $20, with an additional $10 service fee for online orders.
Chester County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Chester County fall under the jurisdiction of the Orphans’ Court Division of the Court of Common Pleas. The Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans’ Court maintains all probate records, including wills, estate administrations, guardianships, and trust proceedings.
Searching Probate Records
Register of Wills and marriage license records can be searched through the office’s free Public Portal. However, Orphans’ Court dockets are not currently available for online searching. To inquire about Orphans’ Court cases, contact the office directly at (610) 344-6335.
Requesting Probate Records
Copies of probate records can be obtained in person or by mail from:
Chester County Register of Wills / Orphans’ Court
Chester County Justice Center
201 W. Market Street, Suite 2200
West Chester, PA 19380-0989
Phone: (610) 344-6335
Fax: (610) 344-6218
Email: rwills@chesco.org
The office also accepts certain documents by fax or email for electronic filing, including estate status reports (Form 10.6), estate certification of notice (Form 10.5), estate inventories, attorney entries of appearance, and motions for continuance. The fax number for electronic filings is (610) 344-6218.
Payment
The Register of Wills accepts Mastercard, Visa, American Express, and Discover. Credit and debit card transactions incur a convenience fee of 2.25% of the total (or $1.50 minimum). Checks and money orders are also accepted. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Historical Probate Records
The Chester County Archives holds historical probate, estate, and guardianship records, including older wills, administrations, and orphans’ court files that may not be available at the current Register of Wills office. Researchers interested in genealogy or historical estates should contact the Archives directly to inquire about available holdings and access procedures.