Delaware County Court Records Search
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Delaware County occupies a compact stretch of southeastern Pennsylvania just west of Philadelphia, with its county seat in the Borough of Media. Designated as the 32nd Judicial District within Pennsylvania’s Unified Judicial System, the county operates a Court of Common Pleas with criminal, civil, and family divisions, an Orphans’ Court for probate and adoption matters, and 30 Magisterial District Courts that handle minor offenses and preliminary hearings. Together, these courts produce and maintain an extensive body of case records — docket entries, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, and exhibits — that document every stage of litigation from filing through final disposition.
Pennsylvania court records can be searched through official resources maintained by the Unified Judicial System, individual county clerk offices, and public-access terminals available at courthouses. The PennsylvaniaCourts.us website may help users identify publicly available court case information across the state. The sections below describe the specific tools, offices, fees, and procedures that apply to records generated in Delaware County.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Delaware County?
Delaware County offers multiple channels for finding court case information, ranging from free online portals to in-person inspections at the courthouse.
Online search tools
The primary statewide resource is the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania Web Portal, which provides free access to docket sheets for Common Pleas criminal cases, Magisterial District Court cases, and appellate matters. Users can search by participant name, docket number, attorney name, date filed, or offense tracking number. When searching, select “Delaware” from the county list to narrow results.
For civil cases specifically, the Delaware County C-Track Public Access portal displays civil case dockets and the judgment index maintained by the Court of Common Pleas. Registration may be required.
Probate and marriage records can be searched through the Register of Wills Case Search portal, and a public-access kiosk for record searches is also available inside the Register of Wills office.
In-person access
Visit the Office of Judicial Support at the Delaware County Government Center during regular business hours to review case files, request copies, or use public terminals.
Office of Judicial Support
Address: Government Center, Room 127, 201 W. Front Street, Media, PA 19063
Phone: (610) 891-4370
General Court Line: (610) 891-4000
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
E-filing email: delcoefile@co.delaware.pa.us
File Room email: OJSfileroom@co.delaware.pa.us
Electronic filing
Delaware County accepts electronic filings through its e-filing system. E-filing is mandatory for civil cases. Questions about e-filing can be directed to (610) 891-4386.
Key courts directory
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Court of Common Pleas | 201 W. Front St., Media, PA 19063 | (610) 891-4370 |
| Orphans’ Court | 201 W. Front St., Media, PA 19063 | (610) 891-4400 |
| Domestic Relations Dept. | Curran Building, 2nd & Orange Sts., Media, PA 19063 | (610) 891-4314 |
There are also 30 Magisterial District Courts located in offices throughout the county, each presided over by an elected Magisterial District Judge.
Are Court Records Public in Delaware County?
Pennsylvania law establishes a strong presumption of public access to court records. The Pennsylvania Right to Know Law governs access to records held by government agencies generally, while the Unified Judicial System’s own Case Records Public Access Policy — effective January 1, 2022 — specifically governs case records in all trial and appellate courts. Delaware County has published a local confidentiality rules document setting out how confidential information must be handled in filings.
Records generally open to public inspection include:
- Civil complaints, answers, motions, and court orders
- Criminal docket sheets, charging documents, and sentencing orders
- Judgments and liens recorded with the Office of Judicial Support
- Probate petitions, wills admitted to probate, inventories, and accountings
- Marriage license records
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens on file with the Recorder of Deeds
Categories of records excluded from public access:
- Adoption records
- Juvenile delinquency records
- Medical and mental health records
- Records identifying confidential informants
- Confidential personal identifiers (Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, financial account numbers)
- Records sealed by court order
Under the Case Records Public Access Policy, filers must use a Confidential Information Form when submitting documents that contain protected data. The public access forms prescribed by the Unified Judicial System are available on the state courts website.
Delaware County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Delaware County proceed through two levels of the court system. Felony cases receive a preliminary hearing before a Magisterial District Judge and are then bound over to the Court of Common Pleas for trial. Misdemeanor and summary offenses may be resolved at the Magisterial District Court level, while more serious charges are adjudicated in the Common Pleas Criminal Division.
Searching criminal records online
The UJS Web Portal is the principal tool for looking up criminal docket sheets. Select “Criminal” or “Magisterial District” as the court type, choose Delaware County, and search by participant name, docket number, or date filed. The portal displays charges, hearing dates, bail information, dispositions, and sentences.
For online criminal records, the Office of Judicial Support also directs users to the UJS Common Pleas docket sheet system.
Statewide criminal history checks
The Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system, maintained by the Pennsylvania State Police, allows individuals and organizations to request official criminal background reports. The standard fee for an individual PATCH check is $22. As of April 2026, online PATCH requests incur an additional 2% credit card processing fee. PATCH results reflect statewide criminal history data, not just Delaware County records.
Incarceration records
The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections operates an Inmate/Parolee Locator for individuals housed in state correctional institutions. For county-level detention inquiries, contact the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, which manages courthouse security and prisoner transport:
Delaware County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 201 W. Front St., Room 101, Media, PA 19063
Phone: (610) 891-4296
Fax: (610) 891-1765
Requesting copies of criminal case files
Contact the Office of Judicial Support’s Criminal Division at (610) 891-4370 or visit Room 127 at the Government Center. Criminal e-filing inquiries can be sent to delcocrimefile@co.delaware.pa.us.
Delaware County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Delaware County is divided between the Court of Common Pleas and the 30 Magisterial District Courts based on the nature and monetary value of the claim.
Jurisdictional thresholds:
- Court of Common Pleas — civil claims exceeding $12,000, equity actions, appeals from Magisterial District Courts, and all cases not within the exclusive jurisdiction of another court.
- Magisterial District Courts — civil claims of $12,000 or less, landlord-tenant disputes, and small claims matters.
The Civil Division of the Office of Judicial Support maintains all Common Pleas civil case files, including complaints, motions, writs, settlement agreements, and court orders.
Searching civil records online
Two complementary portals serve civil case searches:
- UJS Web Portal — search by participant name, docket number, attorney, parcel number, or date filed across Common Pleas and Magisterial District Courts.
- Delaware County C-Track Public Access — the county’s own system for civil case dockets and the judgment index. Search by party name, docket number, or judgment details.
Requesting copies
Visit or contact the Office of Judicial Support, Civil Division, at (610) 891-4370. Copies are also available via the e-filing system. Copy fees and costs are governed by local court rules; contact the office for the current schedule.
Property records
The Delaware County Recorder of Deeds maintains deeds, mortgages, liens, and other real property instruments. Two online search platforms are available:
- Recorder of Deeds Online Records — index searches by name, book/page, or parcel ID.
- Recorder of Deeds Cloud Search — allows parcel ID, name, and document searches and offers electronically certified copies. This platform also provides free Property Alert email notifications when documents are recorded against a parcel.
Recorder of Deeds
Address: Government Center, Room 108, 201 W. Front St., Media, PA 19063
Phone: (610) 891-4152
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
The Assessment Office Public Access System provides property valuation data, tax records, and parcel IDs and can be searched by address or parcel number.
Delaware County Family Court Records
Family-related matters in Delaware County are heard across several divisions of the Court of Common Pleas. Divorce, custody, protection-from-abuse, and related civil proceedings are handled within the court’s general civil and family jurisdiction, while child and spousal support enforcement falls under the Domestic Relations Department.
Domestic Relations Department
This department prepares petitions for child support and spousal support, establishes paternity, enforces support orders, and locates absent parents. It does not handle custody, protection-from-abuse, or divorce filings — those matters go through the Court of Common Pleas directly.
Domestic Relations Department
Address: Curran Building, 2nd & Orange Streets, Media, PA 19063
Phone: (610) 891-4314 (Client Information Center)
Fax: (610) 891-1959
Email: DelawareCaseworker@pacses.com (clients); DelawareCourtLiaison@pacses.com (attorneys)
Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Mail: P.O. Box 543, Media, PA 19063
Support payments can be made online at www.DCDRSpayments.com or by calling (877) 793-7955. The statewide PA Child Support website offers 24/7 self-service access for filing complaints, checking payments, and managing case information.
Searching family court records
Divorce and custody case dockets appear on the UJS Web Portal and the C-Track Public Access portal. A 2024 Family Court Self-Represented Litigant Guide is available through the county website. Access to certain family records may be restricted to protect the privacy of children and domestic violence victims; portions of public filings may be redacted to remove confidential information.
Marriage records
The Register of Wills issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records. The license fee is $60, payable by check, money order, or credit/debit card (a $1 convenience fee applies for card payments). To schedule a marriage license appointment, call (610) 891-4416. Copies of marriage records can be ordered through the Register of Wills E-Commerce Store or searched using the online systems portal.
| Marriage Record Copy Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain copy | $2.00 |
| Certified copy | $25.00 |
Birth and death records
The Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records (part of the Department of Health) maintains birth records from 1906 and death records from 1906 to the present. The fee for a certified copy of either a birth or death certificate is $20. In Pennsylvania, death records become public 50 years after the date of death, and birth records become public 105 years after the date of birth. Requests can be submitted online through VitalChek, by mail to the Division of Vital Records (P.O. Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103-1528), or by phone. The Delaware County Register of Wills may also assist with directing requesters to the appropriate agency.
Delaware County Probate Court Records
All probate matters in Delaware County are heard by the Orphans’ Court, which operates as a division of the Court of Common Pleas. The Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans’ Court administers the probate process, accepts filings, issues letters testamentary and letters of administration, and maintains estate files. The Orphans’ Court also handles adoption proceedings, guardianships of incapacitated persons, and mental health commitments.
Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans’ Court
Address: Government Center, Room 102, 201 W. Front St., Media, PA 19063
Phone: (610) 891-4400
Fax: (610) 891-4812
Email: RegOfWills@co.delaware.pa.us
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Searching probate records
The Register of Wills operates the online case search portal for searching probated estates. A public-access kiosk is also available in the office for in-person searches.
Ordering copies
Copies can be ordered through the Register of Wills’ E-Commerce Store. Certified copies cost $20 plus $1 per page; prices vary by estate depending on the volume of documents. Electronic copies are also available at set rates.
Selected copy and electronic fees:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy | $20 + $1/page |
| Copy (per page) | $1.00 |
| E-copy of entire probate/inheritance tax file | $50.00 |
| E-copy of inheritance tax return | $25.00 |
| E-copy of entire probate & proceeding | $15.00 |
| E-copy of will | $10.00 |
| Short certificate (new) | $10.00 |
| Short certificate (update) | $8.00 |
| Name search (per name) | $25.00 |
| Exemplified copy (for another state) | $50 + $1/page |
Probate filing fees (based on estate value):
| Estate Value | Base Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to $250 | $23 |
| $250.01–$1,000 | $39 |
| $1,000.01–$5,000 | $55 |
| $5,000.01–$10,000 | $83 |
| $10,000.01–$25,000 | $138 |
| $25,000.01–$50,000 | $165 |
| $50,000.01–$100,000 | $198 |
| $100,000.01–$200,000 | $237 |
| $200,000.01–$300,000 | $275 |
| $300,000.01–$500,000 | $330–$400 |
| $500,000.01–$1,000,000 | $500–$900 |
| Each additional $100,000 above $1M | $125 |
Additional fees apply to specific probate filings, including the Inheritance Tax Return fee ($20), inventory filing ($20), JCS fee ($41.25), ROW Automation fee ($15.75), bond ($20), and will filing per page beyond the first ($3). The complete fee schedule is published on the county website. Contact the office at (610) 891-4400 for fee calculations on specific matters.