Fayette County Court Records Search

Fayette County is located in southwestern Pennsylvania with its county seat in Uniontown. The county’s judicial system operates within the 26th Judicial District and consists of the Court of Common Pleas—which houses Criminal, Civil, and Family divisions—along with seven Magisterial District Courts that handle preliminary hearings, summary offenses, landlord-tenant disputes, and minor civil claims. The Clerk of Courts serves as the custodian of all criminal case records, the Prothonotary maintains civil case filings, and the Register of Wills/Clerk of the Orphans’ Court manages probate, estate, marriage, and vital records. All of these offices are located within the Fayette County Courthouse in Uniontown.

Pennsylvania provides centralized access to court records through official clerk offices, in-person public terminals, and web-based tools operated by the Unified Judicial System. PennsylvaniaCourts.us can help users identify county-specific court information and locate publicly available case data across the state. Fayette County court records can also be searched remotely through the UJS Web Portal or requested directly from the appropriate office at the courthouse.

How to Look Up a Court Case in Fayette County?

Fayette County offers both online and in-person options for locating court records. The method depends on the type of case (criminal, civil, or family) and the office that maintains those files.

Online Case Searches

The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania Web Portal is the primary free tool for searching Fayette County court records. Users can look up cases by:

Participant name
Docket number
Citation number
Complaint number
Date filed
Incident number
Organization name
SID (State Identification) number
Attorney name
Calendar event

For appellate records, select the “Appellate” or “Docket Number” option from the dropdown menu. The portal displays docket entries, charges, dispositions, and scheduling details for most non-confidential cases across all Common Pleas divisions.

In-Person Requests

Walk-in requests can be made at any of the following offices during regular business hours:

Office	Address	Phone	Fax	Hours
Clerk of Courts	61 E. Main St., 1st Floor, Uniontown, PA 15401	(724) 430-1253	(724) 438-8410	Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (closed 12:00–1:00 p.m.)
Prothonotary	61 E. Main St., 1st Floor, Uniontown, PA 15401	(724) 430-1272	(724) 430-4555	Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Register of Wills	61 E. Main St., Uniontown, PA 15401	(724) 430-1206	(724) 430-1275	Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (closed 12:00–1:00 p.m.)

The Prothonotary’s Office has three public-access terminals available for self-service record searches. Requesters at the Clerk of Courts must provide either a name or docket number to facilitate the search.

Mail Requests

Written requests for criminal records should be sent to the Clerk of Courts and must include the docket number(s), the specific documents requested, and the requestor’s contact information. Government agencies and businesses must submit requests on official letterhead. Civil record requests can be submitted using the Request for Access Form mailed to the Prothonotary’s Office. All mail requests are processed under the Pennsylvania Public Records Policy.

Copy Fees at a Glance

Service	Clerk of Courts	Prothonotary
Per-page copies	$0.25	$0.25
Certified copy	$10.00 per record + $0.25/page	$14.00
Search fee	$11.25	—
Large copy request deposit	—	$20.00 (non-refundable)

Are Court Records Public in Fayette County?

The Case Records Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania (Section 3.0) and the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law establish a right of public access to court records. Under Section 1.0 of the UJS policy, court records include orders, opinions, judgments, decrees, indices, and dockets for any case filed with or maintained by a court or its custodian. Internal work products such as drafts, memoranda, notes, and correspondence between court staff are excluded from the definition.

Most records filed in the Clerk of Courts and the Prothonotary’s Office are available for public inspection. However, certain categories of information are designated as confidential and must be redacted or withheld. Confidential records and information in Fayette County include:

Social Security numbers
Driver’s license numbers
Financial account numbers and source documents
SID (State Identification) numbers
Names and dates of birth of minors (except minors charged as criminal defendants)
Medical and psychological records
Educational records of minors
Children and Youth Services records
Abuse victims’ addresses and contact information
Income and expense statements filed in family cases
Marital property inventories and pre-trial statements
Agreements between parties in domestic relations matters

Effective January 1, 2022, the UJS requires filers to redact confidential information from original documents and submit it separately on a statewide Confidential Information Form. Sealed records do not appear in online portals and cannot be released without a court order.

Fayette County Criminal Court Records

Criminal prosecutions in Fayette County are filed with and maintained by the Clerk of Courts, who serves as the official filing office for the Criminal Division of the Court of Common Pleas. Records involving juveniles or child victims are restricted by statute. All other criminal case records are open for public inspection.

Searching Criminal Cases Online

The UJS Web Portal provides free access to Fayette County criminal dockets. Users can search by participant name, docket number, citation number, complaint number, SID number, or incident number. Results include charge details, docket entries, calendar events, disposition information, and sentencing data.

Requesting Criminal Record Copies

Copies of criminal case documents can be obtained in person, by mail, or by fax. Written requests must include the docket number(s), a description of the specific documents needed, and contact information. The Clerk charges $0.25 per page for copies and $10.00 per record for certification. A search fee of $11.25 applies when the Clerk must locate records without a docket number. Contact the Clerk at (724) 430-1253 or email tdye@fayettepa.org to confirm availability and processing details.

Criminal History Background Checks

The Clerk of Courts does not conduct background checks. Criminal history reports must be obtained through the Pennsylvania State Police via the PATCH (Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History) system. The online fee is $22.00 per request, payable by credit card. An additional non-refundable $5.00 fee applies for a notarized copy. Requests can also be submitted by mail using Form SP 4-164 with a check or money order sent to:

Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository
1800 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758

Arrest Records and Inmate Information

The Fayette County Jail accepts in-person requests for arrest records during business hours. Requesters must provide the arrested person’s name or date of arrest. An inmate lookup tool is also available through the Sheriff’s mobile app for current jail roster information.

Fayette County Jail
Address: 254 McClellandtown Rd., Uniontown, PA 15401
Phone: (724) 430-1222
Fax: (724) 430-3059

Fayette County Civil Court Records

The Prothonotary serves as the chief clerk of the Civil Division of the Court of Common Pleas and is the custodian of all civil case records in Fayette County. Current filings are electronically scanned and available for viewing. All civil records are open to the public unless sealed by court order.

Searching Civil Cases

In-person visitors can use one of three public terminals in the Prothonotary’s Office to search and view civil records at no charge. The UJS Web Portal also provides free online access to civil docket information. Off-site access to scanned documents is available through an approved third-party vendor account.

Civil Filing Fees (Prothonotary — Effective January 1, 2024)

Filing Type	Fee
Civil complaint (Assumpsit, Tort, Ejectment, Equity, Replevin, Foreclosure, etc.)	$118.50
Writ of Summons	$118.50
Re-issue Writ of Summons	$8.25
Lis Pendens (first filing)	$118.50
Foreign Subpoena	$48.75
Change of Name (unrelated to divorce)	$111.00
Petition as first filing / Abandoned vehicle	$111.00
MDJ Appeal	$98.50
License/Registration Suspension Appeal	$111.00
Appeal Award of Arbitration	$300.00
Judgment (General, Note, or Arrearage)	$22.25
MDJ Transcript	$22.25
Writ of Execution/Possession	$21.25
Writ of Revival	$30.25
Default Judgment	$24.25

The full Prothonotary fee schedule is published on the county website. Personal checks are not accepted; all checks must be made payable to “Fayette County Prothonotary”. Professional checks returned for insufficient funds are subject to a $30.00 fee. No refunds are issued after filing.

Requesting Civil Record Copies

Copies cost $0.25 per page, and certified copies cost $14.00. Large copy requests require a non-refundable $20.00 deposit; copies not picked up within ten days forfeit the deposit. Mail requests should include a completed Request for Access Form and the appropriate fees sent to the Prothonotary at 61 East Main Street, 1st Floor, Uniontown, PA 15401.

Fayette County Family Court Records

Family law matters in Fayette County—including divorce, custody, support, and protection from abuse—are handled through the Court of Common Pleas. The Prothonotary is the custodian of family court records filed in the Civil Division, and the Child Custody Services Office within the Court of Common Pleas manages the custody process for legal and physical custody of minor children between parents, grandparents, and third parties.

Family Court Filing Fees (Prothonotary — Effective January 1, 2024)

Filing Type	Fee
Complaint in Divorce	$134.50
Each additional count	$70.50
Divorce with Custody	$80.50
Custody Complaint	$119.50
Custody (Mediation Fee)	$100.00
Out of State Custody	$70.00
Out of State/County Divorce Decree	$61.00
Election to Resume Maiden Name	$6.25
Change Name — Widow	$52.75
Resume Maiden Name (Out of County Divorce)	$67.25

Copies of family court records cost $0.25 per page, and certified copies are $14.00. In-person requests can be made at the Prothonotary’s Office Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Divorce Decree Copies

To obtain a certified copy of a divorce decree, complete the Certified Divorce Decree Request Form and mail it with $14.00 (money order or cash) to the Prothonotary’s Office. Include a phone number and return address. Processing takes approximately three business days.

Marriage Licenses and Records

The Register of Wills issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records. Appointments are required for all marriage license applications — call (724) 430-1206 to schedule. Both applicants must appear in person with valid photo identification. If either party was previously married, a copy of the divorce decree or death certificate must be provided. The license fee is $50.00 (cash only). A three-day waiting period applies, and the license is valid for 60 days.

Certified copies of recorded marriage licenses can be obtained by mailing the completed Application for Certified Marriage License with $10.00 (cash or money order) to:

For dual citizenship purposes, send $25.00 and note the purpose on the application, as the office must include a copy of the application with the certified license.

Birth and Death Records

The Register of Wills holds Fayette County birth and death records from 1893 to 1905. To request a copy, mail a letter or completed Birth or Death Record Application Form with a $5.00 search fee (payable by check) to the Register’s office. Include the record-holder’s full name, the year of birth or death, and the requestor’s contact information.

Records after 1905 are maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Health Division of Vital Records. Certified copies cost $20.00 each. Online orders through the approved vendor incur an additional $10.00 processing fee. Mail orders require a completed application for birth or death certificate, acceptable identification, and payment sent to:

Pennsylvania Department of Health
Division of Vital Records
Birth Certificate Processing Unit
P.O. Box 1528
New Castle, PA 16103

Walk-in services are available at Vital Record Public Offices Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with same-day processing for requests submitted by 2:30 p.m.

Fayette County Probate Court Records

The Fayette County Register of Wills, who also serves as the Clerk of the Orphans’ Court, administers the probate of wills, grants letters testamentary and letters of administration, and oversees estate filings. Probate records in Fayette County date from 1794 to the present.

Opening an Estate

Appointments are required for all estate openings — call (724) 430-1206 to schedule. The office closes for lunch from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., and the latest appointment for same-day receipt processing is 2:45 p.m. The application process takes approximately 30 minutes, and if all documents are in order, short certificates are issued the same day. As of January 13, 2026, cash payments over $1,000 are not accepted; only certified cashier’s checks are accepted for amounts exceeding that threshold.

For estates with a will (testate), the following are required:

Original will (not a photocopy)
If the will is not notarized, witnesses must sign a Witness Oath in the Register’s presence or before a notary
Original death certificate
Cash or check for the probate fee (calculated on a sliding scale based on estate value)

For estates without a will (intestate), the next-of-kin must be appointed as administrator, and siblings must sign a Renunciation Form. A fiduciary bond is required if the administrator lives outside Pennsylvania or is not related to the decedent.

Searching Probate Records

Probate records from 1993 to the present can be searched online through the Landex website. Select “FAYETTE-RW/OC” in the county field and search by name, date range, instrument number, or book and page. In-person searches cover the full range of records from 1794 onward and are subject to a non-refundable $5.00 search fee.

Probate Forms

The Register of Wills provides downloadable forms on the county website:

Additional Orphans’ Court forms are available through the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts. Inheritance tax forms can be found on the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue website.

For probate transfers to the Civil Division, the filing fee is $179.00 (as listed in the Fayette County Courts Fee Schedule, revised July 1, 2024). The Fayette County Bar Association can be reached at (724) 437-7994 for referrals to attorneys who handle estate matters.