Indiana County Court Records Search
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Indiana County, part of Pennsylvania’s 40th Judicial District, maintains court records through its Court of Common Pleas, Orphans’ Court division, and several Magisterial District Courts. Whether you need to review a criminal docket, pull a civil complaint, look into a family law proceeding, or trace a probate filing, the records are housed primarily at the Indiana County Courthouse at 825 Philadelphia Street in Indiana, PA 15701. This guide covers where each type of record is kept, which offices to contact, applicable fees, and the various methods available to search for and obtain copies.
Residents and researchers looking for Indiana County court records can begin with several official resources. The UJS Web Portal Case Search allows free online lookups of docket sheets across Pennsylvania’s Common Pleas and Magisterial District Courts. PennsylvaniaCourts.us may also help locate publicly available court case information for the state. Beyond those digital tools, records are available through the Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts office, the Register of Wills & Clerk of Orphans’ Court, public-access computer terminals inside the courthouse, and direct contact with individual court offices.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Indiana County?
The most direct way to find an Indiana County case is through the Unified Judicial System (UJS) Portal. This free service lets you search by participant name, case number, organization name, offense tracking number, or police incident number. Docket sheets for both Common Pleas and Magisterial District Court cases appear in the results and can be viewed and printed at no charge.
Online search steps:
- Go to the UJS Portal docket sheet search.
- Select the court level (Common Pleas, Magisterial District, or Appellate).
- Enter the search criteria — a participant name, case docket number, or other identifier.
- Filter results by county (select “Indiana”) to narrow your search.
- Click on an individual case to view its docket entries, filing history, and scheduled events.
Prothonotary subscription service:
For users who need regular access to civil case data, the Indiana County Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts offers an online subscription portal. The service costs $25 per month (billed quarterly, three-month minimum) and includes an initial activation fee of $75. The same subscription allows e-filing into cases. To sign up, download the Online Subscriptions Form, complete it, and return the original signed form to the Prothonotary’s office. Re-activating a lapsed subscription costs $25.
In-person access:
Public-access terminals are available in the Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts Office on the first floor of the courthouse. You may also request to review physical case files during office hours. Sealed cases, sealed documents, juvenile records, and mental health records are not accessible through public terminals or in-person review.
Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts
Address: Indiana County Courthouse, 1st Floor, 825 Philadelphia St., Indiana, PA 15701-3973
Phone: (724) 465-3855
Fax: (724) 465-3968
Email: pcc@indianacountypa.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (closed on holidays)
Copy fees are $0.25 per page for standard copies and $5.00 for certified copies. The full Prothonotary fee schedule, effective December 1, 2025, is available as a downloadable PDF from the county website.
Are Court Records Public in Indiana County?
Court records in Indiana County are presumed open to the public. Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.) establishes a broad right of access to government records, including many court documents. In addition, the Case Records Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System, effective January 6, 2022, sets uniform rules for what court documents may be inspected and copied.
Under these frameworks, the following categories are generally open to the public:
- Criminal docket sheets and case filings (post-disposition)
- Civil complaints, answers, motions, and orders
- Judgment and lien records
- Property-related filings such as mechanics’ liens and lis pendens
- Probate filings, including wills admitted to record and estate inventories
- Marriage license records
However, certain records carry access restrictions:
- Juvenile delinquency and dependency records
- Sealed or expunged cases
- Mental health proceedings
- Active law enforcement investigation files
- Grand jury materials
- Protection From Abuse records where access has been limited by court order
- Adoption records
- Guardian ad litem reports
- Confidential financial information in family cases
- Trade secrets and confidential business information submitted under seal
When filing documents that contain confidential information (such as Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, or dates of birth), filers must comply with the Unified Judicial System’s redaction requirements under the Case Records Public Access Policy. A Confidential Information Form or Confidential Document Form may be required to segregate protected data from the public docket.
Any member of the public may request to inspect or copy accessible case records by making an oral or written request to the custodian who maintains them — typically the Prothonotary for civil matters and the Clerk of Courts for criminal matters.
Indiana County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Indiana County are handled by the Court of Common Pleas for felonies, misdemeanors, and appeals, and by the Magisterial District Courts for preliminary hearings and summary offenses. The Clerk of Courts division of the Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts office maintains criminal case files for the Court of Common Pleas.
Court of Common Pleas — Criminal Division
Three judges sit on the Indiana County bench:
| Judge | Phone |
|---|---|
| President Judge Thomas M. Bianco | (724) 465-3958 |
| Judge Michael T. Clark | (724) 465-1017 |
| Judge Gina R. Force | (724) 465-3961 |
Court Administration is reached at (724) 465-3955 (Court Administrator: Katrina McCombie).
Magisterial District Courts
| Court | Address | Phone | Fax |
|---|---|---|---|
| MDJ 40-2-01 | 829 Water St., Indiana, PA 15701 | (724) 463-8781 | (724) 465-3967 |
| MDJ 40-3-01 | 1450 Franklin St., Clymer, PA 15728 | (724) 254-4348 | (724) 254-1111 |
| MDJ 40-3-02 | 20 W. Indiana St., Suite 1, Homer City, PA 15748 | (724) 479-8082 | (724) 479-5053 |
| MDJ 40-3-03 | 147 E. Market St., Blairsville, PA 15717 | (724) 459-7203 | (724) 459-0480 |
How to search criminal records:
- UJS Portal: Search criminal docket sheets at ujsportal.pacourts.us using a defendant name, case number, or offense tracking number.
- PAC-File: Attorneys can e-file into criminal cases through the UJS Portal’s PAC-File system.
- E-Pay: Defendants may pay court costs, fines, and fees online through the E-Pay link on the Clerk of Courts webpage.
- In person: Visit the Clerk of Courts at the courthouse, 1st Floor, 825 Philadelphia St., Indiana, PA 15701-3973.
Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH):
Statewide criminal background checks are available through the PATCH system administered by the Pennsylvania State Police. The fee is $22.00 per check, payable by credit card online. As of April 22, 2026, an additional 2% credit card transaction fee applies to online requests. To run a PATCH check, visit the website, accept the terms and conditions, and fill in the required identifying information for the subject of the search.
Indiana County Sheriff’s Office:
The Sheriff’s Office handles bench warrants, Protection From Abuse order service, and prisoner transport. It can be contacted for law-enforcement-related record requests.
Indiana County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 825 Philadelphia St., 3rd Floor, Indiana, PA 15701-3973
Phone: (724) 465-3930
Fax: (724) 465-3937
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Public access to arrest records may vary depending on the status of the case and applicable exemptions under the Right-to-Know Law and the Criminal History Record Information Act (18 Pa.C.S. § 9101 et seq.).
Indiana County Civil Court Records
Civil cases — contract disputes, personal injury claims, property matters, landlord-tenant actions, and more — are filed with the Prothonotary. Small claims and minor civil disputes under statutory dollar limits begin at the Magisterial District Court level and may be appealed to the Court of Common Pleas.
Key civil filing fees (effective December 1, 2025):
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Original Complaint | $161.00 |
| Amended Complaint (1 additional count) | $51.00 |
| Each additional count beyond one | $50.00 extra |
| Complaint with 10+ defendants | Add $10.00 per defendant |
| Appeal from Magistrate level | $161.00 |
| Arbitration Appeal | $400.00 |
| Arbitration (via Praecipe) | $200.00 |
| Writ of Execution | $30.00 |
| Writ of Summons | $30.00 |
| Transfer / Change of Venue | $160.00 |
| Petition (commencing new action) | $161.00 |
| Subpoena | $30.00 |
| Copies per page | $0.25 |
| Certified copies of filings | $5.00 |
The complete fee schedule is published on the county website.
Searching civil records:
- UJS Portal: Free docket sheet searches for Common Pleas civil cases at the UJS Case Search.
- Prothonotary subscription portal: Monthly online access to civil case information for $25/month (details in the lookup section above).
- In person or by mail: Contact the Prothonotary at (724) 465-3855 or visit the office on the first floor of the courthouse during business hours. Mail requests should be addressed to Indiana County Courthouse, Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts, 825 Philadelphia St., Indiana, PA 15701.
- Property-related searches: Deeds, mortgages, and other land records are maintained by the Recorder of Deeds. The Indiana County Recorder of Deeds search portal allows free online searches by party name, document type, or recording date.
The Recorder of Deeds, Register of Wills, and Clerk of Orphans’ Court fall under one combined office headed by Maria Jack. The office phone is (724) 465-3860, and the fax is (724) 465-3863. A $5.00 rejection fee applies to any document returned for recording errors.
Staff at the Prothonotary’s office cannot provide legal advice. The office encourages seeking legal counsel for matters involving court filings.
Indiana County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Indiana County — including divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, and Protection From Abuse proceedings — are handled through the Court of Common Pleas. The Domestic Relations Section manages support enforcement, and mediation services are coordinated through the Court Program Manager.
Divorce filings:
Divorce complaints are filed with the Prothonotary. Key fees from the current schedule:
- Complaint — Divorce only (1 count): $161.00
- Complaint — Divorce with Custody (1 count divorce + 1 count custody): $202.25
- Each additional count: $41.25
- Amended Complaint (1 additional count): $51.00
- Contempt or Motion to Enforce Order: $30.00
- Continuance: $30.00
- Retake Maiden Name (includes up to 3 certified copies): $30.00
- Appointment of Master — Initial Deposit: $800.00
Custody:
Custody complaints carry a $161.00 filing fee. Modifications, contempt motions, relocation petitions, and special relief filings each cost $30.00. Mediation costs $200.00 per party; a separate In Forma Pauperis petition must be filed to request a waiver.
The Court Program Manager, Mathew G. Simon, Esquire, serves as the Child Custody Mediator and Divorce Hearing Officer. He can be reached at (724) 465-3962 (fax: (724) 463-2532).
Domestic Relations Section:
The Indiana County Domestic Relations Section handles child support establishment, modification, and enforcement. Contact the section directly through the county website for intake procedures and forms.
Protection From Abuse (PFA):
There is no filing fee for PFA petitions or related filings in Pennsylvania. PFA orders are served by the Sheriff’s Office.
Marriage licenses:
Marriage license applications are handled by the Register of Wills & Clerk of Orphans’ Court at (724) 465-3860. Appointments are required and are available Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Applicants must bring:
- The completed online application from the county marriage portal
- $55.00 (cash or check)
- Photo ID and Social Security card
- A copy of the most recent divorce decree (if previously married)
- A copy of a death certificate (if a prior spouse is deceased)
Certified copies of marriage licenses cost $5.00. Requests can be mailed to Orphans’ Court, 825 Philadelphia St., Indiana, PA 15701 with a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check payable to “Clerk of Orphans’ Court”. A Certified Marriage Request Form is available for download.
Vital records:
Birth and death certificates are issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, not by the county. Applications can be submitted through the Department of Health’s certificate ordering page. A certified copy of a birth or death certificate costs $20.00, plus a non-refundable $10.00 service fee for online orders. Mail requests should be directed to the Division of Vital Records, P.O. Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103-1528.
Indiana County Probate Court Records
Probate jurisdiction in Indiana County belongs to the Orphans’ Court division of the Court of Common Pleas. The Register of Wills accepts wills for probate, grants letters testamentary and letters of administration, and collects inheritance tax. The Clerk of Orphans’ Court maintains filings for guardianships, trust accountings, estate audits, and other orphans’ court proceedings.
Register of Wills & Clerk of Orphans’ Court
Address: Indiana County Courthouse, 825 Philadelphia St., Indiana, PA 15701-3973
Phone: (724) 465-3860
Fax: (724) 465-3863
Email: gneal@indianacountypa.gov (for appointment scheduling, cost calculations, and forms)
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
The office requests that anyone intending to probate an estate make an appointment in advance. To prepare, email a copy of the Petition, death certificate, any wills or renunciations, and the number of short certificates desired so staff can calculate total costs.
Probate fee schedule (Register of Wills):
| Estate Value | Letters Testamentary / Administration Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to $1,000 | $20.00 |
| $1,000–$5,000 | $30.00 |
| $5,000–$10,000 | $40.00 |
| $10,000–$20,000 | $50.00 |
| $20,000–$30,000 | $60.00 |
| $30,000–$40,000 | $70.00 |
| $40,000–$50,000 | $80.00 |
| $50,000–$75,000 | $90.00 |
| $75,000–$100,000 | $100.00 |
| Each additional $100,000 or fraction | $35.00 |
Additional fees include a Judicial Computer System surcharge of $40.25 and an Automation Fee of $10.00, applied on top of the letters fee. Other common charges: Short Certificate — $5.00; Copy of Will (up to four pages) — $20.00, each additional page — $3.00; Affidavit — $10.00; Inventory and Appraisement — $10.00; Inheritance Tax Statement — $15.00; Renunciation — $5.00; Subpoena — $15.00.
The full fee schedule was updated effective April 1, 2026, and is posted on the Register of Wills office page.
Searching probate records:
The Register of Wills offers an online case search portal where users can search marriage records and estate filings. Guest access is available for basic searches; creating an account allows more comprehensive lookups. From the portal’s main page, click “Search Public Records”, then select the appropriate index (e.g., “Marriage Names” for marriage records or other available categories for estate documents).
For records not available online, contact the Clerk of Orphans’ Court by phone, email, or mail. Include the decedent’s full name, approximate date of death, and any known case or file number to expedite the search. Certified copies can be mailed upon payment of the applicable fees.
Naturalization records:
The Prothonotary’s office maintains historical naturalization records for Indiana County covering the period 1807–1958. To obtain a folded copy, send a self-addressed stamped envelope and a $15.00 check or money order (payable to “Prothonotary”) for each record requested to: Indiana County Courthouse, Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts, 825 Philadelphia St., Indiana, PA 15701. For non-folded copies, call (724) 465-3855 first to confirm the document size and send an appropriately sized envelope.