Lackawanna County Court Records
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Lackawanna County, with its county seat in Scranton, runs a court system built around the Court of Common Pleas — the 45th Judicial District — along with ten Magisterial District Courts. The Court of Common Pleas covers civil lawsuits, criminal prosecutions, family law disputes, juvenile matters, and probate proceedings through its Orphans Court Division. Several county offices share responsibility for keeping court records: the Clerk of Judicial Records (which now combines the former Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts functions), the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans Court, and the Court Administrator's Office. Together, these offices process roughly 17,500 cases each year across civil, criminal, and family divisions.
You can search Pennsylvania court records in several ways — in person at clerk offices, by mail, or through electronic tools available at both the county and state level. The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania offers free public access to docket sheets at all court levels. County-specific record portals are also available through the Lackawanna County government website. At the statewide level, PennsylvaniaCourts.us can help you identify publicly available court case information and connect with individual county court resources.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Lackawanna County?
Lackawanna County offers online, in-person, and mail-based options for searching court case records. Which method works best depends on whether you're looking for a civil, criminal, family, or probate case.
Online case searches:
- UJS Portal — The Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal gives free access to Common Pleas and Magisterial District Court docket sheets. Search by docket number, participant name, or organization name to pull up case summaries, filing dates, and docket entries for Lackawanna County cases.
- County Public Records page — The Lackawanna County Public Records page links directly to search tools for civil, family, and criminal court records, as well as county assessment and deed records.
- Register of Wills / Orphans Court search — Probate records, marriage licenses, and Orphans Court filings can be searched through the Register of Wills online records search. You'll need to enable pop-ups in your browser; for technical support, call Infocon at (814) 472-6146.
In-person searches:
All county court offices are open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (excluding holidays). Key locations are listed below:
| Office | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Clerk of Judicial Records — Civil & Family | 123 Wyoming Ave., 1st Floor, Scranton, PA 18503 | (570) 963-6723 ext. 7501 |
| Clerk of Judicial Records — Criminal Division | 200 N. Washington Ave., Scranton, PA 18503 | (570) 963-6759 ext. 7188 |
| Register of Wills / Clerk of Orphans Court | 123 Wyoming Ave., Suite 521, Scranton, PA 18503 | (570) 963-6702 |
| Court Administrator's Office | 123 Wyoming Ave., Scranton, PA 18503 | (570) 963-6773 |
Mail requests:
Send written requests to the appropriate office at the addresses above. Include the case number or party names, specify exactly which records you need, and enclose the applicable fees by check or money order. An archivist search for records predating 1996 costs $25.00 per name.
Are Court Records Public in Lackawanna County?
Court records in Lackawanna County are generally open to public inspection. The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (Act 3 of 2008) establishes that records held by Commonwealth and local agencies are accessible unless a specific exemption applies. The Case Records Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System also sets uniform statewide standards for what is available at the courthouse and what can be accessed remotely through web docket sheets.
Requests for case records are typically made orally to the appropriate custodian. The Clerk of Judicial Records, Register of Wills, and other custodians are required to respond promptly. If a request is complex or involves a large volume of material, a written submission may be required.
Records restricted from public access include:
- Adoption records (confidential by law; maintained by the Clerk of Orphans Court)
- Juvenile delinquency and dependency case records (42 Pa.C.S. § 6307)
- Sealed and expunged criminal records
- Grand jury proceedings
- Medical and psychological records filed under a Confidential Document Form
- Financial source documents (tax returns, W-2 forms, bank statements, pay stubs)
- Incapacity proceedings (20 Pa.C.S. §§ 5501–5555), except for dockets and final decrees
- Information sealed by court order or otherwise restricted by statute
Under the statewide Case Records Public Access Policy, parties must file a Confidential Information Form when documents contain Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, driver's license numbers, state identification numbers, or minors' names and dates of birth. The Confidential Document and Confidential Information forms are available on the Lackawanna County website.
Remote access to family court and probate docket sheets through the UJS Portal is limited to party names, city/state/ZIP, case type, filing date, docket entries, and court orders — full underlying documents are accessible only at the courthouse.
Lackawanna County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Lackawanna County are prosecuted before the Court of Common Pleas, with preliminary hearings conducted at the Central Court (Magisterial District Court 45-0-00) located at 200 N. Washington Avenue. The Criminal Division of the Clerk of Judicial Records maintains all criminal filings, including charges, bail documents, motions, sentencing records, and appeals.
Lackawanna County Clerk of Judicial Records — Criminal Division
Address: 200 N. Washington Ave., Scranton, PA 18503
Phone: (570) 963-6759 ext. 7188
Fax: (570) 963-6459
Email: partykaj@lackawannacounty.org
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
How to search criminal records:
- Online: Use the UJS Portal Case Search and select Criminal Court of Common Pleas or Magisterial District Court. Search by participant name, docket number, or offense tracking number.
- In person: Visit the Criminal Division at the courthouse and ask the clerk to run a records search. Bring a valid ID.
- By mail: Send a written request with the defendant's name or case number, along with a check for the applicable fee, to the Criminal Division address above.
Statewide criminal background checks are available through Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH). The fee is $22.00 per individual request; volunteer checks are free. As of April 22, 2026, online PATCH requests carry an additional 2% credit card transaction fee. For PATCH support, call (888) 783-7972.
Sheriff's Office records:
The Lackawanna County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest warrants, incarceration records, and related law enforcement files. The office publishes an online active warrants list. Contact details:
Lackawanna County Sheriff's Office
200 N. Washington Ave., 1st Floor, Scranton, PA 18503
Phone: (570) 963-6719
Fax: (570) 963-6859
Tips: tips@lackawannacounty.org
Lackawanna County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Lackawanna County — including contract disputes, personal injury claims, real estate cases, appeals from Magisterial District Judges, and assessment appeals — is filed through the Civil Division of the Clerk of Judicial Records. This division maintains liens, judgments, and civil and equity files, processing approximately 8,000 cases annually.
Lackawanna County Clerk of Judicial Records — Civil Division
Address: 123 Wyoming Ave., Scranton, PA 18503
Phone: (570) 963-6723 ext. 7501
Fax: (570) 963-6387
Email: parryst@lackawannacounty.org
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
How to access civil records:
- Online: Search civil docket sheets on the UJS Portal by case number or party name. The county Public Records page also links to civil and family court record search tools.
- In person: Visit the Civil Division at the Government Center. Copies cost $0.55 per page.
Selected civil filing fees (effective January 1, 2026):
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Commencement of civil action (at law or equity) | $227.00 |
| Writ of summons | $227.00 |
| Confession of judgment | $227.00 |
| Appeal from assessment/zoning | $227.00 |
| Name change petition | $123.00 |
| Petition for minor's compromise | $123.00 |
| License/registration/inspection appeal | $123.00 |
| Appeal from arbitration | $721.50 |
| Appeal from Magisterial District Judge | $221.00 |
| Appeal to Superior/Commonwealth Court | $90.25 (to higher court) + $98.50 (to Clerk) |
| Foreign judgment | $54.50 |
| Lis pendens | $41.00 |
| Default/non pros/demurrer judgment | $22.50 |
| Writ of execution / possession / seizure | $40.00 each |
| Certified copy | $0.55/page |
| Exemplified record | $33.50 |
| Reinstate/reissue any action | $19.50 |
| Archivist search (pre-1996, per name) | $25.00 |
The Clerk's office provides 29 downloadable civil court forms, including the Statewide Civil Cover Sheet, In Forma Pauperis application, Writ of Summons, Certificate for Judgment Note, Praecipe for Writ of Execution, and Subpoena to Attend and Testify.
Property and land records are maintained by the Lackawanna County Recorder of Deeds at 123 Wyoming Avenue, Suite 218, Scranton, PA 18503. Office hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (recording hours until 3:45 p.m.), and the phone number is (570) 963-6775 ext. 7650. A county property search tool lets you look up parcels by owner name, parcel ID, or street address.
Lackawanna County Family Court Records
The Family Court Division of the Court of Common Pleas handles divorce, child custody, Protection from Abuse (PFA), and related domestic relations matters. Established in 2008, the division processes approximately 4,500 cases per year and also maintains records for Juvenile Probation and Children and Youth Services. All family court filings go through the Clerk of Judicial Records.
Lackawanna County Clerk of Judicial Records — Family Court Division
Address: 123 Wyoming Ave., 1st Floor, Scranton, PA 18503
Phone: (570) 963-6723
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Selected family court filing fees (effective January 1, 2026):
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Divorce (one count) | $259.00 |
| Each additional count | $45.00 |
| Custody count in divorce action | $10.00 |
| Custody petition | $236.50 |
| Petition to modify custody | $40.00 |
| PFA (by consent, no hearing) | $262.00 |
| PFA (hearing on the merits) | $392.00 |
| Retake maiden name (one certified copy) | $22.50 |
| Discontinue/withdraw divorce | $11.00 |
| Certified copy of divorce decree | $11.00 |
| Reinstate/reissue any action | $19.50 |
The Clerk's office time-stamps filings, collects fees, certifies court seals, issues copies of divorce decrees, and communicates legally mandated information to parties.
Marriage licenses:
Marriage licenses are issued by the Register of Wills / Clerk of Orphans Court through the Marriage License Bureau, which keeps marriage records dating back to October 1885. Both parties must appear in person after completing an online application. The marriage license fee is $32.50 (cash, check, or money order) or $34.50 by credit card. If either party was previously married, bring a divorce decree or death certificate for the former spouse. An Application for Marriage License Search form is available for genealogy-related record requests at $25.00 per search.
Birth and death records:
The Register of Wills office holds limited birth records (1893–1905, Lackawanna County excluding Scranton) and death records (1893–1905, Lackawanna County excluding Scranton) for genealogical purposes. To request these records, download the Application for Birth/Death Records, enclose a $25.00 check payable to the Register of Wills/Orphans Court and a self-addressed envelope, and mail to:
Register of Wills
Lackawanna County Government Center
123 Wyoming Avenue, Suite 521
Scranton, PA 18503
For certified copies of Pennsylvania birth or death certificates, contact the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records. Certificates cost $20.00 each and can be ordered online, by mail, or in person at a Vital Records branch office.
Lackawanna County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Lackawanna County are handled by the Orphans Court Division of the Court of Common Pleas. The Register of Wills is responsible for probating wills, appointing personal representatives under Pennsylvania intestacy laws, and collecting inheritance taxes. The office also serves as Clerk of the Orphans Court — maintaining dockets and files for guardianships, trusts, adoptions, formal estate accountings, and any other matters that come before the Orphans Court.
Register of Wills / Clerk of Orphans Court
Address: Lackawanna County Government Center, 123 Wyoming Ave., Suite 521, Scranton, PA 18503
Phone: (570) 963-6702
Fax: (570) 963-6377
Email: kovaleskif@lackawannacounty.org
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Probates are handled by appointment only. Payment is accepted by cash, check, credit, or debit card. The Orphans Court has a no-refund policy.
How to search probate records:
- Online: Use the Register of Wills, Orphans Court and Marriage License Bureau records search. Pop-ups must be enabled in your browser.
- In person: Visit the 5th floor of the Government Center during office hours. All wills and estate files from 1878 to the present — as well as guardianship, trust, and miscellaneous documents from 1878 — are kept on site and are open to the public (adoption records excepted).
- By mail: Download the Application for Genealogy Search: Wills/Estates, enclose a $25.00 check, and mail to the Register of Wills address above with a self-addressed envelope.
The Register of Wills / Clerk of Orphans Court Fee Schedule is available for download. The office also provides an extensive library of forms, including the Probate Packet (which includes instructions, Petition for Grant of Letters, Oath of Personal Representative, Estate Information Sheet, and witness oaths), guardianship forms (checklists, cover sheets, expert reports, inventories, and guardianship review hearing petitions), accounting forms, and adoption documents. Pennsylvania Orphans Court forms published by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts are also accepted. The Lackawanna County Orphans Court Rules and the statewide Pennsylvania Orphans Court Rules govern all filing procedures. Pennsylvania Department of Revenue inheritance tax forms are linked from the Register of Wills page for estates that owe inheritance tax.