Luzerne County Court Records Search
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Luzerne County sits in northeastern Pennsylvania and is home to roughly 330,000 residents. Its judicial system centers on the Luzerne County Courthouse complex in Wilkes-Barre, where the Court of Common Pleas, the Orphans’ Court division, and multiple Magisterial District Courts process thousands of criminal, civil, family, and probate matters each year. Several county offices share responsibility for court records: the Clerk of Courts handles criminal, juvenile, and dependency filings; the Prothonotary maintains civil case files; and the Register of Wills/Clerk of the Orphans’ Court oversees probate, guardianship, adoption, and marriage records.
People seeking Luzerne County court records can approach the search through official online tools, in-person visits, or written requests. Pennsylvania’s Unified Judicial System operates the UJS Web Portal, which allows the public to search docket sheets for Common Pleas, Magisterial District, and appellate court cases statewide. The Prothonotary’s Office also offers its own online viewer through SearchIQS, and the Register of Wills provides remote access to estate and deed indexes through Landex and IQS platforms. For a broader overview of Pennsylvania’s court structure and electronic services, PennsylvaniaCourts.us can help users identify the right court and locate publicly available case information.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Luzerne County?
The approach for finding a court case depends on the type of case and which office holds the records. Below are the primary methods available.
Online Searches
- Go to the UJS Portal Case Search page.
- Select the court type — Court of Common Pleas, Magisterial District Court, or an appellate court.
- Choose “Luzerne” as the county from the dropdown menu.
- Enter search criteria such as a docket number, participant name, organization name, or case filing date.
- Click the docket sheet link in the results to view case details, charges, dispositions, bail information, and upcoming court events.
For civil records specifically, the Prothonotary maintains an online viewer at SearchIQS where users can search case indexes and, depending on their subscription level, view and download filed documents.
In-Person Searches
Visit the relevant office at the Luzerne County Courthouse, 200 North River Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711. Public access terminals are available in both the Prothonotary’s Office and the Register of Wills/Clerk of the Orphans’ Court office for viewing records during business hours (Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.). The Clerk of Courts office is open Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Mail Requests
Written requests can be sent to the appropriate office with a description of the records sought, the applicable fee, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Each office has its own forms and fee schedules, detailed in the sections below.
General Copy Fees
| Office | Customer-Made Copies | Staff-Made Copies | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prothonotary | $0.50/page | $2.25/page | $9.00 first page, $4.75 each additional |
| Clerk of Courts | $0.50/page | — | $9.00 |
| Register of Wills | $0.50/page (customer) | Higher (call office) | $2.00 per certificate |
Are Court Records Public in Luzerne County?
Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law establishes a presumption that records held by government agencies, including judicial agencies under Section 304, are accessible to the public. In practice, most Luzerne County court filings — complaints, motions, orders, judgments, docket sheets, and related documents — are available for inspection and copying.
However, the following categories are restricted or confidential:
- Sealed records — A judge may seal a case file by court order. Sealed records are not available for public inspection.
- Juvenile records — Cases in the juvenile division of the Court of Common Pleas are generally confidential under Pennsylvania law.
- Adoption records — Sealed by statute; accessible only by court order. Requests for information on adoptions granted in Luzerne County must be submitted in writing to the Act 101 Coordinator, Orphans’ Court, Luzerne County Courthouse, Brominski Building, 113 West North Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711. Contact (570) 822-0764 for questions.
- Guardianship records filed after January 6, 2018 — Only the Final Decree and the Docket are public; all other documents are restricted to parties of interest.
- Mental health records and records containing sensitive personal identifying information are also exempt from disclosure.
- Orphans’ Court records filed after January 6, 2018 (other than marriage licenses) are accessible only in the office, not remotely.
If a request for records is denied, the custodian must cite the specific legal basis for the denial.
Luzerne County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Luzerne County are filed through the Clerk of Courts, which serves as the filing office for all criminal, juvenile, and dependency matters. Felonies and serious misdemeanors proceed to the Court of Common Pleas, while summary offenses and preliminary hearings are handled by one of the county’s Magisterial District Courts.
Clerk of Courts Contact Information
Luzerne County Clerk of Courts
Address: 200 North River Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
Phone: (570) 825-1585
Fax: (570) 825-1843
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
The Clerk of Courts also processes summary appeals from Magisterial District Court decisions in traffic and non-traffic cases, as well as expungements and limited-access petitions for criminal and summary records.
Searching Criminal Court Cases
- Online — Use the UJS Portal to search criminal docket sheets by docket number, participant name, or filing date. Results include charges, dispositions, bail status, incarceration information, and confinement facility.
- In person — Visit the Clerk of Courts office during business hours. Bring the defendant’s name, docket number, or case filing date.
- Record checks — The Clerk of Courts performs individual record checks for a fee of $18.50 per person.
Key Clerk of Courts Fees (Effective January 1, 2024)
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Record check (per individual) | $18.50 |
| Copies | $0.50/page |
| Certification | $9.00 |
| Expungement (Rule 320) | $24.00 |
| Expungement (Act 5, 18 Pa.C.S. § 1725.7) | $132.00 |
| Limited Access petition | $24.00 |
| Summary Appeal | $55.25 |
| Processing felony/miscellaneous case (before/during trial) | $87.00 |
| Processing felony/miscellaneous case (during/after trial) | $155.25 |
Payment is accepted by cash, money order, cashier’s check, business check, and electronic payment (Visa credit/debit, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay).
Pennsylvania State Police — PATCH
For a statewide criminal history report, the Pennsylvania State Police maintains the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system. An online search costs $22.00 per subject and returns results based on state records. A mail-in request requires a notarized request form, a certified check for $22.00 payable to “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania”, and a self-addressed stamped envelope, mailed to:
Pennsylvania State Police
Central Repository – 164
1800 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758
Hazleton Annex
The Clerk of Courts offers most services — except passport applications, juvenile dependency/delinquency matters, bail returns, and certain certified copies — at the Hazleton Annex. Cash is not accepted at the Annex; payment must be by money order, cashier’s check, business check, or credit card (except for bail postings, which require a cashier’s check only).
Luzerne County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Luzerne County is filed with and maintained by the Prothonotary’s Office. The Court of Common Pleas hears major civil matters, while the Magisterial District Courts have jurisdiction over civil claims up to $12,000, landlord-tenant disputes, and traffic violations.
Prothonotary Office Contact Information
Luzerne County Prothonotary
Address: 200 North River Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
Phone: (570) 825-1745 (also listed as (570) 706-8412 through the statewide directory)
Fax: (570) 825-1757
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
How to Obtain Civil Records
- Online — Search the Prothonotary’s case index at SearchIQS as a guest or subscriber. E-filing is also available through the IQS e-filing system. Each filing must be recorded as a separately indexed docket entry per office policy.
- In person — Visit the Prothonotary counter and use public terminals or request copies at the window. Bring a valid ID and relevant case details (party name, docket number, or filing date).
- By mail — Send a written request with applicable fees to the Prothonotary at 200 North River Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711.
Selected Prothonotary Filing Fees (Effective November 17, 2025)
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil action (complaint, summons, petition, etc.) | $179.50 |
| Divorce action (basic no-fault) | $191.00 |
| Each additional count after the first (divorce) | $45.50 |
| Custody action | $190.50 |
| Petition for Special Relief/Contempt (custody or divorce) | $27.00 |
| Custody modification petition | $27.00 |
| Protection From Abuse (PFA) | $142.50 + $100.00 state surcharge |
| Arbitration (up to $50,000) | $64.00 |
| Appeal of arbitrator’s decision | $473.50 |
| Confession of judgment | $150.00 |
| Name change | $179.50 |
| Customer-made copies | $0.50/page |
| Staff-made copies | $2.25/page |
| Five-year search | $28.50 |
| Each additional year | $5.75 |
The Prothonotary’s full 2026 fee schedule is available on the county website. A $35.00 charge applies for returned checks. All filings must include a Certificate of Compliance per Pa.R.A.P. 127.
Luzerne County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Luzerne County — including divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence protection orders, paternity, and name changes — are heard by the Court of Common Pleas. There is no separate family court; these cases are filed through the Prothonotary’s Office and administered through the court’s Family Division.
Divorce and Custody
Divorce complaints are filed with the Prothonotary at a fee of $191.00 for a basic no-fault action, with $45.50 for each additional count. If a divorce includes a custody count, an additional $47.50 applies. Effective January 1, 2024, a $10.00 “Jen and Dave” fee (Act 119 of 1996) is collected on all custody case filings to fund an automated criminal-charge information system for parties in custody proceedings. Petitions for modification of custody and petitions to intervene in custody cases carry a $27.00 filing fee as of March 3, 2025.
Protection From Abuse petitions are filed at a cost of $142.50 plus a $100.00 state surcharge.
Marriage Licenses
Marriage licenses are issued by the Register of Wills/Clerk of the Orphans’ Court. The application process requires both applicants to appear together with government-issued photo ID, their Social Security numbers, and (if applicable) a final divorce decree in English. Applications can be started online through the Landex marriage application portal.
- Fee: $50.00 (cash, money order, or cashier’s check at the Wilkes-Barre office; money order or cashier’s check only at the Hazleton Annex)
- Waiting period: Three days after issuance
- Validity: 60 days; valid only in Pennsylvania
- Wilkes-Barre office: 153 North River Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711 — hours 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (must arrive by 3:30 p.m. for in-office applications, 4:00 p.m. with pre-completed online applications)
- Hazleton Annex: 40 North Church Street, Hazleton — Tuesday and Thursday only, 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (must arrive by 2:00 p.m.)
Certified Marriage License Copies
Certified copies of marriage licenses after the ceremony cost $25.00 (cash, cashier’s check, or money order). If the marriage date is unknown, an additional $30.00 search fee applies per marriage. Requests can be made in person or by mail using the Certified Marriage Request Form sent to Register of Wills, 200 North River Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711, with a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Historical marriage licenses from October 1885 through August 2004 can be searched for free through the IQS Infodex/EFilm Reader.
Adoption Records
All adoption records in Luzerne County are sealed by law and available only by court order. Adult adoptees seeking information must submit a written request to the Act 101 Coordinator at the Orphans’ Court address listed in the public access section above.
Luzerne County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Luzerne County are handled by the Register of Wills/Clerk of the Orphans’ Court. The Register of Wills is responsible for probating wills, appointing personal representatives, issuing short certificates, accepting inheritance tax payments, and filing all documents related to decedents’ estates. The Orphans’ Court division handles guardianships, adoptions, and other fiduciary matters.
Office Contact Information
Register of Wills/Clerk of the Orphans’ Court
Physical Address: 153 North River Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
Mailing Address: 200 North River Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
Phone: (570) 825-1641 (general); (570) 825-1555; (570) 825-1672
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Orphans’ Court
Physical Address: 153 North River Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
Phone: (570) 825-1668
Fax: (570) 970-4580
Searching Probate Records
Records filed from 2004 to the present are accessible on public terminals in the office and through three online platforms:
- Landex Remote — subscription-based full access to records and copies; estate records from mid-1998 to present are available.
- Landex Webstore — free index access; per-document fee for viewing and printing.
- IQS Infodex/EFilm Reader — estate indexes from 1875 to 2004 are searchable for free under “Select Volume”. Choose the relevant year range and first letter of the decedent’s last name to locate the estate number.
For records prior to 2004 that are not yet digitized, contact the Records Center at (570) 825-1863 to have a file pulled from storage at 57 Young Street, Hanover Township, and scanned into the Landex system. You may also visit the Records Center in person.
Selected Probate Filing Fees (Effective January 1, 2021)
| Estate Value | Letters Testamentary/Administration Fee |
|---|---|
| Not exceeding $10,000 | $50.00 |
| $10,001–$25,000 | $85.00 |
| $25,001–$50,000 | $120.00 |
| $50,001–$75,000 | $155.00 |
| $75,001–$100,000 | $190.00 |
| $100,001–$200,000 | $260.00 |
| $200,001–$500,000 | $500.00 |
| $500,001–$1,000,000 | $1,000.00 |
| $1,000,001–$2,000,000 | $2,000.00 |
| Each additional $1,000,000 | $200.00 |
Additional fees collected at the time of probate typically include an automation fee ($10.00), a JCS/ATJ/CJEA state fee ($40.25 on initial filings), an inheritance tax return fee ($25.00), and an inventory fee ($10.00 first page, $3.00 each additional page). Short certificates cost $5.00 each. Guardianship of an incapacitated person requires a $50.00 petition filing fee. The complete fee schedule and approved forms are available through the AOPC website.
Probate appointments in the Wilkes-Barre office are conducted in person. At the Hazleton Annex, probates are completed via Skype with Wilkes-Barre staff, and paperwork is then filed at the Annex location. The office also maintains records dating back to 1893 for birth and death certificates through 1905; certificates after 1905 are managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Older historical records, including those predating the county’s current systems, may be accessed through the Pennsylvania State Archives.