Northampton County Court Records Search
PennsylvaniaCourts.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports. All searches conducted on PennsylvaniaCourts.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.
Northampton County sits in eastern Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, with its county seat in the city of Easton. The county’s trial court — the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas — operates through three divisions: Civil (managed by the Prothonotary), Criminal (managed by the Clerk of Courts), and Orphans’ Court (managed by the Register of Wills). Fourteen magisterial district courts handle preliminary hearings, minor criminal offenses, and smaller civil disputes across the county. Together, these courts generate a broad range of records that are accessible to the public under Pennsylvania law.
Individuals looking for Pennsylvania court records can search through official clerk offices, public-access terminals at the courthouse, and statewide online portals. The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania maintains the UJS web portal, which provides free docket sheet searches for cases across all levels of the state court system. PennsylvaniaCourts.us may also help users identify publicly available court case information and connect to relevant state resources.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Northampton County?
The first step is identifying which division or court holds the record. Criminal felony and misdemeanor cases filed at the Court of Common Pleas are maintained by the Clerk of Courts (Criminal Division). Civil matters — including divorce, custody, personal injury, and foreclosure — are filed with the Prothonotary (Civil Division). Probate, estate, adoption, guardianship, and marriage records fall under the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans’ Court. Cases heard in the magisterial district courts are maintained by those individual courts.
Online search options:
- UJS Portal — The UJS Case Search provides free docket sheet access for Common Pleas, magisterial district court, and appellate cases statewide. Search by name, case number, or date.
- County Suite Portal — The Northampton County Prothonotary maintains a local Case Search tool for civil cases filed with that office. Search by case number, case category, or date range.
- Register of Wills Online Portal — The Orphans’ Court online portal provides remote access to estate cases, Orphans’ Court documents, and marriage records (1994 to present). A user account and small search fee are required.
- Property Records — The county’s Parcel Address Search portal provides assessed values, ownership details, and tax map information.
In-person searches:
Visit the appropriate office at the Northampton County Courthouse, 669 Washington Street, Easton, PA 18042. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (hours may vary during holidays). The UJS Case Records Public Access Policy provides that requesters should make oral requests initially; clerks may require a written request for complex or voluminous records. A UJS Public Records Request form is also available.
Mail requests:
Written requests can be mailed to the relevant division at 669 Washington Street, Easton, PA 18042. Include a business check, certified check, or money order for the applicable fee. Personal checks are generally not accepted.
Key courthouse contacts:
| Office | Phone | Fax |
|---|---|---|
| Court Administration | (610) 829-6700 | (610) 559-6702 |
| Criminal Division (Clerk of Courts) | (610) 829-6453 | — |
| Civil Division (Prothonotary) | (610) 829-6457 | — |
| Orphans’ Court / Register of Wills | (610) 829-6488 | (610) 559-3735 |
| Custody Office | (610) 829-6960 | (610) 559-6702 |
| Domestic Relations Section | (610) 829-7700 | (610) 253-4135 |
| District Attorney | (610) 829-6666 | — |
| Sheriff’s Department | (610) 829-6501 | — |
Are Court Records Public in Northampton County?
Pennsylvania’s Right to Know Law establishes a presumption that government records, including court records, are accessible to the public. In addition, the UJS Case Records Public Access Policy (effective January 1, 2022) governs how court case records are made available statewide.
Under these provisions, the public generally has the right to inspect and obtain copies of court filings, docket sheets, judgments, and orders. However, significant categories of records are exempt from public disclosure:
- Juvenile records — Proceedings involving minors in delinquency and dependency matters are confidential.
- Sealed records — Cases sealed by court order are not available for public inspection.
- Child support records — Domestic relations and support case files contain restricted information.
- Victim information — Personally identifying information of victims in criminal cases is protected.
- Records involving ongoing investigations — Law enforcement and prosecution records connected to active investigations may be withheld.
- Certain personal identifiers — Social Security numbers, financial account information, and other sensitive data may be redacted from publicly available documents.
- Adoption and termination of parental rights — Records of these proceedings are confidential.
Records maintained by the Northampton County Archives are accessible to the public for in-person research at no charge. Mail and email requests for archival records cost $5.00 per name search and $0.50 per page for copies. The Archives Division is located at 999 Conroy Place, Forks Township.
Northampton County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Northampton County are heard by the Court of Common Pleas (for felonies and higher misdemeanors) and the magisterial district courts (for preliminary hearings, summary offenses, and some misdemeanors). The Criminal Division of the Clerk of Courts is the custodian of all criminal records filed in the Court of Common Pleas.
Obtaining criminal court records from Northampton County:
The Criminal Division conducts criminal record searches for a flat fee of $10.00. Requests can be made in person or by mail. If mailing, include a business check, certified check, or money order payable to “Criminal Division” in the amount of $10.00 plus any additional fees for copies or certification. Include the defendant’s name, date of birth, and case number if known.
Northampton County Criminal Division
669 Washington Street
Easton, PA 18042
Phone: (610) 829-6453
Payment methods accepted:
- In person: Cash, credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover), money order, or certified check
- By mail: Business check, certified check, or money order (no personal checks)
- Online: Payments can be made through the UJS Portal using Visa, MasterCard, or Discover ($2.75 transaction fee)
The office does not provide disposition or sentencing information by phone.
Statewide criminal history checks:
The Pennsylvania State Police maintains the official state criminal history repository. Name-based background checks can be conducted through the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system for $22.00. An additional $5.00 applies if notarization is needed. Alternatively, a completed SP 4-164 form can be submitted by mail.
Related contacts:
- Sheriff’s Department (bench warrants): (610) 829-6561
- Northampton County Prison — Central Booking: (610) 923-4300; Records: (610) 923-4303
- Adult Probation: (610) 559-6800
- DUI Probation / ARD: (610) 559-6810
Northampton County Civil Court Records
The Civil Division of the Court of Common Pleas handles a wide range of matters including contract disputes, personal injury claims, mortgage foreclosures, name changes, driver’s license suspension appeals, custody actions, divorce, judgments, mechanics’ liens, and federal income tax liens. The Prothonotary is responsible for filing, recording, and maintaining all civil legal papers.
Searching for civil records:
- Online: Use the Prothonotary’s CountySuite Case Search or the UJS Portal for docket information.
- In person: Visit the Prothonotary’s Office at 669 Washington Street, Easton, PA 18042. Phone: (610) 829-6457 Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- By mail or in person: Submit a UJS Public Records Request form to the Prothonotary.
E-filing:
E-filing is available through the Prothonotary’s CountySuite Online portal. The office provides an E-Filing Upload Guidance document to assist filers.
Key civil forms:
- PA Civil Court Coversheet — Required for new civil filings
- Notice of Appeal from Magisterial District Judge Judgment
- Section 8 Tenant’s Supersedeas and Non-Section 8 Tenant’s Supersedeas — For landlord/tenant appeals
Copy and certification fees (Prothonotary):
Payments must be made in cash, business checks, money orders, traveler’s checks, or certified checks payable to “Prothonotary of Northampton County”. A $30.00 fee is charged for returned checks. The Prothonotary’s full fee schedule is available on the county website.
Magisterial district court civil cases:
The fourteen magisterial district courts handle civil claims within their monetary jurisdiction, landlord/tenant cases, and DUI matters. Records from these courts can be searched on the UJS Portal or requested directly from the individual court. A complete list of magisterial district court addresses and phone numbers is available through the Court of Common Pleas.
Property records:
The Recorder of Deeds maintains deeds, mortgages, and other documents related to real property in Northampton County. The office is located at 669 Washington Street, Easton, PA 18042, Phone: (610) 829-6210 Documents are microfilmed and available for public inspection.
Northampton County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Northampton County — including divorce, custody, child support, paternity, and protection from abuse — are handled by the Civil Division of the Court of Common Pleas. The Prothonotary files and maintains divorce, custody, and related records, while the Domestic Relations Section manages support establishment and enforcement.
Divorce records:
No-fault divorce paperwork and instruction packets are available in the Courthouse Law Library (first floor, near the Juror’s Lounge) or from the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas website. The Prothonotary’s office accepts filings in person or through e-filing.
Custody actions:
Paperwork for new custody actions is available from the child custody page on the Court of Common Pleas website. Forms for modification or contempt filings are available from the Pennsylvania Courts forms page. All custody paperwork must be completed fully, and all custody orders must be signed in Motions Court (Monday through Friday at 9:00 a.m. in Courtroom 4) before filing with the Prothonotary.
Child support and domestic relations:
The Domestic Relations Section handles establishment of support orders, paternity, and enforcement of monetary orders. The office is located at 126 S. Union Street, Easton, PA 18042, Phone: (610) 829-7700 The state’s child support enforcement system can be accessed through the Pennsylvania Child Support website.
Marriage licenses:
Marriage licenses are issued by the Clerk of Orphans’ Court (Register of Wills). Both applicants must appear in person at 669 Washington Street, Easton, PA 18042, no later than 4:00 p.m. The marriage prerequisites document outlines the requirements:
- Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, passport, or agency photo ID)
- Social Security number (number only; card not required)
- If previously married, a certified copy of the divorce decree (issued at least 30 days prior) or death certificate
- Fee: $50.00 — cash only
- Three-day waiting period before the license becomes valid
- License expires 60 days after issuance and is valid only in Pennsylvania
- Minors aged 16–17 require parental consent; minors under 16 require parental consent plus a Department of Human Services investigation and approval by the President Judge
Applications can be started online through the Orphans’ Court portal, but both applicants must appear in person to take the oath and complete the process. For questions, call (610) 829-6488 or (610) 829-6988.
Vital records (birth and death):
Death records from 1893 to 1936 are available through the Register of Wills office. Records after 1936 must be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Division of Vital Records. Certified copies cost $20.00 per record, with an additional $10.00 service fee for online orders. Applications for birth certificates and death certificates can be submitted by mail to:
Division of Vital Records
P.O. Box 1528
New Castle, PA 16103
Online requests can be placed through the mycertificates.health.pa.gov portal. Additional information is available on the Pennsylvania Vital Records page.
Northampton County Probate Court Records
The Orphans’ Court Division of the Court of Common Pleas handles all probate matters, including the probate of wills, administration of decedents’ estates, trust disputes, guardian appointments for minors and incapacitated persons, adoptions, relinquishments, and termination of parental rights. Patricia Manento serves as the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans’ Court. The majority of Orphans’ Court hearings are held every Tuesday.
Office location:
Register of Wills / Clerk of Orphans’ Court
669 Washington Street
Easton, PA 18042
Phone: (610) 829-6488
Fax: (610) 559-3735
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Searching probate records:
- Online: The Orphans’ Court portal allows registered users to search estate cases and Orphans’ Court documents remotely for a small fee.
- In person: Visit the Register of Wills office at the courthouse.
- By mail/email: Forward requests to the Register of Wills office. Research fees may be assessed based on the complexity of the request. Include a written request, the applicable fee (contact the office first for cost), and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Selected probate (Register of Wills) fees:
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Letters (estates $10,001–$25,000) | $30.00 |
| Letters (estates $25,001–$50,000) | $50.00 |
| Letters (estates $50,001–$75,000) | $75.00 |
| Letters (estates $75,001–$100,000) | $100.00 |
| Letters (estates $100,001–$150,000) | $120.00 |
| Letters (estates $150,001–$250,000) | $150.00 |
| Letters (estates $250,001–$350,000) | $250.00 |
| Letters (estates $350,001–$450,000) | $350.00 |
| Letters (estates $450,001–$550,000) | $450.00 |
| Letters (estates $550,001–$650,000) | $550.00 |
| Letters (estates $650,001–$750,000) | $650.00 |
| Letters (estates $750,001–$850,000) | $750.00 |
| Letters (estates $850,001–$950,000) | $850.00 |
| Letters (estates $950,001–$1,000,000) | $950.00 |
| Each additional $1,000,000 | $400.00 |
| JCP fee (assessed on each new petition) | $40.25 |
| Inheritance tax return | $15.00 |
| Inventory filing | $10.00 |
| Short certificates | $5.00 each |
| Renunciations | $5.00 each |
| Certification of document | $10.00 |
| Certification of will | $10.00 |
| Photocopies | $0.50 per page |
| Record will (non-probate) | $40.00 |
| Bond filing | $10.00 |
| Affidavit of death | $10.00 |
| Closing letter (revenue certificate) | $10.00 |
| Caveat | $20.00 |
| Caveat bond (minimum required) | $1,000.00 |
| Filing of formal caveat and bond | $50.00 |
| Informal caveat | $25.00 |
| Register of Wills hearing (caveat) | $100.00 |
| Exemplification issued | $40.00 |
| Returned check fee | $25.00 |
| Claim against estate | $10.00 |
The complete Wills Fee Schedule and Orphans’ Court Fee Schedule are available as downloadable documents from the county website.
The Register of Wills office maintains estate records dating back to 1752, making it one of the oldest continuous record repositories in the commonwealth. For historical probate research, the Northampton County Archives at 999 Conroy Place, Forks Township, also houses original book and paper records.