Susquehanna County Court Records Search
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Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, is a rural northeastern county with its county seat in Montrose. Its court system operates under the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System and centers on the Court of Common Pleas, which encompasses criminal, civil, family, and orphans’ court divisions. Multiple magisterial district courts handle preliminary matters and minor civil and criminal cases at the local level. Whether you need case records for legal proceedings, background research, or genealogical purposes, understanding which office holds which records — and how to request them — will save considerable time and effort.
Searching Court Records in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s court records can be accessed through several channels: clerk offices at the county courthouse, public access terminals at courthouses statewide, and official online systems. PennsylvaniaCourts.us can help users navigate publicly available court information throughout the state. The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal provides free access to docket sheets and case information for Susquehanna County matters dating from 1996 to present, searchable by case number, party name, offense tracking number, or state ID number.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Susquehanna County?
There are three main ways to search Susquehanna County court records: online through the UJS Web Portal, in person at the courthouse, or by mail for criminal searches.
Online Search
The UJS Portal Case Search provides free public access to docket sheets for criminal, civil, and other case types filed in Susquehanna County. Search options include participant name, case number, attorney name, organization name, and offense tracking number. The portal covers case filings from 1996 onward.
For civil records specifically, the Prothonotary’s office maintains a separate online portal. Register at the CountySuite Civil Portal for civil case searches, document purchasing, and e-filing.
In-Person Access
All county court offices are located at the Susquehanna County Courthouse:
| Office | Phone Extension | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Prothonotary – Civil | (570) 278-4600, Ext. 6641 | Civil case records |
| Clerk of Courts – Criminal | (570) 278-4600, Ext. 6642 | Criminal case records |
| Collections | (570) 278-4600, Ext. 6677 | Fines and costs |
| Clerk of Orphans’ Court | (570) 278-4600, Ext. 4067 | Estate and probate records |
Susquehanna County Courthouse
Address: 31 Lake Avenue, P.O. Box 218, Montrose, PA 18801
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
Main Phone: (570) 278-4600
Mail Requests for Criminal Searches
The Clerk of Courts accepts written criminal record search requests by mail. Submit the following to receive results:
- Full name of the subject
- Date of birth
- Social Security number
- Check for $15.00 per name, payable to “Clerk of Courts”
Mail to: Susquehanna County Clerk of Courts, Attn: Criminal Search, P.O. Box 218, Montrose, PA 18801
Are Court Records Public in Susquehanna County?
Public access to Susquehanna County court records is governed by two principal authorities: the Pennsylvania Right-To-Know Law (RTKL) and the Case Records Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System. Together, these frameworks establish that court records are presumptively public and that both remote (online) and physical access are permitted to records maintained by the Court of Common Pleas.
However, the Public Access Policy identifies specific categories of information that are restricted to case parties and their attorneys and are not available to the general public:
- Juvenile court records
- Driver’s license numbers
- Social Security numbers
- State Identification (SID) numbers
- Financial account numbers and financial source documents
- Income and expense statements
- Psychological and medical records
- Children, Youth, and Family Services (CYF) records
- Marital property inventories and pre-trial statements
- Case parties’ agreements
- Abused victim’s contact information and employer details in family court cases
Records in sealed cases are not accessible without a specific court order. The RTKL contains additional exemptions for records protected by attorney-client privilege and records whose disclosure would threaten personal safety or ongoing investigations. When a court clerk determines that a record falls within a restricted category, only the parties directly involved and their legal counsel may inspect it.
Susquehanna County Criminal Court Records
The Clerk of Courts is the official custodian of all criminal case files in Susquehanna County. This office creates and maintains records for criminal, juvenile, miscellaneous, and administrative proceedings, including all filings from court proceedings, subpoenas, bench warrants, bail bonds, and sentencing documents. It also processes summary, Commonwealth, and Superior Court appeals; assesses, collects, and distributes fines, costs, and restitution; and handles expungements of criminal records.
The current Clerk of Courts Fee Schedule 2026 is available on the county website, along with Local Rules for the Criminal Division.
Criminal Record Search Options
- Online (free):UJS Portal — search by name or case number, cases from 1996 to present
- Mail request (fee): $15.00 per name; include name, DOB, and SSN with a check payable to “Clerk of Courts”
- In person: Visit the Clerk of Courts at the courthouse during business hours
Arrest Records and Law Enforcement
Arrest records, incident reports, and warrant information are maintained by law enforcement agencies rather than the Clerk of Courts. The Susquehanna County Sheriff’s Office handles warrants, prisoner transport, and civil process enforcement. An active bench warrant list is published through the Sheriff’s public warrant portal.
Susquehanna County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 31 Lake Avenue (P.O. Box 218), Montrose, PA 18801
Civil/Criminal: (570) 278-4600, Ext. 4075 or 4076
Real Estate Sales: (570) 278-6653
License to Carry: (570) 278-6616
Fax: (570) 278-2853
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
The three Magisterial District Courts in Susquehanna County handle preliminary arraignments, preliminary hearings, and summary criminal matters:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| MDJ 34-3-01 | 71 Lake Ave., P.O. Box 154, Montrose, PA 18801 | (570) 278-5965 |
| MDJ 34-3-02 | 210 Public Way, Suite 1, New Milford, PA 18834 | (570) 465-3551 |
| MDJ 34-3-03 | 1866 SR 106, P.O. Box 179, Clifford, PA 18413 | (570) 222-6356 |
Susquehanna County Civil Court Records
The Prothonotary’s Office creates and maintains all civil records in Susquehanna County, including lawsuits, judgments, municipal liens, state and federal liens, and Protection from Abuse (PFA) case costs. The Prothonotary also handles license suspension appeals, appeals to higher courts, and arbitration board appointments.
Online Civil Case Access
Register at the CountySuite Civil Portal to search civil cases online, purchase documents, and submit e-filings. The Local Rule for Efiling governs electronic submission requirements. In-person access at the courthouse remains available during standard office hours.
Selected Civil Filing Fees (Effective 2026)
Per the Prothonotary Fee Schedule 2026:
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil Complaint | $190.00 |
| Small Claims (Magisterial District Court) | $45–$125 (varies by claim amount) |
Credit cards (Mastercard, Visa, Discover) are accepted with an additional service fee of 2.5% or $2.00, whichever is greater. Returned checks carry a $35.00 fee.
Property Records
Property documents — deeds, mortgages, easements, UCC filings, and realty transfer tax records — are held by the Recorder of Deeds. Copies cost $0.50 per page, with an additional $1.50 to stamp-certify a copy. Mortgage certified copies are $5.00. Remote electronic recording is available through CSC eRecording ((866) 652-0111), Simplifile ((800) 460-5657), and eRecording Partners Network ((888) 325-3365).
Susquehanna County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Susquehanna County are handled through the Court of Common Pleas, with records maintained by both the Prothonotary (for divorce and domestic matters) and the Clerk of Orphans’ Court (for adoptions and guardianships of minors).
Divorce Records
Divorce records are filed with the Susquehanna County Prothonotary. To request copies, visit the office in person or write to the Prothonotary at the courthouse. You must provide the names of both parties and the date of the divorce. Office hours are Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM; phone Civil at (570) 278-4600, Ext. 6641.
Protection from Abuse (PFA) Orders
PFA petitions are filed through the Prothonotary’s office. The Sheriff’s Office serves and enforces PFA orders. There is no charge for the Sheriff to serve Ex Parte or emergency protective orders. Victims of domestic violence seeking assistance can contact the Susquehanna County Victim/Witness Office, which provides support for PFA filings and court accompaniment. The Unified Judicial System’s protection orders page also provides guidance on the PFA process statewide.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued and recorded by the Register and Recorder’s Office. The marriage license application fee is $45.00, payable by cash or credit card only. Certified copies of marriage licenses are available for $10.00 per copy. To process a request, staff require the names of both parties on the license and the date of the marriage. Requests may be submitted in person or by mail.
Register and Recorder’s Office
Address: 31 Lake Avenue (P.O. Box 218), Montrose, PA 18801
Phone: (570) 278-4600
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
Birth and Death Records (Pre-1905)
Historical birth and death records from 1893 to 1905 are held by the Clerk of the Orphans’ Court at the same courthouse location. Copies cost $2.00 (regular) or $5.00 (certified). Requests require the subject’s name, approximate birth or death date, location of the event, and parents’ names if available.
Birth and Death Records (Post-1905)
For records from 1905 onward, contact the Pennsylvania Department of Health Division of Vital Records. The fee is $20.00 per certificate for both birth and death records. Applications can be submitted:
- Online: Through an authorized third-party vendor (additional $10.00 processing fee)
- By mail: Complete the Birth Certificate Application or Death Certificate Application, enclose a valid ID, and mail with a check or money order to: Division of Vital Records, Death Certificate Processing Unit, P.O. Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103
- In person: At designated Public Office locations
Susquehanna County Probate Court Records
Probate and estate matters in Susquehanna County are divided between two offices: the Register of Wills, which handles the probate of estates and collection of inheritance tax, and the Clerk of the Orphans’ Court, which oversees adoptions, guardianships of minors or incapacitated persons, and marriage license issuance.
Both offices share the same courthouse address and hours:
Register of Wills / Clerk of Orphans’ Court
Address: 31 Lake Avenue (P.O. Box 218), Montrose, PA 18801
Orphans’ Court Phone: (570) 278-4600, Ext. 4067
Fax: (Orphans’ Court): (570) 278-2963
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
Probate Record Search
Probate case docket sheets are searchable through the UJS Portal for cases from 1996 forward. For older estate files or physical documents, contact the Clerk of Orphans’ Court directly. In-person visits are the most reliable method for reviewing complete estate files, wills, inventories, and accountings.
Register of Wills — Fees and Payment
Per the fee schedule effective January 1, 2026 (approved by President Judge Jason J. Legg on October 15, 2025, per Acts 40 of 2017, 22 of 2023, and 45 of 2025):
- Copies of estate documents: $0.50 per page
- Stamp-certified copies: add $1.50 per copy
- Inheritance tax payments: cash or check only, payable to “Register of Wills, Agent”
- All other filing fees: cash, check (payable to “Register of Wills”), or credit card (Mastercard, Visa, Discover); credit card carries a 2.5% or $2.00 service fee, whichever is greater
- Returned check fee: $35.00
- A self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) is required when requesting return of stamped copies by mail; without one, postage of $1.00 per 5 pages or fraction thereof will be added
The current Orphans’ Court Fee Schedule effective January 1, 2026 and the State Orphans’ Court Rules are available on the county website for reference before filing. For matters requiring guardianship of Medicaid-recipient incapacitated persons, review the county’s Increase in Fees — Court Appointed Guardians notice for current applicable rates.
All filing amounts must be exact; the office does not issue refunds. Overages of $5.00 or less are retained as a convenience fee; overages above $5.00 result in rejection of the submitted documents.