Tioga County Court Records Search
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Tioga County, located in north-central Pennsylvania, is served by a multi-level court system anchored by the Court of Common Pleas in Wellsboro, the county seat. The judicial structure includes Orphans’ Court as a division of the Common Pleas court, three magisterial district courts spread across the county’s rural geography, and supporting offices such as the Prothonotary, Register of Wills, Clerk of Orphans’ Court, and Domestic Relations Section. Records produced by these bodies — ranging from civil judgments and felony dockets to wills, marriage licenses, and adoption proceedings — form the backbone of the county’s public record system.
Pennsylvania residents and researchers have multiple ways to access court case information in the state. The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System (UJS) web portal provides free online case searches covering both Common Pleas and magisterial district courts. PennsylvaniaCourts.us can also help identify court resources and publicly available case information across the Commonwealth. In-person access through clerk offices and public terminals at the Tioga County Courthouse remains an option for those who need to review complete case files or obtain certified copies.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Tioga County?
There are three practical avenues for locating Tioga County court records, depending on the nature of the case and the level of detail needed.
Online Search via UJS Portal
The UJS Case Search portal is the primary free resource for searching court records across Pennsylvania. Users can search by:
- Participant name
- Case number
- Citation number
- Date filed
- Offense tracking number
- Police incident or complaint number
- State ID number
After initiating a search, select “Tioga County” as the judicial district to filter results. The portal displays docket sheets for both Common Pleas and magisterial district court cases, though recent entries may have a short processing delay before appearing.
In-Person at the Courthouse
The Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts office is the primary in-person destination for civil and criminal case records at the Common Pleas level. Visitors may inspect case files during business hours and request paper copies for a fee.
Prothonotary / Clerk of Courts
Address: 118 Main Street, Wellsboro, PA 16901
Phone: (570) 724-9281
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Online Land and Probate Records
Deeds, wills, and related documents recorded by the Register & Recorder’s office are searchable online through Landex, the county’s approved online record search platform for the Recorder of Deeds, Register of Wills, and Clerk of Orphans’ Court.
Self-Help Resources
The Court Administration office maintains a Self Help Center on the second floor of the Tioga County Courthouse. Staff cannot provide legal advice or help complete forms, but the center offers procedural guidance for unrepresented parties. North Penn Legal Services can assist those who need legal help.
Are Court Records Public in Tioga County?
Pennsylvania operates under two overlapping public access frameworks for court records. The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law establishes a broad right of public access to government records. Simultaneously, 204 Pa. Code § 213.81 — the Case Records Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System — specifically governs access to court case records and guarantees the right to inspect and copy case records upon an oral or written request.
Despite this presumption of openness, records custodians are prohibited from releasing certain categories of information:
- Personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers, home addresses, and phone numbers (subject to mandatory redaction)
- Information protected by privilege, including attorney-client communications
- Records exempt under federal or state law, such as juvenile delinquency records
- Sealed records, including adoption files (sealed by court order and permanently closed to the public)
- Guardianship records maintained by the Clerk of Orphans’ Court
- Military Discharge Records (DD-214s) held by the Recorder of Deeds (closed per the Veterans’ Privacy Act)
- Information whose disclosure would jeopardize public safety
Remote electronic access through the UJS portal is subject to additional restrictions on certain sensitive case types under the Public Access Policy.
Tioga County Criminal Court Records
Criminal prosecutions in Tioga County move through two levels of court. Magisterial district judges handle preliminary arraignments, bail hearings, summary offenses, and preliminary hearings in misdemeanor and felony cases. Felony and most misdemeanor cases that proceed to trial are heard in the Criminal Division of the Court of Common Pleas.
Court of Common Pleas — Criminal Division
The District Attorney’s Office, located at the courthouse, prosecutes all criminal matters on behalf of the Commonwealth.
District Attorney’s Office
Address: 118 Main Street, Wellsboro, PA 16901
Phone: (570) 724-1350
Fax: (570) 724-7108
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Tioga County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 118 Main Street, Wellsboro, PA 16901
Phone: (570) 724-3491
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Sheriff’s Office is responsible for criminal court operations, prisoner transport, enforcement of Pennsylvania’s Crimes Code and Motor Vehicle Code, and county security. Its Records Division, reachable through the main courthouse, handles background checks and public information requests.
Magisterial District Courts
Tioga County has three magisterial district courts, each covering a geographic portion of the county:
| Court | Address | Phone | Fax |
|---|---|---|---|
| MDJ 04-3-01 (Edgcomb) | 201 West Main Street, Suite C, Elkland, PA 16920 | (814) 258-7138 | (814) 258-7139 |
| MDJ 04-3-02 (Repard) | 118 Main Street, Wellsboro, PA 16901 | (570) 724-9220 | (570) 723-8224 |
| MDJ 04-3-03 (Cummings) | 126 Dorsett Heights, Mansfield, PA 16933 | (570) 662-2904 | (570) 662-2090 |
All three magisterial district courts operate Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cases from these courts are searchable through the UJS portal by selecting the appropriate magisterial district. For cases heard at the Common Pleas level, criminal docket sheets are available through the same portal under Tioga County.
Statewide Criminal History Searches
For official Pennsylvania criminal history background checks, the Pennsylvania State Police maintains the Commonwealth Law Enforcement Assistance Network (CLEAN). Third-party or employer-initiated checks use the Patch system available through the State Police website.
Tioga County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Tioga County is distributed across two court levels based on the claim amount and case complexity.
Court of Common Pleas — Civil Division
The Prothonotary’s Office is the filing and record-keeping hub for all Common Pleas civil matters, including equity actions, family court proceedings, arbitrations, license suspension appeals, federal and local tax liens, and city liens. The office reviews filings for compliance with the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure and the Tioga County Rules of Court.
Selected Prothonotary Filing Fees:
| Action | Fee |
|---|---|
| New civil filing (basic) | $156.00 |
| Divorce filing | $10.00 (add-on) |
| Custody | $10.00 (add-on) |
| Entry of appearance | $5.00 |
| Expungement | $132.00 |
| Mailed copies | $1.00/page |
The full Tioga County Prothonotary Fee Schedule is available on the county’s website.
Magisterial District Courts — Small Claims and Summary Civil Matters
Minor civil disputes, landlord-tenant matters, and small claims under the jurisdictional threshold are heard by the magisterial district courts. Decisions from magisterial courts can be appealed to the Court of Common Pleas. For small claims procedures and forms, the UJS Portal’s public records page offers downloadable resources and procedural guidance.
Tioga County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Tioga County are handled across several interconnected offices depending on the specific issue — divorce and custody through the Common Pleas Civil/Family Division, support enforcement through Domestic Relations, and marriage licenses and guardianship petitions through the Clerk of Orphans’ Court.
Divorce and Custody
Divorce proceedings are filed with the Prothonotary’s Office at the Court of Common Pleas. Custody and visitation matters are also handled through the Common Pleas court; parties seeking the court’s assistance with custody should contact the Court Administrator’s office at (570) 723-8380 or consult an attorney. The Domestic Relations Section does not handle custody or visitation — its jurisdiction is limited to support-related matters.
Child and Spousal Support
The Tioga County Domestic Relations Section, a Court-appointed office of the Common Pleas court, handles child support, spousal support, and alimony pendente lite proceedings. Services include establishing and enforcing support orders, locating absent parents, establishing paternity, and resolving medical insurance disputes between separated parents.
Domestic Relations Section
Address: 118 Main Street, Wellsboro, PA 16901
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Support applications and case information are also accessible online through the PA Child Support website. Payments can be made through the Pennsylvania Support Collection & Disbursement Unit (SCDU).
Marriage Licenses
Marriage licenses are issued by the Clerk of Orphans’ Court. Applicants can begin the process by completing the online application at the Tioga County Marriage License Application portal. After submitting online, both applicants must call (570) 724-9260 to schedule an in-person appointment to finalize the application. Key requirements:
- Both applicants must appear in person at least 10 days before the wedding (to allow for the mandatory 3-day waiting period)
- Valid photo ID required for both parties
- Previously married applicants must provide a certified copy of the divorce decree or the deceased spouse’s death certificate — photocopies are not accepted
- Fee: $35.00 cash only (no personal checks)
- The license is valid for 60 days after the 3-day waiting period ends
Certified copies of existing marriage records can be obtained by completing the Application to Obtain a Certificate of Marriage and submitting it to the Orphans’ Court office. Each copy costs $7.00, payable by money order, cashier’s check, or cash. A self-addressed stamped envelope must be included with mail requests.
Register & Recorder — Orphans’ Court Division
Address: 118 Main Street, Wellsboro, PA 16901
Phone: (570) 724-9260
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Birth and Death Records
Pennsylvania records births and deaths at the state level since January 1, 1906. Birth certificates remain restricted for 105 years from the date of birth; before that period, only the registrant and certain family members (spouses, parents, siblings, and children) may obtain certified copies. The fee is $20.00 per birth certificate, with an additional $10.00 service charge for online orders. Mail the completed Application for Birth Certificate with payment to the Division of Vital Records, P.O. Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103.
Death certificates are restricted for 50 years from the date of death, accessible before that only by the decedent’s spouse, ex-spouse, parent, or legal representative. The fee is $20.00 per certificate. Submit a completed Application for Death Certificate by mail to the same address, visit a DOH public office in person, or order online through the state-authorized vendor. For deaths predating 1906, contact the Tioga County Orphans’ Court Clerk directly. Historical indices of death records from 1906 to 1968 are maintained by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC).
Tioga County Probate Court Records
Probate jurisdiction in Tioga County rests with two offices that function together within the Register & Recorder’s suite at the courthouse: the Register of Wills handles estate openings and the probate of wills, while the Clerk of Orphans’ Court oversees guardianships, small estates, accountings, and adoption proceedings.
Register of Wills
The Register of Wills oversees the probate process for decedents who were residents of Tioga County. The office issues Letters Testamentary (when a valid will exists) and Letters of Administration (for intestate estates). It also collects Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax as an agent of the Commonwealth.
To open an estate in Tioga County:
- Email all required probate documents to the Register of Wills office (contact Keriane Chaborek to initiate)
- Required documents include: Probate Petition, copy of the death certificate, the original will (if one exists), and a copy of the petitioner’s government-issued ID
- Schedule an appointment — the oath/swearing-in of the personal representative is completed remotely via Zoom
- Pay the applicable filing fee based on estate value (see fee schedule below)
Register of Wills Fee Schedule (effective December 1, 2025):
| Estate Value | Base Fee |
|---|---|
| Not exceeding $1,000 | $25.00 |
| $1,001 – $5,000 | $30.00 |
| $5,001 – $10,000 | $40.00 |
| $10,001 – $20,000 | $50.00 |
A state-mandated JCS surcharge of $42.25 is added to the initial filing fee. The full Register of Wills Fee Bill 2025 covers all estate value tiers. All documents filed with the Register of Wills are public records.
Clerk of Orphans’ Court
The Clerk of Orphans’ Court handles petitions for guardianship, small estates, family settlement agreements, annual and first-and-final accountings, and adoption proceedings. Guardianship records and adoption files are not public — adoption records are permanently sealed by court order. The Orphans’ Court Calendar Schedule 2026 and Orphans’ Court Fees Bill 2025 are available from the county website.
Register & Recorder (Register of Wills / Clerk of Orphans’ Court)
Address: 118 Main Street, Wellsboro, PA 16901
Phone: (570) 724-9260
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Public probate records — including wills, estate filings, and non-sealed Orphans’ Court documents — are accessible in person at the office and online through the Landex platform, which provides remote access to all records held by the Recorder of Deeds, Register of Wills, and Clerk of Orphans’ Court.