Union County Court Records Search
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Union County, Pennsylvania, sits in the central part of the state along the West Branch Susquehanna River, with Lewisburg serving as the county seat. The county’s judicial operations are conducted through the 17th Judicial District, a two-county district shared with neighboring Snyder County. Court records generated here span criminal prosecutions, civil disputes, domestic proceedings, estate administration, and minor court matters — all of which are overseen by a set of offices headquartered at the Union County Courthouse on South Second Street in Lewisburg.
For anyone beginning a Pennsylvania court records search, PennsylvaniaCourts.us can help orient users to the state’s judicial structure and connect them to publicly available case information. Records in Union County can be accessed through clerk offices at the courthouse, public access terminals, official online portals, and written request procedures — all of which are described in detail throughout this guide.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Union County?
The two primary methods for searching Union County court records are the state’s online docket system and an in-person visit to the appropriate clerk’s office.
Online: UJS Web Portal
The UJS Web Portal, maintained by the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania, provides free public access to docket sheets for Criminal Courts of Common Pleas, Civil Courts of Common Pleas, Magisterial District Courts, and Appellate Courts. Users can search by participant name, case number, docket number, offense tracking number, or police incident number. Results display docket entries, charges, hearing dates, attorneys of record, and case dispositions. The portal is the fastest and most accessible method for most searches and requires no account registration.
It is important to note that docket sheet results from the UJS portal are not a substitute for an official criminal background check. For background check purposes, requesters must go through the Pennsylvania State Police PATCH system (detailed in the criminal records section below).
In-Person: Courthouse Offices
The Union County Courthouse houses the primary record-keeping offices for court matters. For civil and criminal court records, visitors should contact the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts office on the first floor of the courthouse.
Union County Courthouse
Address: 103 S. Second Street, Lewisburg, PA 17837
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
The office can be reached by phone at (570) 524-8751 (fax: (570) 524-8628). Diane Miller serves as the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts. Staff can assist with locating records and making copies, though they are not permitted to provide legal advice.
Mail Requests
Written requests for specific documents can be submitted by mail to the relevant clerk’s office at the courthouse address above. Requesters should include the case name, case number or docket number, and the specific documents sought, along with payment for any applicable copy fees.
Are Court Records Public in Union County?
Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law (Act 3 of 2008) establishes that all state and local government agency records are presumed public unless an agency can demonstrate a legal basis for withholding them. For court records specifically, the Unified Judicial System has its own public records policy that governs what information is accessible and under what conditions.
The following categories of records are generally public and accessible through the Prothonotary, Clerk of Courts, or UJS Portal:
- Civil case docket sheets and filed pleadings
- Criminal court docket sheets and dispositions
- Judgments, orders, and court opinions
- Probate filings and estate records
- Marriage license records
The following categories are restricted or confidential under Pennsylvania law:
- Juvenile records — Protected under the Pennsylvania Juvenile Act (Title 42, Chapter 63); juvenile court proceedings are generally closed to the public, and records are sealed to protect minors.
- Adoption records — Sealed under Title 23, Chapter 29 of the Domestic Relations Code.
- Mental health records — Confidential under the Mental Health Procedures Act; evaluations and related records are not accessible to the general public.
- Expunged records — Once expunged by court order, criminal records are removed from public access.
- Sealed case records — Any record a judge has specifically ordered sealed is withheld from general public access regardless of record type.
Union County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Union County are handled at two levels, depending on the severity of the offense.
The Union County Court of Common Pleas has general jurisdiction over all felony cases and serious misdemeanors. The 17th Judicial District is presided over by two judges: Honorable President Judge Lori R. Hackenberg (chambers at Snyder County) and Honorable Judge Michael Piecuch (chambers at Union County Courthouse, 103 South Second Street, Lewisburg, PA 17837; phone: (570) 524-8641).
For minor criminal matters — specifically Class B and C misdemeanors, summary offenses, traffic violations, and preliminary arraignments — cases are heard before one of two Magisterial District Courts in Union County:
| Court | Judge | Address | Phone | Fax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MDJ 17-03-01 | Hon. Jeffrey A. Rowe | 103 S. Second St., Lewisburg, PA 17837 | (570) 524-8656 | (570) 524-8698 |
| MDJ 17-03-02 | Hon. Jeffrey L. Mensch | 343 Chestnut St., Ste. 2, Mifflinburg, PA 17844 | (570) 966-2886 | (570) 966-6252 |
Searching Criminal Records
Criminal docket sheets for both the Court of Common Pleas and the Magisterial District Courts are searchable through the UJS Portal case search. Searches can be run by defendant name, case number, or docket number.
Certified Criminal History Checks
For an official background check, the Pennsylvania State Police administers the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system. Requests can be submitted online or by mail. The standard fee is $22.00 per search, payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. PATCH provides a statewide criminal history record, not a county-specific one. Note that as of April 22, 2026, online PATCH requests carry an additional 2% credit card transaction fee.
Arrest Records and the Sheriff’s Office
Arrest records, warrant information, and civil process matters are handled by the Union County Sheriff’s Office, led by Sheriff Scott W. Hahn. The Sheriff’s Office is located at the Union County Courthouse, 103 S. Second Street, Lewisburg, PA 17837, and also offers fingerprinting services. For inmates housed at the county correctional facility, the Union County Jail is reachable at the same courthouse address and accepts payments for inmate accounts (no personal checks accepted).
Union County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Union County — including contract disputes, personal injury cases, property litigation, landlord-tenant actions, and debt collection — are filed with the Prothonotary’s Office at the Court of Common Pleas. The Prothonotary serves as the official keeper of all civil court records and is responsible for filing, recording, storing, and distributing civil case documents.
Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts
Address: Union County Courthouse, 103 S. Second Street, Lewisburg, PA 17837
Phone: (570) 524-8751 | Fax: (570) 524-8628
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Civil case dockets are searchable online through the UJS Portal’s docket sheets interface, which allows users to search, view, and print civil docket sheets at no charge. For copies of specific filed documents, requesters can visit the Prothonotary’s Office in person or submit a written mail request with case details and applicable fees.
Small Claims and Minor Civil Disputes
Claims below the threshold for Court of Common Pleas jurisdiction are filed with the Magisterial District Courts listed above. Magisterial District Courts handle civil claims of up to $12,000 and provide a faster, less formal process than full district court proceedings. Litigants can appear without an attorney, though legal counsel is permitted. Appeals from MDJ decisions go to the Court of Common Pleas.
Union County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Union County are handled by the Court of Common Pleas, which has jurisdiction over divorce, child custody, juvenile delinquency and dependency, and Orphans’ Court proceedings. Distinct offices assist with different aspects of family law.
Divorce
Divorce proceedings, including property distribution and spousal support matters, are civil cases filed with the Prothonotary’s Office. Divorce records are maintained there and are generally public unless sealed by a judge. Under the Pennsylvania Divorce Code (Title 23, Chapter 33), these records are accessible to the public through the standard docket search and copy request process.
Child Support and Paternity
Financial support matters — including child support establishment, modification, and enforcement, as well as paternity determination — are handled by the Union County Domestic Relations Section, a division of the Court of Common Pleas.
Domestic Relations Office
Address: Union County Courthouse, 103 S. Second Street, Lewisburg, PA 17837
Phone: (570) 524-8661 | Fax: (570) 524-0581
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
It is important to note that the Domestic Relations office handles support and paternity matters only — it does not process child custody, partial custody, or visitation disputes. Those issues are addressed through the Court of Common Pleas directly. Support payments are remitted through the PA State Collection & Disbursement Unit (PA SCDU), P.O. Box 69110, Harrisburg, PA 17106-9110.
Marriage Licenses
Marriage licenses in Union County are issued by the Prothonotary’s Office. Appointments are required. Applicants must appear in person at the Union County Courthouse during regular business hours. Under Title 23, Chapter 15 of the Domestic Relations Code, marriage license records are public documents absent a sealing order.
Vital Records: Birth and Death Certificates
Birth and death certificates are not court records in Pennsylvania — they are managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The standard fee is $20.00 per certificate for births and $20.00 per certificate for deaths; an additional $10.00 processing fee applies for online orders. Authorized requesters include the individual named in the record (if of legal age), immediate family members, or legal representatives. The Vital Statistics Law of 1953 governs confidentiality protections for these documents.
Union County Probate Court Records
In Union County, probate jurisdiction rests with the Orphans’ Court Division of the Court of Common Pleas. Day-to-day administration of probate matters — including the probate of wills, appointment of estates for individuals who die without a will, and maintenance of estate records — is handled by the Register of Wills, currently Lisa A. Seward, who also serves as Recorder of Deeds.
Register of Wills
Address: Union County Courthouse, 103 S. Second Street, Lewisburg, PA 17837
Phone: (570) 524-8762 | Fax: (570) 524-0104
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
(Document recording concludes at 4:15 PM)
All Union County estate records from 1813 to the present have been placed on microfilm, making historical estate research accessible to attorneys and members of the public at the office.
Opening an Estate: Required Documents
To initiate probate proceedings, the following items must be submitted to the Register of Wills:
- Petition (unsigned at time of submission)
- Death certificate of the decedent
- Original Last Will and Testament and any Codicils
- Renunciations (if applicable)
- Witness affidavits
- Payment of probate fees (due at the time of probate)
Inheritance taxes collected through the probate process are payable to “Union County Register of Wills, Agent”. All checks for probate or filing fees should be made payable to “Union County Register of Wills”. The Pennsylvania Decedents, Estates, and Fiduciaries Code governs estate administration procedures and the public accessibility of probate filings.
Types of Probate Proceedings
The Orphans’ Court handles a range of matters beyond standard estate administration, including:
- Guardianship of minors or incapacitated adults
- Conservatorship proceedings
- Trust administration oversight
- Termination of parental rights (in coordination with juvenile proceedings)
- Adoption proceedings (records sealed under Title 23, Chapter 29)
Probate records that are not specifically sealed or restricted are accessible to the public through the Clerk of Orphans’ Court, whose office is also located within the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts suite at the courthouse. For property records related to estate real estate transfers or title research, the Recorder of Deeds, operating from the same Union County Courthouse office at (570) 524-8762, maintains deeds, mortgages, liens, and plat records from 1813 onward. All recording must be completed before 4:15 PM on business days.