Venango County Court Records
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Venango County sits in northwestern Pennsylvania, with Franklin as its county seat. The county's court system operates under the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania and includes the Court of Common Pleas—covering general civil and criminal matters, a Family Division, and an Orphans Court Division—along with three Magisterial District Courts that handle preliminary hearings, summary offenses, minor civil claims, and traffic matters. Case records across these courts include complaints, petitions, docket entries, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, and evidence exhibits.
If you're looking for case information, a good place to start is PennsylvaniaCourts.us, but the main public search tool statewide is the UJS Portal, run by the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania. It's free to use and lets you search docket sheets across the appellate courts, Courts of Common Pleas, and Magisterial District Courts. You can also go directly to the relevant clerk's office at the courthouse in Franklin to review files in person or make a written request using forms published by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts. If you need a criminal background check specifically, the Pennsylvania State Police operates the PATCH system, an online tool that searches the state's central criminal history repository.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Venango County?
Venango County court cases are filed and maintained at several offices inside the courthouse at 1168 Liberty Street in Franklin. Which office you need depends on the type of case involved.
Venango County Court of Common Pleas
| Office | Address | Phone | Fax | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Court Administration | 1168 Liberty St, 2nd Floor, Franklin, PA 16323 | (814) 432-9610 | Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. | |
| Prothonotary / Clerk of Courts | 1168 Liberty St, 1st Floor, Franklin, PA 16323 | (814) 432-9577 | (814) 432-9579 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
| Register of Wills / Clerk of Orphans Court | 1168 Liberty St, 1st Floor, P.O. Box 831, Franklin, PA 16323 | (814) 432-9539 | (814) 432-9569 | Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
Magisterial District Courts
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| MDJ 28-3-01 | 1052 Grandview Rd (911 Center), Oil City, PA 16301 | (814) 670-0339 |
| MDJ 28-3-03 | 217 Thirteenth St, Franklin, PA 16323 | (814) 432-3621 |
| MDJ 28-3-04 | Mellon Bank Building, P.O. Box 553, Seneca, PA 16346 | (814) 676-5421 |
All Magisterial District Courts are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (MDJ 28-3-01 closes at 4:00 p.m. and is closed from noon to 12:30 p.m.).
Online Docket Search
The fastest way to find a Venango County case is through the UJS Portal Case Search. You can search by case number, participant name, organization name, offense tracking number, police incident or complaint number, or state ID number. Results include web docket sheets showing filed documents, scheduled hearings, party information, charges, and dispositions. The search is free.
In-Person and Written Requests
To get certified copies or review physical files, visit the Prothonotary / Clerk of Courts office on the first floor of the courthouse. You can submit a completed Request for Access Form in person or by mail. The Prothonotary's office also accepts email inquiries at llinden@co.venango.pa.us.
Are Court Records Public in Venango County?
Court records in Venango County are generally open to the public under two overlapping frameworks. The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law establishes a general right of access to government records, and the Case Records Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System governs access specifically to judicial filings.
Under the statewide Case Records Public Access Policy, all case records are open to the public unless a specific exception applies. You can make requests orally to the applicable custodian—the Prothonotary, the Clerk of Courts, or the Clerk of Orphans Court—though complex or voluminous requests may need to be submitted in writing. Duplication fees for photocopies or printouts may not exceed $0.25 per page under the statewide policy.
Certain categories of information are restricted from public view:
- Confidential information that must be filed on a separate form: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, driver's license numbers, state identification numbers, minors' names and dates of birth, and abuse victims' addresses and contact information in family court actions.
- Confidential documents filed under a cover sheet: Financial source documents (tax returns, W-2s, wage stubs, bank statements, credit card statements, check registers, loan applications), minors' educational records, medical and psychological records, Children and Youth Services records, marital property inventories, income and expense statements, and separation or settlement agreements.
- Records sealed or exempted by statute or court order: Juvenile proceedings under 42 Pa.C.S. § 6307, sealed and expunged criminal records, incapacity proceedings under 20 Pa.C.S. §§ 5501–5555 (except the docket and final decree), and birth record proceedings under 20 Pa.C.S. § 711(9).
Remote access carries additional restrictions. Family court case records and probate/fiduciary case records are not remotely accessible beyond basic docket information—party name, city/state/ZIP, counsel, docket number, case type, filing date, docket entries, and court orders or opinions. Criminal case records available remotely exclude juror, witness, and victim identifying information.
Venango County also maintains a Right to Know process for non-judicial county records, with a dedicated request form and published fee schedule.
Venango County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Venango County start at the Magisterial District Court level. Summary offenses—including traffic violations, disorderly conduct, and other minor charges—can be resolved entirely before a Magisterial District Judge. Third-degree misdemeanors and first-offense second-degree misdemeanor DUI charges may also wrap up at this level. For all other criminal charges, the Magisterial District Judge conducts a preliminary hearing, and if probable cause is found, the case moves up to the Court of Common Pleas.
The Clerk of Courts is the official record keeper for all criminal proceedings in the Court of Common Pleas. This office maintains docket sheets, bail bond records, Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) files, jury records, trial exhibits, and minutes of hearings and trials. Maryann Smith serves as Acting Clerk of Courts. The office is located at:
Prothonotary / Clerk of Courts
1168 Liberty Street, Courthouse, 1st Floor
Franklin, PA 16323
Phone: (814) 432-9577 | Fax: (814) 432-9579
Criminal docket sheets can be searched at no cost through the UJS Portal. For certified copies, contact the Clerk's office directly. Research fees are $12 per name; copies are $0.25 per page.
Criminal Background Checks
The Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system, operated by the Pennsylvania State Police, lets you search the state's central criminal history repository online. The standard fee is $22 per request. As of April 22, 2026, all online PATCH requests also carry a 2% credit card transaction fee. Results will show either "No Record" or "Record", with details of any criminal history found. More information on the process is available through the Pennsylvania State Police overview page.
Venango County Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff's Office serves warrants—including bench warrants, domestic relations warrants, and district court warrants—and enforces Protection From Abuse orders. The office also handles firearms license background checks and processes civil service of process.
Venango County Sheriff's Office
1168 Liberty Street, Courthouse, 1st Floor
P.O. Box 831, Franklin, PA 16323
Phone: (814) 432-9565 | Fax: (814) 437-2324
If you need to locate a current or former state inmate, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections provides an Inmate Locator tool searchable by name or inmate number.
Venango County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Venango County go to the Court of Common Pleas when they exceed the Magisterial District Court's monetary limits. Smaller civil claims and landlord-tenant disputes stay with the Magisterial District Courts. The Prothonotary acts as chief clerk and record keeper for all civil proceedings in Common Pleas, handling everything from appointing arbitrators and divorce masters to maintaining the court seal, exhibits, and court funds.
Filing Fees
The Prothonotary Fee Schedule, updated as of January 2026, includes the following selected fees:
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil action complaint | $141.00 |
| Mortgage foreclosure | $141.00 |
| Custody action | $141.00 |
| Change of name | $141.00 |
| Praecipe for arbitration | $30.00 |
| Arbitration appeal | $650.00 |
| Appeal to Commonwealth, Superior, or Supreme Court | $650.00 |
| District Justice judgment appeal | $136.00 |
| Summary appeal (traffic/non-traffic) | $55.00 |
| Writ of execution (per garnishee/per defendant) | $50.00 |
| Writ of possession | $30.00 |
| Complaint in confession of judgment | $70.00 |
| Foreign judgment | $76.00 |
| Expungement | $132.00 |
| Motions and petitions (general) | $55.00 |
| Research fee (civil or criminal) | $12.00 |
| Copies per page | $0.25 |
| Subpoena | $3.00 |
| Foreign subpoena | $65.00 |
All filings go to the Prothonotary / Clerk of Courts on the first floor of the Venango County Courthouse, 1168 Liberty Street, Franklin, PA 16323. The office requires an original and one copy of each pleading for service purposes.
Civil case docket sheets are searchable online through the UJS Portal. Common Pleas docket sheets are maintained by the Unified Judicial System and generally reflect recent filings, though there may be a delay of several days before new entries appear online. If you need immediate confirmation of a filing, call the Prothonotary's office directly.
Self-represented litigants can find court forms on the Venango County Court Administration page and through the UJS Public Records Forms portal. Keep in mind that staff cannot provide legal advice or help with completing forms.
Venango County Family Court Records
Family law matters fall under the Family Division of the Court of Common Pleas, presided over by President Judge Matthew T. Kirtland. The division handles custody, divorce, Protection From Abuse actions, and related proceedings. Child and spousal support are administered by the Domestic Relations Section, and adoption records are filed with the Clerk of Orphans Court.
Custody
Custody complaints and petitions are filed with the Prothonotary / Clerk of Courts. The Custody page on the county website has local rules, required forms, and filing instructions. Key local forms include:
- Custody Complaint & Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis
- Petition for Modification of Custody Order
- Criminal Record / Abuse History Verification
- Enforcement of Child Custody Orders
- Pre-Trial Statement (due at least five days before the judicial conference)
- Co-Parenting Seminar information
Applicable local rules include Rule 1915.3 (commencement of action), Rule 1915.3A (custody seminar), Rule 1915.4A (conciliation and pre-trial conference procedure), Rule 1915.11 (appointment of attorney for child), and Rule 1930.4 (service of original process in domestic relations matters).
Divorce
Divorce pleadings are filed with the Prothonotary. Fees vary depending on the number of counts:
| Filing | Fee |
|---|---|
| Divorce – one count | $158.00 |
| Divorce – two counts (with custody) | $234.00–$268.00 |
| Divorce – three counts (with custody) | $310.00–$344.00 |
| Divorce – four counts (with custody) | $381.00–$449.00 |
| Divorce – five counts (with custody) | $457.00–$491.00 |
| Divorce – six counts (with custody) | $533.00–$567.00 |
| Additional counts | $76.00 |
| Certified copy of decree | $10.00 |
| Election to retake maiden name | $35.00 |
The grounds for divorce in Pennsylvania are set out in 23 Pa.C.S. § 3301. Statewide forms for self-represented parties are available through the UJS website's divorce proceedings page.
Domestic Relations (Child and Spousal Support)
The Domestic Relations Section establishes, modifies, and enforces orders for child support and spousal support. This office does not handle custody or visitation.
Domestic Relations Section
1174 Elk Street, Courthouse Annex, 2nd Floor
Franklin, PA 16323
Phone: (814) 432-9575 | Fax: (814) 432-7479
Marriage Licenses
Marriage licenses are issued by the Clerk of Orphans Court within the Register & Recorder's office. The fee is $45, cash only, which includes a $20 surcharge for the Commonwealth's Domestic Violence and Child Abuse fund. A three-day waiting period applies; a judicial waiver costs an additional $5 and can be arranged by calling (814) 432-9610. The license is valid for 60 days. Both applicants must present photo ID, and anyone previously married must provide an original or certified copy of the divorce decree.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death records are maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Birth records become public after 105 years, and death records after 50 years. You can request records by mail using the Application for a Birth Certificate or Application for a Death Certificate, sent with valid identification and the required fee to the Division of Vital Records, P.O. Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103. Online requests are also available through the Department of Health's portal. The Register & Recorder's office in Venango County also holds historical birth records covering the years 1893 to 1905; certified copies of those records cost $10.
Venango County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Venango County are handled through two offices: the Register of Wills and the Clerk of Orphans Court, both located within the Register & Recorder's office on the first floor of the courthouse.
Register of Wills
The Register of Wills probates wills, grants Letters of Administration and Letters Testamentary, and keeps records of inventories, inheritance tax documents, and related filings. The Register also acts as the Commonwealth's agent for collecting inheritance tax.
Clerk of Orphans Court
The Clerk of Orphans Court handles administrative record-keeping for the Orphans Court Division, which has jurisdiction over estate administration, guardianships of incapacitated persons, trust matters, adoptions, and other fiduciary proceedings.
Contact Information
Register of Wills / Clerk of Orphans Court
1168 Liberty Street, Courthouse, 1st Floor
P.O. Box 831, Franklin, PA 16323
Phone: (814) 432-9539 | Fax: (814) 432-9569
Selected Orphans Court Fees (Effective November 2025)
The Orphans Court Fee Schedule sets out costs for common probate filings:
| Filing | Fee |
|---|---|
| Filing, recording, and setting up account (first page) | $35.00 |
| Each additional page | $3.00 |
| First and final account advertising (Administrator/Executor) | $105.00 |
| First and final account advertising (Trustee/Guardian) | $125.00 |
| Petition for appointment of guardian | $25.00 |
| Adjudication of incompetency & appointment of guardian | $71.25 |
| Settlement of small estate | $71.25 |
| Petition for adoption | $101.75 |
| Voluntary or involuntary relinquishment | $101.75 |
| Distribution of assets of estate | $25.00 |
| Revocation of Letters of Administration or Testamentary | $25.00 |
| Family exemption petition | $25.00 |
| Declaratory judgment | $55.50 |
| Filing bond | $10.00 |
| Guardian's inventory | $10.00 |
| Annual report of guardian (estate or person) | $10.00 |
| Certified copy of adjudication (per page) | $4.00 |
| Marriage license application | $45.00 (cash) |
| Certified copy of birth, death, or delayed birth record | $10.00 |
Most petition filing fees include a $5.00 Register of Wills/Orphans Court automation fund surcharge and a $41.25 Judicial Computer System / Access to Justice / Criminal Justice Enhancement Account (JCS/ATJ/CJEA) surcharge, as noted on the fee schedule. For probate proceedings not specifically listed, fees are charged on the same basis as analogous services.
Probate docket information is available through the UJS Portal, though remote access to probate and fiduciary case records is limited under the statewide public access policy to docket-level information only—party names, city/state/ZIP, counsel, case type, docket entries, and court orders. If you need to review full case files, you'll need to do so in person at the courthouse. Electronic filing of real estate documents related to estates is processed through CSC eRecording Solutions (Phone: (866) 652-0111).