Search Lackawanna Court Records

LackawannaCountyCourt.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports.
All searches conducted on LackawannaCountyCourt.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.

Lackawanna County Court Records

Lackawanna County court records encompass documents, dockets, filings, orders, and judgments from civil, criminal, and family cases handled by the Court of Common Pleas, Pennsylvania’s trial-level court for the county, which is the 45th Judicial District. These records serve to document judicial proceedings, preserve legal history, and ensure transparency in the administration of justice. The Clerk of Judicial Records acts as the official custodian, maintaining these documents since 1878 across its Civil, Criminal, and Family Court divisions.

In accordance with Pennsylvania’s Case Records Public Access Policy, most records are presumed open to the public, with access provided online via the UJS portal or county systems, subject to protections for confidential information such as personal identifiers and juvenile matters. Records are created through case filings and court actions, then maintained digitally and physically. These differ from vital records like birth or death certificates, managed by the Department of Health, arrest information, which are often held by law enforcement, and federal case files handled by the U.S. District Courts, though overlaps may occur in related proceedings.

Are Lackawanna County Court Records Public?

Yes, Lackawanna County court records are generally public under Pennsylvania law. The Pennsylvania Case Records Public Access Policy, adopted by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and court rules, presumes that most court records are open to the public to promote transparency and accountability. Access is provided through the Unified Judicial System (UJS) portal, county websites, or in-person at the Clerk of Judicial Records. Generally, public case types include civil cases such as contracts, property disputes, and personal injury. It also includes Criminal cases, such as adult felony and misdemeanor proceedings. Family cases such as divorce, custody, support, except sensitive portions, also fall under public court records.

Restricted or confidential records include juvenile delinquency and dependency cases, adoption proceedings, certain protection-from-abuse orders, sealed records by court order, cases involving minors, mental health commitments, or protected personal identifiers. Confidential information is redacted, but the existence of most cases remains accessible.

What Information is Available in Lackawanna County Court Records?

Lackawanna County court records contain comprehensive information from civil, criminal, and family cases filed in the Court of Common Pleas. Typical contents include:

  • A case docket sheet, which is the chronological record of filings and events
  • Complaints, petitions, answers, and motions
  • Court orders, judgments, and decrees
  • Transcripts of hearings and trials, if requested and available
  • Pleadings, affidavits, and exhibits
  • Warrants, summonses, and subpoenas
  • Sentencing information and probation records in criminal cases
  • Divorce decrees, custody orders, and support agreements in family cases

Most records are accessible online via the UJS Portal or county website, with public portions viewable digitally or in person. Sensitive personal identifiers are redacted, and some documents remain confidential.

Lackawanna County Court Records Search

Lackawanna County court records can be searched and accessed through multiple methods, in accordance with Pennsylvania’s public access policies.

Online Access: Most public records are available via the Unified Judicial System (UJS) Web Portal. Users can search by name, case number, or filing date for civil, criminal, and family cases. Docket sheets, case summaries, and many documents are viewable online. Access may vary by case type, as juvenile, adoption, and certain protected matters are restricted or not displayed.

In-Person Access: Records can be viewed at the Clerk of Judicial Records office in the Lackawanna County Courthouse. Public computer terminals are available for free searches. Staff can assist with locating files, though fees apply for copies, typically $0.50 to $1.00 per page. Appointments are recommended for older or archived records.

Mail and Phone Requests: Requests can be made by mail or phone to the Clerk’s office at (570-963-6721). Include case details like name, case number, type, specify documents needed, and provide a self-addressed stamped envelope for return. Payment is accepted by check or money order. Credit cards may be accepted in person or for online orders. Fees vary by document type and number of pages.

Fees for Court Records in Lackawanna County

Fees for obtaining Lackawanna County court records vary by type and format. They include:

  • Copy fees: These cost $0.55 per page for computer printouts, dockets, or photocopies (civil, family, and criminal divisions).
  • Certified copies: These cost $11.00 per certification, like certified court documents.
  • Online access via the UJS Portal is free for viewing docket sheets and public case information; no subscription is required.
  • Vital records, such as birth and death certificates, are handled by the Register of Wills or the state Department of Health. Genealogy searches cost $25 per search, and certified copies are $20 each statewide, with additional processing fees available online. For more details, see the Clerk’s fee schedules for Civil/Family and Criminal court divisions.

Lackawanna County Courthouse Locations

Below is a list of courthouse locations, addresses, and phone numbers operating in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania.

Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas - Civil Division

Brooks Building

436 Spruce St, Scranton, PA 18503

Phone: (570) 963-6723

Fax: (570) 963-6387.

Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas - Criminal Division

Lackawanna County Courthouse

200 N Washington Ave, Scranton, PA 18503

Phone: (570) 963-6759

Fax: (570) 963-6459.

Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas - Family Court Division

Lackawanna County Administration Building

200 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18503

Phone: (570) 963-5695

Fax: (570) 963-5650.

Lackawanna County Orphans’ Court

The Scranton Electric Building

507 Linden St, #400

Scranton, PA 18503

Phone: (570) 963-6702

Fax: (570) 963-6377.

Lackawanna County Magisterial District Court 45-0-00

Lackawanna County Courthouse

200 N Washington Avenue

Scranton, PA 18503

Phone: (570) 963-6436

Fax: (570) 963-6376.

Lackawanna County Magisterial District Court 45-1-01

1 Maxson Drive

Old Forge, PA 18518

Phone: (570) 457-3320

Fax: (570) 457-3830.

Lackawanna County Magisterial District Court 45-1-02

130 N Washington Avenue

Scranton, PA 18503

Phone: (570) 963-6518

Fax: (570) 963-6898.

Lackawanna County Magisterial District Court 45-1-03

1629 Pittston Avenue

Scranton, PA 18505

Phone: (570) 963-6516

Fax: (570) 963-6175.

Lackawanna County Magisterial District Court 45-1-05

1600 Farr Street

Scranton, PA 18504

Phone: (570) 963-6504

Fax: (570) 963-6505.

Lackawanna County Magisterial District Court 45-1-06

2012 W Pine Street

Dunmore, PA 18512

Phone: (570) 963-6521

Fax: (570) 963-6174.

Lackawanna County Magisterial District Court 45-1-08

901 Enterprise Street

Dickson City, PA 18519

Phone: (570) 383-0421

Fax: (570) 383-6934.

Lackawanna County Magisterial District Court 45-3-01

104 Shady Lane Road

PO Box 427

Chinchilla, PA 18410

Phone: (570) 587-1909

Fax: (570) 587-8784.

Lackawanna County Magisterial District Court 45-3-02

119 N Main Street

Moscow, PA 18444

Phone: (570) 842-2111

Fax: (570) 842-9117.

Lackawanna County Magisterial District Court 45-3-03

38 N Main Street

Carbondale, PA 18407

Phone: (570) 282-3181

Fax: (570) 282-9269.

Lackawanna County Magisterial District Court 45-3-04

Archbald Borough Building

400 Church Street

Archbald, PA 18403

Phone: (570) 876-0570

Fax: (570) 876-6412.

Criminal Records Access in Lackawanna County

Criminal records may refer to statewide background checks or local court case records. Official state-level criminal history checks, such as comprehensive criminal background reports, are handled by the Pennsylvania State Police through their Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History (PATCH) system, not by county courts. Visit the PATCH portal for fingerprint-based or name-based searches. Fees apply.

Local criminal case records from the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas are publicly accessible via the UJS Web Portal, where users can search dockets, filings, dispositions, and sentencing information by name or case number. In-person searches are available at the Clerk of Judicial Records office in the Lackawanna County Courthouse, with public terminals and staff assistance.

Lackawanna County Probate Records

Lackawanna County probate records include official documents related to the administration of estates after someone passes away, as well as certain protective proceedings. These estate records typically cover wills, trusts, estate administrations, which involve handling assets and debts, guardianships for minors or incapacitated adults, and conservatorships, which involve managing finances for someone unable to do so themselves. Common probate filings include:

  • Wills (probated to validate and distribute assets)
  • Petitions for letters of administration
  • Guardianship petitions for minors or incapacitated persons
  • Conservatorship or guardianship of the estate
  • Accountings and inventories of estate assets

Many recent Lackawanna County probate records, wills, and probate filings are available online through the UJS Web Portal, allowing public searches of dockets and some documents. Older or more detailed files often require an in-person visit to the Register of Wills office. Certain matters, such as adoptions or sensitive guardianship cases, are confidential or restricted by law to protect privacy.

Lackawanna County Family Court Records

Lackawanna County family court records cover cases handled by the Family Court Division of the Court of Common Pleas, including divorce, child custody, child and spousal support, adoption, protection from abuse, and paternity matters. Most public family court records are accessible through the UJS Web Portal, where docket sheets, orders, and many filings can be viewed online by searching case number or party name. Divorce decrees and support orders are often available, while sensitive portions may be redacted. For full or restricted records, visit the Clerk of Judicial Records office in the Lackawanna County Courthouse in person. Public terminals are available, and staff can assist with searches. Certified copies can be obtained in person or by mail. Fees are typically $11.00 per certification plus copy charges. Confidential cases, such as adoptions and certain juvenile or PFA matters, remain restricted by law.

Federal Court Records in Lackawanna County

Federal court records in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, fall under the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, which covers 33 counties, including Lackawanna. This federal trial court handles cases involving federal laws, the U.S. Constitution, disputes between citizens of different states, bankruptcy, and other matters such as civil rights, federal crimes, and patent cases.

Public access to these records is available through the court’s Clerk’s Office at the federal courthouse in Scranton. Visitors can use public terminals to view and print case documents, with fees for copies. Most federal case records are also accessible online via PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). Users must register for a PACER account; viewing dockets is free, but document downloads incur a $0.10 per page fee capped at $3.00 per document. Some older or sealed cases may require in-person access.

Lackawanna County Court