Columbia County Court Records

According to Pa. Code § 213.81, court records, specifically case records, are all documents filed with, accepted, and maintained by a court or custodian concerning a legal proceeding. Official court documents pertaining to local court cases overseen by the Columbia County court system are referred to as Columbia County court records. Common types of court records include, but are not limited to, dockets, indices, orders, opinions, judgments, and decrees.

Generally, court records document legal proceedings for record-keeping purposes. They are also vital sources of information for individuals who want to learn more about legal proceedings, such as what led to a judgment being passed. Additionally, court records allow for transparency of judicial processes, which promotes an atmosphere of accountability.

Are Court Records Public in Columbia County?

Yes. Per the Pennsylvania Right-To-Know Law (PRTK), all records generated by government agencies, including court records, are presumed public. Additionally, Pa. Code § 213.81, Section 3.0, reinforces the PRTK by requiring all case records to be public. Hence, anyone can inspect or request copies of court records in Columbia County by querying the custodian of the desired record.

Nonetheless, public access to some court records may be restricted due to privacy concerns, court orders, or state or federal statute provisions. These records are typically only released to eligible people, such as the record's subject. The following are examples of court records that are exempt from being public:

• Adoption records
• Juvenile records
• Expunged or sealed records
• Medical and mental health records
• Record subject to Attorney-Client privilege

Columbia County Court Records Search

Interested persons can conduct a Columbia County court record search through any of the following:

• The courthouse (where the case was filed)
• The Columbia County Prothonotary's Office
• The Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal
• Third-party websites provide court record search services

Columbia County Courts

Columbia County has two types of courts: one (1) Court of Common Pleas and four (4) Magisterial District Courts. The Columbia County Court of Common Pleas serves the entire court. Meanwhile, Magisterial District Courts serve specific townships and boroughs within their jurisdictions in Columbia County. Below are the addresses and contact information of Columbia County Courts:

Columbia County Court of Common Pleas
Columbia County Courthouse
35 W Main St,
P.O. Box 380,
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
Phone: (570) 389-5614
Fax: (570) 389-5620

Columbia County Magisterial District Courts

Columbia County Magisterial District Court 26-2-01
700 Sawmill Rd, #102,
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
Phone: (570) 784-1868
Fax: (570) 784-9061

Columbia County Magisterial District Court 26-3-01
100 W 3rd St,
P.O. Box 180,
Millville, PA 17846
Phone: (570) 458-5501
Fax: (570) 458-0252

Columbia County Magisterial District Court 26-3-02
339 W Front St,
Berwick, PA 18603
Phone: (570) 759-0359
Fax: (570) 759-9230

Columbia County Magisterial District Court 26-3-03
400 Fisher Ave,
Catawissa, PA 17820
Phone: (570) 356-2309
Fax: (570) 356-2019

Columbia County Criminal Records

Columbia County criminal records are sources of information about an individual's criminal past in Columbia County. Generally, criminal records contain details of crime-related interactions, such as arrests, convictions, warrants, and more, an individual has had with local criminal justice agencies. Besides certain exceptions, most criminal records are public per Pennsylvania Right-To-Know Law (PRTK). Hence, record seekers can query custodians of these records for access to criminal records.

Interested persons can contact the Columbia County Sheriff's Office to access the agency's criminal records. Some examples of criminal records maintained by the Sheriff's Office include Columbia County arrest records and warrants. Request for arrest records may be made by visiting or contacting the Sheriff's Office at:

35 West Main Street
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
Phone: (570) 389-5622
Fax: (570) 389-5625

On the other hand, information about active beach warrants is accessible online through the Sheriff's Beach Warrants page. Similarly, interested persons can contact the local police department of a township or borough to obtain criminal records held by the agency.

At the state level, individuals can conduct a criminal history background check through the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP). Note that background checks conducted through the PSP are subject to specific fees, which vary depending on the type of request. Third-party requests cost $22; results can be notarized for an additional $5. Those requesting their personal criminal records are charged $20, and the result can not be notarized. Meanwhile, Volunteer Request for Criminal History Checks are free, and the results can not be notarized either.

The PSP offers two primary ways of conducting criminal history background checks: mail and online. Online requests can be made through the Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History (PATCH) website. On the other hand, dedicated request forms are provided that record seekers can complete and submit for mail-in requests. Interested persons can use form SP 4-164 (for third-party requests), form SP 4-164A (for volunteer requests), and form SP 4-170 (for personal requests). The appropriate request form should be complete and mailed along with payment of required fees (via certified check or money order) to:

Pennsylvania State Police
Central Repository – 164
1800 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758

Get Columbia County Civil Court Records

In Columbia County, civil cases can be handled by the Court of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Courts. The Court of Common Pleas can hear most civil cases, while Magisterial District Courts hear minor cases, including small claims and housing disputes. Common types of civil cases in Columbia County include:

• Divorces
• Personal injuries
• Adoptions
• Faulty consumer goods
• Contract disputes

Depending on the court that handled the case, interested persons can Get Columbia County Civil Court Records by:

Magisterial District Courts: Visiting the courthouse that decided the civil case and querying the clerk's office for the civil case records. Record seekers can also contact the court to inquire about other methods of requesting records.

Columbia County Court of Common Pleas: contact the Columbia County Prothonotary's Office. The Prothonotary is the record keeper of the Columbia County Court of Common Pleas. Record seekers can visit the Prothonotary's Office during working hours (Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm) to make an in-person request for civil court records. The Prothonotary's Office is located at:

35 West Main Street
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
Phone: (570) 389-5614

It is worth noting that interested parties can also search for Columbia County civil court records online at the Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal. The portal provides access to civil case records handled by Columbia County's Court of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Courts.

Columbia County Marriage Records

The Columbia County Prothonotary's Office is the custodian of marriage records and is responsible for issuing marriage licenses. The Prothonotary's Office holds Columbia County marriage records from 1885. Record seekers can call or visit the Prothonotary's office to access these records. Note that the date of marriage and the bride and groom's names must be supplied when requesting a Columbia County marriage certificate from the Prothonotary's Office.

Columbia County Divorce Records

In Columbia County, a divorce complaint is typically filed with the Prothonotary's Office to initiate divorce proceedings. The Prothonotary's office consequently maintains divorce records and other documents concerning divorces recorded in Columbia County. Hence, Columbia County divorce records are available through the Prothonotary's Office. Record seekers can visit or contact the Prothonotary's Office to request divorce records. To facilitate a search for divorce records through the Prothonotary's Office, record seekers must provide sufficient information, such as the divorce date and the name of parties, that identifies the desired record.

Columbia County Birth and Death Records

The Pennsylvania Department of Health maintains Columbia County birth and death records. Collectively known as Columbia County Vital Records, birth and death records are considered private and only accessible to eligible persons. These include:

• The person named on the record (birth certificate)
• Spouse
• Parent or step-parent.
• Brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister
• Child(ren)
• Step-son or step-daughter
• Grandparent or great-grandparent
• Grandchild or great-grandchild
• Power of Attorney
• Attorney or legal representative of the person named on the certificate (birth certificate)

In addition to those mentioned above, the following people may also be eligible to access death records:

• Ex-spouse
• Representative of the decedent's estate
• Individuals who can prove they have a direct financial interest to the decedent
• Government offices that have assumed administration of an estate
• Extended family members who prove their direct relationship with the decedent

When requesting birth or death records, eligible persons must show valid identification and provide supporting documents that prove their eligibility (when required). Additionally, unless requesters meet fee waiver requirements, Columbia County birth certificates and death certificates cost $20 for each ordered certificate.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health offers online, walk-in, and mail services for ordering Columbia County birth records and death records. Online requests can be made through the Department's Online Vital Record Ordering portal. Note that there is an additional $10 service fee for online requests. For walk-in requests, visit any of the Department's Public Offices during regular working hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Closed holidays). Most of these public offices typically offer same-day services for requests made before 2:30 PM.

For mail requests, eligible requesters can complete a request application (Application for Birth Certificate or Application for Death Certificate). The completed application, along with a photocopy of the requester's valid identification, the required fee (via check or money order payable to "VITAL RECORDS"), and other required items should be mailed to

Division of Vital Records
Death Certificate Processing Unit or Birth Certificate Processing Unit
P.O. Box 1528
New Castle, PA 16103

Columbia County Probate Court Records

Columbia County probate court records contain information about probate cases handled by the county court system. Examples of probate cases include, but are not limited to, court proceedings concerning the administration of decedents' estates, wills, and trusts.

Columbia County Probate Court records, such as wills, are held by the County Register and Recorder's Office. Interested persons can obtain these probate court records by visiting or contacting the County Register and Recorder's Office at:

35 West Main Street
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
Phone: (570) 389-5632
Fax: (570) 389-5636
Email: RegisterRecorder@columbiapa.org

Interested persons can also access probate court records maintained by the County Register and Recorder's Office online through third-party resources linked on the office's website.

Columbia County Property Records

Columbia County property records are official documents containing pertinent information on the county's real estate, such as ownership information, sales history, assessment, maps, imposed encumbrances, and more. Common types of property records include:

• Deeds
• Tax records
• Plats maps
• Subdivision plans
• Assessments
• Mortgages

The Columbia County Register and Recorder's Office and the County Assessment Office maintain most local property records. The Register and Recorder's Office maintains records of deeds, mortgages, liens, and other encumbrances that can be imposed on a property. Meanwhile, the Assessment Office preserves property assessment and tax records. Interested persons can obtain property records these offices maintain by contacting or visiting them at:

Columbia County Assessment Office
11 West Main Street
Main Street County Annex
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
Phone: (570) 389-5642
Fax: (570) 389-5646
Email: cctaxoffice@columbiapa.org

Columbia County Register & Recorder's Office
35 West Main Street
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
Phone: (570) 389-5632
Fax: (570) 389-5636
Email: RegisterRecorder@columbiapa.org

Columbia County Court Records Online

Netizens can access Columbia County court records online through third-party websites like pennsylvaniacourtrecords.us. This website hosts a searchable database of public court records their operators have retrieved from different courts across Pennsylvania, including Columbia County. The database is searchable by party name and case number. The sheer volume of records and information on the website's database makes it a viable resource for individuals seeking Columbia County court records. Interested persons can conduct extensive searches for court records remotely through the website. However, court records provided through third-party websites may contain incorrect or inaccurate information due to recent case developments. Thus, inquirers are advised to verify the information received through these sources by comparing them with official government resources.