Elk County Court Records

Elk County, Pennsylvania, court records contain documents like pleadings, court orders, court calendars, court dockets, judgments, charges, complaints, and more. These records provide details of court cases for legal research, staying updated with a court matter, and for background checks. Sourced from all courts and court divisions operating in Elk County, such documents may contain Elk County arrest records through criminal cases, civil matters, probate cases, juvenile cases, and family law cases.

Are Court Records Public in Elk County?

Yes, Elk County court records are public documents as described in the provisions of the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law (RTKL). These records can be accessed by anyone except for case details and documents that are restricted or sealed. These records usually contain confidential information, personally identifiable details, or privileged communication. Court records generally provide case details that help with keeping up to date with a court matter, background checks, and case preparation.

Elk County Court Records Search

Elk County court records are maintained by the County Prothonotary Office, which is the clerk of the Court of Common Pleas’ Civil Division. The Clerk of County Courts also handles court records for criminal cases. These records can be searched online through the state’s Case Search website, which is the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania Web Portal. County locals can also physically search the court’s archives by submitting requests in person, while mail-in requests provide a convenient alternative.

Elk County Courts

Elk County's court system features two Courts of Common Pleas and two Magisterial District Courts. These courts can be contacted using the following details:

Elk County Courts of Common Pleas
250 Main Street
#114, P.O. Box 237, Ridgway, Pennsylvania 15853
Phone: (814) 776-5343
Fax: (814) 776-5303

Elk County Orphans’ Court
240 Main Street
P.O. Box 314, Ridgway, Pennsylvania 15853
Phone: (814) 776-5349
Fax: (814) 776-5382

Elk County Magisterial District Court 59-3-02
409 G Center Street
Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania 15845
Phone: (814) 965-2663
Fax: (814) 965-3355

This court serves the Townships of Spring Creek, Ridgway, Millstone, Highland, Jones, Horton, and the Boroughs of Ridgway and Johnsonburg.

Elk County Magisterial District Court 59-3-03
808 S. Michael Street
St. Mary's, Pennsylvania 15857
Phone: (814) 781-6995
Fax: (814) 834-6622

This court serves the Townships of Benexette, Fox, Jay, and the City of St. Mary’s.

Elk County Criminal and Civil Records

Elk County civil and criminal records refer to court documents from the court of general jurisdiction. The Elk County Court of Common Pleas handles civil and criminal matters while maintaining records of the same. These records include details of Elk County arrest records, family law cases, criminal felonies, contract disputes, probate matters, juvenile cases, and more. These details are obtained from court documents like court dockets, court calendars, court orders, judgments, pleadings, and more. These are generally public records that can be accessed online via the Case Search website. Requesters can also submit walk-in or mail-in requests at:

Elk County Courthouse
250 Main Street
#114, P.O. Box 237
Ridgway, Pennsylvania 15853
Phone: (814) 776-5343
Fax: (814) 776-5303

Elk County Marriage Records

Elk County marriage records provide details of weddings and couples. They are generally publicly accessible in the county using walk-in or mail-in requests. Marriage records are maintained by the Clerk of the Orphans’ Court, where marriage licenses are issued. This office handles marriage records from October 1885 to date. Requesters can fill out a request with their details and information about the marriage record for submission between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm on weekdays. The public can also use the county’s Birth/Death/Marriage Records or the court’s Case Search website for online access. The Orphans’ Court can be located at:

Elk County Orphans’ Court
Elk County Courthouse
240 Main Street, P.O. Box 314
Ridgway, Pennsylvania 15853

Elk County Divorce Records

Elk County divorce records refer to case documents from matters involving the dissolution of marriages. These records are considered court records and are maintained by the Elk County Prothonotary’s office. They are generally public documents that can be accessed using a walk-in or mail request. The public can submit their request to the Prothonotary’s Office between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The county also offers online access to these records through the court’s Case Search platform.

Elk Birth Records

The Division of Vital Records, Pennsylvania Department of Health maintains Elk County birth records. The state’s law restricts access to these records to the following persons:

• The individual whose name is on the document (18 years old and above)
• The legal guardians
• The parents named in the document
• The spouse, siblings, grandparents, children, and grandchildren of the individual named in the document.
• Legal representatives

Individuals with authorized access can obtain birth records online through the Birth/Death/Marriage Records website. Offline access is available using mail-in or walk-in requests, which can be submitted at:

Pennsylvania Department of Health
Division of Vital Records
P.O. Box 1528, 101 South Mercer Street
New Castle, Pennsylvania 16101
Phone: (724) 656-3100
Toll-free: (844) 228-3516

Elk Death Records

Elk County death records are maintained by the County Register and Recorder of Deeds and the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records. These offices provide access to death records through mail-in or walk-in requests. The Division of Vital Records maintains death records from 1906 to date, while the County Recorder’s office maintains death records from 1893 to 1906. They are not public records because death certificates can only be accessed by the following individuals:

• The deceased’s immediate family members
• The deceased’s legal representatives
• Any individual with a direct legal or financial interest

Any of the above-listed individuals can access these records online through the Office of Open Records website. They can also submit or mail their records requests to:

Elk County Register and Recorder’s Office
Elk County Courthouse
240 Main Street, P.O. Box 314
Ridgway, Pennsylvania 15853

Or

Pennsylvania Department of Health
Division of Vital Records
P.O. Box 1528, 101 South Mercer Street
New Castle, Pennsylvania 16101
Phone: (724) 656-3100
Toll-free: (844) 228-3516

Elk County Probate Court Records

Elk County probate court records refer to case documents from the Court of Common Pleas’ Orphans’ Court. This court has jurisdiction over cases involving wills, guardianship and conservatorships, trust administration, adoptions, estate administration, and wrongful death cases. These records are maintained by the Clerk of the Orphans’ Court and the County Register of Wills. Requesters can access these records online through the court’s Case Search website. These records are generally public documents with the exception of case records that are restricted or sealed. Requesters can use walk-in or mail-in requests, which are written applications that can be submitted to:

Elk County Courthouse
240 Main Street, P.O. Box 314
Ridgway, Pennsylvania 15853

Elk County Property Records

Elk County property records are documents that contain details of the county’s real estate and properties. Property records generally include documents like liens, mortgages, deeds, and tax assessments that reveal details of ownership history, boundaries, and full addresses. These records are maintained by the County Recorder of Deeds' office. This office is open to the public for mail or in-person request submissions between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm from Monday to Friday. This office also provides public access terminals for searching property records. The Recorder of Deeds website offers a search system that can be used to access property records online. The County Recorder of Deeds’ office can be located at:

Elk County Recorder of Deeds
Elk County Courthouse
250 Main Street
P.O. Box 314
Ridgway, Pennsylvania 15853
Phone: (814) 776-5349

Elk County Court Records Online

Elk County court records are public documents and can be accessed by contacting official record custodians. Records may also be accessible via third-party websites such as Pennsylvaniacourtrecords.us. These websites are third-party platforms that provide access to publicly accessible case records. They provide 24-hour access and faster access to case records due to the lack of formal request processes. The public can use these platforms for quick access to case documents. However, third-party websites operate independently of government agencies. As such, they can not guarantee updated, complete, or accurate court documents, as they are secondary sources. Requesters may need to verify or update third-party-sourced records using official court documents.