Erie County Court Records

Erie County court records contain details of judicial affairs in the county courts, including case hearings, claims, and judgments. Under the Case Records Public Access Policy, such records are open and generally accessible to members of the public unless the policy provides otherwise.

Similarly, the State’s Right to Know Law grants all legal residents of the United States the right to obtain and inspect Pennsylvania Court records. In Erie County, court records are officially maintained by the county Clerk of Records, who handles all requests for Erie County court records.

Are Court Records Public in Erie County?

Yes, court records are public in Erie County per the Unified Justice System (UJS) and the Right to Know Law. However, there are some exemptions. Per these policies, documents like juvenile records, victim records, child support records, and sealed records cannot be accessed by members of the public. Nonetheless, legal residents of the United States may approach the Erie County Clerk of Records, the official custodian of the county's court records, to request disclosable court records.

Erie County is home to various courts which hold varying jurisdictions. As a result, the Clerk of Records tends to maintain a wide variety of records.

Erie County Court Records Search

Per the Right to Know Law, legal residents of the United States have the right to access court records in Erie County. Therefore, interested individuals may approach the Clerk of Records to tender requests for Erie court records.

The UJS Case Records Public Access Policy provides that requesters may make oral requests for court records unless county law states otherwise. Therefore, in-person visits and phone calls may be the preferred methods of requesting court records. The policy also states that the clerk may demand a written request if the desired record is complex and bulky.

Like other court services, Erie court records searches are not free. They attract a fee that varies by the relevant court and type of documents requested. When requesting Erie court records, requesters may need to include the required fee and other relevant information to facilitate an efficient search.

Some court divisions in Erie County provide online access to court records. However, there are quite a few. Nevertheless, some third-party websites grant requesters easy access to Erie court records.

Erie County Court Records Search by Name

Regardless of the court, record of interest, or method of request, the name parameter is the most relevant parameter for a productive record search. This is because the name parameter provides information about various things, like the parties involved in the case, the presiding judge, the location of the courthouse or arrest, and many others. A name search does not affect the cost of court records. It only facilitates the search process. Record seekers must include a relevant name in the court records requests.

Erie County Courts

The Erie County court system consists of multiple courts. The Erie Court of Common Pleas is the major court in the county, with jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases in the county and cases beyond the jurisdiction of other courts. These cases include felonies and civil claims without financial limits.

Erie County Court of Common Pleas is divided into several divisions, including the Family Division and the Orphan’s Division. The magisterial district courts, on the other hand, are referred to as the minor courts. They tend to handle smaller civil and criminal cases and preliminary hearings. Below are the locations of the different courts in Erie County:

Erie County Court of Common Pleas
Erie County Courthouse
140 W 6th St, #120, Erie, PA 16501
Phone: (814) 451-6250
Fax: (814) 451-6213

Erie County Magisterial District Court 06-1-01
824 E 6th St, Erie, PA 16507
Phone: (814) 451-6524
Fax: (814) 451-6515

Erie County Magisterial District Court 06-1-02
1021 Parade St, Erie, PA 16503
Phone: (814) 451-6530
Fax: (814) 451-6512

Erie County Magisterial District Court 06-1-03
809 W 12th St, Erie, PA 16501
Phone: (814) 451-6528
Fax: (814) 451-6529

Erie County Magisterial District Court 06-1-04
460 E 26th St, Erie, PA 16504
Phone: (814) 451-6522
Fax: (814) 451-6523

Erie County Magisterial District Court 06-1-05
1571 W 38th St, Erie, PA 16508
Phone: (814) 451-6520
Fax: (814) 451-6514

Erie County Magisterial District Court 06-2-02
3608 W 26th St, #104, Erie, PA 16506
Phone: (814) 451-6518
Fax: (814) 451-6519

Erie County Magisterial District Court 06-2-04
732 Worth St, Corry, PA 16407
Phone: (814) 665-7285
Fax: (814) 664-3919

Erie County Magisterial District Court 06-3-01
3921 Buffalo Rd, Erie, PA 16510
Phone: (814) 451-6516
Fax: (814) 451-7499

Erie County Magisterial District Court 06-3-02
10300 W Main Rd, P.O. Box 8, North East, PA 16428
Phone: (814) 725-9693
Fax: (814) 725-9695

Erie County Magisterial District Court 06-3-03
9333 Tate Rd, #109, Erie, PA 16509
Phone: (814) 451-6511
Fax: (814) 451-7417

Erie County Magisterial District Court 06-3-05
1230 Townhall Rd West, #300, Erie, PA 16509
Phone: (814) 451-6532
Fax: (814) 866-1021

Erie County Magisterial District Court 06-3-06
8952 Main St, P.O. Box 53, McKean, PA 16426
Phone: (814) 476-7734
Fax: (814) 476-7735

Erie County Magisterial District Court 06-3-08
6880 Route 215, P.O. Box 157, East Springfield, PA 16411
Phone: (814) 922-7117
Fax: (814) 922-7118

Erie County District Court Records

Erie County is home to 13 magisterial district courts. Despite being referred to as minor courts, Erie district courts handle many civil and criminal cases, including preliminary hearings, DUI cases, third-degree misdemeanors, landlord/tenant cases, and some general civil claims subject to financial limits.

District court records are also maintained by the county's clerk of records and the district courts. Interested parties must begin the search by identifying the district court where the case was heard. Requesters may also need to provide all the required information and fees when submitting a request.

Erie County Criminal Records

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania maintains records of every encounter an individual has with the state's justice, including search warrants, arrest records, and court judgments. Erie Criminal History Records may also be obtained using the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) site.

However, the cost and process for accessing criminal records on PATCH may vary depending on the reasons for the request. For example, potential employees may conduct a criminal history background check by using the PATCH site or mailing in a complete SP 4-164 form. This process costs $22 and an additional $5 for notarization. The process is seemingly different for citizens who want to review their records. More information on criminal history background checks, the cost, and the request process may be found on the Commonwealth's website.

Note: Public access to Erie County arrest records may vary depending on local laws.

Erie County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Unlike criminal history records documenting all encounters with the state justice system, criminal court records highlight details of an individual’s encounter with the criminal court. This includes details of the court hearings, the claims, the presiding judge, and the judgment. To obtain these records, members of the public may approach the Clerk of Courts. Inquirers may also access criminal court dockets on the UJS Case Search portal.

Get Erie County Civil Court Records

The civil division of the county's Court of Common Pleas handles civil cases in Erie County. This includes cases of debt, bankruptcy, and medical malpractice. Records of these cases are maintained by the Prothonotary (Clerk of Records).

Legal residents of the United States may forward a written request to the Prothonotary via email. Requesters may also search online on the Prothonotary Public Access webpage or visit the Prothonotary in person. The Prothonotary may require seekers to pay a fee for an Erie civil court record search.

Erie County Family Court Records

Erie County Family court records are court documents that highlight details of family law cases like paternity, name changes, custody and foster care, child support, and domestic violence. The Erie County Family Court is a division under the Court of Common Pleas. Therefore, records seekers may approach the county's Clerk of Courts (Clerk of Records) to request Erie family court records. Like other divisions, the court clerk typically requires that requesters provide sufficient information and the correct fee to facilitate an efficient search.

Erie County Marriage and Divorce Records

Erie County marriage records are created by the government to confirm that a conjugal union has been established. In contrast, divorce records are created to prove the termination of a conjugal union.

The Clerk of Records maintains comprehensive records of all Erie County marriages from 1885 to the present as part of their responsibilities as the Register of Wills. Members of the public may request a record search from the clerk or call (814) 451-6264. Notably, this method of request attracts a fee of $20. Alternatively, requesters may conduct a free independent marriage records search at:

County of Erie Marriage Records
Clerk of Records
Erie County Courthouse
140 West Sixth Street
Room 123
Erie, PA 16501

For certified marriage records, eligible parties may tender a complete request to the county's Marriage Bureau in person or via mail to the address below. When filling out the request, kindly include the date of marriage, the applicant’s full name, and a check for the correct fees.

Marriage Bureau
Erie County Courthouse
140 West Sixth Street
Room 123
Erie, PA 16501

To request Erie County divorce records, residents may submit a complete Divorce Information Sheet to the Prothonotary in person or via email. The Prothonotary also accepts oral requests for county divorce records.

Erie Birth and Death Records

In Erie County, birth and death records are classified as vital records as they document significant events in the lives of its citizens. These records are made public after 105 years. Therefore, anyone may approach the county's Clerk of Records to inspect and obtain birth and death records dated between 1893 and 1905. The Vital Records Division of the Pennsylvania Department of Health maintains Erie birth and death certificates dated between 1906 and the present. However, such records are only disclosed to record holders, their relatives, attorneys, and other authorized government officials.

Eligible individuals may adopt any of these methods to request Erie birth and death certificates:

• A physical visit to the Erie County Vital Records Office at:

1910 West 26th Street, Erie, PA 16508

• A complete Application for Birth Certificate or Application for Death Certificate submitted via mail to:

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

OR

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

• An online request.

Note: Erie birth and death certificates cost $20. However, online requests attract an extra service fee of $10.

Erie County Probate Court Records

Erie County probate records are maintained by the county's Register of Wills (Clerk of Records). These records provide details of probate cases, including wills, estates, conservatorships, and guardianship. Interested individuals who are legal residents of the United States may approach the Register of Wills at the county Courthouse to request probate records.

Erie County Property Records

The Erie County’s Assessment Office is responsible for maintaining all property and tax records in the county. Property records provide information regarding ownership of properties, value of real estate, and mailing address of properties.

Members of the public may search for Erie property records using the county's Parcel Address Search portal. Another option is to visit the Assessment Office at the address below:

Assessment Office
Erie County Courthouse
140 West Sixth Street
Room 104
Erie, PA 16501

Erie County Court Records Online

In addition to the county's official website, third-party websites like pennsylvaniacourtrecords.us may provide easy access to Erie County court records. Since they are online, these platforms may save time and effort that may be expended in visiting the courthouse in person. However, these platforms do not have affiliations with any government agency. As such, record availability or accuracy cannot be guaranteed.