Lehigh County Court Records

The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania, Section 1.0 defines court records as dockets, indices, and documents such as orders, decrees, judgments, and opinions created during judicial proceedings. Such records help enhance the public understanding of Lehigh County's legal processes.

A court record search allows residents to stay abreast of legal proceedings and understand how legal decisions affect them. It also helps them follow along and understand the circumstances and evidence that resulted in judicial decisions. Requesters may access these records through official court custodians or third-party aggregate sites.

Lehigh County Court records usually include the following details:

• Case information (judge assigned, OTN, arresting agency, judge code, complaint and incident numbers, county, case status, issue, file, and arrest dates, case type, and township)
• Status information (case status, status date, and processing status)
• Calendar events (event type, start date, time, room, judge's name, and schedule status)
• Defendant information (name, date of birth, address, sex, and race)
• Case participants (participant type and name)
• Charges (charge number, grade, description, offense date, and disposition)
• Disposition/sentencing details (case disposition, disposition date, Offense seq./description, offense disposition)
• Docket entry information (filing date and ID, entry, docket text, filer, and applies to)
• Microfilms (date, roll, and frame)
• Judgment (ID, amount, date, and judgment for and against)

Note: In Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, court records do not include memoranda, drafts, notes, worksheets, or correspondence.

Are Court Records Public in Lehigh County?

Yes. Following the Pennsylvania Right-To-Know Law, court records in Lehigh County are generally public records. Under Section 3.0 of the Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania, interested members of the public have a right to access, view, or reproduce copies of records by approaching the record custodians. However, some records are sealed from the public for confidentiality reasons.

Some examples of confidential court information and documents include:

• Driver license numbers
• Social Security Numbers
• Educational records of minors
• Medical/Psychological records
• Income and Expense Statement
• Agreements between the parties
• State Identification (SID) Numbers
• Children and Youth Services' records
• Financial account numbers and source documents
• Marital Property Inventory and Pre-Trial Statement
• An abuse victim's address and other contact information
• The name and birthdate of minors, excluding minors charged as defendants in criminal matters

Lehigh County Court Records Search

Lehigh County court records are available online and offline. Interested persons may search for Lehigh County court records online through their custodian agencies' websites, government websites, or third-party databases.

The Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas provides an online docket lookup tool, Odyssey Public Access, for searching court records and case information. The Odyssey Public Access System is the main online portal for looking up court dockets and case information in Lehigh County. To use the system, requesters should:

• Visit the Odyssey Public Access website
• Create an account
• Log in to search and view dockets

Lehigh County Court Records Search by Name

Record searchers may learn about legal prosecutions in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, by entering a name. To search for any type of Lehigh County court records using a name as a search term, users must log in to the record's online repositories and enter the record owner's name into the search tool when prompted.

Requesters may also need to include the name of the record owner they are searching for when making offline requests to access Lehigh County court records.

Note: These searches only provide access to public documents. Confidential or restricted records are not accessible remotely; instead, they must be retrieved in person from the appropriate custodian with the necessary legal authorization. Users of the Lehigh County Courts docket lookup tool, Odyssey Public Access, may locate court documents online by searching for court records by name. The party's first, last, or middle name must be provided to search.

Lehigh County Courts

Lehigh County's court structure comprises the Common Court of Pleas and the Magisterial District Courts. The Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas, a broad jurisdiction court, handles much of the county's criminal and civil proceedings. It is divided into three divisions: Orphans' Court, Civil/Motion/Family Court, and Criminal/Juvenile. In addition to the Court of Common Pleas, Lehigh County has 14 Magisterial District Courts that oversee the county's many townships, boroughs, and cities. The Lehigh County Magisterial District Courts handle civil and criminal cases relating but not limited to:

• Summary offenses
• Preliminary hearings
• DUI cases
• Third-degree misdemeanors
• Ordinance Violations
• Landlord/Tenant disputes
• General civil claims within certain financial limits.

Below is a list of the different Lehigh County, Pennsylvania courts and their contact addresses:

Lehigh County Courthouse
455 West Hamilton Street
Allentown, PA 18101-1614

Lehigh County Magisterial District Court 31-1-01
1201 Sumner Ave,
Allentown, PA 18102
Phone: (610) 432-3080
Fax: (610) 433-0130

Lehigh County Magisterial District Court 31-1-02
1101 W Hamilton St,
Allentown, PA 18101
Phone: (610) 432-8700
Fax: (610) 432-0140

Lehigh County Magisterial District Court 31-1-03
1428 W Hamilton St,
Allentown, PA 18101
Phone: (610) 434-7903
Fax: (610) 434-0213

Lehigh County Magisterial District Court 31-1-04
1501 Lehigh St, #104,
Allentown, PA 18103
Phone: (610) 797-0906
Fax: (610) 797-3292

Lehigh County Magisterial District Court 31-1-05
1007 Union Blvd,
Allentown, PA 18109
Phone: (610) 439-0661
Fax: (610) 439-1257

Lehigh County Magisterial District Court 31-1-06
565 W Lehigh St,
Bethlehem, PA 18018
Phone: (610) 691-3950
Fax: (610) 691-0471

Lehigh County Magisterial District Court 31-1-07
3678 Crescent Court E,
Whitehall, PA 18052
Phone: (610) 437-6096
Fax: (610) 437-3462

Lehigh County Magisterial District Court 31-1-08
3000 S Pike Ave,
Allentown, PA 18103
Phone: (610) 797-8724
Fax: (610) 791-1401

Lehigh County Magisterial District Court 31-2-01
501 W Hamilton St,
Allentown, PA 18101
Phone: (610) 782-3834
Fax: (610) 770-2793

Lehigh County Magisterial District Court 31-2-02
3404 Hamilton Blvd,
Allentown, PA 18103
Phone: (610) 434-2070
Fax: (610) 434-0215

Lehigh County Magisterial District Court 31-2-03
106 Main St,
Emmaus, PA 18049
Phone: (610) 967-2888
Fax: (610) 966-5686

Lehigh County Magisterial District Court 31-3-01
106 S Walnut St,
Slatington, PA 18080
Phone: (610) 767-8641
Fax: (610) 767-0164

Lehigh County Magisterial District Court 31-3-02
Green Hills Commerce Center
5925 Tilghman St,
Suite #500,
Allentown, PA 18104
Phone: (610) 398-1167
Fax: (610) 398-2185

Lehigh County Magisterial District Court 31-3-03
Village Center
21 N Main St,
Coopersburg, PA 18036
Phone: (610) 282-1555
Fax: (610) 282-2642

Lehigh County District Court Records

The Magisterial District Courts in Lehigh County and across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania preside over matters within the jurisdiction of district courts.

To access Lehigh County district court records:

• Log in to the Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal
• Expand the drop menu and select any search criteria from the available options.
• Provide the required information and perform a search for Lehigh County district court records.
• Requesters may visit the Lehigh County Clerk of Courts Office and request access to district court records at 455 W. Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101-1614.
• Identify the Lehigh County magisterial court that handled the case, visit their clerk's office, and make a Right-to-Know request to access district court records.
• Visit or call the Lehigh County Prothonotary Offices and request access to civil case records in their possession.

Lehigh County Criminal Records

Criminal records may contain comprehensive information regarding an individual's criminal history and involvement with the criminal justice system. Law enforcement agencies in Lehigh County create criminal records as part of their official duties.

In Lehigh County, criminal records in the possession of law enforcement include:

• Lehigh County arrest records
• Jail and Incarceration Records
• Traffic Violation Records
• Investigative Reports
• Incident Log/Blotters
• Arrest and Search Warrants
• Criminal History Reports
• Booking Records
• Incident/Police Reports.

The general public and interested parties may review criminal records for Lehigh County. Individuals may get these documents by contacting the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) or visiting the PATCH website. Each request is subject to a non-refundable fee of $22.00. Credit card payments or pre-established account billing methods are accepted for this fee. A $5 non-refundable fee will be added for a notarized copy.

The PSP also accepts requests for criminal records by mail. The requester must complete a Criminal History Request Form and mail it to PSP. The mail package must contain the fee payable by money order or certified check. Applications may be addressed too:

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

The local police station where the offense was committed is another source from which requesters may get Lehigh County criminal records. Since all criminal records are derived from arrest records, interested parties may get crime information by contacting the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC). Individuals seeking arrest records in Lehigh County may use the Department's Inmate/Parolee Locator. Inmates' names, dates of birth, committing counties, and prisoner numbers are among the search parameters available on the Locator for those who require a notarized copy.

Note: Public access to Lehigh County Arrest records may vary depending on local laws.

Lehigh County Criminal Court Case Lookup

The Common Pleas and Magisterial Courts in Lehigh County create criminal records during criminal trials. There are several options for accessing Lehigh County criminal records.

To look for Lehigh County post-trial criminal records:

• Log in to the Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal and use the online search tools to look for Lehigh County criminal case adjudications records.
• Contact the Lehigh County Common Pleas Courts or the Magisterial Court that handled the specific case and make a Right-to-Know request to access Lehigh criminal records.

Get Lehigh County Civil Court Records

Lehigh County civil court records refer to documents, files, and information on non-criminal prosecutions. These include but are not limited to:

• Probate cases
• Personal Injury Cases
• Business Litigation
• Trust and Administration
• Guardianship and Conservatorship
• Landlord-Tenant Disputes
• Wills and Codicils
• Divorce
• Contract Disagreements
• Small Claims.

In Lehigh County, Common Pleas and Magisterial Courts handle civil cases. Lehigh County civil court records documents contain documents such as:

• Complaints and Petitions
• Docket Entries
• Discovery Documents
• Summons
• Settlement Agreements
• Judgment and Decrees
• Court Transcripts.

Lehigh County civil court records are public documents per the Pennsylvania Right to Know and other enabling laws. However, due to the nature of some civil cases, certain civil court records are restricted.

Lehigh County Family Court Records

The Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas Family Division maintains all family records pertaining to its judicial district. The Division handles divorce, paternity, and custody matters. Record seekers may find family court records online or in person at the Prothonotary Office. Online requests may be made by case or party.

However, requesters should select the family case type and check the family box in the search area to narrow their searches. In-person requests may be made from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Requesters may call the Family Division ahead of visitation to ascertain the availability of the desired record. Alternatively, interested persons may submit written requests to the Family Division. The written request should identify or describe the desired family court records to facilitate the fulfillment of the request.

Lehigh County Marriage and Divorce Records

The Lehigh County Clerk of Orphans' Court issues marriage records to members of the public. Individuals may get Lehigh County marriage records online through the Marriage License Search tool. A search may be conducted using the applicant's name. Requesters may filter their search by file number, book number, page number, file date, or marriage date. Interested persons may also request a copy of a Lehigh County marriage certificate by phone or mail. Mail requesters must submit a completed Request Form to the Court. A marriage certificate costs $25 per document, payable by cash, credit card, check, or money order, depending on the request method. Payments may be made with a credit card for an additional fee.

For divorce records, record seekers may get Lehigh County divorce records online, by mail, or in person at the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas Family Division. Online requests should be made using the Case Search tool. The search criteria are by case or party. Filter the search by selecting "divorce" as the filing type and select the family check box to view relevant results.

Lehigh County Birth and Death Records

The Pennsylvania Department of Health Vital Records issues Lehigh County birth and death records from 1907 to the present. These records are only issued to eligible applicants, such as the record holder (for Lehigh County birth records), spouse, ex-spouse, parents, siblings, children, grandparents, legal representatives, the decedent's estate representatives, and other individuals with a direct relationship to the record holder. Eligible individuals may get birth and death certificates via the following methods:

Online: The Department partners with an authorized vendor to provide Lehigh County birth and death records to eligible individuals. The vendor accepts a $10 processing fee and the standard birth or death certificate fee. Requesters should expect to receive their desired record by mail or pick it up at a Vital Records Office.

By mail: Individuals must complete an Application for Birth or Death Certificate form and mail it to the Vital Records Office. An acceptable ID and the applicable fees must accompany the form.

Requests should be addressed to:

Pennsylvania Department of Health
Division of Vital Records
Certificate Processing Unit
101 S Mercer Street
Room 401
P.O. Box 1528
New Castle, PA 16103

Lehigh County Probate Court Records

Lehigh County probate court records are generally kept in the custody of the Register of Wills and Clerk of the Court. The Lehigh County Web Viewer allows users to see records from probate courts online. A search may be carried out by case or case party. Search filters include case category, case type, assigned judge, filing date, date of death, and social security number.

The Register of Wills office is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for those who want to see records in person. Requesters must call ahead to make an appointment.

Lehigh County Property Records

Several custodians oversee property records in Lehigh County. Property records for review include mortgages, subdivision plans, property taxes and assessments, and deeds. Under the Pennsylvania State Right to Know Law, property records in Lehigh County are open to the public. Interested individuals may contact the Lehigh County Recorder of Deeds.

Lehigh County Recorder of Deeds division maintains the records of properties in the County. Interested parties may obtain copies of Lehigh County property records in person at:

Lehigh County Courthouse
West Hamilton Street
Allentown, PA 18101-1614

Additionally, requesters may use the online lookup tool Lehigh County's Office of Assessment offers to seek property records within the county. Individuals may search a property record using a Property Index Number (PIN), document identity, or property address. Searches may also be conducted using the parcel viewer link.

Lehigh County Court Records Online

Another way through which the public may access Lehigh County court records is online through third-party aggregate sites. Third-party sites like Pennsylvaniacourtrecords.us offer name-based searches in multiple jurisdictions. However, requesters may be required to pay for detailed and comprehensive searches that return a full report on the desired record. As these sites are not directly linked to the government, requesters are advised to verify case information with government sources to guarantee the record's authenticity.