Luzerne County Court Records

Luzerne County Courts maintain court records for various purposes, such as offering a detailed outlook of the lawsuit, providing details of past court decisions, and documenting court judgments and orders.

The information carried by a Luzerne County record varies depending on the kind of court Record. For example, criminal court records include details such as a case number, case status, court location, charges, information about the parties involved (prosecuting and defense attorneys, witnesses, the judge, the defendant's name), court proceedings, pleadings, claims, and complaints, motions, proceedings, orders, and judgments, among other things.

Court record searches may provide information on criminal charges, civil lawsuits, divorce, and child custody cases, among other things. For instance, courts may disclose information regarding a person’s criminal records, civil litigation, and divorce settlement terms.

Are Court Records Public in Luzerne County?

Yes. The Pennsylvania Right-To-Know Law presumes that court documents in Luzerne County are public. Section 303 of the Pennsylvania Right-To-Know Law describes the state's regulations for public access to court records. It allows interested public members to inspect and obtain copies of court records from the custodians. Certain court records are not available to the public due to confidentiality concerns.

For instance, the following information is not available to the public:

• Records are sealed by court order.
• Juvenile records are typically confidential.
• Certain family law issues, such as adoption records
• Mental health cases
• Records with sensitive personal identifying information

Luzerne County Court Records Search

Individuals seeking Luzerne County Court Records have three main avenues to get these documents:

• Online search on databases
• In-person search at the court location
• Mail request sent to the custodian.

Generally, court records are available online through online repositories maintained by the judiciary. Alternatively, an individual may search for court records by visiting the record custodian’s office during business hours. This may involve using public access terminals at the record custodian’s office or searching through physical archives. Meanwhile, persons who cannot visit physically may send a mail-in request describing the record sought.

Luzerne County Court Records Search by Name

In Luzerne County, individuals can search for records by name by visiting the courthouse where the case was filed. To look up closed and active cases, they must provide a case party’s full or business name.

Alternatively, inquirers can use the public search terminal at the Luzerne County court location to search for closed and active cases connected to the name. Inquirers can also visit the Clerk of Court's office to search for court cases by name. Furthermore, the Luzerne Prothonotary office provides an online search portal that interested members of the public can utilize to look up civil records by name.

Note: The court charges fees for record duplication and access. The cost is decided by the number of printed pages or documents, typically approximately $0.25 per page.

The Pennsylvania remote search portal also allows users to search for court records by name. This portal provides an extensive database for searching various court records throughout the state's counties.

Luzerne County Courts

Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, operates a structured judicial system consisting of the Court of Common Pleas, Orphans’ Court, and Magisterial District Courts. The Court of Common Pleas has general jurisdiction and adjudicates major criminal, civil, family, and juvenile cases. The Magistrate District Courts have limited jurisdiction and typically handle minor criminal, civil, and traffic cases.

The list below outlines the different Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, courts and their contact addresses:

Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas
Luzerne County Courthouse
200 North River Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
Phone: (570) 825-1585
Fax: (570) 825-1843

Luzerne County Orphans' Court
Physical: 153 North River Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
Phone: (570) 825-1668
Fax: (570) 970-4580
Mail address:
200 North River Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711

Luzerne County Magisterial District Court 11-1-01
100 Hazle Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
Phone: (570) 825-7373
Fax: (570) 970-2568

Luzerne County Magisterial District Court 11-1-02
100 Hazle Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
Phone: (570) 825-8488
Fax: (570) 970-2564

Luzerne County Magisterial District Court 11-1-03
615 East Broad Street
Hazleton, PA 18201
Phone: (570) 455-9467
Fax: (70) 501-8981

Luzerne County Magisterial District Court 11-1-04
35 Broad Street
Pittston, PA 18640
Phone: (570) 655-0552
Fax: (570) 602-8297

Luzerne County Magisterial District Court 11-1-05
Kingston Municipal Building
500 Wyoming Avenue
Kingston, PA 18704
Phone: (570) 287-2800
Fax: (570) 714-7568

Luzerne County Magisterial District Court 11-1-06
2009 Wyoming Avenue
Forty Fort, PA 18704
Phone: (570) 287-2341
Fax: (570) 714-7564

Luzerne County Magisterial District Court 11-2-01
Municipal Building
555 Exeter Avenue
West Pittston, PA 18643
Phone: (570) 655-0177
Fax: (570) 602-8296

Luzerne County Magisterial District Court 11-2-03
1460 Sans Souci Parkway
Hanover Township, PA 18706
Phone: (570) 825-8890
Fax: (570) 970-8893

Luzerne County Magisterial District Court 11-3-01
33 West Union Street
Shickshinny, PA 18655
Phone: (570) 542-4349
Fax: (570) 542-5674

Luzerne County Magisterial District Court 11-3-02
15 East Ridge Street
Nanticoke, PA 18634
Phone: (570) 735-7648
Fax: (570) 740-2072

Luzerne County Magisterial District Court 11-3-03
5 S Main Street
#6
Sugarloaf, PA 18249
Phone: (570) 788-1191
Fax: (570) 788-7213

Luzerne County Magisterial District Court 11-3-04
Sunset Beltway Offices
789 Airport Road
#102
Hazle Township, PA 18202
Phone: (570) 455-9191
Fax: (570) 501-8980

Luzerne County Magisterial District Court 11-3-06
Wright Township Municipal Building
321 South Mountain Boulevard
Mountain Top, PA 18707
Phone: (570) 474-6844
Fax: (570) 474-6822

Luzerne County Magisterial District Court 11-3-07
240 Johnson Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
Phone: (570) 825-8671
Fax: (570) 970-2546

Luzerne County Magisterial District Court 11-3-08
90 Maffett Street
Plains, PA 18705
Phone: (570) 826-8708
Fax: (570) 970-2544

Luzerne County Magisterial District Court 11-3-09
11 Carverton Road
Trucksville, PA 18708
Phone: (570) 696-4477
Fax: (570) 696-5467

Luzerne County Superior Court Case Search

The Superior Court is one of two appellate courts in Luzerne. It adjudicates appeals from lower courts. Interested parties can search for Superior Court case records through an online repository maintained by the Judiciary.

To do a case search for Superior Court cases in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, requesters would need to use the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania's web portal. Use the following procedure:

• Visit the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System website
• Click "Public Web Docket Sheets" under the "eServices" menu.
• Select "Court Case Search" from the available options.
• Choose "Luzerne County" from the dropdown menu.
• Select the appropriate court type:
• Choose "Superior Court" under the "Appellate Courts" section for Superior Court cases.
• Enter the search criteria:
• You can search by docket number, participant name, organization name, or case filed date.
• Click "Search" to view the results.

Luzerne County District Court Records

The justice system in Pennsylvania comprises four primary levels of courts: the Minor Courts, the Courts of Common Pleas, the Intermediate Appellate Courts, and the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, each with distinct responsibilities. The Magisterial District Court handles the county's lowest level of court cases, primarily minor criminal offenses, landlord-tenant disputes, civil cases up to $12,000, and traffic violations.

To access the Luzerne County District Court record, individuals can visit the office in person or remotely via the United Judicial System of Pennsylvania online portal.

Luzerne County Criminal Records

The Pennsylvania State Police has a publicly available online repository, Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History (PATCH). This resource provides criminal history records for Luzerne County residents.

Follow these steps to get Luzerne County arrest records or criminal information on PATCH:

• Visit the PATCH website
• Read and accept the terms and conditions of use
• Select individual requests and click “Continue”.
• Provide requester details and contact information
• Provide information on the subject of the criminal record

An online criminal record search costs $22.00 per subject. The agency charges this fee upon submitting the request and applies whether a record is found for the subject.

Although online search is more convenient and swift, requesters can also mail requests for criminal records. To submit a mail request, download and complete the criminal record request form, then have it notarized. Next, attach a certified check for $27.00, payable to the "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania". Then, place the notarized form, check, and self-addressed stamped envelope in a manila envelope and mail it to the Records Department's address.

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

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

Luzerne County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Interested parties can use the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania web portal to get case information about criminal court records. This resource allows users to look up court cases using several parameters, such as the docket number, case filing date, and names of the individuals involved. To facilitate the search, requesters can specify a date range and docket type. To obtain additional details, requesters should click on the docket sheet on the right. This will return more information, including the charges, disposition, bail, incarceration status, and confinement facility.

Requesters should click the docket sheet on the right to get additional information, including the case information, status, and the calendar of upcoming events. In addition, the searcher will also see information about the charges, disposition, bail, incarceration status, and confinement facility.

Another option for interested persons is to look up criminal court cases by visiting the Office of Judicial Records during business hours. To facilitate the search, requesters should provide relevant details, including the case filing date, the litigants’ names, or the docket number.

Get Luzerne County Civil Court Records

In Luzerne County, the Prothonotary office collects and maintains civil court records. Thus, members of the public can search for these records via the case search portal at the Prothonotary office website. To obtain civil court records in person, record seekers must visit the Luzerne County Prothonotary's Office at:

200 North River Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711

Researchers must contact the courthouse before the appointment to verify record availability. Then, they must carry a valid ID document and all essential information connected to the case.Case searches can also be done by filling out a court request form and submitting it, alongside the required nominal fees, to the presiding court address.

Luzerne County Family Court Records

In Luzerne County, family court records typically include divorce proceedings, child custody and support cases, adoption records, paternity suits, domestic violence protective orders, name change petitions, and guardianship cases. These cases are handled by the Court of Common Pleas. Requesters can look up Luzerne County court records by querying the courthouse where the case was filed and providing details connected to the case party and the fee for accessing records.

Luzerne County Marriage and Divorce Records

In Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, requesters may obtain marriage and divorce records from various offices. The Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphan’s Court handle marriage cases in the county, while the Prothonotary office handles divorce cases and maintains their records.

A researcher can obtain a marriage record by calling or mailing requests to:

200 North River Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
Phone: (570) 825-1745
Fax: (570) 825-1757

The office charges a fee of $10.00 for cash or $14.00 for credit card payments for certified copies of marriage licenses. Inquirers must also provide the full names of both parties, the time they applied for the marriage license and the date of the marriage. Requesters can also obtain records of divorce certificates by submitting requests at the Prothonotary office.

Luzerne County Birth and Death Records

In Luzerne County, the Register of Wills and Court of Orphans’ office handles birth and death records from 1893 to 1905. Birth and death certificates later than 1905, in the county and the entire state, are managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Authorized individuals may request a birth certificate by visiting any Vital Records office in Pennsylvania.

Requesters must provide valid government-issued photo identification to obtain these records. State law and local regulations set fees for searching for and obtaining copies of these records.

Luzerne County Probate Court Records

In Luzerne County, probate records are official records or documents with regards to the distribution or administration of a deceased individual’s estates, guardianships, adoptions, audits of accounts, motions, petitions, and related lawsuits. The Register of Wills and Orphans’ Court office is the custodian of these records, including wills, guardianships, and estates.

Requesters can visit the office of the Register of Wills and Orphans’ Court Division during business hours to conduct an in-person request for the probate records. Before submitting it to the office, they must complete the request form, pay all necessary fees, and provide vital information connected to the case party.

Luzerne County Property Records

Property records are legal documents that provide information about real estate, such as taxation, ownership, and assessment. The Recorder of Deeds office maintains property records and related documents, such as mortgages, deeds, liens, agreements, easements, plats, and land surveys.

Individuals can obtain a property record by querying the Recorder of Deeds office via mail or the US Land Records search portal.

• Visit the US Land Records website.
• Select Pennsylvania from the list of dropdowns of states.
• Choose Luzerne County from the list of dropdowns of counties.
• Select the case search type (document search, name search, volume search, and date search)
• Other important details include business/last name, first name, and party type.

Note: The office charges users a nominal fee of $1.00 per page

Luzerne County Court Records Online

Interested individuals can obtain Luzerne County court records on official and third-party platforms. Reliable third-party platforms such as Pennsylvaniacourtrecords.us are operated by independent firms that aggregate public records from multiple repositories and make them available for requesters.

The advantage of a third-party platform is that it offers online access to court records from multiple jurisdictions and is sometimes faster than traditional government-run portals. These platforms also offer easy access to records from anywhere using an internet connection, helping requesters not to visit a government office or a courthouse in person. However, requesters must confirm with government sites that certain details about a court record are valid and up-to-date.