Tioga County Court Records

Tioga County court records provide a comprehensive account of legal proceedings in the county. As part of the broader Pennsylvania court records, these records are valuable for understanding the state's judicial system and play an essential role in keeping the system transparent and accountable to the public. Individuals and other stakeholders can look up these records to learn about legal processes, conduct background checks, formulate policies, file appeals, etc. Tioga County court records typically include party information, judgments, dockets, orders, calendars, motions, and more.

Are Court Records Public in Tioga County?

Yes. Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law confers a public status on Tioga County court records, making such records accessible to any interested party. Additionally, 204 Pa. Code § 213.81(3.0) guarantees the right of the public to inspect and copy case records upon an oral or written request.

Nonetheless, a records custodian cannot release case information that jeopardizes public safety or contains sensitive personal information like a party's social security number, home address, or phone number. Other non-disclosable records include information protected by privilege or exempt from disclosure by any applicable federal or state law.

Tioga County Court Records Search

One can find Tioga County Court records using the following options:

• A physical visit to the courthouse where the case was heard
• Accessing the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System website
• Third-party repositories

Tioga County Courts

Tioga County is in the 4th Judicial District of Pennsylvania. The county's court system comprises the Court of Common Pleas and its separate division, Orphans' Court, and three magisterial district courts.

Below is the address directory of the courts in Tioga County:

Tioga County Court of Common Pleas and Orphans' Court
Tioga County Courthouse
116 Main Street
Wellsboro, PA 16901
Phone: (570) 724-9281
Phone: (570) 724-9260 (Orphans' Court)
Fax: (570) 724-2986

Tioga County Magisterial District Court 04-3-01
201 West Main Street
Suite C
Elkland, PA 16920
Phone: (814) 258-7138
Fax: (814) 258-7139

Tioga County Magisterial District Court 04-3-02
116 Main Street
Wellsboro, PA 16901
Phone: (570) 724-9220
Fax: (570) 723-8224

Tioga County Magisterial District Court 04-3-03
MDJ Cummings
126 Dorsett Heights
Mansfield, PA 16933
Phone: (570) 662-2904

Tioga County Criminal and Civil Records

Criminal court records document legal proceedings and prosecutions of persons accused of committing crimes. Meanwhile, civil court records encompass documents between disputing parties (individuals, organizations, and the government) regarding their rights, duties, and interests.

Public Tioga County civil and criminal court records can be accessed by physically visiting the Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts' office at the Tioga County Courthouse during normal business hours. Requesters are generally allowed to inspect the files kept at the courthouse and obtain copies. If a magisterial district court heard the case, interested parties should query the clerk of the court that handled the matter for relevant records.

For remote access to court documents, individuals should visit the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System (UJS) website and conduct a free search using preferred parameters, including citation number and date filed. The UJS provides information on Common Pleas and magisterial district court cases. Searchers can select "Tioga County" as a judicial district for results specific to Tioga County court cases.

Tioga County Marriage Records

Tioga County marriage records are public documents held in the custody of the Clerk of the Orphans' Court office. Members of the public can obtain copies of marriage certificates by completing an Application to Obtain a Certificate of Marriage form and submitting it to the Tioga County Clerk of Orphans' Court.

Individuals will be required to provide known information about the sought record, such as the applicants' names, date of marriage, place of marriage, and marriage certificate number. Each copy costs $7, payable by money order, cashier's check, or cash. Individuals must also provide a self-addressed stamped envelope to receive the requested documents.

Tioga County Divorce Records

The Tioga County Prothonotary's Office maintains Tioga County divorce records. During regular business hours, individuals can visit the office at the Tioga County Courthouse to inspect and obtain copies of documents related to divorce proceedings in the county.

Tioga County Birth Records

Since January 1, 1906, birth records have been recorded on the state level in Pennsylvania. Consequently, certified copies of Tioga County birth records can be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of Health's (DOH) Division of Vital Records.

However, requesters must note that Tioga County birth records only become public documents 105 years after the registrant's date of birth. Before this time lapses, the records can only be retrieved by the person named on the birth certificate and specific family members, including the subject's spouses, parents, siblings, and children.

Eligible parties must complete an Application for Birth Certificate, show valid identification, and pay a fee of $20 per birth certificate ordered to obtain Tioga County birth records. Online orders require an additional $10 service charge. More information on obtaining birth records is available on the Department's ordering a birth certificate page.

Meanwhile, public Tioga County birth records can be obtained from the Pennsylvania State Archives. For indices of public birth records from 1906 to 1913 and questions regarding birth records, members of the public should query the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC).

Tioga County birth records are useful for numerous purposes, including:

• Establishing identity
• Passport applications
• Employment
• School admissions
• Genealogy research

Tioga County Death Records

Tioga County death records are available to the public 50 years after the date of death. Only eligible applicants, such as the decedent's spouse, ex-spouse, parent, and legal representative, can access these records before the 50-year timeline lapses.

Eligible applicants should complete an Application for Death Certificate and mail it to:

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

Alternatively, requesters can visit one of the DOH's public offices in person during regular administrative hours or order a death certificate online through the state-authorized vendor. More information on ordering a death certificate is available on the DOH's official website.

Meanwhile, publicly available death records can be accessed through the Pennsylvania State Archives. Also, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission keeps indices of death records from 1906 to 1968. If the death occurred before 1906, requesters should contact the Tioga County Orphans' Court Clerk.

Tioga County Probate Court Records

Tioga County probate cases pertain to the administration of a decedent's estate and guardianships for minors and adults. The Tioga County Register of Wills office keeps these court records, making them publicly accessible via in-person and online searches. Online access is available on the Register & Recorder's website.

Tioga County Property Records

Most Tioga County property records are public documents and can be obtained from the Tioga County Register of Deeds Office. However, property assessment records are kept in the Assessment Office and accessible via public terminals in the Tioga County courthouse.

Property-related information available in these records includes:

• Deeds
• Mortgages
• Releases
• Assignments
• Easements
• Rights of ways
• Leases
• Survey maps
• Property tax

Note: All public records held by the Tioga County Recorder of Deeds, Register of Wills, and Clerk of Orphans' Court are available online through an approved record search platform. More information is obtainable from the Tioga County Register & Recorder's website.

Tioga County Court Records Online

Many third-party or private websites offer online access to public Tioga County court records. A good example is Pennsylvaniacourtrecords.us. Individuals may prefer to conduct court record lookups via these privately owned websites as they are often time-saving, reducing the need to visit the courthouse or contact multiple record custodians. However, researchers must note that these websites charge search fees and may not be relied on for official purposes.