Northumberland County Court Records
What Is Northumberland County Court Records
Court records in Northumberland County encompass the official documentation generated by judicial proceedings within the county's court system. These records include case files, docket sheets, pleadings, motions, court orders, judgments, transcripts of proceedings, exhibits admitted into evidence, sentencing records, and any other documents filed with or produced by a court of law. Court records are distinct from other categories of public records maintained at the county level, such as property deeds and tax assessment records held by the Recorder of Deeds, or vital records such as birth and death certificates maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Northumberland County's court records are maintained across several judicial bodies, including:
- Court of Common Pleas – the principal trial court of general jurisdiction handling civil, criminal, family, and orphans' court (probate) matters
- Magisterial District Courts – handling preliminary hearings, minor civil claims, summary offenses, and traffic matters
- Orphans' Court Division – handling estates, guardianships, adoptions, and related probate matters
- Family Court Division – handling domestic relations, child custody, support, and protection from abuse matters
Under 42 Pa. C.S. § 1722, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court is authorized to prescribe general rules governing practice, procedure, and the conduct of all courts, including the maintenance and accessibility of court records. Members of the public may inspect records generated by the Northumberland County Court of Common Pleas in accordance with applicable state law and court rules.
Are Court Records Public In Northumberland County
Court records in Northumberland County are presumptively open to the public under Pennsylvania law. The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.301, establishes that records in the possession of Commonwealth agencies are public unless a specific exemption applies. Additionally, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court's Case Records Public Access Policy governs access to judicial records and affirms the public's right to inspect most court filings.
The following categories of records are generally available for public inspection:
- Most civil case files, including complaints, answers, and supporting documents
- Criminal case files following the filing of formal charges
- Judgments and court orders entered in any matter
- Docket sheets reflecting the procedural history of a case
- Hearing and trial schedules
- Sentencing records in criminal matters
It is important to note that Northumberland County's Court of Common Pleas is a state court operating under Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System. Federal court records for cases filed in the Middle District of Pennsylvania are maintained separately through the federal PACER system and are not accessible through county-level portals. Certain records remain restricted under the Pennsylvania Supreme Court's Case Records Public Access Policy, including juvenile records, mental health proceedings, and documents containing sensitive personal identifiers.
How To Find Court Records in Northumberland County in 2026
Members of the public seeking court records in Northumberland County may access them through several official channels. The following steps outline the process for obtaining records:
- Identify the court – Determine whether the case was heard in the Court of Common Pleas, a Magisterial District Court, or another division, as each maintains its own records.
- Search online – Use the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System's web portal to conduct an initial case search by party name, docket number, or filing date.
- Visit the Clerk of Courts in person – Members of the public may inspect physical case files at the Clerk of Courts office during regular business hours. Staff can assist in locating records by name or docket number.
- Submit a written request – For certified copies or records not available online, a written request may be submitted to the Clerk of Courts along with the applicable fee.
- Pay applicable fees – Fees for copies and certifications are established by the court and must be paid at the time of the request.
Northumberland County Clerk of Courts 201 Market Street, Sunbury, PA 17801 (570) 988-4100 Northumberland County Government
Public counter hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding official county holidays.
How To Look Up Court Records in Northumberland County Online?
Several official online portals currently provide access to Northumberland County court records. Members of the public may use the following systems:
Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal (UJS Portal) The UJS Portal is the primary statewide platform for searching court dockets across all Pennsylvania courts, including the Northumberland County Court of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Courts. Users may conduct a Pennsylvania court case search by entering a party name, docket number, or date range. The portal returns docket sheets, case status, and scheduling information for civil, criminal, family, and traffic matters.
Search steps for the UJS Portal:
- Navigate to the UJS Portal case search page.
- Select the appropriate court type (Common Pleas, Magisterial District, or Appellate).
- Enter the party's last name, first name, or docket number.
- Select "Northumberland" from the county dropdown menu.
- Review the list of matching cases and select the relevant docket to view details.
Pennsylvania Appellate Courts Decisions and dockets from the Pennsylvania Superior Court, Commonwealth Court, and Supreme Court are also accessible through the UJS Portal under the "Appellate" search option.
How To Search Northumberland County Court Records for Free?
Pennsylvania law and court policy currently permit members of the public to inspect court records at no charge. Under the Pennsylvania Supreme Court's Case Records Public Access Policy, any person may view docket sheets and case records at the courthouse without paying a fee for inspection. Fees apply only when requesting printed copies or certified documents.
The following free resources are available:
- UJS Portal – The statewide case search portal provides free access to docket sheets, case summaries, and scheduling information for all Pennsylvania courts, including Northumberland County.
- In-person inspection – Members of the public may inspect physical case files at the Clerk of Courts office free of charge during regular business hours.
- Northumberland County Court of Common Pleas – Basic docket information is accessible through the UJS Portal at no cost.
Fees are assessed for printed copies, typically at a per-page rate established by the court, and for certified copies of judgments or orders.
What's Included in a Northumberland County Court Record?
The contents of a court record vary depending on the type of case and the court in which it was filed. The following outlines what is typically included in each major record category:
Civil Court Records:
- Complaint and summons
- Defendant's answer and affirmative defenses
- Motions and supporting briefs
- Court orders and rulings
- Jury verdicts or bench decisions
- Judgments and satisfaction of judgment filings
Criminal Court Records:
- Criminal complaint and affidavit of probable cause
- Charging documents and information
- Bail and bond records
- Plea agreements
- Trial transcripts
- Sentencing orders and probation terms
Family Court Records:
- Divorce decrees and property settlement agreements
- Child custody orders and modification petitions
- Child and spousal support orders
- Protection from abuse orders
Orphans' Court / Probate Records:
- Wills and letters testamentary
- Inventory and appraisement of estate assets
- Guardianship orders
- Adoption decrees
Traffic and Summary Offense Records:
- Citation and violation details
- Disposition and fine payment records
- License suspension notices
How Long Does Northumberland County Keep Court Records?
Northumberland County courts retain records in accordance with the retention schedules established by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Retention periods vary by record type and case category.
Current retention periods include:
- Criminal case files (felony and misdemeanor): Retained permanently or for a minimum of 75 years following case disposition
- Civil case files: Generally retained for 20 years following final disposition
- Orphans' court and probate records: Retained permanently due to their historical and legal significance
- Family court orders (custody, support): Retained for a minimum of 20 years or until the youngest child reaches majority, whichever is later
- Traffic and summary offense records: Typically retained for 5 to 10 years depending on the offense classification
- Docket sheets: Retained permanently as the official record of proceedings
These schedules are established pursuant to 42 Pa. C.S. § 1727, which authorizes the Supreme Court to prescribe rules for the preservation and destruction of court records.
Types of Courts In Northumberland County
Northumberland County's judicial system operates within Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System and follows a hierarchical structure from local magisterial courts to the state Supreme Court.
Court of Common Pleas – Northumberland County (8th Judicial District) The Court of Common Pleas is the court of general jurisdiction for Northumberland County, handling major civil litigation, felony criminal cases, family law matters, and orphans' court proceedings.
Northumberland County Court of Common Pleas 201 Market Street, Sunbury, PA 17801 (570) 988-4100 Northumberland County Court of Common Pleas Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Magisterial District Courts Magisterial District Courts handle preliminary arraignments, bail hearings, summary offenses, traffic violations, and civil claims up to $12,000. Northumberland County is served by several magisterial district judges located throughout the county.
Magisterial District Court 108-01-01 1 E. Sunbury Street, Shamokin, PA 17872 (570) 644-0318 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Magisterial District Court 108-01-02 399 S. Market Street, Shamokin, PA 17872 (570) 648-4300 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Magisterial District Court 108-02-01 201 Market Street, Sunbury, PA 17801 (570) 988-4200 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Pennsylvania Superior Court (intermediate appellate court) Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court (intermediate appellate court for government matters) Pennsylvania Supreme Court (court of last resort)
Appeals from the Northumberland County Court of Common Pleas proceed to the Pennsylvania Superior Court or Commonwealth Court, and ultimately to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
What Types of Cases Do Northumberland County Courts Hear?
Each court within Northumberland County's judicial system handles a defined category of cases.
Court of Common Pleas:
- Felony criminal prosecutions (murder, robbery, drug trafficking, assault)
- Major civil litigation (contract disputes, personal injury, property disputes over $12,000)
- Domestic relations matters (divorce, custody, support, protection from abuse)
- Orphans' court matters (estates, wills, guardianships, adoptions)
- Juvenile delinquency and dependency proceedings
- Appeals from Magisterial District Court decisions
Magisterial District Courts:
- Summary criminal offenses (disorderly conduct, retail theft, minor traffic violations)
- Preliminary arraignments and bail hearings for felony and misdemeanor charges
- Civil claims up to $12,000 (landlord-tenant disputes, small claims)
- Traffic violations and vehicle code infractions
- Temporary protection from abuse orders (initial issuance)
Orphans' Court Division:
- Probate of wills and administration of decedents' estates
- Appointment of guardians for incapacitated persons
- Adoption proceedings
- Trust accountings and charitable organization matters
Family Court Division:
- Child custody and visitation disputes
- Child and spousal support enforcement
- Divorce proceedings
- Domestic violence protection orders
How To Find a Court Docket In Northumberland County
A court docket is the official chronological record of all filings, hearings, and orders in a case. Members of the public may locate Northumberland County court dockets through the following methods:
Online Search via UJS Portal:
- Access the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System's court docket search platform.
- Select the court type: "Common Pleas" for Court of Common Pleas cases, or "Magisterial District Judge" for lower court matters.
- Enter the party's name or docket number in the search fields.
- Select "Northumberland" as the county.
- Review the returned docket sheet, which includes all filings, scheduled hearings, and case dispositions.
In-Person at the Clerk of Courts: Members of the public may request docket information directly from the Clerk of Courts office at 201 Market Street, Sunbury, PA 17801, during regular business hours. Staff can retrieve docket sheets by party name or case number.
By Telephone: The Clerk of Courts may be reached at (570) 988-4100 for general docket inquiries, though complex searches are best conducted in person or online.
Which Courts in Northumberland County Are Not Courts of Record?
A court of record is a court whose proceedings are officially documented and preserved, whose acts and judicial proceedings are enrolled for perpetual memory and testimony, and which has the power to fine or imprison for contempt. Courts not of record do not maintain a verbatim transcript of proceedings and generally have more limited jurisdiction.
In Northumberland County, Magisterial District Courts are currently classified as courts not of record under Pennsylvania law. Pursuant to 42 Pa. C.S. § 1515, magisterial district judges exercise limited jurisdiction over summary offenses, minor civil claims, and preliminary proceedings in criminal matters. Because these courts do not maintain verbatim transcripts of proceedings, any party aggrieved by a decision of a Magisterial District Court has the right to a de novo appeal—a completely new hearing on the merits—before the Court of Common Pleas, which is a court of record.
The Court of Common Pleas is the principal court of record in Northumberland County. All proceedings before the Court of Common Pleas are transcribed and preserved as part of the official record, and appeals from that court proceed on the existing record rather than through a new trial.