Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania State Court Records
Schuylkill County court records encompass all official filings, materials, documentation, and case information generated during the legal proceedings conducted within the county’s court system. Court records are primarily maintained by the Court of Common Pleas in Schuylkill County as authentic reports and proof of court processes. They are also essential to legal professionals and the public for educational, research, and reference purposes. Schuylkill County court records are created and maintained in compliance with the Pennsylvania Rule of Judicial Administration 509 which regulates public access to court records. Public access to court records in Schuylkill County is typically regulated by the Judicial Rule of Administration, whereas other public records, such as federal case files, vital records, and most arrest information, are governed by the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law.
Are Schuylkill County Court Records Public?
Yes. Generally, court records in Schuylkill County are accessible to the public under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (Act 3 of 2008) and Pennsylvania’s Constitution Article V, § 10(c). However, uniform standards for public access to court records are specified by the Pennsylvania Case Records Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System.
Per the Public Access Policy, all case records are typically available for public inspection except:
- Case records of proceedings filed under 20 Pa.C.S. § 711(9)
- Case records regarding incapacity proceedings filed according to 20 Pa.C.S.
- §§ 5501-5555, except for the docket and the final decree determining a person as incapacitated
- Confidential Information Forms as outlined in Section 7.0 and all documents filed with a Confidential Document Form under Section 8.0
- Case Information sealed or protected by a court order or restricted by federal law or state law
- Any case Information that presents a risk to personal safety/privacy, or inhibits the fair, impartial and orderly administration of justice
- Juvenile records (under 42 Pa.C.S. § 6307), records of mental health proceedings and adoption records
What Information is Available in Schuylkill County Court Records
The contents of court records in Schuylkill County may vary depending on the case type and court of jurisdiction. According to Pennsylvania Rule of Judicial Administration 509, Schuylkill County court records typically include the following components:
- Bio-data of suspects such as a complete name set, date of birth, occupation, descriptions and birth date
- Information about the court of jurisdiction, deciding judges and attorneys representing each case party
- Case type, case number, case status and outcome
- Complaints, affidavits, petitions or motions
- Case filing information
- Claims, counterclaims or documents of discovery
- Information about charges/indictments
- Arrest information and records
- Booking, pre-trial, or bail details
- Court calendar, adjudications, and hearing dates
- Transcripts of trials and court proceedings
- Records of plea deals, probation, or parole
- Sentencing documents, verdicts, opinions, decrees, and court orders
- Exhibits and evidentiary materials
- Documents of amendments and appeals
Schuylkill County Court Records Search
Researchers may search and access Schuylkill County court records online, in person, or via mail and phone requests.
Online Access: To search for Schuylkill County court records remotely, interested persons may visit the following online portals based on the case type:
- ThePennsylvania UnifiedJudicial System Web Portal (UJS Portal)-interested persons may search, inspect, and print court docket sheets, and court summary information of criminal, family, and civil cases heard by the courts in Schuylkill County. While case access procedures may differ by case type, a case number or party name is usually required to access information on this portal. Also, registration may be necessary for full access to court records and case information.
- The Schuylkill County Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans Court online service tool-provides case information and court documents for cases handled by the Orphans Court and other probate or estate matters. A search may be conducted on this site by case number, party name, filing, or death date.
In-Person Access: It is also possible to search for court records and case information in person by visiting the relevant courthouse or the clerk’s office during official hours. Concerned persons may also utilize the public search terminals provided at the clerk’s office for public access to Schuylkill County court records. Note that inspecting court records may be free but requesting copies usually incurs costs.
Mail and Phone Requests: Mail requests are another alternative for public access to court records in Schuylkill County. To send a mail request, interested persons may submit a handwritten request enclosed in a stamped and self-addressed envelope to the clerk’s office or the relevant record custodian. The request should contain substantial information and descriptions about the record being requested. The approved payment methods for mail requests include money orders and checks. For phone requests, inquirers may contact the clerk of court’s office by phoning (570) 628-1140 or (570) 628-1135.
Fees for Court Records in Schuylkill County
The courts in Schuylkill County request nominal fees for the duplication of court records in their custody as access to such records is typically free of charge. The precise amount is usually determined by the number of pages in the documents or the court record type. Generally, the courts in Schuylkill County charge $0.25 per page for duplication of court records and $25 per copy for records retrieved from the county’s archives or site storage location. Certified copies of vital records such as birth certificates and marriage licenses cost $10 per copy while death certificates are issued at $25 per copy. Exemplification of court records cost $55 each.
Schuylkill County Courthouse Locations
The Schuylkill County court system comprises the Court of Common Pleas (made up of the prothonotary division, the criminal division, and the Orphans Court) and several Magisterial District Courts. The Magisterial District Courts handle minor civil and criminal cases, preliminary hearings, and traffic violations whereas the Court of Common Pleas resolves major civil/criminal cases, juvenile proceedings, probate matters, and family law issues.
The locations and contact details of all courthouses in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania are provided below:
Schuylkill County Courts of Common Pleas - Prothonotary (Civil)
Schuylkill County Courthouse
401 North 2nd Street
Pottsville, PA 17901
Phone: (570) 628-1270
Schuylkill County Courts of Common Pleas - Clerk of Courts (Criminal)
Schuylkill Court Courthouse
401 North 2nd Street
Pottsville, PA 17901
Phone: (570) 628-1140
Schuylkill County Orphans’ Court
Schuylkill County Courthouse
401 North 2nd Street
Pottsville, PA 17901
Phone: (570) 628-1382
Schuylkill County Magistrate District Courts
Schuylkill County Magistrate District Court 21-2-01
619 West Oak Street
Frackville, PA 17931
Phone: (570) 874-1704
Fax: (570) 874-2360
Schuylkill County Magistrate District Court 21-3-01
Borough Building
301 Second Street
P.O. Box 13
Port Carbon, PA 17965
Phone: (570) 628-5351
Fax: (570) 628-539
Schuylkill County Magistrate District Court 21-3-03
Borough Building
209 North Warren Street
Second Floor
P.O. Box 189
Orwigsburg, PA 17961
Phone: (570) 366-0244
Fax: (570) 366-890
Schuylkill County Magistrate District Court 21-3-04
19 North Pine Street,
P.O. Box 25
Tremont, PA 17981
Phone: (570) 695-3128
Fax: (570) 695-2606
Schuylkill County Magistrate District Court 21-3-05
33 South Main Street
Shenandoah, PA 17976
Phone: (570) 462-2680
Fax: (570) 462-2682
Schuylkill County Magistrate District Court 21-3-06
Rear, 320 East Broad Street,
Tamaqua, PA 18252
Phone: (570) 668-3535
Fax: (570) 668-1750
Schuylkill County Magistrate District Court 21-3-07
410 North Centre, Suite 1
Pottsville, PA 17901
Phone: (570) 622-9181
Fax: (570) 628-6815
Criminal Records Access in Schuylkill County
The Pennsylvania State Police manages official state-level criminal history record checks for Schuylkill County through its PATCH (Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History) system. Schuylkill County courts do not perform official statewide searches for criminal records; rather they provide public access to local criminal case records through the State’s Unified Judicial System Web Portal or in-person searches.
Requesters may visit the County Clerk of Court’s office within regular hours to inspect and copy criminal court records and case information or use the public access terminal provided at the local courthouse. Members of the public may also search and review criminal case files on the UJS web portal by entering a party name, case number, filing date, or birth date.
Schuylkill County Probate Records
Schuylkill County probate records are official reports or documents that are generated from litigation involving the distribution or administration of a decedent’s estates, wills, and probate filings, guardianships/conservatorships, adoptions, account audits, trusts, and other motions/petitions related to such suits. In Schuylkill County, the Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans’ Court office collates and maintains estate records, including those related to wills, guardianships, and matters of probate.
The Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans’ Court office has made provisions for online filings and public access to recent probate and estate records through its online services portal. However, access to older estate filings and probate records may require the requester to visit the office of the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans’ Court during regular hours to make an in-person request. One must note that certain probate records such as adoption records, records of minor guardianships, or sealed records are usually confidential/ restricted by law and may not be publicly available for inspection and copying
County | Court Name | Address | Phone Number | Office Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Schuylkill County | Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas- Orphans’ Court Division | Schuylkill County Courthouse, 401 North 2nd Street, Pottsville, PA 17901. | (570) 628-1382 | Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
Schuylkill County Family Court Records
Schuylkill County family court records consist of legal documents, filings, and case information generated from resolving family-related cases such as spousal/child support, child custody, dissolution of marriages, divorce, property dispute settlements, domestic violence/abuse, adoption, paternity records, guardianship, and Protection from Abuse (PFA) lawsuits. Family law matters are handled by the Prothonotary Division of the Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas.
Inquirers may look up Schuylkill County family court records online via the state’s unified judicial system web portal. A case number or party name is the basic requirement for accessing family court records on the portal. Concerned persons may also query the courthouse where the case was filed and provide case details required to conduct a record search and the fee for copying records. Note that family court records usually contain sensitive information and not all such records may be readily available for public inspection. It may be helpful to confirm record availability and access procedures from the clerk’s office.
Federal Court Records in Schuylkill County
The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania is the federal court of jurisdiction in Schuylkill County. The court has jurisdiction to resolve criminal cases involving the violation of federal laws and civil suits regarding constitutional rights and citizenship. It is important to note that public access to court records for federal cases heard in Schuylkill County is regulated by federal rules and not necessarily state regulations. Schuylkill County federal court records are publicly accessible through the office of the clerk of the federal district court and the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system.