Court records of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, are available through several channels. LackawannaCourt.us allows searching for public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through official state court portals, court clerk offices, and public terminals in the courthouse in Scranton. Below is a practical guide to navigating the county court system, finding hearing calendars, obtaining document copies, and paying fees.
Lackawanna Court System & Jurisdictions
The county court system is built around the Court of Common Pleas — a court of general jurisdiction located in the courthouse in Scranton. Administrative duties are performed by the President Judge. The court is divided into several divisions, each handling specific categories of cases.
- Criminal Division — felonies, misdemeanors, probation violations, and appeals from magistrate courts on criminal decisions.
- Civil Division — civil lawsuits, contract disputes, damage claims, and real estate lawsuits. Civil and family division case searches are available on the county public records page.
- Family Court — divorces, alimony, child custody, protective orders (PFA). The judges and administration are located in the Family Court Center at 123 Wyoming Avenue, Scranton.
- Orphans' Court — probate, guardianship of incapacitated persons, adoptions. Documents are kept by the Clerk of Orphan's Court.
Magisterial District Courts handle minor civil claims (up to $12,000), preliminary hearings in criminal cases, traffic violations, and arrest warrants. These courts operate at the level of individual magisterial districts. Magistrate court decisions can be appealed to the Court of Common Pleas.
Lackawanna Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out what hearings are scheduled for today or this week, use the UJS Web Portal. It provides a "Calendar Event" search option that allows filtering results by date, court, and hearing type.
- Go to the UJS Portal case search page.
- Select the "Calendar Event" search type.
- Specify the county "Lackawanna" and the desired date range.
- The results will show scheduled hearings with case number, judge, and courtroom.
Schedules can also be confirmed directly with the court office by calling 570-963-6723. For family court cases, contact the Family Court Center administration.
How to Get a Copy of a Lackawanna Court Document
The type of copy you need determines where to go and how much it will cost.
Certified and Non-Certified Copies
A certified copy has the court seal and clerk's signature — it is required for official procedures: filing in another court, immigration cases, or criminal record verification. A non-certified copy is suitable for personal reference.
Where to Get Documents
- Online: through the UJS public records section, you can view docket sheets for free. A non-certified version can be downloaded.
- In Person: contact the Clerk of Judicial Records — this office holds Court of Common Pleas documents since 1878. For criminal cases, contact the Clerk of Courts.
- By Mail: send a written request specifying the case number, party names, and type of copy.
Clerk of Courts (criminal cases):
Clerk of Judicial Records (civil cases):
For Orphans' Court documents (wills, marriage certificates, guardianship cases), contact the Clerk of Orphan's Court separately in the same courthouse. Note: this office does not accept credit or debit cards.
Lackawanna Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees are regulated by Pennsylvania state rules and local court administrative orders. Below are approximate rates applicable to state courts of general jurisdiction. It is best to confirm the exact amount directly with the office, as some fees are periodically reviewed.
| Service | Approximate Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Court record search (by name) | Free online | Through UJS Web Portal; docket sheets available at no charge |
| Non-certified document copy | $0.25 per page | Standard rate for photocopies in PA courts |
| Certified copy | From $5.00 and up | Depends on document type; additional page fees apply |
| Certificate of no criminal record | Check with the office | Clerk of Courts processes criminal case requests |
| Marriage License | Check with Orphans' Court | Payment by cash or money order only |
Payment at the Clerk of Courts office is usually accepted in cash, money order, or check. Orphans' Court does not accept cards — have cash on hand. For mail requests, include a money order payable to the appropriate clerk and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
If you need inmate information, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Inmate Locator is updated daily, but it covers only individuals under state jurisdiction, not the county jail. To search for registered sex offenders, use the Megan's Law registry of the State Police.