Searching Northampton County Court Records
How do I search Northampton County criminal court records?
Use the Pennsylvania UJS Case Search portal and set the county to Northampton. You can search by name, docket number, OTN, complaint number, or citation number. The portal covers Common Pleas criminal cases and magisterial district court matters. For paper records or certified copies, contact the Criminal Division. More steps are on the court records page.
Where do I search Northampton County civil cases?
Common Pleas civil docket sheets are not on the public UJS portal. Use the Northampton County CountySuite Civil Case Search, the Prothonotary's online portal, or contact the office. Civil records include divorce, custody, judgments, liens, mortgage foreclosure, and name change. See the Prothonotary page for details.
Why can't I find a case that I know exists?
Several categories are kept off the public portal: juvenile cases, Common Pleas civil cases, expunged cases, cases pending expungement, sealed cases, and limited-access cases. A search can also fail on spelling, date range, county, docket type, or a former name. Try the docket or citation number, fewer filters, and the court records page for help.
Can I get a background check from court records?
No. The UJS public records page says case information should not be used in place of a criminal-history check. Only the Pennsylvania State Police provide an official check. Dockets may also miss sealed, expunged, limited-access, and juvenile records. The arrest records page explains the difference.
What is CountySuite?
CountySuite is the Northampton County Prothonotary Online Portal, used for civil case search and e-filing support. Its help menu includes a case search user guide and filing guides. Use it for Common Pleas civil matters, since the UJS portal does not show civil docket sheets. The Prothonotary page covers it further.
Northampton County Court Offices and Records
What is the difference between the Prothonotary and Criminal Division?
The Prothonotary is the civil filing office. It records custody, divorce, judgments, liens, mortgage foreclosure, name change, and appeals from district court judgments. The Criminal Division acts as the Clerk of Courts for criminal records, handling criminal costs, bail during business hours, and the county criminal record search. See the Clerk of Courts page.
Which office handles probate in Northampton County?
Pennsylvania uses Orphans' Court and Register of Wills terms. The Register of Wills keeps decedent estate records from 1752 to present and collects inheritance tax. The Orphans' Court handles adoptions, guardianships, incapacity, and estate accounts. Both work from the Government Center in Easton. The Orphans' Court page has the steps.
How do I apply for a marriage license?
Contact the Register of Wills and Orphans' Court. The marriage information line is 610-829-6988. If one or both applicants live in Northampton County, no appointment is needed. If neither lives in the county, call 610-829-6486 for an appointment. Pennsylvania lets you apply in any county and marry anywhere in the state. See marriage and divorce records.
How do I pay criminal fines or costs?
The Criminal Division accepts a business check, certified check, or money order by mail, payable to "Criminal Division." In person it takes cash, credit card, money order, or certified check. Online payments go through the UJS system with a $2.75 transaction fee. The Clerk of Courts page lists the payment rules.
How do I find my Magisterial District Judge?
Use the county court's MDJ lookup by address or the official listing. The listing shows each district number, judge, coverage area, address, and phone. Use the district where the incident happened, where the transaction occurred, or where the defendant can be served. The Court of Common Pleas page includes the district table.
Northampton County Jail and Warrant Questions
Is there an online Northampton County inmate roster?
No public online jail roster was found in the county's official pages. For county custody, call Central Booking at 610-923-4300 or Records at 610-923-4303. For state-sentenced inmates use the Pennsylvania DOC locator, and for federal inmates use the BOP locator. The inmate records page lays out the steps.
How do I post bail in Northampton County?
The Criminal Division accepts bail during business hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays. Contact Pre-Trial Services before coming. Bail can be posted at the Northampton County Prison outside regular hours. Only cash or a certified check is accepted. The inmate records page covers booking and bail.
How do I find out if I have a bench warrant?
Search UJS for public docket entries and contact the Northampton County Sheriff's Office for bench warrant questions at 610-829-6561. The Sheriff's Criminal Division serves court-issued warrants. No official public active-warrant database was found. If a warrant may exist, talk to an attorney first. See the warrant records page.
How do I put money on an inmate account?
Use ConnectNetwork online, the jail lobby kiosk at 139 South Union Street, a phone deposit at 888-988-4768, or a money order payable to "Northampton CountyIPP" mailed to Attention: IPP, 666 Walnut Street, Easton, PA 18042. Include the inmate full name and permanent ID number. Deposits post within 24 to 48 hours. See inmate records.
What are the jail visitation rules?
Visits are 45 minutes. Each inmate may have one adult and two children per visit. Adults need a valid photo ID with a current address. Visitors sign in at the building where the inmate is housed, and a late arrival cancels the visit. The jail enforces a strict dress code. The inmate records page has the schedule.
Public Access and Northampton County Records
How do I request District Attorney records?
Use the DA Right-to-Know process for law-enforcement matters involving the District Attorney's Office. Requests must be written, specific, and include a name and address. Submit online, by email to daopenrecords@northamptoncounty.org, by fax to 610-559-3035, or by mail to ADA Catherine Kollet at 669 Washington Street, Easton, PA 18042. See the public records page.
Are juvenile records public?
No, juvenile records are restricted. The UJS help pages say juvenile docket sheets are not on the public portal. The county's juvenile division hears cases involving people under 18. Access usually requires statutory authority, party status, attorney involvement, or a court order. The court records page covers restricted records.
What does expungement mean in Pennsylvania?
Expungement removes eligible criminal history record information under 18 Pa.C.S. Section 9122. Limited access and Clean Slate are different, since they seal eligible records from public view while leaving access for authorized agencies. Expunged, sealed, and limited-access cases may not appear on UJS searches. The arrest records page explains both.
Where do I find federal cases from Northampton County?
Federal cases are not at the county courthouse. Northampton County is in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Search federal district and bankruptcy cases through PACER and the federal court sites. Appeals go to the Third Circuit. The Court of Common Pleas page lists the federal courts and access tools.
Visiting the Northampton County Courthouse
What are Magisterial District Court office hours?
The county's district courts are open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Money is not accepted after 4:00 p.m. The courts close for New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. The Court of Common Pleas page lists each district court.
Where is the courthouse and where do I park?
The Government Center is at 669 Washington Street, Easton, PA 18042. Official directions route drivers from Route 22 and Interstate 78 to Washington Street and up the hill. Parking is in the adjoining structure. During jury weeks spaces fill fast, so nearby county lots at Union and Washington Streets may be used. The court records page has more.
Can I use an interpreter at court?
Yes. The Northampton County Court states that people have the right to an interpreter at no cost, and it directs users to its Language Access Plan. Request language access as early as possible so the court can arrange services. The Prothonotary and other offices follow the same access rules for filings and hearings.
Who do I contact about restitution or hearing dates?
The Criminal Division directs questions about hearing dates, scheduling, or restitution to the District Attorney's Office at 610-829-6666. That is separate from paying fines to the Criminal Division and separate from asking the Sheriff about bench warrants. Victims and witnesses can reach 24/7 victim support at 610-437-6611. If you are a defendant who cannot afford counsel, the Public Defender application may help. See the Clerk of Courts page.