Adams County Civil Court Records
Adams County civil court records are kept at the Prothonotary's office in the Adams County Courthouse in Gettysburg. The Court of Common Pleas for the 51st Judicial District hears civil cases filed in Adams County. These records cover lawsuits, judgments, liens, and other civil matters handled by the court. You can search for Adams County civil court records in person at the courthouse or through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System web portal. The Prothonotary serves as the main point of contact for anyone who needs to find or obtain copies of civil case documents in Adams County.
Adams County Court of Common Pleas
The Adams County Court of Common Pleas sits in Gettysburg, the county seat. It is part of the 51st Judicial District. Under 42 Pa.C.S. § 3732, the Court of Common Pleas has broad jurisdiction over civil matters. This includes cases where the amount in dispute is more than $12,000. It also hears appeals from the local district courts in Adams County. The court is part of the state's unified judicial system as set forth in 42 Pa.C.S. § 931.
The Adams County government website provides details about the court and its offices. You can learn more about court operations and staff at the Adams County government site. The courthouse is at 111-117 Baltimore Street in Gettysburg. All civil case files for Adams County are stored at this location. Walk-in visitors can view dockets and request copies during business hours.
The image below shows the Adams County government page with court and office information.
This page lists departments and contact details for the Adams County courthouse in Gettysburg.
| Court |
Adams County Court of Common Pleas 51st Judicial District 111-117 Baltimore Street Gettysburg, PA 17325 |
|---|---|
| Prothonotary |
Beverly Boyd Room 104 Phone: 717-337-9834 Email: bboyd@adamscounty.us |
| Clerk of Courts |
Kelly Lawver Room 103 Phone: 717-337-9806 Email: klawver@adamscountypa.gov |
Adams County Prothonotary and Civil Records
Beverly Boyd serves as the Prothonotary for Adams County. The Prothonotary is the chief clerk of the civil division. This office keeps all civil court records for the Court of Common Pleas. You can reach the office at 717-337-9834 or by email at bboyd@adamscounty.us. The office is in Room 104 of the Adams County Courthouse at 111-117 Baltimore Street in Gettysburg.
The Prothonotary handles many tasks tied to civil court records in Adams County. Staff file new cases, maintain dockets, and index all civil matters. They also issue certified copies of court documents. If you need a copy of a judgment, lien, or other civil filing, you must go through this office. The Pennsylvania Prothonotaries and Clerks of Courts Association lists contact details for all county prothonotaries across the state, including Adams County.
The screenshot below shows the directory listing for Adams County on the association's website.
You can use this directory to verify office contact details before visiting Adams County.
Note: The Clerk of Courts in Room 103 handles criminal records, not civil case files, in Adams County.
Searching Adams County Civil Court Records
There are a few ways to look up civil court records in Adams County. The most direct method is to visit the Prothonotary's office in person. Staff can search by party name, case number, or date range. You can view dockets and request copies while you are there. Bring valid photo ID when you visit.
Adams County civil dockets are not available for free online. This sets Adams County apart from some larger counties in the state. For limited case details, you can try the UJS Portal case search. The portal lets you search by name or docket number. It may show basic case status and filing dates for Adams County cases. Full documents and detailed docket entries will still need to be obtained from the Prothonotary. Under 204 Pa. Code § 213.81, the courts follow a public access policy that governs what information is available online versus in person.
Orphans' Court records in Adams County are searchable online with a free registration. These records deal with estates, trusts, and guardianships. They are separate from the general civil docket but are also managed by the court system in Adams County.
- Visit the Prothonotary's office at 111-117 Baltimore Street in Gettysburg
- Search the UJS Portal for basic case information
- Call 717-337-9834 to ask about a specific Adams County case
- Email bboyd@adamscounty.us for general questions
- Register online to search Adams County Orphans' Court records
Types of Civil Cases in Adams County
The Adams County Court of Common Pleas handles a wide range of civil matters. Contract disputes where the amount exceeds $12,000 go through this court. Personal injury claims, property disputes, and equity actions are also filed here. The court hears appeals from the magisterial district courts in Adams County as well.
Other civil filings in Adams County include mortgage foreclosures, quiet title actions, and civil judgments. Divorce and custody cases are part of the Family Division but are also civil in nature. Tax lien cases, municipal claims, and name change petitions round out the types of civil records you may find in Adams County. Each case type has its own docket and filing requirements. The Prothonotary can help you figure out which docket to search for a given type of civil record in Adams County.
Note: Cases involving amounts under $12,000 are typically heard at the magisterial district court level in Adams County, not the Court of Common Pleas.
Public Access to Adams County Records
Civil court records in Adams County are public records. The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, found at 65 P.S. § 67.101, gives the public the right to access government records. This includes most civil court filings and docket entries. Anyone can ask to see these records at the Adams County courthouse. You do not need to be a party to the case.
Some records have limits on access. Sealed cases, records involving minors, and certain financial details may not be open to the public. The public records policies of the Pennsylvania courts outline what is and is not available. Under 204 Pa. Code § 213.81, the courts balance public access with privacy concerns. If you are unsure whether a record is available in Adams County, ask the Prothonotary's office.
You can also submit a formal Right-to-Know request to the Adams County government. This process has set timelines for a response. The county must respond within five business days. They may grant access, deny the request, or ask for more time. Most routine civil court records in Adams County are provided without issue.
Getting Copies of Adams County Civil Court Documents
The Prothonotary's office provides copies of civil court records in Adams County. You can get plain copies or certified copies. Certified copies carry an official seal and signature. They are needed for most legal purposes. Plain copies work for personal reference.
To get copies, visit the courthouse or call ahead to ask about the process. The office is open during regular business hours on weekdays. You will need to provide enough detail to locate the record. A case number is the fastest way to find what you need. If you only have a party name, the search may take a bit longer. Fees for copies in Adams County follow the schedule set by state law. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Payment methods accepted at the Adams County Prothonotary's office may vary, so call 717-337-9834 to confirm before your visit.
Adams County Records on the UJS Portal
The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania runs an online portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us. It is the main state resource for court record searches. The portal covers all 67 counties. For Adams County, you can search for case information by party name or docket number. Results show basic details like case type, filing date, and status.
The UJS portal does not provide full document images for Adams County civil cases. You will see docket entries and case summaries. To get the actual documents, you need to contact the Adams County Prothonotary. The portal is free to use and does not require an account for basic searches. It is a good first step when you are trying to find an Adams County civil court case before making a trip to Gettysburg.
Note: The UJS portal data for Adams County may not be as detailed as what you find in larger counties with full online docket systems.
Nearby Counties
Adams County sits in south-central Pennsylvania along the Maryland border. If you are not sure which county handles your civil case, check the address where the events took place or where the parties reside. Filing in the right county is important for jurisdiction.