Bucks County Civil Court Records Search
Bucks County civil court records are maintained by the Prothonotary at the Court of Common Pleas in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. The county is part of the 7th Judicial District and serves a large suburban area north of Philadelphia. The Prothonotary acts as the Clerk of the Civil Division and keeps all case filings, motions, and orders on file. Online civil dockets in Bucks County extend back to the 1950s. Documents from the mid-2000s forward are also available. Bucks County provides both e-filing tools and a web viewer for searching civil court records.
Bucks County Quick Facts
Bucks County Prothonotary Office
Donna Petrecco serves as Prothonotary of Bucks County. Eileen Hartnett Albillar is the Clerk of Courts. The Prothonotary acts as the Clerk of the Civil Division of the Court of Common Pleas. This office files, indexes, and stores all civil case records in the county.
The Bucks County Justice Center is at 100 North Main Street in Doylestown. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:15 PM. During these hours, you can walk in and search civil court records, ask for copies, or file new documents. Staff can help you find cases by name or docket number. Call ahead if you need a specific file pulled from storage.
The Bucks County Prothonotary website describes the services available and how to access civil court records.
Visit the Prothonotary page for forms, fee schedules, and contact details for Bucks County.
| Court |
Bucks County Court of Common Pleas 100 North Main Street Doylestown, PA 18901 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:15 PM |
| Prothonotary | Donna Petrecco |
| Clerk of Courts | Eileen Hartnett Albillar |
| Website | buckscounty.gov/361/Prothonotary |
Civil Court Records in Bucks County
Bucks County civil court records cover a broad range of case types. The Prothonotary files and stores every document submitted to the civil division. These records form a complete history of each case from start to finish.
The types of civil records kept in Bucks County include complaints, writs of summons, answers, motions, and court orders. Family law matters such as divorce, custody, and name changes are also part of the civil record. Liens, judgments, and appeals from lower courts are filed here too. Each filing gets a time stamp and becomes part of the docket.
- Civil actions and complaints
- Writs of summons
- Divorce and custody filings
- Name change petitions
- Liens and judgment entries
- Appeals from magisterial district courts
Under 204 Pa. Code § 213.77, sensitive information in Bucks County civil court records may be redacted from public view. Social security numbers, financial account data, and minor children's names are commonly removed from public copies. The court applies these rules to protect privacy while still keeping records accessible.
Note: Bucks County also offers passport services at offices in Doylestown, Levittown, and Quakertown through the Prothonotary.
Searching Bucks County Records Online
Bucks County has strong online tools for finding civil court records. The county provides both e-filing and a web viewer for case searches. These tools make it easy to look up records without visiting the courthouse.
The Bucks County E-Filing and Online Records Searches page is the starting point. From here, you can access the web viewer to search civil dockets. Online dockets in Bucks County go back to the 1950s. That is one of the deepest digital archives in the state. Documents from the mid-2000s are also available online. Viewing documents costs $0.10 per page. This is a low fee compared to many other counties.
The Bucks County e-filing portal allows attorneys and the public to search civil court records online.
Access dockets stretching back decades through the Bucks County web viewer tool.
For a broader search, use the UJS Portal. This statewide tool covers Bucks County civil court records along with records from all 67 Pennsylvania counties. Basic docket data is free. You can search by party name or case number. The portal is run by the state court system under 42 Pa.C.S. § 3732.
The Bucks Records guide also provides an overview of how to find civil court records in the county.
This resource walks you through the steps to search for civil cases and access documents in Bucks County.
Public Access to Bucks County Court Records
Bucks County civil court records are public. Anyone can search them. The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law at 65 P.S. § 67.101 guarantees access to government records. You do not have to be a party to the case. You do not need a reason to ask.
The Pennsylvania Courts public records policies spell out the rules for court record access. These rules apply to Bucks County. Most civil case files are fully open. A judge can seal a record in rare cases, but the default is public access. If you are denied access to a Bucks County civil court record, you can appeal the decision through the Right-to-Know process.
The Bucks County government website links to all county departments and court services.
Find links to court offices, record searches, and public services on the county website.
Note: Under 204 Pa. Code § 213.77, certain personal details are removed from public copies of Bucks County civil court records to protect privacy.
Filing Civil Cases in Bucks County
To begin a civil case in Bucks County, you file a complaint or writ of summons with the Prothonotary. Pay the filing fee. The office assigns a docket number. Your case is now in the system and becomes part of the Bucks County civil court records.
After filing, serve the other party under the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure. Use the Bucks County Sheriff, a private process server, or another approved method. File proof of service with the Prothonotary. The other side has a set number of days to respond. Every document filed from that point on goes into the case docket. You can track the case online through the web viewer.
Bucks County supports e-filing for many civil case types. This means you can submit documents and pay fees from your computer. The e-filing system links to the same docket that the Prothonotary maintains. It speeds up the process and cuts down on trips to the courthouse. Visit the e-filing page for details on which case types are eligible.
Bucks County Record Copy Fees
Copies of Bucks County civil court records come with a small fee. Online documents cost $0.10 per page through the web viewer. This is one of the lowest rates in the state. At the courthouse, plain copies and certified copies have different prices. Certified copies carry the court seal and cost more.
Payment methods vary. The Prothonotary accepts cash, checks, and credit or debit cards for most transactions. Check the county website or call ahead to confirm what forms of payment the office takes for the records you need. Fees are set by the court and can change, so always verify current rates before ordering copies of Bucks County civil court records.
Nearby Counties
Bucks County is in southeastern Pennsylvania. It borders several counties. Make sure you know which county has jurisdiction over your case before you file.