Cambria County Civil Court Records
Cambria County civil court records are held at the courthouse in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania. The county sits in the western part of the state and is home to the city of Johnstown. Civil court records in Cambria County include lawsuits, contract claims, and property disputes filed through the Court of Common Pleas. The 47th Judicial District serves Cambria County residents. Ebensburg is the county seat and the place where most civil court records are stored. You can search for civil court records in person or through state tools that cover all of Pennsylvania.
Cambria County Quick Facts
Cambria County Court of Common Pleas
The Cambria County Court of Common Pleas handles all civil court records in the county. This court hears civil cases that range from small claims to large contract disputes. The Prothonotary is Lisa Crynock. She runs the office that files and stores civil court records in Cambria County. The Clerk of Courts is Max Pavlovich. His office deals with criminal matters, but the two offices work in the same courthouse.
The courthouse is at 200 South Center Street in Ebensburg. It is open on weekdays for the public. You can walk in and ask to see civil court records. Staff will help you find the case you need. Bring a valid ID when you visit. If you know the case number, the search will go fast. A name search takes more time but works well too. Cambria County civil court records are part of the public record under Pennsylvania law.
You can reach the Cambria County Prothonotary at 814-472-1636 for help with civil court records. The Clerk of Courts phone is 814-472-1475.
The Cambria County government site has contact details and hours for all county offices.
This is the main portal for Cambria County government services and court information.
| Prothonotary |
Lisa Crynock 200 South Center Street Ebensburg, PA 15931 Phone: 814-472-1636 |
|---|---|
| Clerk of Courts |
Max Pavlovich 200 South Center Street Ebensburg, PA 15931 Phone: 814-472-1475 |
Searching Cambria County Civil Records
There are two main ways to search for civil court records in Cambria County. You can go to the courthouse in Ebensburg. You can also use the state court system tools. Each method has its strengths. In-person visits let you see the full file. Online tools give you basic case data from home.
The UJS Portal is a free tool run by the state courts. It covers all counties. You can search Cambria County civil court records by name or case number. The portal shows docket sheets with dates, case type, and party names. It does not show all documents in a case. For full files, you still need to go to the Cambria County courthouse or call the Prothonotary.
Under 204 Pa. Code § 213.81, the courts follow a public access policy. This rule sets out what court records are open to the public. Most civil court records in Cambria County fall under this policy. Some records may have parts redacted for privacy. Social Security numbers and bank account details are removed from public view. The rest of the civil court record is open for anyone to read.
Note: The UJS Portal may not show all old civil court records from Cambria County, so check with the Prothonotary for cases filed before the system went live.
Civil Court Records in Cambria County
The Cambria County Court of Common Pleas handles many types of civil cases. Each case creates a record that is kept at the courthouse. These civil court records are public in most cases. Here is a look at the main types.
Contract disputes are a large part of Cambria County civil court records. One side claims the other broke a deal. The court reviews the facts and makes a ruling. The full case file goes into the civil court records. Debt collection cases are common too. A lender or company sues to collect what is owed. These cases often end in a judgment that shows up in Cambria County civil court records.
Property disputes also fill the dockets. Land line conflicts, deed issues, and quiet title actions all go through civil court in Cambria County. Personal injury cases make up another big group. Someone hurt in an accident may file a civil suit to recover costs. The case file includes the complaint, the answer, and any motions or orders. All of these become part of Cambria County civil court records.
Other civil cases that go beyond small claims end up in civil court as well. Appeals from lower courts are heard here too. Under 42 Pa.C.S. § 931, the Court of Common Pleas has broad power over civil matters. This means almost any civil dispute in the county can be filed here.
Cambria County Public Records Access
Pennsylvania law gives the public a right to see court records. The Right-to-Know Law at 65 P.S. § 67.101 applies to government records across the state. Court records have their own rules under the judicial branch, but the idea is the same. Most civil court records in Cambria County are open to anyone who asks.
The Pennsylvania courts public records policy spells out what is and is not available. Civil court records are largely open. The court must remove certain personal data before giving out records. This includes Social Security numbers and financial account numbers. The rest of the civil court record in Cambria County is available to the public.
To get copies of civil court records, go to the Prothonotary office. You can ask for plain copies or certified copies. Certified copies have a seal and are used for legal purposes. Plain copies work for personal review. Call ahead to ask about copy costs in Cambria County.
The Pennsylvania Prothonotaries and Clerks association lists contact details for all county offices. It is a good place to confirm who handles civil court records in Cambria County.
Note: Certified copies of Cambria County civil court records must come from the Prothonotary office and cannot be obtained through the UJS Portal.
Filing Civil Cases in Cambria County
If you need to start a civil case in Cambria County, you file your complaint with the Prothonotary. The complaint lays out your claim. It names the other party and states what you want the court to do. You pay a filing fee at the time you file. The Prothonotary assigns a case number and the case enters the civil court records.
After filing, you must serve the other side. This means giving them a copy of the complaint. You can use the sheriff or a private process server. Proof of service goes into the court file. The other party then has time to respond. Their answer becomes part of the civil court records in Cambria County too.
As the case moves forward, both sides may file motions. The judge rules on these. Each ruling is an order that goes into the record. If the case goes to trial, the verdict and any judgment are also recorded. Every step adds to the civil court records in Cambria County.
- File your complaint with the Prothonotary in Ebensburg
- Pay the required filing fee
- Serve the other party with the complaint
- File proof of service with the court
- Respond to motions and attend hearings
Under 42 Pa.C.S. § 3732, the court follows state rules for civil procedure. These rules apply in Cambria County just as they do in every other county in Pennsylvania.
Cambria County Civil Judgments
A judgment is the court's final decision in a civil case. It is one of the most searched parts of Cambria County civil court records. Judgments can order one party to pay money to another. They can also settle property rights or enforce contracts.
Judgment records in Cambria County show the case number, the parties, the amount owed, and the date the judgment was entered. These records stay on file for years. A judgment lien can attach to property in the county. This means the person who won the case has a claim against the other person's property. Judgment liens in Cambria County civil court records last for five years and can be renewed.
You can search for judgments at the Prothonotary office. Give them a name or case number. They will pull the record for you. Judgment records from Cambria County civil court are public and open to anyone.
Note: Satisfied judgments still appear in Cambria County civil court records but will show a satisfaction entry on the docket.
Nearby Counties
Cambria County borders several other counties in western Pennsylvania. If you are not sure where a case was filed, check the address. Civil cases must be filed in the right county for the court to have jurisdiction.