Luzerne County Civil Records Search
Luzerne County civil court records are maintained by the Clerk of Judicial Records at 200 North River Street in Wilkes-Barre. The 11th Judicial District of Pennsylvania covers Luzerne County and its Court of Common Pleas. Civil dockets are available through the statewide UJS Portal. The county seat is Wilkes-Barre, and the court serves all cities, boroughs, and townships in the county. For full case files, certified copies, or in-person research, the Clerk of Judicial Records handles all public requests during business hours at the courthouse.
Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas
The Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas is the trial court for the 11th Judicial District. It has jurisdiction over all civil cases filed in the county. Under 42 Pa.C.S. § 3732, the court hears contract disputes, debt collection actions, property claims, equity cases, and appeals from lower courts.
The court sits at 200 North River Street in Wilkes-Barre. The Clerk of Judicial Records for civil matters is in the same building. All civil case files, docket sheets, and court orders are stored here. Staff can look up records by name or case number. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Luzerne County is one of the larger counties in northeast Pennsylvania. The court handles a high volume of civil cases each year. Wilkes-Barre serves as the hub for all court operations. The judges and staff are experienced with public records requests.
The image below shows the Luzerne County court records page.
This page provides details on how to search Luzerne County civil records.
| Clerk of Judicial Records - Civil |
200 North River Street Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711 Phone: (570) 825-1500 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | luzernecounty.org |
Luzerne County Civil Dockets Online
The UJS Portal is the main online tool for searching Luzerne County civil dockets. You can search by party name or case number. The system shows docket entries, case type, filing dates, and status. It is free and available around the clock.
Under PA Rule of Judicial Administration 509, docket information must be available for public inspection during business hours. This means the Clerk's office in Wilkes-Barre must let you view docket sheets in person. The online portal extends this access beyond office hours. But it may not show every document in the file. Some older cases and sealed records will not appear in the online system.
You can also find information about Luzerne County court records at luzernerecords.us. This site outlines the steps for requesting records, lists contact details, and explains what types of documents are available.
How to Search Luzerne County Civil Cases
There are a few ways to find civil court records in Luzerne County. Pick the method that fits your needs.
The UJS Portal is the fastest option for online searches. It is free. Type in a name or case number and results come up in seconds. For full case files, visit the Clerk of Judicial Records at 200 North River Street in Wilkes-Barre. Staff can pull any case and make copies. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. You can also call (570) 825-1500 to ask about a case before you go.
The Luzerne County government website has more details on court offices and services.
This page links to county departments, including the courts.
- Use the UJS Portal for free online searches of Luzerne County civil cases
- Visit the Clerk at 200 N. River St. in Wilkes-Barre for full files
- Call (570) 825-1500 for questions about Luzerne County civil records
Federal Court Records in Luzerne County
Federal civil cases in Luzerne County are handled by the U.S. Middle District of Pennsylvania. The federal courthouse is in Wilkes-Barre. Federal cases include civil rights claims, disputes between parties in different states, and cases with federal questions. These are separate from the state court records kept by the Clerk of Judicial Records.
Federal dockets are available through PACER at pacer.uscourts.gov. The system charges $0.10 per page for documents. You can search by party name or case number. PACER covers all federal courts, not just the ones in Luzerne County. If your case was filed in federal court, use PACER instead of the UJS Portal.
Under 204 Pa. Code § 213.81, the state courts follow their own public access rules. Federal courts follow different rules. Make sure you know which court system your case is in before you search. The Clerk of Judicial Records at (570) 825-1500 can help you figure out if a case is state or federal.
Public Access to Luzerne County Records
Civil court records in Luzerne County are public under Pennsylvania law. The Right-to-Know Law at 65 P.S. § 67.101 supports open access. Most civil filings, docket entries, and court orders are available to anyone. You do not need to be part of the case.
The public records policies of the Pennsylvania courts set the framework. Some records may be sealed or redacted. Cases with minors or sensitive matters may have limited access. The Clerk in Luzerne County can tell you if a file has any restrictions.
Under PA Rule of Judicial Administration 509, the courts must make docket information available to the public during business hours. This right applies at the Clerk's office in Wilkes-Barre. Records are kept on a permanent basis. Old cases remain on file and can be retrieved. Call ahead if you need a record from many years ago.
Certified Civil Record Copies in Luzerne County
The Clerk of Judicial Records in Luzerne County provides certified copies of civil court documents. A certified copy has the official seal. It is accepted by courts, banks, and government agencies as proof of the court record.
Go to 200 North River Street in Wilkes-Barre to request copies. Bring the case number or party names. Staff will find the file and prepare your copies. You can call (570) 825-1500 to check on fees and hours before you visit. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Nearby Counties
Luzerne County is in northeast Pennsylvania with Wilkes-Barre as its county seat. If your civil case involves parties or events in a nearby county, you may need to search records there too. Jurisdiction depends on where the dispute arose or where the parties reside.