Civil Court Records in Northampton County
Northampton County civil court records are maintained by the Prothonotary at the courthouse in Easton. The Court of Common Pleas for the 3rd Judicial District handles all civil cases filed within the county. Civil dockets are available online going back to the mid-1980s. These records include lawsuits, liens, judgments, and other civil actions. Northampton County also offers court opinions online from October 2008 forward. The Magisterial District Courts in Northampton County hear roughly 70,000 cases each year. To search for civil court records, you can use the state portal or visit the courthouse at 669 Washington Street in Easton.
Northampton County Court of Common Pleas
The Northampton County Court of Common Pleas is part of the 3rd Judicial District. It sits in Easton, the county seat. Under 42 Pa.C.S. § 3732, this court has broad jurisdiction over civil matters. The Pennsylvania Constitution establishes the Court of Common Pleas as the trial court of general jurisdiction. Cases where the amount in dispute exceeds $12,000 are heard here. Appeals from the magisterial district courts also come through this court. The 3rd Judicial District is one of the busier districts in the state.
The courthouse stands at 669 Washington Street in Easton. All civil case files for Northampton County are stored at this location. You can visit the Prothonotary's office during regular business hours to view dockets, request copies, or file new civil actions. The court operates as part of the Unified Judicial System under 42 Pa.C.S. § 931. This means it follows statewide rules for record keeping and public access.
The Northampton County government website has details about court offices and services. You can find contact information, office hours, and directions to the courthouse there. The image below shows the Northampton County courts page.
This page provides information about court operations and staff in Northampton County.
Magisterial District Courts in Northampton County
Northampton County has several Magisterial District Courts. These courts handle a large volume of work. They process about 70,000 cases per year. This includes preliminary hearings, summary criminal matters, and emergency protection from abuse orders. They also issue search and arrest warrants, set bail, and hear small civil claims. Civil claims under $12,000 start at this level.
If a civil case at the magisterial level results in an appeal, it moves up to the Court of Common Pleas. The appeal creates a new docket entry in the Northampton County civil court records. Both the original filing and the appeal become part of the public record. You can track these cases through the UJS Portal case search tool.
Note: Magisterial District Court records in Northampton County are separate from the Court of Common Pleas civil dockets.
Northampton County Civil Dockets Online
Northampton County offers civil docket information online going back to the mid-1980s. This is a valuable resource for anyone searching for older civil court records. You can look up cases by party name or docket number through the state system. The dockets show case type, filing date, parties involved, and status. They give a clear picture of how a civil case moved through the court.
One important thing to know is that the online dockets do not link to actual documents. You can see the docket entries, but you cannot view or download the underlying court filings. To get copies of pleadings, motions, or orders, you need to contact the Prothonotary's office at the Northampton County courthouse. This applies to both current and older cases. The UJS Portal is the main online tool for searching Northampton County civil court records.
Court opinions from Northampton County are also available online. These go back to October 1, 2008. Opinions are separate from docket entries. They explain the judge's reasoning in a case. Not all civil cases result in a written opinion, but those that do can be found through the court system.
- Civil dockets online back to the mid-1980s
- Dockets do not link to actual documents
- Court opinions available from October 2008
- Search by party name or docket number
- Contact the Prothonotary for copies of filings
Note: The online system shows docket information only, not images or copies of filed documents for Northampton County cases.
Public Access to Northampton County Records
Civil court records in Northampton County are public. The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law at 65 P.S. § 67.101 gives you the right to access government records. This covers most civil court filings and docket entries. You do not need to be a party to the case. Anyone can request to view these records at the courthouse in Easton.
The courts follow the Public Access Policy set out in 204 Pa. Code § 213.81. This policy became effective on January 8, 2018. It governs what information appears online and what stays limited to in-person access. Certain records are restricted. Sealed cases, matters involving minors, and some financial details are not open to the public. The Pennsylvania courts public records policies page explains these rules in detail.
You can also file a formal Right-to-Know request with Northampton County. The county must respond within five business days. Most routine civil court records are provided without problems.
Civil Cases Filed in Northampton County
The Northampton County Court of Common Pleas hears many types of civil cases. Contract disputes are common. So are personal injury claims. Property cases, equity actions, and mortgage foreclosures also fill the docket. The court handles quiet title actions, civil judgments, and municipal claims. Tax lien cases come through here too. Each case type has its own docket series and filing rules.
Divorce and custody matters fall under the Family Division. They are civil in nature but have separate procedures. Name change petitions are another civil filing handled by the Northampton County court. Appeals from the magisterial district courts add to the civil caseload as well. If you are unsure which type of record you need, the Prothonotary's staff can point you in the right direction. They handle all civil court records for Northampton County and know the docket system well.
Getting Copies of Northampton County Civil Court Records
The Prothonotary's office provides copies of civil court records in Northampton County. You can get plain or certified copies. Certified copies carry an official seal. They are needed for legal proceedings. Plain copies work for personal use.
Visit the courthouse at 669 Washington Street in Easton to request copies. Bring a case number if you have one. That speeds up the search. If you only have a party name, the staff can still help. Fees for copies follow the schedule set by state law. Call ahead to confirm payment methods and hours. The office is open during regular business hours on weekdays. You may also want to check the Northampton County website for current office details before your visit.
Northampton County Records on the UJS Portal
The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania operates an online portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us. This is the main state tool for court record searches. It covers all 67 counties in Pennsylvania. For Northampton County, the portal shows civil case information including docket entries, filing dates, and case status. You can search by name or docket number.
The portal is free. No account is needed for basic searches. It is a good starting point when looking for Northampton County civil court records. Keep in mind that the portal does not provide document images. You will see docket entries and case summaries. For the actual filed documents, contact the Prothonotary. The state image below shows the UJS web portal search interface that covers Northampton County cases.
This portal is your first stop for finding civil case information across all Pennsylvania counties, including Northampton.
Note: Northampton County civil dockets online go back further than many other counties, reaching into the mid-1980s.
Nearby Counties
Northampton County is in eastern Pennsylvania along the Delaware River. If you need civil court records from a neighboring county, check the links below. Filing location depends on where the events took place or where the parties live.