Case Records Public Access Policy

Effective January 1, 2022, the Case Records Public Access Policy pertaining to case records of Pennsylvania appellate and trial courts takes effect. The Policy governs access to case records by members of the public and provides guidelines for information that must be protected. The Policy covers two distinct areas of confidentiality: confidential information and confidential documents.

Confidential Information

If your document contains any of the confidential information listed below, it must be filed redacted with a confidential information form, unless required unredacted by applicable legal authority. Confidential information must be redacted by replacing said information with a reference phrase or number and the phrase or number must be identified as the confidential information on the confidential information form.

  • Abuse victim's address and other contact information in family court actions (including employer's name, address, and work schedule)
  • Driver's license numbers
  • Financial account numbers, except the last four digits when the financial account is the subject of the case and cannot otherwise be identified
  • Minors' names and dates of birth (except when the minor is charged as a defendant in a criminal matter)
  • Social Security Numbers
  • State identification numbers ("SID")

Confidential Documents

The below listed documents must be filed with the confidential document form (PDF), unless required by applicable legal authority. Confidential documents should be filed separately with a completed confidential document form (PDF) as the first (top) sheet of paper.

  • Agreements between parties as used in 23 Pa. Con. Stat. § 3105
  • Children and Youth Services records
  • Income and expense statement as provided for in Pa. R. Civ. P. 1910.27(c)
  • Marital property inventory and Pre-trial Statement as provided for in Pa. R. Civ. P. 1920.33
  • Medical/Psychological records
  • Minors' education records
  • Financial source documents

The confidential information and confidential document requirements do not apply to case types (e.g, juvenile, adoption, support) that are sealed or exempted from public access (pursuant to applicable authority).

Certificate of Compliance

All legal pleadings filed in an applicable filing office must now be accompanied by a Certificate of Compliance that states that the filer has complied with the Case Records Public Access Policy.

Exhibits

If you are filing an exhibit with the custodian, then the exhibit must comply with the Case Records Public Access Policy. However, an exhibit that is introduced for the first time as part of a trial or other record proceeding does not have to be treated as confidential, unless later filed by the party. If the exhibit is admitted, it becomes a court document and is not subject to the Policy.

Further Information

For additional information or assistance regarding confidential information and documents, please see the below documents, provided by the Administrative Office of PA Courts:

Access to Public Filings

Clerk of Courts

Criminal dockets are available online at UJS Portal under the heading "Common Pleas Court Docket Sheets." Publicly accessible case records may be accessed in the Clerk of Courts office from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; however, it is suggested that you may arrangements in advance to avoid any potential delay in accessing a case record. Arrangements may be made by contacting the Clerk's office at 724-228-6787.

Orphans' Court

Publicly accessible records for the Orphans' Court are available for inspection in the Register of Wills' office from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the public terminals located in the rear of the office.

Prothonotary

Publicly accessible records in the Prothonotary's Office are available for inspection from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the public terminals located in the rear of the office.

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