Philadelphia County court records in the state of Pennsylvania are maintained by the offices of the respective courts and are accessible through online portals, official court resources, and directly at the offices. PhiladelphiaCourt.us will help you find publicly available information about court records. Additionally, you can use the Unified Judicial System portal, contact the Office of Judicial Records, or visit the Philadelphia courts website to obtain case materials, hearing schedules, and forms.
Philadelphia Court System Overview
Philadelphia County forms the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania — the only judicial district in the state that covers just one county. The court system consists of two main courts: the Court of Common Pleas (general jurisdiction court) and the Philadelphia Municipal Court. The Court of Common Pleas is divided into the Trial Division, Family Division, and Orphans' Court Division, each handling separate categories of cases. The Municipal Court handles criminal misdemeanor cases and civil disputes with small claims. Administrative management is carried out by the President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas.
Courts Serving Philadelphia
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas (Trial Division) | City Hall, 1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19107 | (215) 686-7000 |
| Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas (Family Division) | 1501 Arch St., Philadelphia, PA 19102 | (215) 686-4000 |
| Philadelphia Municipal Court | 1339 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19107 | (215) 686-7900 |
| U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania | James A. Byrne U.S. Courthouse, 601 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19106 | (267) 299-7000 |
Register of Wills (Clerk of the Orphans' Court) is located in City Hall, Room 180, and is responsible for probate matters and marriage licenses.
What Types of Cases Philadelphia Courts Hear
Philadelphia courts hear a wide range of cases. Here are the main categories:
- Felonies and misdemeanors (criminal cases)
- Traffic violations
- Civil claims (from small to large amounts)
- Family law — divorce, custody, alimony, protective orders
- Probate matters, guardianship, trust management
- Juvenile cases
- Adoption and termination of parental rights
District Court Cases in Philadelphia
The Court of Common Pleas is a court of general jurisdiction that hears all felonies after a preliminary hearing in the Municipal Court. It also handles civil cases with claims over $12,000, appeals from the Municipal Court, and post-conviction proceedings. Criminal cases proceed after a Municipal Court judge finds sufficient evidence at the preliminary hearing. Cases are distributed among the judges of the Trial Division. Civil claims are filed through the Office of Judicial Records, which acts as the prothonotary for the Court of Common Pleas.
Magistrate Court Cases in Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Municipal Court replaces the magistrate courts that exist in other Pennsylvania counties. It handles misdemeanors, preliminary hearings in felony cases, and civil disputes with claims up to $12,000. Small claims are limited to the same amount. Traffic violations, DUI cases — from charges to hearings — also go through the Municipal Court. Municipal Court judges specialize in specific categories of cases due to the high volume of proceedings. Decisions from this court can be appealed to the Court of Common Pleas, where the case is heard anew (trial de novo).
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Philadelphia
Family Law. Divorce, child custody, alimony, protective orders, paternity establishment, and termination of parental rights are handled by the Family Division of the Court of Common Pleas. Family Division case searches are available through the Family Division Domestic Relations portal. Copies of divorce decrees can be obtained by following the First Judicial District instructions, or through the City of Philadelphia page.
Probate Matters. The Orphans' Court Division handles inheritance matters, guardianship of incapacitated persons, and trust management. The clerk of the Orphans' Court is the Register of Wills, who also issues marriage licenses.
Juvenile Matters. The Juvenile Branch Family Division handles juvenile delinquency and child protection cases. Juvenile case records are confidential under Pennsylvania law.
How Cases Move Through the Philadelphia Court System
- Case Initiation. Criminal proceedings begin with a complaint or arrest; civil cases start with a complaint filed with the Office of Judicial Records; family cases begin with a petition in the Family Division.
- Judge Assignment. After registration, the case is automatically assigned to a judge in the appropriate division.
- Initial Hearings. In criminal cases — arraignment (charging), in civil cases — scheduling conference or case management conference.
- Pre-Trial Phase. Parties exchange evidence (discovery), file motions. In criminal cases, plea negotiations may occur.
- Substantive Review. The case concludes with a trial, settlement, guilty plea, or default judgment.
- Post-Decision. Sentencing, appeal to the Superior Court of Pennsylvania, or enforcement of the court decision.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Philadelphia
The administration of the First Judicial District courts is carried out by the President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas together with the Court Administrator. Local court rules are published on the official Philadelphia courts website and on the Unified Judicial System portal.
Court records are generally public according to the Pennsylvania Rules of Judicial Administration regarding record access. Exceptions apply to juvenile cases, sealed or expunged records, and certain family cases. Docket searches are available for free through the UJS Case Search. Paper copies can be ordered from the Office of Judicial Records in City Hall.
Hearings are usually open to the public. Some hearings are conducted remotely — schedules and instructions are posted on the courts' website. The Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History (PATCH) system is used to check criminal history.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Philadelphia
- Court Case Search. The UJS Portal Case Search allows free viewing of docket sheets for the Court of Common Pleas and Municipal Court.
- Public Records. The Public Records page of the Unified Judicial System explains the procedure for requesting paper case materials.
- Property Records. The Department of Records maintains deeds, mortgages, and other documents. Copies are available through an online request.
- Property Assessment. Philadelphia Property Search and Atlas contain data on value, zoning, and taxes.
- Inmate Search (City). The Philadelphia Incarcerated Person Locator shows which of the four facilities of the Philadelphia Department of Prisons a person is held in.
- Inmate Search (State). The Inmate/Parolee Locator of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections covers individuals in state prisons.
- Sex Offender Registry. Megan's Law is the official Pennsylvania State Police site for searching registered offenders by county.
- Historical Court Records. The City Archives holds criminal records from the 1750s and civil records from 1757.
- Sheriff Sales and Court Security. The Office of the Sheriff is responsible for enforcing court orders and security in courtrooms.
- Vital Records. The Pennsylvania Department of Health issues birth, death, and divorce certificates at the state level.