Searching Delaware County Court Records
These questions cover the basics of finding a case and reading what it shows.
How do I search Delaware County court records? Use Delaware County Public Access for local court data and the Pennsylvania UJS portal for statewide dockets. Search by exact docket number when you have one. For Common Pleas criminal cases, use the CP docket number or a party name. For traffic and landlord-tenant cases, use the Magisterial District docket search. The court records page walks through both portals.
What court handles major cases in Delaware County? The Court of Common Pleas is the county's general trial court. It hears major civil cases, felonies, family and divorce matters, juvenile cases, and probate. Delaware County is Pennsylvania's 32nd Judicial District. The Court of Common Pleas page covers its divisions and the Magisterial District Court list.
What are Magisterial District Courts? They are local, limited-jurisdiction courts. In Delaware County they handle traffic citations, summary offenses, landlord-tenant cases, smaller civil claims, and the first steps of criminal cases. The official county list names each court, judge, address, and phone. See the Court of Common Pleas page for the full table.
Are all court documents online? No. Docket sheets may be online while the underlying documents stay restricted, sealed, or available only from the clerk. Certified copies usually require direct contact with the office of record. The court dockets page explains what a docket can and cannot show.
Who is the clerk for Delaware County court records? The Office of Judicial Support is the main records office for Common Pleas cases. The Register of Wills, who is also Clerk of Orphans' Court, handles estates, wills, and marriage records. See the Office of Judicial Support page for requests and certified copies.
Is there a fee to search Delaware County court records? Searching a docket online is free on both the county and statewide portals. Fees apply only when you ask for copies, especially certified copies, which come from the clerk. Confirm the current copy fee with the office before you pay. The court records page explains where fees are set.
What does a Delaware County docket number mean? A criminal Common Pleas number reads CP-23-CR, where 23 is the Delaware County code, followed by a sequence and the year. Magisterial District cases use an MJ-32 format, since the county is the 32nd Judicial District. The court dockets page breaks the format down.
Delaware County Marriage, Divorce, and Probate Records
These questions cover records kept by the Register of Wills and the family court.
Where do I get a Delaware County marriage license? Apply through the Register of Wills. Confirm the current fee, ID rules, appointment or online steps, the waiting period, and license return instructions on the official page. The marriage and divorce records page covers the application and fields.
Where do I find divorce records? Divorce records are Common Pleas family cases, not Register of Wills records. Start with Delaware County Public Access or contact the Office of Judicial Support. Some divorce filings are redacted because they include financial, custody, or abuse material. The marriage and divorce records page explains the search.
How do I get a certified copy in Delaware County? Contact the office that keeps the record. The Office of Judicial Support handles Common Pleas court records, and the Register of Wills handles marriage and probate records. Fees are set by each office's schedule. The Orphans' Court and probate records page covers estate copies.
Are adoption records public? No. Adoption records are confidential under Pennsylvania law and open only by statute or court order. Many family-case documents are also redacted to protect children and finances. The marriage and divorce records page covers restricted family documents.
Delaware County Inmates, Bail, and Warrants
These questions cover custody, release, and warrant searches.
How do I find an inmate in Delaware County? Start with George W. Hill Correctional Facility's official inmate information. If no public roster is posted, use the official facility contact. For state prison custody, use the PA DOC locator; for federal custody, use the BOP locator. The inmate records page covers the roster and contacts.
Does Delaware County publish released inmates? There is no public "released today" list. Verify a release through the facility, the court docket, VINELink if available, the PA DOC if the person was transferred, or the BOP for federal custody. The released inmates page covers each tool.
How do I post bail in Delaware County? Use the official George W. Hill bail page and the court docket. Bail is different from a commissary deposit. Confirm accepted payment methods, the location, and hours before you go. The inmate records page links to the pretrial bail information.
How do I search for warrants? There is no official countywide active-warrant website. Search the UJS docket sheets for bench warrant or capias entries, and contact the issuing court or an attorney. Do not rely on third-party warrant sites. The warrant records page explains the process.
Delaware County Arrest Records and Expungement
These questions cover criminal records, juvenile files, and clearing a record.
Are juvenile records public in Delaware County? Generally no. Pennsylvania juvenile delinquency and dependency records are restricted by statute and court rules. Some information may reach parties, attorneys, or agencies, or open by court order, but the public should not expect routine juvenile access. The arrest records page covers what is and is not public.
How do I clear my criminal record? Pennsylvania has expungement and limited-access, or Clean Slate, processes. Eligibility depends on the offense, the outcome, the waiting period, sentence completion, and later criminal history. Use the exact docket numbers and consider legal help. The arrest records page explains sealing and expungement.
Who prosecutes criminal cases in Delaware County? The District Attorney prosecutes crimes in the Court of Common Pleas, while the U.S. Attorney handles federal cases from the region. The county Public Defender represents eligible defendants. Below is the federal prosecutor's office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania prosecutes federal cases from the area.
For state charges, the county District Attorney and the courts handle the case, as the arrest records page explains.
Traffic, Court Dates, and Federal Cases in Delaware County
These questions cover tickets, missed court dates, and federal matters.
Can I pay a traffic ticket online? Many Pennsylvania court financial obligations can be paid through PAePay. For a Delaware County citation, also check the Magisterial District traffic page and the docket. Not every matter is payable online if a court appearance is required. The traffic court records page covers paying and contesting.
What if I miss court in Delaware County? A missed criminal, traffic, or Magisterial District hearing can lead to a bench warrant, a license consequence, a default judgment, or other sanctions. Contact the court and a lawyer right away, and check the docket for the exact status. The warrant records page covers resolving a bench warrant.
How do I find federal cases from Delaware County? Use PACER for official federal dockets in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The district court, the bankruptcy court, and the Third Circuit each have separate official sites. Below is the federal bankruptcy court for the region.
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania handles federal bankruptcy cases.
For the broader federal picture, the public records page points to PACER and the federal courts.
Getting Legal Help in Delaware County
These questions cover help with a case and open-records rules.
Can I use the Right-to-Know Law for court records? Agency records and court records follow different rules. The Right-to-Know Law covers many county agency records, while court case records follow the judiciary's access policy. Use the court's rules for case records. The public records page explains both tracks.
Where can I get legal help in Delaware County? Use the county Public Defender for eligible criminal defense, PA LawHelp for civil legal aid, and the Pennsylvania Bar Association for referrals. Local legal aid groups also serve the county. The released inmates page lists reentry and legal resources, and the arrest records page covers the Public Defender.