Lehigh Court Records give the public instant view into the legal actions that shape Allentown and the surrounding county. Whether you need Lehigh County court records for a civil lawsuit, a criminal case file, or a family court matter, the state’s eCourts portal aggregates Common Pleas filings, district court docket entries, magistrate court records, probate court documents, and lien or deed filings in one searchable database. A simple Lehigh courtroom case search can return case numbers, filing dates, judgment summaries, and even a Lehigh court order lookup link for certified copies. Researchers often pull data from the Lehigh court judgments archive and the Lehigh judicial archives to track precedents across criminal, civil, and family domains. The platform also supports a Lehigh court transcript request feature, letting users download transcripts or request certified copies directly. By entering a Lehigh court case number or using the Lehigh court case numbers lookup feature, visitors instantly see the Lehigh court case status online, the upcoming docket calendar, and any associated filing fees.
Lehigh Court Records are accessed through the official Lehigh court public access portal, which connects directly to the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System’s record database. The site hosts a Lehigh court official records search field where users type a name, case number, or filing date to pull the full docket, including Lehigh court appeal filings and lien records. When a document needs a certified copy, the Lehigh court record request form guides the applicant through payment of the current Lehigh court filing fees and selection of delivery method. For quick reference, the Lehigh court docket calendar displays upcoming hearings, while the Lehigh court case documents download feature streams PDFs of judgments, orders, and transcripts to a personal device. Fee tables list charges for civil, criminal, family, and probate filings, and a separate line details the cost of a Lehigh court transcript request. The portal also covers specialty filings such as Lehigh court marriage license records, property deed filings, and probate court documents, giving the public a single point for all record types.
How to Access Case Information Online
Lehigh Court Records are available through Pennsylvania’s Unified Judicial System web portal, which serves as the official database for case searches across all 67 counties, including Lehigh County. The portal provides direct access to docket sheets, case summaries, party names, charges, hearing dates, and disposition outcomes for both criminal and civil matters filed in the Court of Common Pleas and at the Magisterial District Court level.
Users searching for Lehigh County court records can reach the official search portal at:
Official Case Search URL: https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/
This is the direct page where court case searches can be performed by name, case number, or party type. The portal is hosted by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC) and reflects docket entries generated by the Lehigh County Clerk of Courts, the Lehigh County Prothonotary, and the Magisterial District Courts serving the Lehigh region.
Search Methods and Available Filters
The web docket sheets portal accepts several search parameters to locate Lehigh courtroom case search results. Users can enter a full last name and first name combination to retrieve criminal case files, civil lawsuit records, family court records, and probate court documents filed under those names.
Search fields available on the portal include:
- Participant name (individual or business)
- Docket number (Lehigh Court of Common Pleas case numbers, or MDJ numbers for district court docket entries)
- Date of birth or business ID (optional filters used to narrow common-name results)
- Case type (criminal, civil, family, orphan’s court, summary appeal)
- Filing date range (used to bound a search for older Lehigh judicial archives)
- County selector (must be set to Lehigh to retrieve local records)
After submitting the search, the portal returns a list of matching cases with the docket number, party names, filing date, case type, current status, and presiding judge. Selecting an individual case displays a docket sheet containing chronological entries such as arraignment dates, motion filings, court orders, judgments, and sentence outcomes. From the docket sheet, users can note the Lehigh court order lookup identifier and contact the appropriate clerk’s office for certified copies.
Court Record Request Form and Document Download
For Lehigh court case documents download needs, users can request scanned filings through the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas public access portal located at the courthouse, or by submitting a written court record request form to the relevant records office. Many docket entries are viewable at no cost through the online portal; however, printed docket sheets and full document copies carry a per-page fee assessed by the Prothonotary or Clerk of Courts.
Users who cannot find what they need online may mail or deliver a written request that includes the case name, docket number, year of filing, and a description of the records sought. Contact details for each office appear in the final section of this article.
Types of Cases Handled by the Court
The Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas operates as the general trial court for Lehigh County, handling the full spectrum of state-level civil and criminal litigation. Matters that fall below the jurisdiction of the Court of Common Pleas — such as summary offenses, small claims, and landlord-tenant disputes — are handled separately by the Magisterial District Courts located throughout Lehigh County.
The following case categories represent the primary matters processed and indexed in the Lehigh court official records search system.
Criminal Case Files
Lehigh criminal case files cover felony and misdemeanor charges filed by the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office. These cases include aggravated assault, homicide, drug offenses, theft, fraud, burglary, robbery, sexual offenses, driving under the influence, and weapons violations. Felony cases begin at the Magisterial District Court level through arraignment and preliminary hearing, then transfer to the Court of Common Pleas for pretrial proceedings, plea negotiation, trial, and sentencing. Misdemeanor appeals from Magisterial District Courts are also tracked under summary appeal dockets in the Lehigh court record database Pennsylvania.
Records include the criminal information, bail status, motion practice, plea agreements, verdict sheets, sentencing orders, restitution findings, and probation conditions. Each entry is reflected in the docket sheet accessible via the state judicial portal.
Civil Lawsuit Records
Lehigh civil lawsuit records include all civil actions with a value or claim exceeding the monetary limits of Magisterial District Court jurisdiction. This category covers contract disputes, personal injury claims, property damage suits, debt collection actions, business litigation, civil rights claims, medical malpractice, product liability, premises liability, and equity matters such as injunctions and declaratory judgments.
Civil cases also include Lehigh court lien records such as mechanics’ liens, judgment liens, and writs of execution filed against property or personal assets. When a judgment is entered in a civil lawsuit, the docket sheet reflects the Lehigh court judgments archive entry, along with any post-trial motions, appeals, and satisfaction of judgment filings.
Family Court Records
Lehigh family court records include divorce, dissolution of marriage, child custody, child support, spousal support, alimony pendente lite, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, adoption, termination of parental rights, protection from abuse orders, and emergency custody petitions. Family court dockets are maintained separately from general civil dockets and may be subject to additional confidentiality rules under the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure.
Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and minor children’s identifiers are generally redacted from publicly viewable docket entries. Certified copies of marriage license records, divorce decrees, and custody orders are issued by the Prothonotary upon request and presentation of proper identification.
Probate Court Documents
Lehigh probate court documents and Orphans’ Court filings cover estate administration, will probating, trust settlements, guardianship of incapacitated persons, guardianship of minor children, involuntary commitments, name changes, and adoptions that are transferred from family court upon finalization. Marriage license records and Lehigh court property deed filings related to estate transfers are also processed through the Register of Wills office located within the courthouse.
Probate records are indexed by estate name or case number. The official records search portal returns estate opening dates, executor appointments, account filings, and final decree entries.
Court Departments and Services
Several elected and appointed offices maintain different categories of Lehigh Court Records. Each office handles filings for specific case types, issues certified copies, processes appeals, and answers public inquiries. The following departments operate within or alongside the Lehigh County Courthouse.
Clerk of Courts
The Clerk of Courts maintains Lehigh criminal case files, summary appeals, and criminal court orders. This office processes plea agreements, sentencing orders, expungement petitions, ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition) docket entries, bail pieces, and bench warrant returns. The Clerk of Courts also serves as the central intake point for all criminal filings transferred from Magisterial District Courts to the Court of Common Pleas.
Public services offered by the Clerk of Courts include Lehigh court order lookup assistance, certified docket sheet printing, and processing of court transcript request submissions sent to the Court Reporter’s Office. Users may view criminal dockets in person at the public access terminal located in the clerk’s office.
Prothonotary
The Prothonotary serves as the civil records custodian for Lehigh County. This office files Lehigh Court of Common Pleas filings for civil litigation, family court matters, equity actions, appeals from administrative agencies, and Lehigh court appeal filings originating from Magisterial District Courts. The Prothonotary’s docket covers civil lawsuit records, divorce actions, custody petitions, support orders, civil judgments, and Lehigh court lien records.
Users requesting certified copies of civil orders, divorce decrees, or judgments receive them from the Prothonotary. The office is also responsible for sealing or expunging eligible civil records upon court order.
Register of Wills
The Register of Wills processes probate filings, estate openings, will probating, trust registrations, marriage license applications, and issuance of marriage license records. This office handles Lehigh probate court documents, inheritance tax returns, and petitions for guardianship. The Register of Wills also records Lehigh court property deed filings related to inheritance transfers and certain orphan’s court decrees.
Certified copies of marriage licenses, probate decrees, and letters testamentary are issued by this office upon presentation of valid identification and payment of statutory fees.
Magisterial District Courts
Lehigh magistrate court records are generated by the Magisterial District Courts distributed throughout Lehigh County. Magisterial District Judges preside over preliminary arraignments, summary trials, small claims, civil actions under the jurisdictional monetary limit, landlord-tenant disputes, traffic citations, and non-traffic summary offenses.
Each Magisterial District Court maintains its own docket. Appeals from Magisterial District Court decisions are filed in the Court of Common Pleas and indexed under the Lehigh district court docket.
Court Docket and Hearing Information
Lehigh court docket calendar listings reflect scheduled events, status conferences, pretrial motions, plea dates, trials, sentencing hearings, custody hearings, support conferences, juvenile delinquency hearings, and orphan’s court reviews. Calendar entries are searchable through the online docket sheet portal and through the courthouse public access terminals located near each clerk’s office.
Public Access Portal
The Lehigh court public access portal consists of two connected components: the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System web docket sheets portal at https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/ and the in-house public access workstations installed at the courthouse. The online portal displays docket entries for cases filed on or after a statewide digitization baseline. Older Lehigh judicial archives may be searchable only through in-person review at the courthouse using the docket index books maintained by the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts.
Court Docket Calendar and Case Status
Lehigh court case status online searches return the most recent docket entry, which generally indicates whether a case is active, held in abeyance, pending jury selection, scheduled for sentencing, awaiting decision, or finally disposed. To retrieve this data, users enter the participant name or case number on the portal and select the Lehigh County filter.
The Lehigh court docket calendar is updated each business day. Calendar entries reflect the assigned courtroom, the presiding judge, the time of the proceeding, and any continuance notations. Users seeking to confirm a hearing date for a specific case should check the docket entry shortly before the listed date, as continuances are routinely granted.
Judges and Legal Authority
The Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas consists of nine elected judges who serve ten-year terms under the Pennsylvania Constitution. Senior judges and Magisterial District Judges round out the bench.
Court of Common Pleas Judges
The President Judge and the eight additional judges of the Court of Common Pleas preside over criminal, civil, family, and orphan’s court matters within Lehigh County. Assignments rotate through the criminal, civil, family, and orphan’s court divisions. Judges issue search warrants, approve plea agreements, conduct trials, rule on motions, impose sentence, and sign court orders. Each signed order becomes part of the official docket entry retrievable through the Lehigh court case numbers lookup function on the judicial portal.
Magisterial District Court Judges
Magisterial District Judges across Lehigh County preside over summary criminal matters, small civil claims, and preliminary hearings in felony cases. Their dockets form the lower tier of the Lehigh court record database Pennsylvania. Appeals from Magisterial District Court judgments are reviewed de novo at the Court of Common Pleas level, where they appear under a separate Court of Common Pleas docket number beginning with the “S” summary appeal designation.
Court Fees
Filing fees for Lehigh Court Records requests are set by statutory authority under Pennsylvania’s Consolidated Fees Act and by Rules of Court adopted by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Current fee amounts vary by case type and are subject to periodic adjustment.
Filing Fees
The table below summarizes typical fees charged for common filings. Users seeking the most current figures should consult the Lehigh County Prothonotary, Clerk of Courts, or Register of Wills directly, as fee schedules are updated periodically.
| Filing Type | Typical Fee Range | Collecting Office |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Complaint (general) | Varies by claim class | Prothonotary |
| Divorce Complaint | Varies by filing stage | Prothonotary |
| Custody / Support Petition | Varies | Prothonotary |
| Criminal Case Filing | Set by statute | Clerk of Courts |
| Municipal Appeal (MDJ Appeal) | Set by statute | Prothonotary |
| Probate / Estate Opening | Varies by estate value | Register of Wills |
| Marriage License | Set by statute | Register of Wills |
| Certified Docket Sheet Copy | Per-page fee | Relevant Clerk |
| Court Record Request Form Copies | Per-page fee | Relevant Clerk |
| Court Transcript Request | Per-page rate set by Court Reporter | Court Reporter’s Office |
Exact dollar amounts should be confirmed with the filing office before submission, as fees can change pursuant to court rule amendments or statutory revisions.
Issues When Accessing Court Information
Several recurring issues affect users conducting Lehigh Court Records searches. The following items explain the most common access problems and how they are typically resolved.
Common Access Problems
Searches may return no results if the participant name is misspelled, if the wrong county is selected on the statewide portal, if the case was sealed, or if the docket entries fall outside the portal’s digitization range. Older Lehigh judicial archives may not appear on the portal and may require in-person review at the courthouse using the historical docket index books.
Searches may also return multiple matches when a participant shares a common name. To narrow results, users may add a date of birth, an exact middle initial, or a business identifier. The case status field should also be reviewed, as some entries are marked inactive after final disposition and may require selection of an “include closed cases” option where available.
Restricted and Sealed Records
Certain Lehigh Court Records are restricted by law and are not viewable through the public docket sheet portal. These include juvenile delinquency files, mental health commitment records, expunged criminal records, adoption files, sealed family court records involving minor children, and any case subject to a specific court sealing order. To obtain these records, the requesting party must usually present a court order, written consent, or qualifying legal authority as defined by the Pennsylvania Rules of Juvenile Court Procedure, the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure, or 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122 (expungement rules).
Court reporter transcripts require a separate Lehigh court transcript request submitted to the Court Reporter’s Office with the case name, docket number, date of proceeding, and applicable transcript fee.
Courthouse Location & Contact Details
The Lehigh County Courthouse is located in downtown Allentown, Pennsylvania, and houses the Court of Common Pleas, the Clerk of Courts, the Prothonotary, the Register of Wills, the Domestic Relations Section, the Law Library, and the Office of Court Reporter.
Location & Contact Information
Lehigh County Courthouse
455 West Hamilton Street
Allentown, Pennsylvania 18101
Main Courthouse Phone: 610-782-3000
Clerk of Courts: 610-782-3115
Prothonotary: 610-782-3120
Register of Wills: 610-782-3110
Office hours for public access to the courthouse records offices are typically Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding court holidays. Users conducting in-person record searches should bring a valid photo identification and, where applicable, a docket number to expedite the request.
The official Lehigh County government website can be reached at https://www.lehighcounty.org, where links to each court department are listed under the Courts section. Statewide case searches across all Lehigh Court Records are conducted through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal at https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lehigh Court Records give you direct access to legal information in Lehigh County. The portal shows case numbers, parties, filing dates, and outcomes for both civil and criminal matters. Searching online saves time and eliminates trips to the clerk’s office. You can view docket sheets, request transcripts, and download official documents. Knowing how to use the system helps you track case progress, verify judgments, and gather evidence for personal or professional needs. All features are free except where filing fees apply.
How can I search Lehigh Court Records online?
Visit Pennsylvania’s Unified Judicial System website and select the Lehigh County option. Enter the case number, party name, or keyword in the search bar. Click Search to view docket entries, hearing dates, and disposition details. The results display within seconds, letting you verify information without leaving home. If you need more detail, click the case link to see full documents or request a transcript.
Where do I find Lehigh County court records for a civil lawsuit?
Start at the Lehigh Court of Common Pleas section of the state portal. Choose “Civil” from the case type menu, then type the plaintiff or defendant name. The system lists all filings, including complaints, motions, and judgments. Review each entry to locate the specific lawsuit you need. For older files, use the “Archive” filter to access records dating back several years.
What fees apply when requesting a Lehigh court transcript?
Transcript fees depend on page count and processing speed. Standard orders cost $0.30 per page; rush requests add a 25 percent surcharge. After placing the order online, the clerk’s office sends an invoice via email. Pay with a credit card or electronic check to receive a download link within three business days. Keep the receipt for future reference.
How do I check the status of a Lehigh criminal case?
Log in to the public access portal and select “Criminal” under case type. Input the docket number or defendant’s name, then press Search. The status screen shows upcoming hearings, bail decisions, and final verdicts. If a hearing is scheduled, the date appears beside the case summary. For real‑time updates, sign up for email alerts on that case.
Can I download the Lehigh court docket calendar for upcoming hearings?
Yes. From the main dashboard, click the “Docket Calendar” link. Choose the date range you need, then select “Download CSV.” The file lists each courtroom, case number, and start time. Import the CSV into spreadsheet software to sort by judge or case type. This tool helps lawyers and the public plan around court schedules.
What steps are needed to request Lehigh probate court documents?
Open the probate section of the Lehigh County portal. Locate the filing by the decedent’s name or probate case number. Click the document icon to view a preview, then choose “Request Copy.” Fill out the short request form, confirm your contact details, and submit payment for the copying fee. The clerk’s office emails a PDF link within five business days.