Indiana County, Pennsylvania Court Records
In Indiana County, court records consist of files, documents, case materials, electronic data, and other official reports filed or created during legal proceedings within the county. Indiana County court records are maintained in both paper and electronic formats pursuant to state court rules as official proofs of court proceedings. They are essential legal documents that help the public understand the county's court processes.
The Prothonotary/Clerk of Court in Indiana County maintains most civil and criminal case records. However, court records relating to probate and estate administration are maintained by the Register of Wills/Clerk of Orphans' Court. Public access to court records and other records, such as arrest or vital records, is available at the relevant custodial office.
Are Indiana County Court Records Public?
Yes. The Pennsylvania Right-To-Know Law (Act 3 of 2008) grants general access to records preserved by government agencies, including courts. According to the Right-To-Know Law, anyone may inspect and copy court records provided they are not sealed by order or exempt under law. In addition, Section 3.0of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania's Public Access Policy and Pennsylvania Rule of Judicial Administration 509 govern public access to court records.
Besides, certain court records and case information are unavailable to the public per state and federal laws. Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Drafts, notes, worksheets, correspondence, or memoranda of judges and court personnel
- Case information or records of juveniles
- Records maintained by the children/youth services
- Records containing Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, or any other personal identifying information
- Case records and contact information of abuse victims
- Medical and mental health evaluation reports
- Sealed, expunged, or confidential records
What Information is Available in Indiana County Court Records?
Court records in Indiana County comprise civil, criminal, probate, and family case information. The information contained in a court record depends on the case type and accessibility under state laws. Generally, the following information is available in public Indiana County court records:
- Legal names of case parties-plaintiffs and defendants
- The offense, claim, complaint, or reason for the suit
- The classification and type of the case
- Docket entries and index information
- The case number, docket number, and filing information
- Court minutes, transcripts, and audio or video recordings
- Exhibits and evidence
- Court orders, sentences, judgments, decrees and verdicts
- Information about relevant motions, appeals, pleadings or petitions
- Court calendar and hearing schedule
- Information about attorneys/prosecutors
- Names, signatures, and title of judicial officers
Indiana County Court Records Search
Indiana County court records are generally accessible online, in person, and through mail.
Online Access
Indiana County courts provide online access to publicly available court records through the following:
- The Indiana County Courts Online Services (CountySuite Online) portal-a subscription-based service maintained by the Prothonotary/Civil Division of the Clerk of Courts office for online access to civil cases. Interested persons may print and view civil cases on this portal by paying a subscription fee of $30 monthly (plus a $20 set-up fee) and logging into the portal subsequently. Civil case search criteria on this portal include case number, participant name, participant address, and reference number.
- The State's Unified Judicial System (UJS) Case Search portal provides public access to criminal, family, and probate cases, excluding juvenile cases, limited access cases (Act 5 of 2016), expunged records, and civil cases heard by the Court of Common Pleas. You can search by attorney, docket/incident number, filed date, complaint/citation number, participant name, or calendar event.
- Indiana County Register of Wills/Clerk of Orphans' Court's Online Services-provides public access to estate, probate, and guardianship case information at no cost. Search criteria include name, case number, filing date, and death date. Concerned persons may log in as guests or create a user account.
In-person Access
Visit the relevant custodial office within business hours to inspect and copy court records. Public access terminals are also available at the various courthouses. You may obtain regular or certified copies of court records and case information for a fee.
Mail/Phone Requests
Concerned persons may submit mail requests enclosed in self-addressed stamped envelopes to the clerk of courts' office. You may also fax requests through (724) 465-3968 or make records request inquiries by phoning (724) 465-3855. To submit mail requests, use the following information:
Indiana County Courthouse
Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts
825 Philadelphia Street
Indiana, PA 15701
Fees for Court Records in Indiana County
Custodians of Indiana County court records permit members of the public to view court records at their respective offices free of charge. However, duplicating court records usually requires a processing fee. Generally, courts provide plain copies of court records to the public at $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 each, including copy fees. Inspection of civil case information featured on the CountySuite Online portal requires a monthly subscription fee of $30.
Indiana County Courthouse Locations
Indiana County's trial system includes the Court of Common Pleas, an Orphans' Court, and four Magisterial District Courts. The Court of Common Pleas has general jurisdiction over civil/criminal cases and cases above the jurisdiction of the magisterial district courts.
The magisterial district courts handle third-degree misdemeanors, summary offenses, preliminary hearings for criminal cases, ordinance violations, civil claims within a financial limit, and cases of DUI. Matters of probate, estate filings, and guardianships are resolved by the Orphans' Court.
Contact information for the courts in Indiana County:
Indiana County Court of Common Pleas
Indiana County Courthouse
825 Philadelphia Street
Indiana, PA 15701
Phone: (724) 465-3800
Indiana County Orphans' Court
Indiana County Courthouse
825 Philadelphia Street
Indiana, PA 15701- 3973
Phone: (724) 465-3860
Fax: (724) 465-3863
Indiana County Magisterial District Court 40-2-01
829 Water Street
Indiana, PA 15701
Phone: (724) 463-8781
Fax: (724) 465-3967
Indiana County Magisterial District Court 40-3-01
1450 Franklin Street
Clymer, PA 15728
Phone: (724) 254-4348
Fax: (724) 254-1111
Indiana County Magisterial District Court 40-3-02
20 West Indiana Street, Suite 1
P.O. Box 24
Homer City, PA 15748
Phone: (724) 479-8082
Fax: (724) 479-5053
Indiana County Magisterial District Court 40-3-03
147 East Market Street
Blairsville, PA 15717
Phone: (724) 459-7203
Fax: (724) 459-0480
Criminal Records Access in Indiana County
Indiana County criminal records document an individual's interactions with the justice system in the County. The courts in Indiana County process requests for local criminal case files-state-level criminal history checks are managed by the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP). Criminal records are available online via the State Police's PATCH (Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History) system at a fee of $22 per search plus an additional $5 per notarized copy.
Concerned persons may retrieve County criminal case files by visiting the clerk of court's office within regular hours or searching via the public access terminals provided by the courts. You can also find criminal case records online on the state's Unified Judiciary System portal. A name, case number, filing date, or birth date is required to begin a criminal case record search.
Indiana County Probate Records
Indiana County probate records comprise case filings and documents relating to the administration of a decedent's estate. Probate records include case information on guardianships of incapacitated individuals, conservatorships, trusts, and will probate. These records are maintained by the County's Register of Wills/Clerk of Orphans' Court.
The Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court provides public access to recent probate filings and case information via its Online Case Search portal. However, sealed records, confidential records, and records containing sensitive information may not be available for public inspection.
Indiana County Family Court Records
Family court records in Indiana originate from resolved family law cases, including divorce, child custody, domestic abuse, marriage licensing/annulments, and juvenile matters. Indiana County family court records are generally public, but certain restrictions may apply to public access.
Concerned persons may inspect family court records in person at the Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts office or the public access terminals provided at the Court of Common Pleas courthouse. Online access is also available via the CountySuiteTM Online portal. Certified copies of family court records are typically reserved for authorized entities such as record subjects and their legal representatives. Eligible individuals may obtain certified copies of family court records at $5 per document plus copy fees.
Federal Court Records in Indiana County
Indiana County federal records are maintained by the Pittsburgh division of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. These records include documents and case files created from proceedings like violations of constitutional rights laws, federal infractions, and federal civil and criminal suits. Federal case information and records are available to the public online via the PACER Case Locator system.
In-person and mail requests for Indiana County federal court records can be submitted using the following information:
Joseph F. Weis, Jr. U.S. Courthouse
700 Grant Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Phone: (412) 208-7500
