Court records in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, can be searched through several channels. HuntingdonCourt.us can help you find publicly available information about court cases in the county. You can also search records through the statewide Unified Judicial System portal, visit the Clerk of Courts or Prothonotary offices in person, or use public terminals at the Huntingdon County Courthouse to look up docket information.
Huntingdon Court System & Jurisdictions
Huntingdon County is part of Pennsylvania's 20th Judicial District. The court system has two main tiers: the Court of Common Pleas and the Magisterial District Courts. Knowing which court handles your case type determines where to search for docket records.
Court of Common Pleas
This is the county's general trial court. It handles:
- Criminal Division — Felonies, misdemeanors, and appeals from magisterial district courts. The Clerk of Courts dockets, indexes, and maintains all criminal cases forwarded from the county's four magisterial district judge offices.
- Civil Division — Lawsuits, contract disputes, personal injury claims, and equity actions. The Prothonotary maintains civil case files and sends copies of court orders to all parties of record.
- Family Division — Divorce, custody, support, and protection-from-abuse (PFA) matters.
- Orphans' Court Division — Estates, guardianships, adoptions, and trust matters.
- Juvenile Division — Dependency and delinquency cases. These records are generally confidential under Pennsylvania law.
Magisterial District Courts
Huntingdon County has four magisterial district judge offices. They handle:
- Summary criminal offenses and traffic violations
- Preliminary hearings for criminal cases bound over to the Court of Common Pleas
- Landlord-tenant disputes
- Civil claims up to $12,000 (small claims)
Docket sheets from both court levels are searchable through the UJS web portal, where you can filter by county, participant name, docket number, or OTN.
Huntingdon Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
Court schedules in Huntingdon County can be checked through a few methods:
- UJS Web Portal — The Pennsylvania court case search displays scheduled hearing dates when you pull up a specific docket. Search by name or case number, then look for upcoming events listed on the docket sheet.
- Court Administration Office — Contact the Huntingdon County Court Administrator's office at the courthouse for the current trial list, argument court schedule, or motions court calendar. The courthouse is located at 223 Penn Street, Huntingdon, PA 16652.
- Clerk of Courts / Prothonotary — Staff can confirm whether a particular case has a hearing scheduled for today, tomorrow, or later in the week.
- Huntingdon County Website — Check the Huntingdon County government website for any posted court calendars or announcements.
If you need to verify a specific hearing time, call the Court Administrator or the appropriate clerk's office directly rather than relying solely on online data, which may not reflect last-minute continuances.
How to Get a Copy of a Huntingdon Court Document
The office you contact depends on the type of case:
- Criminal cases — Request copies from the Clerk of Courts.
- Civil cases — Request copies from the Prothonotary.
- Magisterial district court cases — Contact the specific magisterial district judge's office where the case was filed.
Certified vs. Uncertified Copies
- Uncertified copies are standard photocopies of court documents. They work for personal reference but are usually not accepted for legal filings or official purposes.
- Certified copies bear the court seal and an attestation by the clerk or prothonotary. You typically need certified copies for filings in other courts, real estate transactions, or government applications.
How to Request
- In person — Visit the appropriate office at the Huntingdon County Courthouse. Bring the case number or enough identifying details (party names, approximate filing date) so staff can locate the file.
- By mail — Send a written request specifying the case number, document needed, and whether you need a certified or uncertified copy. Include a check or money order for the applicable fees.
- Online — You can view and print docket sheets free of charge through the UJS portal. However, full documents (complaints, orders, motions) generally require an in-person or mail request.
Huntingdon Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court record copies in Pennsylvania are set by statute and local court rules. The table below reflects standard fees commonly charged by Courts of Common Pleas in Pennsylvania, including Huntingdon County. Contact the Clerk of Courts or Prothonotary to confirm current amounts before submitting payment.
| Service | Typical Fee |
|---|---|
| Uncertified copy (per page) | $0.25 |
| Certified copy of a document | $5.00 – $10.00 |
| Certification/seal added to a copy | $5.00 |
| Docket sheet printout (from clerk) | Varies; often $0.25/page |
| Online docket sheet (UJS portal) | Free |
| Criminal history background check (PATCH) | $22.00 |
Payment Methods
- In-person payments are typically accepted by cash, check, or money order made payable to the Clerk of Courts or Prothonotary.
- Mail requests should include a check or money order. Call ahead to confirm the exact amount so your request is not delayed.
- For a statewide criminal background check, you can submit a request online through Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) and pay by credit card.
Note that juvenile records, sealed records, and certain family court filings are restricted from public access under Pennsylvania law. If you are unsure whether a record is available, ask the clerk before paying any fees.