Recent or open criminal case
Allegheny County Clerk of Courts (Criminal Division) docket search or counter
The Clerk of Courts maintains Common Pleas criminal dockets, filings, and certified dispositions.
Where To Start
Pick the court division that matches your case type, then use the docket search or contact the clerk for copy requests.
Civil case, judgment, or lien
Allegheny County Prothonotary (Civil Division) eFiling/docket system
The Prothonotary is the custodian for civil case files, judgments, and satisfactions.
Traffic ticket, summary offense, or landlord-tenant
Magisterial District Courts (MDJ) docket search
MDJ courts handle traffic and minor judiciary matters; many are searchable by citation or MJ docket number.
Divorce, custody, support, or PFA order
Family Division / Protection From Abuse office
Family Division keeps these dockets; some records have access limits by rule or case type.
Probate estate, guardianship, or marriage record
Register of Wills & Clerk of the Orphans’ Court
Probate and marriage records are filed here; adoptions and some guardianships are sealed.
County And Court Sources
| Source Or Office | Best For | Helpful Search Input | Access Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allegheny County Clerk of Courts (Criminal Division) | Common Pleas criminal dockets, filings, dispositions, sentencing orders | Full name, date of birth, CP-02-CR docket number, filing year | Online docket portal, in person at the Clerk of Courts, or mail copy requests | Certified criminal dispositions/orders available; older files may be in archives. |
| Allegheny County Prothonotary (Civil Division) | Civil case filings, judgments, liens, foreclosure actions | Party or business name, GD docket number, attorney bar number, date range | Civil eFiling/docket search, public terminals, in-person copy requests | Certified judgments and orders available; some document images may not be online. |
| Family Division / Protection From Abuse | Divorce, custody, support, Protection From Abuse orders | Party names, FD docket number, date of birth if allowed | Division counter assistance, limited online indices, in-person review | Access to PFA, support, and juvenile-related materials may be restricted. |
| Register of Wills & Clerk of the Orphans’ Court | Probate estates, wills, guardianship, marriage records | Decedent name, date of death, estate number, OC docket; for marriage, applicants’ names/date | Research room/public terminals, mail or in-person copy requests; some online indexes | Adoption and some guardianship files are sealed; marriage certificates may require eligibility. |
| Magisterial District Courts (MDJ) in Allegheny County | Traffic citations, summary offenses, small claims, landlord-tenant | Citation number, MJ docket number, full name and DOB | Statewide MDJ docket search, in person at the local district court | Cases can be transferred or appealed to the Court of Common Pleas. |
| Pennsylvania Appellate Courts | Appeals from Allegheny County cases (Superior, Commonwealth, Supreme) | Appellate docket number, lower court docket number, party name | Statewide appellate docket portal | Appellate filings and opinions are maintained by the appellate courts, not the county. |
Useful Search Inputs
- Full legal name of a party
- Date of birth to narrow results
- Docket or case number (e.g., CP, GD, FD, OC, MJ formats)
- Citation or ticket number for traffic matters
- Filing year or a specific date range
- Attorney name or Pennsylvania bar number
- Business or organization name
- Judgment amount or lien reference
- Address keywords tied to the dispute (civil cases)
- Related or lower court docket number (for appeals)
Find The Right Court Division
Criminal Cases (Common Pleas)
Felony and misdemeanor prosecutions, pleas, sentencing, post-conviction filings
- Where To Start
- Allegheny County Clerk of Courts docket search or office counter
- Best Search Input
- CP-02-CR docket number, or party name plus date of birth
- Official Copy Note
- Request certified dispositions or sentencing orders from the Clerk of Courts when an employer, licensing board, or agency requires them.
Civil Cases and Judgments
Contract disputes, torts, foreclosures, judgments, satisfactions, liens
- Where To Start
- Allegheny County Prothonotary eFiling/docket system
- Best Search Input
- GD docket number or party/business name with filing year
- Official Copy Note
- Certified judgments, orders, and docket entries are issued by the Prothonotary upon request.
Family Division and Protection From Abuse
Divorce, custody, child/spousal support, PFA orders
- Where To Start
- Family Division service counter; limited online index
- Best Search Input
- FD docket number or both parties’ names; include DOB if permitted
- Official Copy Note
- Many family/PFA documents have access limits; certified decrees or orders are provided to eligible requestors.
Orphans’ Court and Probate
Estates, wills, guardianship, name changes, marriage records
- Where To Start
- Register of Wills & Clerk of the Orphans’ Court
- Best Search Input
- Estate number or decedent name plus date of death; for marriage, applicants’ names/date
- Official Copy Note
- Certified probate records and marriage certificates can be requested; adoption matters and some guardianships are sealed.
Magisterial District Court and Traffic
Traffic citations, summary offenses, small claims, landlord-tenant disputes
- Where To Start
- MDJ docket search or the specific district court where the citation was filed
- Best Search Input
- Citation number or MJ docket number; otherwise party name and DOB
- Official Copy Note
- If a case was appealed or transferred, check both the MDJ and Common Pleas dockets for a complete history.
Official Records vs Background Checks
Official court sources are best when you need case dockets, filings, and certified copies for criminal, civil, family, or probate matters. They are the custodians of record and issue certified documents. Background check services can help with broad, name-based searches across many jurisdictions, but they may rely on compiled data and do not replace the county clerk, prothonotary, or court divisions for authoritative or certified records.
How To Request Copies
- Identify the correct division (Clerk of Courts, Prothonotary, Family, Orphans’ Court, or MDJ).
- Locate the exact docket or case number using the appropriate docket search or help desk.
- Decide whether you need a plain copy, a certified copy, or a sealed/exemplified copy.
- Review the division’s request options (online form, mail, or in person) and any ID/eligibility requirements.
- Submit your request with case number, party names, and specific documents needed; include payment method as instructed.
- Receive the copies by pickup or mail; large files or archived records may require additional processing time.
Limits And Accuracy Notes
- Online docket summaries may exclude some filings, exhibits, or images; the full case file is the official record.
- Juvenile, adoption, and certain family or PFA details are restricted by rule and not available to the public.
- Older or archived cases may not be fully indexed online and can require on-site research.
- Name-only searches can return multiple matches; add a date of birth, filing year, or attorney name to refine.
- Docket numbering varies by division (CP, GD, FD, OC, MJ); entering the correct format improves results.
Allegheny County Court Records FAQ
How can I find a case number if I only know the name?
Search the appropriate docket system by party name and narrow with date of birth and filing year. If results are unclear, contact the relevant division’s help desk with parties’ names and any approximate dates.
Where do I get a certified copy of a judgment or court order?
Civil judgments and orders come from the Prothonotary, criminal dispositions from the Clerk of Courts, family orders from the Family Division, and probate/marriage records from the Register of Wills & Clerk of the Orphans’ Court.
Are criminal court records public in Allegheny County?
Most criminal dockets are public, but some records can be restricted (for example, sealed or expunged matters). For statewide conviction history checks, use the official state criminal history system; it does not replace county court files.
What is the difference between a docket and the case file?
A docket is the case summary and listing of events; the case file contains the underlying pleadings, orders, and exhibits. Online access may show docket entries without all document images.
Can I search by property address?
Court systems are primarily name or docket number driven. Some civil filings reference property addresses, but searches typically work best with party names, docket numbers, or judgment details.