Court records of Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, can be found through several channels. LebanonCourt.us allows you to search for public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, the official web portal of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania provides free access to docket sheets. Records are also available at court clerks' offices, through mail requests, and at public terminals in the courthouse.
Lebanon Court System & Jurisdictions
Several levels of courts operate in Lebanon County, each handling specific categories of cases.
Court of Common Pleas
This is the main court of general jurisdiction in the county. It is divided into departments:
- Criminal Division — felonies, serious misdemeanors, juvenile cases. Records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts.
- Civil Division — claims over $12,000, divorce cases, child custody, protection from abuse (PFA), enforcement of judgments. Records are kept by the Prothonotary's Office.
- Orphans' Court (Inheritance Department) — wills, estate management, guardianship and custody, adoptions.
Magisterial District Courts
The area is served by several magisterial district courts. They handle:
- Small claims up to $12,000
- Traffic and parking violations
- Summary offenses
- Preliminary hearings in criminal cases
- Eviction cases between landlords and tenants
Decisions of the magisterial courts can be appealed to the Court of Common Pleas. Federal cases involving county residents are handled by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Lebanon Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The schedule of court sessions for today, tomorrow, or the current week can be checked in several ways.
- UJS Web Portal — on the Case Search page, select the "Calendar Event" option and specify "Lebanon" as the county. The system will show scheduled hearings with dates, times, courtroom, and party names.
- Court page on the UJS website — on the Lebanon County page of the Unified Judicial System, you can find links to current information and court administrator contacts.
- Personal visit or call — the court administration publishes the daily schedule in the courthouse. Call the Clerk of Courts at (717) 228-4419 to verify the time of a specific hearing.
Magisterial court calendars are usually available directly at each individual magisterial court or through the UJS portal.
How to Get a Copy of a Lebanon Court Document
Which office to contact depends on the type of case.
Criminal and Juvenile Cases
Contact the Clerk of Courts. All records are public unless otherwise provided by law (for example, juvenile cases are usually closed).
Civil, Family Cases, and PFA
These documents are kept by the Prothonotary's Office — the main registration office of the Court of Common Pleas for civil cases.
Ways to Obtain Copies
- Online — view docket sheets for free through the UJS Web Portal. You can download or print them at no charge, but these copies are not certified.
- In Person — visit the appropriate office during business hours (usually from 8:30 to 16:30). Request a regular or certified copy.
- By Mail — send a written request specifying the case number, party names, and type of document. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
Certified copies have an official seal and the clerk's signature — they are required for submission to other courts, government agencies, or for immigration procedures. Regular (uncertified) copies are suitable for personal review.
Divorce records from 1804 are kept in the Prothonotary's Office of the county where the divorce was granted, according to the Pennsylvania State Library information.
Criminal History Check
To obtain an official criminal record certificate, use the PATCH (Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History) system by the State Police. The cost is $22 per electronic request. This is a separate procedure from viewing docket sheets.
Lebanon Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees are set according to court orders and Pennsylvania legislation. Below are approximate rates — for confirmation of the exact amount, contact the appropriate office directly.
| Service | Approximate Cost | Office |
|---|---|---|
| Viewing docket sheets online (UJS Portal) | Free | — |
| Regular document copy | $0.25–$1.00 per page | Clerk of Courts / Prothonotary |
| Certified copy | $5.00–$10.00 per document | Clerk of Courts / Prothonotary |
| Registry search (by name) | Depends on the office | Clerk of Courts / Prothonotary |
| Criminal history check (PATCH) | $22.00 | Pennsylvania State Police (online) |
Payment at offices is usually accepted in cash, money order, or check payable to the respective office. Some offices may accept credit and debit cards — confirm when contacting. Online payment through PATCH is made by credit card.
Required forms for various county departments are available on the Lebanon County forms and documents page. If you are unsure about the fee for your request, call the Clerk of Courts or Prothonotary's Office — staff will provide the exact amount and acceptable payment methods.