Bucks County Court Records
Court records are documents pertaining to the resolution of a legal matter. Court records in Bucks County are managed by different elected "row officers", depending on the nature of the case. These records document case proceedings, decisions, and outcomes.
Court records are used by individuals and agencies for both administrative and personal purposes. They are also closely connected to other public records in the county, such as vital and arrest records, which may be filed as part of court proceedings.
Are Bucks County Court Records Public?
Yes. Under 204 Pa. Code § 213.81, court records maintained by all courts within Pennsylvania are considered public records. Although the law guarantees public access, this access is not absolute, as certain records are blocked from public access. These records generally include confidential or sealed information, such as
- Child support proceedings
- Adoption records
- Proceedings under the Mental Health Procedures Act
- Pre-probate wills
- Driver’s license and state identification numbers
What Information is Available in Bucks County Court Records?
Bucks County court records contain diverse information that tracks a case’s progress from start to finish. The specific contents of a court case file usually depend on the type of case. Criminal court records may comprise charging instruments, offender information, restitution reimbursements, arrest information, and related filings. Civil cases, on the other hand, may include petitions, decrees, service returns, estate records, financial statements, and enforcement orders.
Bucks County Court Records Search
The following methods are available to individuals to access Bucks County court records.
- Online Access
Basic case information and docket sheets in Bucks County can be accessed online through the Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal and the Bucks County Web Viewer. The Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal provides records from the Court of Common Pleas, while the Bucks County Web Viewer offers records maintained by the Prothonotary and the Register of Wills. Users can search these portals by name or case number. Access is free, but there may be fees for purchasing documents.
- In-Person Access
Individuals who want to obtain more detailed information about a record or access a record not available online may visit the relevant court office at the Bucks County Justice Center. For criminal records, individuals may visit the Clerk of Court’s Office. For civil records, the Prothonotary Office, and for Wills and Estates, the Register of Wills Office. Staff can assist in locating records based on the information the requester provides.
- Mail and Phone Requests
Court records in Bucks County may also be requested by mail. A mail request must be in writing and should clearly describe the court record being sought. Additionally, the Bucks County Prothonotary allows individuals to file a Right to Know Request for civil and family court records, with the option to receive copies by mail or email. Transcripts of court proceedings may also be ordered and delivered by mail or email.
Fees for Court Records in Bucks County
A fee is typically required to access court records, specifically when a reproduction of the record is involved. The specific fees depend on both the type of case and the method used to access the documents. The complete fee schedule for court records is provided below.
Civil and Family Court Records (Prothonotary)
- Certified Divorce Decree: $6.25
- Marriage Certificate: $25
- Affidavit of Name Verification: $25
- Online documents purchased from the Bucks County Web Viewer: 10 cents per page plus a $1 technology fee
Criminal Court Records
- Record Search (includes a name search, one docket print, and up to 5 copies from file): $22.50
- Docket Printout: $5 for the first 20 pages, 30 cents per page for each extra page thereafter
- Copy fee: 25 cents per page
Orphans’ Court and Probate Records
- Certification of filed or issued documents: $20
- Subpoena: $20
- Research Service Fees: Minimum fee of $25 (up to 1 hour); $40 per hour for over 1 hour (billed in quarter-hour increments)
- Short Certificate: $10 for new, $4 to update an existing one
- Death Certificate: $20
There are also fees for obtaining copies of court transcripts, which vary by record type and delivery method.
Bucks County Courthouse Locations
The court system in Bucks County consists of one main courthouse, a court administrative building with satellite outposts, and 18 magisterial district locations. The addresses of the county’s courthouses are listed below.
Bucks County Justice Center
100 North Main Street
Doylestown, PA 18901
Phone: (215) 348-6000
Orphan’s Court
Bucks County Administration Building
55 East Court Street
Doylestown, PA 18901
Phone: (215) 348-6265
Lower Bucks County Government Service Center
7321 New Falls Road
Levittown, PA 19055
Phone: (267) 580-3585
Upper Bucks County Government Service Center
261 California Road
Quakertown, PA 18951
Phone: (215) 348-6266
Bucks County Magisterial District Courts:
D.C. 07-1-01 (0201)
2404 Byberry Road
Bensalem, PA 19020
Phone: (215) 638-1040
Fax: (267) 885-1665
D.C. 07-1-02 (0202)
501 Bath Street
Bristol, PA 19007
Phone: (215) 785-3521
Fax: (267) 885-1666
D.C. 07-1-03 (0203)
3030 Bath Road
Bristol, PA 19007
Phone: (215) 788-5561
Fax: (267) 885-1667
D.C. 07-1-04 (0204)
7325 New Falls Road
Levittown, PA 19055
Phone: (215) 943-9414
Fax: (267) 885-1668
D.C. 07-1-07 (0207)
142 Centre Street
Penndel, PA 19047
Phone: (215) 757-6761
Fax: (267) 885-1669
D.C. 07-1-08
2661 Trenton Road
Levittown, PA 19056-1491
Phone: (215) 946-5450
Fax: (267) 885-1670
D.C. 07-1-09 (0209)
567 Newtown Road
Warminster, PA 18974
Phone: (215) 672-5853
Fax: (267) 885-1671
D.C. 07-1-10 (0210)
9187 New Falls Road
Fallsington, PA 19054
Phone: (215) 736-0231
Fax: (267) 885-1672
D.C. 07-1-11
31 East Cleveland Avenue
Morrisville, PA 19067
Phone: (215) 736-1121
Fax: (267) 885-1673
D.C. 07-1-12 (0221
3101 Bristol Road, Ste 7
Bensalem, PA 19020
Phone: (215) 741-3501
Fax: (267) 885-1674
D.C. 07-2-01 (0212)
60 Township Road
Richboro, PA 18954
Phone: (215) 322-0144
Fax: (267) 885-1682
D.C. 07-2-02 (0213)
1277 Almshouse Road
Warrington, PA 18976
Phone: (215) 343-7961
Fax: (267) 885-1675
D.C. 07-2-05 (0216)
281 California Road
Quakertown, PA 18951
Phone: (215) 536-9650
Fax: (267) 885-1676
D.C. 07-2-07 (0218)
28 North State Street
Newtown, PA 18940
Phone: (215) 968-1657
Fax: (267) 885-1677
D.C. 07-2-08 (0219)
962 Town Center
New Britain, PA 18901
Phone: (215) 230-7265
Fax: (267) 885-1678
D.C. 07-3-01 (0215)
4001 Durham Road (Rt 413)
Doylestown, PA 18902
Phone: (215) 345-7516
Fax: (267) 885-1679
D.C. 07-3-02 (0222)
1720 Kendarbren Drive
Suite 711
Jamison, PA 18929
Phone: (215) 343-0627
Fax: (267) 885-1680
D.C. 07-3-03 (0217)
276 Tabor Road
Ottsville, PA 18942
Phone: (610) 847-5164
Fax: (267) 885-1681
Criminal Records Access in Bucks County
Access to criminal records in Bucks County depends on the type of information sought, whether it is an official criminal history report or criminal case information. Criminal history reports are handled at the state level by the Pennsylvania State Police through the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system. Local criminal case information can be obtained from the Court of Common Pleas or Magisterial District Courts, depending on which court handled the case. Docket information is also available online on the Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal.
Bucks County Probate Records
Bucks County probate records are public documents maintained by the Register of Wills, pertaining to the administration of a person’s estate after their death. They also document the appointment of executors, the distribution of assets, and matters concerning guardianships and conservatorships. Specific documents that are usually found in probate records include wills, death certificates, asset inventories, guardianship papers, and testamentary letters.
Although probate records are public documents in the county and can be viewed by anyone without needing a family connection, certain records are confidential (e.g, wills filed before probate). In Bucks County, individuals can obtain probate filings from the Register of Wills. Persons visiting the office to make a request are advised to schedule an appointment to avoid long waiting times. Probate documents can also be viewed and purchased via the Buck County Web Viewer service. Documents are sold at a 10-cent per page fee and a $1 technology fee.
Bucks County Family Court Records
Family court records in Bucks County contain information about family law matters heard within the Family Court Division of the Court of Common Pleas. These matters include protection from abuse, adoption, divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, alimony pendente lite, and paternity.
In Bucks County, family court records are split between two primary clerks based on the nature of the case. The Prothonotary handles matters of divorce, custody, and protection from abuse. The Clerk of the Orphans’ Court manages adoption cases and marriage licenses.
Bucks County family court records are public, so interested persons may visit the appropriate office with the record to inspect it or obtain a copy. However, some records are confidential and require authorization to access.
Federal Court Records in Bucks County
Federal cases connected to Bucks County are handled by the United States District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania (EDPA), as there are no federal courthouses located within the county itself. The most convenient way for Bucks County residents to access a federal court record is to search for it through the PACER Case Locator. Individuals may also view federal court records in person at the public terminals located in the Clerk’s Office of the EDPA courthouses.
