Delaware County PA Court Records Search by Name & Case

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Delaware County, Pennsylvania • 32nd Judicial District

Search Delaware County Court Records in the Right System First

Delaware County does not use one public portal for every court record. Civil Court of Common Pleas dockets and judgment indexes use the county’s C-Track system, criminal Common Pleas and Magisterial District Court dockets use Pennsylvania’s Unified Judicial System portal, and probated estates use the Register of Wills system.

Quick answer For a civil lawsuit, judgment or lien, start with Delaware County C-Track Public Access. For a criminal case, traffic matter or Magisterial District Court case, use the Pennsylvania UJS Case Search. For probate or estate records, use the Delaware County Register of Wills online system. Save the complete docket or case number before requesting copies.
Choose the correct search route Search by name correctly

The phrase “Delaware County court records” covers several separate court systems. A Court of Common Pleas civil lawsuit, a criminal prosecution, a traffic citation, a landlord-tenant case, a divorce decree and a probated estate can all involve Delaware County but may require different search tools or record custodians.

The main local record office for Court of Common Pleas civil and criminal files is the Office of Judicial Support (OJS). Delaware County states that OJS combines functions historically handled by the Clerk of Courts and Prothonotary. Its Criminal Division maintains criminal case files coming from local Magisterial District Judges, while its Civil Division maintains civil cases, property liens and judgments.

Choose the Correct Delaware County Court Record Search

Start with the type of case rather than typing a name into every portal. That is the fastest way to avoid false “no record” results.

1 Civil lawsuit, judgment or civil lien Use Delaware County Court of Common Pleas C-Track Public Access. This is the county’s public route for civil case dockets and the judgment index.
2 Common Pleas criminal case Use Pennsylvania UJS Case Search. The county sends users to the statewide judiciary portal for public criminal docket sheets.
3 Traffic, minor criminal, landlord-tenant or lower-value civil case Use the Pennsylvania UJS portal and identify the correct Delaware County Magisterial District Court.
4 Divorce Find the civil docket number through Delaware County Public Access first, then follow the Office of Judicial Support’s special divorce-copy rules.
5 Probated estate or will Use the Delaware County Register of Wills online system. Public estate-name searching is available separately from OJS civil and criminal searches.
6 Federal case Use PACER. Delaware County is within the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Record type Best starting point Key distinction
Civil Common Pleas Delaware County C-Track County civil docket and judgment-index system.
Criminal Common Pleas Pennsylvania UJS Statewide public criminal docket-sheet system.
Magisterial District Court Pennsylvania UJS Delaware County has 30 Magisterial District Courts.
Divorce decree Civil docket search → OJS The decree is public, but access to the rest of a divorce file is restricted.
Probated estate Register of Wills Online Systems Free guest search shows estate data, not document images.
Historical civil/criminal OJS / Delaware County Archives Older record series may exist outside current online case systems.
Federal case PACER Federal records are separate from Pennsylvania state-court systems.

Delaware County Civil Court Records and Judgment Search

The Office of Judicial Support’s Civil Division handles civil cases involving individuals and businesses and also maintains liens against property and judgments against individuals. Delaware County’s Public Access page directs users to its C-Track system for Court of Common Pleas civil dockets and the judgment index.

Online civil search

C-Track Public Access

Use the county civil system for civil Court of Common Pleas dockets and judgment-index searching.

Open Delaware County civil search
Record custodian

Office of Judicial Support — Civil Division

Delaware County Government Center
201 W. Front Street
Media, PA 19063
Phone: 610-891-4370

OJS also lists a dedicated File Room number of 610-891-4329.

Know the civil docket-number format

Delaware County’s current OJS forms page states that civil case numbers should be written in the format yyyy-######. The county gives 2016-031234 as an example.

Use the docket number whenever possible. Once you locate a civil case by party name, save the full number before contacting OJS. A docket number is much more precise than asking staff to search a common surname.

Delaware County Criminal Court Records

The OJS Criminal Division is responsible for criminal case files processed from local Magisterial District Judges. It also handles bail, bail returns, summary appeals and appeals to higher courts.

For public online criminal information, Delaware County directs users to the Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal. The UJS Public Web Docket Sheets service provides criminal Court of Common Pleas docket sheets statewide.

1 Open Pennsylvania Case Search. Use the public UJS Case Search rather than a general web search.
2 Select the appropriate court level. A criminal matter may begin in a Magisterial District Court and later proceed to the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas.
3 Search by party name or docket information. Keep the search broad first and narrow only after you see the available matches.
4 Read the disposition. A filed charge is not the same as a conviction. Check how each charge and the case were resolved.

Open Pennsylvania UJS Case Search

Criminal docket-number format Delaware County gives criminal-number examples in the format CP-23-CR-1234-2017. Keeping the court code, case type, number and year together helps prevent searching the wrong docket.
Sealed, expunged and Clean Slate records are not public Case Search results. Pennsylvania UJS states that sealed, expunged and limited-access Clean Slate cases are not visible to the public through Case Search. A missing result can therefore reflect a legal access restriction rather than the absence of a case.

Magisterial District Court Records in Delaware County

Delaware County currently has 30 Magisterial District Courts. These courts are the first level of judicial authority for many local matters and are located throughout the county rather than in one courthouse.

Traffic

Traffic cases

Magisterial District Judges handle traffic cases. Public docket sheets and court-calendar information may be searched through the Pennsylvania UJS portal.

Criminal

Minor criminal & preliminary proceedings

MDJs handle minor criminal cases, set bail and conduct preliminary hearings in misdemeanor and felony cases before matters that continue are transferred to Common Pleas.

Civil

Lower-value civil claims

Delaware County states that MDJs handle civil cases involving amounts up to $12,000, including landlord-tenant matters within their jurisdiction.

Find the correct Magisterial District Court

The correct district depends on the municipality and, in some places, the ward or precinct. Do not send a records request to the first MDJ office you find simply because it is in Delaware County.

Use Delaware County’s current list of Magisterial District Courts

MDJ administration

Administrative Office for Magisterial District Judges

2 West Baltimore Avenue, Suite 203
Media, PA 19063
Phone: 610-565-6990

Published hours: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday.

Online route

UJS Public Docket Sheets

The statewide portal includes public Magisterial District Court docket sheets and public calendar schedules. Search the specific district court when you know its number.

How to Find a Delaware County Divorce Record

Divorce records have special access rules. The Office of Judicial Support says you should first find the civil docket number through Delaware County Public Access.

Search the civil docket. Use Delaware County Public Access to locate the divorce case and record the docket number.
Decide whether you need the decree or the full file. The final Divorce Decree is available to anyone, but the remainder of the divorce file is more restricted.
Order the decree from OJS. OJS currently lists a simple decree copy at $1 and a certified copy at $6.
Use in-person access for other divorce-file documents. OJS states that only the parties and their attorney of record may see the divorce file and requires photo identification.
Older divorce files need advance notice. OJS keeps the current year and five prior years in the office. If the file was opened earlier, call 610-891-4324 or 610-891-4370 first so the file can be requested from archives before you travel.

Probate, Estate and Will Records Use a Separate System

Probated estates are handled by the Delaware County Register of Wills & Clerk of Orphans’ Court Division, not the OJS civil-record search.

The Register of Wills now lets the public search probated estates online for free. The county instructs users to open the portal, choose LOGIN AS GUEST, select Search Public Records, choose Case Names and search the estate.

No account is required for the estate-name search. The online estate search shows record data but does not display images of probate documents. If you need a will or another probate document, use the separate online copy-ordering service.
Estate search

Register of Wills Online Services

Open probate search portal

Register of Wills
Delaware County Government Center
201 W. Front Street
Media, PA 19063
Main: 610-891-4400
Probate: 610-891-4419
Orphans’ Court: 610-891-5408

Published office hours: 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Monday–Friday.

Copy processing The Register of Wills states that online probate-copy orders can be filled as electronic copies by email or as paper copies by U.S. mail and asks users to allow 14 business days for processing.

Delaware County Court Record Copy Fees

Copy fees depend on whether the record is civil, criminal, divorce, probate or another court product. A downloaded docket sheet is also different from a clerk-certified copy.

Record service Current published fee Office / source
Civil certified copy $6 first page; $1 each additional page OJS Civil Division 2026 fee schedule
Civil docket entries $1 per page OJS Civil Division
Criminal certified copy $9.50 OJS Criminal Division
Criminal non-certified copy $1 OJS Criminal Division
Divorce Decree simple copy $1 OJS Civil Filing Room
Divorce Decree certified copy $6 OJS Civil Filing Room
Verify the fee before mailing payment. Court fee schedules can change. Use the current OJS Fees page for the specific civil or criminal service you need, especially if you are requesting multiple pages, certification or another filing-related service.

Check current Office of Judicial Support fees

Need a Transcript Instead of a Docket or Court Copy?

A transcript is a record of what was said during a proceeding. It is not the same as a docket sheet, filed complaint, order or judgment.

Delaware County’s Electronic Recording Center records and produces transcripts for Court of Common Pleas proceedings and for criminal preliminary hearings recorded in Magisterial District Courts. The county says new Common Pleas transcript orders require a deposit equal to 50% of the estimated cost before preparation proceeds.

Transcript route

Electronic Recording Center

201 W. Front Street
Media, PA 19063

Email: ElectronicRecording@co.delaware.pa.us

Fax: 610-891-8743

Choose correctly

Docket vs transcript

If you only need the filing history, search the docket first. If you need the exact spoken proceeding, use the transcript request process.

Open Delaware County transcript information

Older and Historical Delaware County Court Records

An old case may exist even when it does not appear in a modern online portal. Delaware County Archives preserves several historical court-record series that predate modern electronic case systems.

Historical series County-listed coverage Useful note
Civil docket books 1797–1929 Name indexes exist in the docket books.
Civil case files / original writs 1789–1897 County says online indexes cover 1789–1889.
Criminal docket books 1806–1929 Historical name indexing is available for portions of the collection.
Criminal case papers 1790–1922 For later criminal case files, contact OJS.
Historical records are not one continuous online database. First estimate the case year, then ask whether the record is still with OJS or has moved to Delaware County Archives. For divorce files more than five prior years old, OJS specifically asks users to call before visiting so the file can be retrieved from archives.

Review Delaware County Archives holdings

Delaware County Courthouse and Office of Judicial Support

Court complex

Delaware County Courthouse

201 West Front Street
Media, PA 19063
Main county phone: 610-891-4000

Published courthouse hours: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday except holidays.

Court records

Office of Judicial Support

Government Center
201 W. Front Street
Media, PA 19063
Phone: 610-891-4370

The current OJS page lists Room 127. Another county court-information page still references Room 126, so verify the room before an in-person visit.

Useful OJS phone routing Delaware County currently lists 610-891-4329 for the Civil/Criminal File Room, 610-891-4377 for the Divorce Clerk, 610-891-4385 for judgments and 610-891-4373 for summary appeals.

Finding a Court Date or Scheduled Event

The Pennsylvania UJS portal includes a public calendar schedule for Criminal Courts of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Courts. This can help confirm when and where a listed court event is scheduled.

A calendar is not the same as the newest court order. Hearings can be continued or rescheduled. If an online calendar conflicts with a newer notice or signed order in your case, contact the court before relying on the older date.

Open the Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal

No Delaware County Court Record Found? Check These Routes

A blank result in one system does not establish that Delaware County has no record. The most common problem is searching the wrong court level or record system.

Clear unnecessary name filters. Search the basic first and last name before adding dates, middle names or case categories.
Confirm civil versus criminal. Delaware County Common Pleas civil records and criminal records use different public systems.
Check the Magisterial District Court level. Traffic, landlord-tenant and many lower-level criminal/civil matters may be found there rather than only in Common Pleas.
Check probate separately. Probated estates use the Register of Wills database, not C-Track or the criminal UJS docket search.
Consider restricted access. Sealed, expunged, Clean Slate, juvenile, adoption and other protected records may not appear in public search results.
Consider older records. Historical files may be in archives or require an OJS file retrieval rather than an online search.
Check state appellate or federal court. An appeal has a separate appellate docket, while federal district cases use PACER.

Know What the Search Result Actually Shows

Record layer What it tells you What may still be missing
Search result Possible party, docket number, court and basic case information. Full docket, documents and identity confirmation.
Docket sheet Chronological entries, filings, hearings and disposition information. The text or image of every underlying document.
Filed document The actual complaint, motion, order, judgment or other filing. Clerk certification unless specifically ordered.
Certified copy A copy authenticated by the record-holding clerk. It does not replace legal interpretation of the document.
Transcript What was said in a recorded/reported proceeding. It is not the same as the docket or complete court file.

For unfamiliar court terminology, use the Court Records Glossary. For a broader search workflow, see Court Records Search by Name & Case Number.

Pennsylvania Appellate Court Records

Pennsylvania’s UJS portal also provides public docket-sheet access for the state appellate courts. An appeal receives its own appellate docket, so finding the Delaware County trial-court case does not automatically show every appellate event.

If you know an appeal was filed, search the Pennsylvania appellate docket separately and compare the lower-court docket number, parties and filing dates.

Open Pennsylvania appellate docket information

Federal Delaware County Cases Use PACER

Delaware County is one of the counties within the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Federal civil and criminal records are therefore separate from Delaware County’s C-Track system and Pennsylvania UJS state-court dockets.

1 Known Eastern District case Search the Eastern District through PACER using the federal case number when available.
2 Federal court unknown Use the PACER Case Locator to identify the court and case number first.
3 State case Return to C-Track, UJS or the appropriate Delaware County clerk rather than PACER.
4 Federal appeal Appeals from the Eastern District go to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

Open PACER or read the site’s PACER Court Records Guide.

Use Delaware County Court Records Carefully

A public docket can help locate a case, but it can be incomplete, restricted, updated later or misunderstood when a name or filing is viewed without the rest of the case history.

  • Do not treat a filed criminal charge as proof of conviction.
  • Do not treat a civil complaint as proof that the claim was true or successful.
  • Do not treat a same-name result as proof of identity.
  • Check the newest disposition, judgment or order before describing how a case ended.
  • Do not attempt to bypass sealed, expunged, Clean Slate, juvenile, adoption or other restricted-record protections.
  • Use the record-holding clerk when you need a certified or official copy.
Consumer-reporting limitation PublicCourtRecords.org is an independent information website, not a consumer reporting agency. Do not use this guide as a substitute for legally compliant employment, housing, credit, insurance or other eligibility screening.

Frequently Asked Questions About Delaware County PA Court Records

Where do I search Delaware County PA court records online?

Use Delaware County C-Track for Court of Common Pleas civil dockets and the judgment index. Use Pennsylvania UJS Case Search for criminal Common Pleas and Magisterial District Court dockets. Probate estates use the separate Register of Wills online system.

Can I search Delaware County court records by name?

Yes, but the correct portal depends on the record type. Search civil parties in the Delaware County civil system, criminal and Magisterial District Court parties through Pennsylvania UJS, and probated estates through the Register of Wills guest-search system.

Who keeps Delaware County Court of Common Pleas records?

The Delaware County Office of Judicial Support maintains the main civil and criminal Common Pleas files. The office combines functions historically handled by the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts.

How do I find Delaware County traffic or landlord-tenant cases?

These commonly begin in a Magisterial District Court. Delaware County has 30 MDJ courts. Use Pennsylvania UJS for public docket searching and the county’s MDJ list to identify the correct local office.

How do I get a Delaware County divorce decree?

Find the docket number through the civil public-access system first. OJS states that the Divorce Decree is available to anyone and currently lists $1 for a simple copy and $6 for a certified copy. Access to the rest of the divorce file is limited to the parties and their attorney of record.

How do I search Delaware County probate records?

Use the Register of Wills Online Services portal, choose Login as Guest, select Search Public Records and then Case Names. Estate searching is free, but document images are not shown publicly online.

How much is a Delaware County certified civil court copy?

The civil fee schedule effective January 1, 2026 lists $6 for the first certified-copy page and $1 for each additional page. Verify the live schedule before ordering because court fees can change.

How much is a Delaware County criminal court copy?

The current OJS criminal fee schedule lists $9.50 for a certified copy and $1 for a non-certified copy.

Why can’t I find a criminal case in Pennsylvania Case Search?

Check the spelling and court level first. Pennsylvania also states that sealed, expunged and limited-access Clean Slate cases are not visible to the public through Case Search. Older or otherwise restricted records may require direct court contact.

Where are old Delaware County court records?

Start with the Office of Judicial Support for more recent Common Pleas files. Delaware County Archives holds several older civil and criminal record series, including civil docket books dating to 1797 and criminal docket books dating to 1806.

Are Delaware County federal cases in the Pennsylvania UJS portal?

No. Federal cases use PACER. Delaware County is within the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Official Source Verification

This guide was checked against current Delaware County, Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System and federal court resources. Search systems, court fees, office locations, privacy rules and copy procedures can change, so the court or record-holding office controls when its live instructions differ from this page.

Research reviewed: September 23, 2026.

Independent information guide. PublicCourtRecords.org is not affiliated with Delaware County, the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System, the Office of Judicial Support, the Register of Wills, PACER or any court or government agency. This page does not provide legal advice, official background checks, certified records or case-specific legal conclusions.