Wayne County, Pennsylvania State Court Records
In Wayne County, Pennsylvania, court records are government files that contain information about case proceedings and judicial processes within the county. Such records may reveal the case parties' information, transcripts, case identifiers, and judicial decisions.
Court records may also include documents filed during case proceedings. Concerned parties may locate arrest reports and vital documents in criminal or family-type case records.
Interested parties may find court records in the custody of the clerk of courts in Wayne County. The court clerks are generally responsible for maintaining and providing access to court records handled at the courthouse. For example, the Office of the Prothonotary oversees the record keeping of civil and family-type case files.
Are Wayne County Court Records Public?
Wayne County court records are mostly accessible to the public. Per the 204 Pa. Code § 213.81, the public may legally view and make requests for court records generated in the county. The law requires record custodians to provide avenues by which the public may obtain records. For instance, the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania maintains an online search platform for case files.
Note that the state law prevents public access to specific court documents. Exempt documents might include information whose disclosure violates the rights of concerned parties. Under Pennsylvania laws, publicly exempt records may include the following:
- Information protected under the attorney-client confidentiality clause.
- Materials that may interfere with an ongoing prosecution.
- Information that may compromise the safety of crime victims, minors, and arresting officers.
- Documents that were sealed or expunged by court order.
- Mental health and medical reports included in case proceedings.
- Confidential documents filed during case proceedings.
What Information is Available in Wayne County Court Records?
Wayne County court records may reveal these details:
- Personal information of case parties, attorneys, and judicial officers.
- Case identifiers, including case number, filing date, and docket number.
- Docket entries.
- Case transcript.
- Filed documents, such as petitions and medical reports.
- Court decisions, such as the orders and decrees.
Wayne County Court Records Search
Wayne County residents may search court records by using options provided by the government entities. These options may include the following:
Online Access
The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania hosts an online searchable portal for court records generated in Wayne County. Record seekers may view records on the platform by providing relevant details about the record.
In-Person Access
To request court documents in person, record seekers must visit the designated record custodian for the court that handled the case. The Wayne County Office of the Prothonotary is the official record custodian of civil and family-related case files and judgments. Record seekers may request relevant documents by submitting a request to the agency at this address:
925 Court Street
Second Floor Annex
Honesdale, PA 18431
Phone: (570) 253-5970, ext. 4030
However, record seekers may find criminal case records in the custody of the Wayne County Clerk of Courts. The agency may attend to in-person requests for court records at this address:
Wayne County Commissioners
925 Court Street
Honesdale, PA 18431
Phone: (570) 253-5970
Mail and Phone Requests
To request court records via mail, record seekers may submit a written request letter to the designated record custodian. The letter must include the following:
- The record seeker's personal information and mailing address.
- Identifying details about the record, including the case number and filing date.
Upon receiving the letter, the record custodian may mail the estimated fees. Record seekers must pay the fees and follow the custodian's instructions to obtain requested documents.
Fees for Court Records in Wayne County
In Wayne County, record custodians may charge fees before retrieving and copying out court records. The fees may vary depending on the document type. For instance, it costs $0.25 per page for photocopied court documents, while certified court documents are $5 per record.
The clerk may charge additional fees for converting media documents to paper copies. In addition, they also charge postage fees for mail-based documents.
Wayne County Courthouse Locations
In Wayne County, the court system comprises the Court of Common Pleas and the Magisterial District Court. The public may find the courts at these locations:
Wayne County Court of Common Pleas
Wayne County Courthouse
925 Court Street
Honesdale, PA 18431
Phone: (570) 253-5970 ext. 4030
Fax: (570) 253-0687
Magisterial District Courts in Wayne County
Wayne County Magisterial District Court 22-3-01
Hawley Borough Building
94 Main Avenue
PO Box 350
Hawley, PA 18428
Phone: (570) 226-4981
Fax: (570) 226-0829
Wayne County Magisterial District Court 22-3-02
Wayne County Courthouse
925 Court Street
Honesdale, PA 18431
Phone: (570) 253-4560
Fax: (570) 251-3629
Wayne County Magisterial District Court 22-3-04
1065 Creamton Drive
Honesdale, PA 18431
Phone: (570) 448-2061
Fax: (570) 448-2057
Criminal Records Access in Wayne County
The Pennsylvania State Police, via the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH), handles all requests for criminal history checks. To obtain criminal history records, requesters must fill out the appropriate form and mail it to this address:
Pennsylvania State Police
Central Repository - RCPU
1800 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758.
Note that local case records are not the same as criminal history records. These documents differ in terms of accessibility and content. Based on content, local case records include court-related activities, while criminal history records only contain a summary of an offender's criminal past.
Wayne County Family Court Records
Wayne County family court records reveal information on domestic relations and juvenile case proceedings. Examples of such case proceedings include divorce, juvenile delinquency, and child custody.
Record seekers may find such records in the custody of the Office of the Prothonotary. The prothonotary maintains and provides access to certified and non-certified family court records in Wayne County. To obtain certified records, record seekers must make in-person inquiries and pay the required fees at the Prothonotary's Office. It costs $5 to obtain a certified copy of a family court record.
Federal Court Records in Wayne County
In Wayne County, federal court records reveal case proceedings for federal crimes. Examples of federal crimes include copyright/patent issues, bankruptcy, and drug trafficking.
Record seekers may locate federal court records in Wayne County by using resources provided by designated agencies. For instance, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania may allow in-person inquiries for federal cases heard at the courthouse. Record seekers may obtain records by visiting the court at this address:
William J. Nealon Federal Building
235 North Washington Avenue
Scranton, PA 18503
Alternatively, record seekers may look up federal court records on the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) database. The platform allows name- or number-based searches for court documents. Note that record seekers must create an account to access records on the database.