Court records of Mercer County, Pennsylvania, are available through several channels. MercerCourt.us allows you to search for public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through the official portal of the state's Unified Judicial System, court offices, and public terminals in the courthouse in Mercer.
Mercer Court System & Jurisdictions
Several levels of judicial authority operate in Mercer County, each handling specific categories of cases.
Court of Common Pleas is the county's court of general jurisdiction. It is divided into divisions:
- Civil Division — lawsuits regarding contracts, property disputes, and damage claims exceeding the limit of the magistrate court. Documents are maintained by the Prothonotary's office.
- Criminal Division — felonies and misdemeanors. All materials are managed by the Clerk of Courts.
- Family Division — divorces, child custody, alimony, protective orders.
- Orphans' Court Division — wills, estate cases, guardianship of incapacitated persons. The Register of Wills maintains the register.
Contact information for the Mercer County Court of Common Pleas:
Magisterial District Courts serve specific areas of the county. These courts handle:
- Small civil claims (typically up to $12,000)
- Traffic violations
- Minor criminal offenses (summary offenses)
- Preliminary hearings in criminal cases
- Eviction orders for tenants
Appeals from magistrate courts go to the Court of Common Pleas.
Mercer Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The schedule of the Court of Common Pleas is published through the Mercer County Court Administration. To find out the date of a specific hearing, contact the Court Administration directly at 724-662-3800.
You can check the status of a case and scheduled hearing dates online on the UJS (Unified Judicial System) portal. Search procedure:
- Open the portal and select the search type — by party name or by docket number.
- In the "Court" field, select "Mercer County Court of Common Pleas" or the appropriate Magisterial District Court.
- Click "Search" — the system will show results with hearing dates if they are scheduled.
For criminal cases, schedule information is also provided by the Clerk of Courts office. Public terminals in the courthouse allow you to view the calendar without an appointment.
How to Get a Copy of a Mercer Court Document
The type of document determines which office to contact.
Criminal Cases. Copies of sentences, protocols, and other criminal case documents are issued by the Clerk of Courts. You can contact them in person or by mail:
Civil Cases. For documents from civil proceedings — contact the Prothonotary's office, located at the same address.
Estate Cases and Wills. These materials are maintained by the Register of Wills, working together with the Clerk of Courts.
Certified and Uncertified Copies
- Uncertified copy is suitable for review. It is less expensive.
- Certified copy has the court seal and confirms the authenticity of the document. It is required for submission to other courts, government agencies, or for immigration procedures.
You can view docket sheets online through the UJS portal, but to obtain a full document with a seal, you will need to contact the appropriate office. A mail request should include: the full name of the party, the case number (if known), a description of the required document, and a return address. Payment is usually accepted by check or money order made payable to the appropriate office.
Mercer Court Records Fees & Payment
The fees in Mercer County are set in accordance with Pennsylvania law and local court rules. Below are typical fees — confirm the exact amount directly with the office, as rates may change.
| Service | Approximate Cost | Office |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal record search (by name) | Check with Clerk of Courts | Clerk of Courts |
| Uncertified document copy (per page) | $0.25 – $1.00 | Clerk of Courts / Prothonotary |
| Document certification | Additional fee over the cost of the copy | Clerk of Courts / Prothonotary |
| Criminal history check (PATCH — state) | $22.00 (online) | Pennsylvania State Police |
| Property records search (online) | Free to view | Recorder of Deeds |
Payment in court offices is usually accepted in cash, check, or money order. Some offices accept credit and debit cards — confirm this in advance. For mail requests, checks should be made payable to the appropriate office (e.g., "Mercer County Clerk of Courts").
If a state-level criminal history check is required, use the PATCH system from the Pennsylvania State Police — the result usually arrives within minutes. For public record requests that are not court-related, the county has an open records office (Right-to-Know), where you can submit a request under Act 3 of 2008.