| Prothonotary (civil records) | Lehigh County Clerk of Judicial Records — Civil Division |
|---|---|
| Clerk of Courts (criminal records) | Lehigh County Clerk of Judicial Records — Criminal Division |
| Clerk address | Lehigh County Courthouse, 455 West Hamilton Street, Room 122, Allentown, PA 18101 |
| Phone | Civil Division (610) 782-3138; Criminal Division (610) 782-3077; Register of Wills (610) 782-3170 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
| Earliest records noted | Varies by court — older files may be on paper or microfilm |
| Plain copy fee | Set by the clerk — ask when you request |
| Certified copy fee | Set by the clerk — ask when you request |
Lehigh County replaced separate elected Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts offices with a single elected Clerk of Judicial Records, who oversees a Civil Division, a Criminal Division, a Register of Wills Division, and a Recorder of Deeds Division, all in Room 122 of the Lehigh County Courthouse in Allentown.
Case searching for civil and criminal matters is available through Odyssey Public Access, the county's own online docket system, in addition to the statewide UJS Web Portal. The Civil Division also offers e-filing for attorneys and self-represented parties.
Because all four divisions share one office and one elected official, requests are often more straightforward than in counties with separate clerks — but you should still specify civil, criminal, or Register of Wills when you call, since each division has its own staff and deputy.
Search Lehigh County court records online
Prothonotary (civil records)
Lehigh County Clerk of Judicial Records — Civil Division
- Cost
- Free to search on Odyssey Public Access; fees for certified copies and e-filing
- Coverage
- Civil, custody, divorce, and judgment filings for the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas
- Records
- Civil, Family
Performs the traditional Prothonotary function; located in Room 122 of the Lehigh County Courthouse.
Clerk of Courts (criminal records)
Lehigh County Clerk of Judicial Records — Criminal Division
- Cost
- Free to search on Odyssey Public Access; fees for certified copies
- Coverage
- Criminal and traffic filings for the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas
- Records
- Criminal, Traffic
Performs the traditional Clerk of Courts function; same office and courthouse room as the Civil Division, with separate deputy staff. Phone (610) 782-3077.
Other courts
Lehigh County Register of Wills
- Cost
- Free to search in person; fees for certified copies
- Coverage
- Wills, estates, guardianships, and Orphans' Court dockets
- Records
- Probate
A division of the Clerk of Judicial Records, also in Room 122.
Other courts
Lehigh County Odyssey Public Access
- Cost
- Free
- Coverage
- Online docket search for Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas civil and criminal cases
- Records
- Civil, Criminal, Family, Traffic
The county's own case-search system, in addition to the statewide UJS Portal.
What is available online
Odyssey Public Access covers civil and criminal docket entries for the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas; document images depend on how the case was filed. The statewide UJS Portal covers the same cases. Register of Wills records are primarily searched at the office counter.
Which clerk has your record
In Pennsylvania, the clerk who keeps a file depends on which court heard the case. Check the court name on the case notice, citation, or order, then use the office and coverage details above to identify the record holder. Court names and responsibilities differ by state; a county clerk may not keep court case files. For federal cases, see the PACER guide. The full court structure is on the Pennsylvania page.
| Court | Typical cases | Records kept by |
|---|---|---|
| Superior Court of Pennsylvania | Appeals in most civil and criminal cases from the Courts of Common Pleas; Family law and custody appeals | Prothonotary of the Superior Court (docket sheets on the UJS Web Portal) |
| Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania | Civil actions by and against the Commonwealth and its agencies; Appeals from state agencies and licensing boards; Some local government and election matters | Prothonotary of the Commonwealth Court (docket sheets on the UJS Web Portal) |
| Courts of Common Pleas (60 judicial districts) | Felony and misdemeanor criminal cases; Civil lawsuits, contracts, and personal injury; Divorce, custody, and support | Prothonotary (civil) and Clerk of Courts (criminal) of the county; Register of Wills (Orphans' Court) for probate |
| Magisterial District Courts | Summary offenses and traffic citations; Landlord-tenant and small claims up to the statutory limit; Preliminary arraignments and hearings in criminal cases | Magisterial District Judge's office for that magisterial district |
| Philadelphia Municipal Court and Pittsburgh Municipal Court divisions | Misdemeanors and summary offenses within city limits; Landlord-tenant and small civil claims; Traffic within the city | Clerk of the Municipal Court division (Philadelphia); handled within the Court of Common Pleas structure in Allegheny County |
Request records in person or by mail
Lehigh County clerk offices
Lehigh County Courthouse, 455 West Hamilton Street, Room 122, Allentown, PA 18101
Phone: Civil Division (610) 782-3138; Criminal Division (610) 782-3077; Register of Wills (610) 782-3170
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Contact details were taken from the office's website and are re-checked on a schedule; confirm hours before visiting.
Civil records. Search Odyssey Public Access or the UJS Portal online, or visit the Civil Division in Room 122 of the courthouse. Certified copies require the case number and payment; e-filing is available for registered users.
Criminal records. Search the same online tools, or contact the Criminal Division at (610) 782-3077 for certified copies or documents not shown online.
Probate and estate records. Contact or visit the Register of Wills Division at (610) 782-3170. Ask for the will, letters testamentary or of administration, or the estate document you need.
Fees
| Item | Typical cost in Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Plain copy | Set by the clerk — ask when you request |
| Certified copy | Set by the clerk — ask when you request |
Copy fees are set locally by each Prothonotary, Clerk of Courts, and Register of Wills under fee schedules authorized by the Judicial Code (42 Pa.C.S.) and county fee ordinances, so the per-page and certification charges differ by county and change periodically. Confirm the current fee with the specific office before sending payment.
Need a copy an agency will accept? See how to get certified copies of court records.
Sealed and restricted records
Pennsylvania court records are presumed open under the Unified Judicial System's public access policy, but the policy itself carves out categories that are not published even though a file exists:
The Pennsylvania guide lists every category of sealed and restricted record, and our guide to expunging or sealing a criminal record explains how to remove one from public view.
Frequently asked questions
Does Lehigh County have a Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts?
Not as separate elected offices. The Clerk of Judicial Records performs both roles through a Civil Division and a Criminal Division, alongside a Register of Wills Division and a Recorder of Deeds Division.
How do I search Lehigh County court records online?
Use Odyssey Public Access, the county's own docket search, or the statewide UJS Web Portal. Both cover civil and criminal cases.
Where do I get a Lehigh County probate record?
From the Register of Wills Division of the Clerk of Judicial Records, in Room 122 of the Lehigh County Courthouse.
Can I e-file civil cases in Lehigh County?
Yes, the Civil Division offers e-filing for attorneys and self-represented parties in addition to the public docket search.
Sources
- Lehigh County — Clerk of Judicial Records — https://www.lehighcounty.org/departments/clerk-of-judicial-records
- Lehigh County — Clerk of Judicial Records, Civil Division — https://www.lehighcounty.org/departments/clerk-of-judicial-records/civil-division
- Lehigh County — Clerk of Judicial Records, Register of Wills — https://www.lehighcounty.org/departments/clerk-of-judicial-records/register-of-wills
- Lehigh County — Odyssey Public Access — https://www.lehighcounty.org/Services/Online-Records-Access-ORA/Odyssey-Public-Access
- Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania — Courts — https://www.pacourts.us/courts
- UJS Web Portal — https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/
- Unified Judicial System — Public Records — https://www.pacourts.us/public-records
- Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania — https://www.pacourts.us/Storage/media/pdfs/20210524/020901-publicaccesspolicy_2010-000836.pdf
- PATCH — Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Search — https://www.pa.gov/agencies/psp/programs/records-request/overview-of-patch
- 18 Pa.C.S. Chapter 91 — Criminal History Record Information (expungement, Clean Slate) — https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/18/00.091..HTM
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania — https://www.paed.uscourts.gov/
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania — https://www.pamd.uscourts.gov/
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania — https://www.pawd.uscourts.gov/
- PACER — Federal court records — https://pacer.uscourts.gov/
See also: all Pennsylvania counties.