Snyder County Court Records

Snyder County Courts, PA *

Snyder County is one of Pennsylvania's 67 counties, located in the central part of the state in the Ridge and Valley region of the Appalachian Mountains. The area is approximately midway between Williamsport and Harrisburg. Penns Creek Mountain borders the county in the north and the Susquehanna River in the east. The county seat is in Middleburg and covers 332 square miles.

In Snyder County, court records are used for background checks, looking at prior evictions, and conducting other research by employers, landlords, and other individuals and businesses. Court cases are completed and filed with the appropriate court division. Civil matters, as well as divorce, child support, and custody, are filed in the Court of Common Pleas. Matters regarding wills, estates, guardianship of minors, and other property matters are filed in the Orphans' Court Division.

Overview of the Snyder County Court System

All of the Snyder County courts are part of the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System. The 17th Judicial District is a two-county district with two judges: one serving Snyder County and the other serving Union County. The Snyder County Courthouse, located in Middleburg, houses the Court of Common Pleas and the administrative offices of all Snyder County courts. Throughout the county are located the Magisterial District Courts, which traffic ticket hearings, landlord/tenant eviction cases, civil cases for lesser amounts, summary trials for less serious crimes, and preliminary arraignments and hearings on felony cases.

Snyder County does not consolidate civil and criminal filings into a single office, unlike some other Pennsylvania counties. Instead, all civil, criminal, and Orphans' Court procedures are recorded in the office of the Snyder County Prothonotary, Clerk of Courts, and Clerk of Orphans' Court. As the "keeper of the courts", this office signs and seals all writs and processes, and issues other documents needed for court cases. Information and forms for cases can be obtained from staff in the Prothonotary's office; however, they cannot give legal advice.

Types of Courts in Snyder County, Pennsylvania

Knowing which court is appropriate can have very positive or very negative results. For the most part, which court is appropriate is determined by the type of case, the amount of money at issue, and the relief the party is seeking.

Court of Common Pleas

The Court of Common Pleas is the highest trial court in Snyder County and is part of the Seventeenth Judicial District.

The Court of Common Pleas handles:

Criminal Division

Felony cases (such as serious assaults, drug trafficking, and burglaries)
Misdemeanor cases
Specialty court cases, such as Drug Court and DUI Court
Appeals from Magisterial District Courts in criminal matters

Civil Division

Civil matters exceeding $12,000.00
Equity actions and injunctions, such as mortgage foreclosures and other complex property matters, medical and legal malpractice actions
Appeals from Magisterial District Court civil actions

Family Division

Divorce, separation, annulment
Child custody, visitation, and parental rights
Child and spousal support
Paternity
Protection from Abuse (PFA) Actions
Juvenile delinquency and child abuse or neglect cases

Orphans' Court Division

Probate of wills (testate situations)
Administration of decedents' estates (intestate situations)
Guardianships of minors and persons with disabilities
Disputed estate claims and accountings

Cases in the Court of Common Pleas can result in long-term prison sentences. If a party has a case in the Court of Common Pleas, it is highly recommended that they retain an attorney before their first day in court.

Magisterial District Courts

Magisterial District Courts are the first level of the Pennsylvania court system.

Magisterial District courts handle:

Traffic tickets cases
Landlord/tenant evictions
Civil matters of less than $12,000.00 in value
Summary trials for certain minor criminal offenses
Preliminary arraignments and hearings on most misdemeanor and felony criminal cases

These cases are initially filed in the District Court, where they are preliminarily arraigned and held for a preliminary hearing. At the close of a preliminary hearing, the charges are either dismissed, waived to the trial court, and set down for trial or held for trial in the Court of Common Pleas and referred to that court. Decisions made by the Magisterial District Courts can be appealed to the Court of Common Pleas; the case will be heard from start to finish (de novo).

How to Access Snyder County Court Records

In Pennsylvania, pursuant to the Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.), most documents within the Pennsylvania Courts are available for public inspection unless prohibited by statute or the Rules of Court. Examples of court records that are restricted or considered confidential are juvenile court records, sealed criminal cases, mental health records, and adoption records.

Online Access

The Pennsylvania Judiciary (UJS) portal is an excellent place to start a search for criminal and civil case information. The portal allows parties to search all courts in the Commonwealth for criminal dockets and civil case information. To search for Snyder County Court of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Court records, parties can visit the portal and perform their search using as much information as possible about a case, such as the full legal names of all parties involved in the case, the case and/or docket number(s), and the specific court office or division where the case was filed.

Alternative Online Options

Some Online Public Records Databases, like CourtCaseFinder, can also search for Snyder County court records. They search for civil case files and copies of other public records from all courts in each jurisdiction. They compile information from all the courts and other government offices in a state, or even across the whole country. Parties can access civil case files and other public records from individual courthouses, as well as criminal records, eviction records, and other public records from government offices.

In-Person Requests

To obtain certified copies of documents in a case or older public records that are not accessible online, the public can visit the Snyder County Courthouse. Individuals should have as much information available, such as a case or docket number and the full legal names of all parties to a case. Fees for documents apply. The Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts office provides procedural guidance but cannot give legal advice to the public.

Archived Records

Historical court documents for Snyder County are archived at the Pennsylvania State Archives as well as at the Snyder County Courthouse. These historical court documents can be useful for genealogical research, researching the history of a property, or researching a long-closed case. Historical probate and estate records for Snyder County are contained in old wills, estate inventories, and other papers which are housed in the Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts office. The Clerk can assist in many cases in locating older records.

For Attorneys and Legal Professionals

The Unified Judicial System (UJS) portal allows attorneys practicing before the Snyder County courts to view case information and review the current court docket for the matters in which they are involved. Information and contact numbers for the individual Snyder County courts, as well as general information for attorneys, are available on the UJS portal.

All filings for cases before the Snyder County Court of Common Pleas must comply with the local rules of the 17th Judicial District, the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure, and the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure. Some case types must be filed electronically. Information on e-filing by attorneys can be found on the Unified Judicial System's web-based e-filing application. Processing time for the issuance of certified copies of documents and historical court records is approximately 3 to 5 business days.

How to File a Case in Snyder County

Many errors made by litigants and their attorneys alike can be avoided by saving time and money by correctly filing a case rather than allowing delays.

Step 1: Choose the Correct Court

To have a matter heard promptly and efficiently, it is essential to select the correct court. The Types of Courts section above provides a general overview of the cases that are heard in the Court of Common Pleas (Criminal, Civil, Family, and Orphans' Court Divisions) as well as the Magisterial District Courts.

Step 2: Complete Required Forms

Filers are advised to read all free Commonwealth of PA resources before filling out the forms. All fields must be completed, the form must be signed where required, and all required documents must be attached. Incomplete documents are the number one cause of delay for filings that are not accepted. Pennsylvania government forms can be found on the state's online services portal or at the county clerk's office. The staff at the county clerk's office can assist individuals in completing their forms and filing them. However, they cannot provide legal advice.

Step 3: File the Case

The first step to start a case in a Magisterial District Court is to file the matter in the court where the incident occurred. This is done at the courthouse in the city where the incident occurred. When filing a civil case at the courthouse for the Court of Common Pleas, the court staff will review the paperwork submitted by the filer to ensure all the steps have been completed correctly, that any supporting documents have been prepared in the correct format, and that the paperwork is ready to be filed with the Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts.

Some types of court cases, such as civil, family, and orphans, can be filed online through the Pennsylvania court system's electronic filing service, PACFile. However, not all case types can be e-filed, and the court where a paper case is being filed should be contacted to determine which online filing options are available.

Step 4: Pay Filing Fees

Each type of action has a different filing fee for civil cases in Snyder County. The Prothonotary's Office can provide a copy of the current fee schedule. If a party is unable to pay the filing fees for a Court of Common Pleas matter and still wishes to file a petition and supporting documents with the court, the party can file in forma pauperis (without cost to the party).

Step 5: Serve the Other Party

A certain amount of time must pass before service of process can be made on other parties involved in the case. A party can have service of process made by a licensed process server, the Snyder County Sheriff's Office, or even by certified mail return receipt requested. The record of service of process must be kept by the party who filed the complaint or petition and filed with the court as proof. If service of process is not completed on all other parties to the case, then the case may be placed on hold or dismissed.

Step 6: Monitor the Case

Information regarding a matter with an active case can be obtained by viewing the docket on the UJS portal or by contacting the Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts at the Snyder County Courthouse. It is recommended that prior pleadings and evidence be reviewed before a hearing.

Snyder County Courthouse Directory

Snyder County Courthouse

Major civil lawsuits, felony and misdemeanor criminal matters, and other Court of Common Pleas cases are processed here.

Middleburg

Address: 9 W. Market Street, P.O. Box 217, Middleburg, PA 17842

Criminal and Civil Division: (570) 837-42072

Orphans' Court: (570) 837-4224

Family Division: (570) 837-4265

Website: Snyder County Courts

Magistrate District Courts

Handle all criminal matters, summary offenses, traffic citations, and other infraction matters, as well as small civil matters, such as collection actions and landlord-tenant disputes.

Magisterial District 17-3-03

Address: 1025 US Rt. 522, Selinsgrove, PA 17870

Phone: (570) 374-0111

Magisterial District 17-3-04

Address: 32 East Market Street, Middleburg, PA 17842

Phone: (570) 837-4355

Visitors should always confirm the hours of operation for each office, as they may change.

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

Free legal help or resources for people who cannot afford a lawyer are often available from nonprofit, local, and statewide organizations.

Free Legal Assistance

North Penn Legal Services (NPLS) is a nonprofit organization funded by federal, state, and county funds to provide free civil legal services to low-income individuals and families residing in northeastern and central Pennsylvania, including Snyder County. The Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network (PLAN) is a statewide network of legal aid providers that offer free civil legal services to individuals and families in need across the state. There are local legal aid providers in every county in Pennsylvania, including Snyder County. The PLAN website also allows individuals to search for help by county and by legal area.

Local Legal Support

Individuals in need of an attorney can seek a referral from the Pennsylvania Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service, which can refer an attorney in any area of the state. For less serious matters, such as a small claims action, the parties can represent themselves. However, for felony indictments, child custody matters, contested probate matters, and other serious legal matters, it is recommended that the parties retain an attorney licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania.

FAQs

Are court records public in Snyder County?

Most court records are public records in Pennsylvania under the Right-to-Know Law and the Pennsylvania Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System. There are exceptions to this general rule, including: juvenile cases, sealed criminal cases, mental health cases, adoption cases, and other records that contain personally identifying information protected by statute.

Where can eviction records be found?

Eviction actions filed in Snyder County can be researched online through the UJS portal or in the specific Magisterial District Court where the matter was heard. To research an eviction action, a search can be conducted online through the UJS portal or at the specific Magisterial District Court where the matter was heard.

Where does one file a small claims case?

A small claims action is filed with the Magisterial District Court where the incident occurred. More information on filing a case such as this is available by contacting the appropriate Magisterial District Court or the Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts for Snyder County.

How long will it take to receive copies of Snyder County court documents?

Copies of documents are generally available on the same day as the request or within a few days. Archives of older documents and certified copies take longer. It is best to contact the Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts to confirm current fees and the time required to complete a request.

What if a case cannot be found online?

The case may have been filed under a different name, may not have been entered into the online database yet, or may be confidential or under seal. Those seeking more information about a case can contact the Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts for the County of Snyder. The Snyder County Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts is located in the Snyder County Courthouse.

What kinds of records can be found online?

Online access to records in Snyder County is available through the UJS portal for Civil, Criminal, Family, and Traffic cases. Probate and Estate cases can be located online through the Snyder County Orphans' Court e-filing portal. Land records such as deeds, liens, and mortgages filed in Snyder County are recorded by the Snyder County Register & Recorder and may be viewed in person at the courthouse.

Are online court record searches always accurate?

Online court record searches conducted through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System (UJS) portal are a reliable place to start a search for a case; however, results are not guaranteed to be complete or current. For example, a case might not appear in search results if it was filed under a different name or if the case has not yet been entered into the online database. In addition, sealed or confidential matters, such as juvenile, mental health, and adoption cases, are restricted and will not appear in online public searches. For the most current and complete information regarding a case, parties are encouraged to contact the Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts at the Snyder County Courthouse.

When is it helpful to use a third-party records finder?

In using a third-party online public records database like CourtCaseFinder, the goal is to gather information from throughout a state (PA) or the entire country. Online public records databases are particularly useful for employers, landlords, tenants, and others looking to conduct background checks, obtain information on prior evictions, or search court records. However, those looking for certified copies or other official Snyder County court documents or records will find that using the online Unified Judicial System (UJS) portal or visiting the Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts office at the Snyder County Courthouse would be more effective.

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Snyder County Court Records Lookup

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