Montgomery County Courts

Montgomery County makes up approximately 6.72% of Pennsylvania's total population, with 879,190 residents out of an estimated 13,078,751 statewide. The county's court system includes two main trial courts, which collectively process at least 156,000 new case filings and approximately 201,500 case dispositions each year. Of these, about 11,400 involve family-related matters such as Protection from Abuse (PFA) orders, paternity establishment, child support, child custody, and divorce, while about 17,000 are criminal cases.

Courts in Montgomery County are located across several communities, including Norristown, which serves as the county seat, as well as Montgomeryville, Abington, King of Prussia, Ambler, and Oreland. The two trial courts that operate within the county's judicial system are:

• Court of Common Pleas - Handles major civil and criminal matters, including family, probate, and juvenile cases. It also hears appeals from lower courts and certain administrative agencies. Additionally, this court is subdivided into five divisions, namely:
  • Civil Division - Addresses non-criminal matters such as equity cases, personal injury claims, as well as property and real estate matters.
  • Criminal Division - Processes felony and misdemeanor trials, sentencing, and pretrial hearings and motions.
  • Family Division - Adjudicates cases like divorce, paternity establishment, Protection from Abuse orders, and child custody.
  • Juvenile Division - Hears legal matters related to minors, including juvenile dependency and delinquency cases.
  • Orphan's Court Division - Addresses legal matters concerning trusts, adoptions, marriage licenses, and decedents' estates.
• Magisterial District Courts - Handle minor criminal offenses, civil claims for amounts up to $12,000, landlord-tenant disputes, and traffic cases. They also conduct preliminary hearings for serious criminal cases like misdemeanors and felonies.

How To Access Montgomery County Court Records

Case records maintained by the Montgomery County courts are generally accessible to the public upon submission of an oral or written request, per the Case Records Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania. Unless access is restricted by this policy, state or federal law, or a court order, individuals may request to inspect or obtain copies of records maintained by designated custodians.

To balance transparency with the protection of sensitive information, certain records, such as those involving alcohol and drug treatment, juvenile matters, or sealed cases, are exempt from public disclosure. In addition, certain confidential information found within publicly available records is also restricted from disclosure, whether accessed remotely or in person at a courthouse. This includes, but is not limited to, Confidential Information Forms, records of incapacity proceedings, in forma pauperis petitions, and identifying details of witnesses, victims, or jurors in criminal cases.

Although public records are generally accessible without identification, individuals may be required to present a valid government-issued ID when requesting certified copies or records that contain restricted or sensitive information. In Montgomery County, the following methods may be used to search for court records:

Online

The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania Web Portal (UJS web portal) allows the public to access case information from multiple court levels. Through this portal, users may search and view docket sheets for Montgomery County's Court of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Courts. These docket sheets chronologically detail all filings and proceedings in cases handled by the county courts. Additionally, users may perform a search using criteria such as attorney name, citation number, SID, docket number, or participant name to find both criminal and civil case information.

In addition, the Montgomery County Civil Case Viewer provides access to civil case records maintained in the Civil Division of the Court of Common Pleas. By entering details like case number, filing date, judge's name, or case type, users may retrieve information on matters including landlord-tenant disputes, divorce cases, replevins, and annulments.

Moreover, federal civil and criminal cases originating in Montgomery County are available through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system. After registering for an account, users may view docket sheets and download case documents for a small fee.

CourtCaseFinder may serve as an alternative resource for individuals seeking to search both county and federal cases in Montgomery County. The website compiles publicly sourced court records from courts nationwide, providing easy access to a broad range of current case information.

In-Person

In Montgomery County, official documents submitted during a case are maintained by multiple custodians, depending on the type of case. Within the Court of Common Pleas, the Clerk of Courts serves as the custodian of records related to criminal proceedings, while the Prothonotary primarily handles civil case records. Probate records, on the other hand, are managed by the Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans' Court. To locate Magisterial District Court records, interested parties may visit the Magisterial District Court Office where the case was filed.

Many courthouses offer public access terminals that allow users to search and view case records at no cost. However, individuals who need physical or certified copies of court documents may be required to pay a fee. For instance, the Clerk of Courts charges $1 per page for copies of criminal case records and $11.50 for certified copies. Copies of civil case records are available at $0.25 per page, with an additional fee of $5.25 for certification.

Old and Archived Court Records

The Montgomery County Archival Records Department is the central repository for old and archived civil and probate case records in the county. This Department accepts records retrieval requests submitted in person, by email, or through mail. To request records in person, individuals may visit the Archives at 86 Eagleville Road, Eagleville, PA 19403. Copies obtained during walk-in visits typically cost $0.50 per page (8 ½ x 11 or 8 ½ x 14). For mail requests, requesters may complete and print the Request for Archived Records form and send it to the same address. Mail requests are subject to a $0.50 per-page fee, including an additional $1.50 for postage. The Department may contact the requester to confirm the availability of the records and provide the total amount due.

How To File a Case in Montgomery County

In Montgomery County, court cases may be filed either electronically or through traditional paper submission at the courthouse. Before filing, the filer needs to identify the case type and the court division with proper jurisdiction. The Court Clerk may assist with a decision on whether the case falls within the court's authority and may also offer additional instructions for the filing process.

Cases that fall under the jurisdiction of the Magisterial District Courts are generally filed based on the defendant's residence or the location where the incident occurred. Attorneys and parties may obtain the appropriate forms through the Unified Judicial System (UJS) web portal. Once completed, these forms, along with the applicable filing fees, may be submitted in person at the courthouse. After the case is filed, service of process is typically carried out by a constable, who delivers the complaint to the defendant and provides notice to appear before the Magisterial District Judge.

Each division within the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas uses a designated electronic filing system. Criminal case documents are generally filed through the PacFile system, while civil filings are submitted through the Prothonotary's electronic portal. Although e-filing is not mandatory for civil cases, the portal provides a convenient way to submit documents and track filing status. The Orphans' Court Division primarily uses the ROWE Case Filing System. However, certain matters, including emergency guardianship petitions and in-person probates, may be handled at the courthouse counter.

Filing a case in the Court of Common Pleas generally involves a filing fee. Individuals who are unable to afford these costs may seek a fee waiver by submitting a Petition and Affidavit for Leave to Proceed In Forma Pauperis. This petition must be filed with the appropriate clerk and accompanied by documentation demonstrating financial hardship, such as a recent income tax return, current pay stubs, and copies of bank and credit card statements. The scheduled filing fees for each court division within the Court of Common Pleas are provided below:

• Clerk of Orphans' Court filing fees
• Register of Wills filing fees
• Clerk of Courts filing fees
• Prothonotary filing fees

Following Section 7 of the Case Records Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System, parties and attorneys are required to file a Confidential Information Form (CIF) along with any document that contains the following confidential information:

• State Identification (SID) Number
• Financial account numbers
• Social Security Numbers (SSN)
• Driver License Number
• Contact information of abuse victims
• Minor's name and birthdate (excluding minors charged as a defendant in a criminal case)

In summary, individuals who file a case in Montgomery County must first identify the case type and the proper court with jurisdiction. Then, they may submit the required documents, attach a Confidential Information Form if necessary, pay the applicable fees or request a waiver if eligible, and ensure proper service of the petition or complaint on the defendant.

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

Pro Se litigants and individuals who cannot afford to hire private attorneys in Montgomery County may navigate the court system using the legal aid and self-help resources available. These resources, such as legal aid organizations, pro bono panels, and court libraries, are established to assist residents with resolving legal challenges.

The Montgomery County Law Library offers a wide range of self-help packets to self-represented litigants. These packets include bibliographies of helpful books and sample forms for non-lawyers on various legal topics such as divorce, expungement, and child custody. Interested parties may use the books as guidelines and the forms as templates for preparing their documents. The Law Library also grants access to basic internet services and online legal databases like Westlaw and LexisNexis, allowing users to research Pennsylvania civil practices, administrative codes, statutes, forms, court rules, texts, encyclopedias, and periodicals.

Furthermore, individuals who are unable to afford private legal representation may seek assistance from legal aid organizations recommended by the Montgomery County Law Library. One such organization is Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania (LASP), which offers aid in matters involving bankruptcy, protection from abuse, housing, Social Security and unemployment benefits, and consumer issues. LASP accepts intakes at multiple locations within Montgomery County.

The Montgomery Bar Association promotes access to justice through various programs, including mediation services, pro bono initiatives, modest means legal access programs, and the Lawyer Referral Service (LRS). The LRS serves as the main channel for the public to connect with attorneys who practice specific areas of law. Individuals seeking a referral may contact the service center by calling (610) 279-9660, option 3. In contrast, the Modest Means Legal Access Program (MMLAP) is designed for individuals whose income is too high to qualify for legal aid but insufficient to afford a private attorney. Participants in this program must complete a registration form and submit documentation to verify their financial eligibility.

Other helpful resources recommended for Montgomery County residents include:

• Upsolve
• FreeAdvice.com
• Lawyers.com
• Nolo.com Self-help Center
• Pa Divorce
• Martindale-Hubbell Lawyer Locator

Types of Courts in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

Montgomery County has two main courts that handle civil and criminal cases within the county. However, certain matters that fall under federal law are processed by federal courts located outside the county. The list below provides an overview of each court's jurisdiction and contact information:

Court of Common Pleas

• Jurisdiction - major civil and criminal matters, family law cases, estate and probate matters, and appeals from the Magisterial District Courts.
• Contact information -

Court of Common Pleas - Clerk of Courts (Criminal Division)

Court of Common Pleas - Prothonotary (Civil Division)

Montgomery County Orphans' Court

Magisterial District Courts

• Jurisdiction- summary criminal offenses, traffic cases, preliminary hearings in felony and misdemeanor cases, small claims cases, and landlord-tenant disputes.
• Contact information -

Magisterial District Court 38-1-01

Magisterial District Court 38-1-02

Magisterial District Court 38-1-03

Magisterial District Court 38-1-04

Magisterial District Court 38-1-05

Magisterial District Court 38-1-06

Magisterial District Court 38-1-07

Magisterial District Court 38-1-08

Magisterial District Court 38-1-09

Magisterial District Court 38-1-10

Magisterial District Court 38-1-11

Magisterial District Court 38-1-12

Magisterial District Court 38-1-13

Magisterial District Court 38-1-15

Magisterial District Court 38-1-16

Magisterial District Court 38-1-18

Magisterial District Court 38-1-19

Magisterial District Court 38-1-20

Magisterial District Court 38-1-21

Magisterial District Court 38-1-22

Magisterial District Court 38-1-23

Magisterial District Court 38-1-24

Magisterial District Court 38-1-25

Magisterial District Court 38-1-28

Magisterial District Court 38-2-02

Magisterial District Court 38-2-03

Magisterial District Court 38-2-04

Magisterial District Court 38-2-08

Magisterial District Court 38-2-09

There are no federal courts physically situated within Montgomery County. Federal matters are handled in federal courthouses in Philadelphia.

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

• Jurisdiction - Drug trafficking and controlled substance offenses, intellectual property cases, cybercrimes, and immigration-related lawsuits.
• Contact information -

United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

• Jurisdiction - All bankruptcy cases filed by individuals and businesses residing or having their principal assets within the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, which includes Montgomery County.
• Contact information

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Montgomery County Courts