Armstrong County Public Records /Armstrong County Court Records

Armstrong County Court Records

What Is Armstrong County Court Records

Court records in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, are official documents generated and maintained by the judicial system in connection with legal proceedings filed within the county's courts. These records constitute the formal written history of a case and encompass a broad range of materials, including case files, docket sheets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts of proceedings, exhibits admitted into evidence, and sentencing records in criminal matters. Court records are distinct from other categories of public records maintained at the county level, such as property deeds and tax assessment records held by the Recorder of Deeds, or vital records such as birth and death certificates maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

In Armstrong County, court records are maintained across several judicial bodies, each responsible for a defined category of legal matters:

Court of Common Pleas – maintains records for civil litigation, criminal felony and misdemeanor cases, family law matters (including divorce, custody, and support), orphans' court (probate and estate matters), and juvenile proceedings
Magisterial District Courts – maintain records for summary criminal offenses, traffic violations, minor civil claims, and landlord-tenant disputes
Small Claims Division – handles civil disputes involving limited monetary amounts, with records maintained through the Magisterial District Court system

Under 42 Pa. C.S. § 1722, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court is authorized to prescribe general rules governing practice, procedure, and the conduct of all courts, including the maintenance and accessibility of court records.

Are Court Records Public In Armstrong County

Court records in Armstrong County are presumptively open to the public under Pennsylvania law. The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.301, establishes that records of Commonwealth agencies, including judicial agencies, are public records unless a specific exemption applies. Members of the public may inspect the following categories of records without demonstrating a particular need or interest:

Most civil case files, including complaints, answers, and supporting documents
Criminal case files following the filing of formal charges
Final judgments and court orders
Docket sheets reflecting the procedural history of a case
Hearing and trial schedules
Sentencing records in criminal proceedings

It is important to distinguish between state and federal court records. Records from the Armstrong County Court of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Courts are governed by Pennsylvania law and accessible through county and state systems. Federal cases involving parties from Armstrong County are maintained by the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania and are subject to federal access rules under the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system. The Eastern District of Pennsylvania similarly maintains its own federal docket system for cases within its jurisdiction.

Certain records are exempt from public disclosure, including juvenile delinquency records, mental health commitment records, records sealed by court order, and identifying information pertaining to victims of certain crimes. The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records reviews Armstrong County-related access disputes, and members of the public may review OOR docket decisions involving Armstrong County to understand how access determinations have been made in prior cases.

How To Find Court Records in Armstrong County in 2026

Members of the public seeking court records in Armstrong County may access them through several official channels. The process varies depending on the type of court and the nature of the records sought.

In-Person Access at the Courthouse:

Visit the Armstrong County Courthouse, located at 500 E. Market St., Kittanning, PA 16201, during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
Proceed to the Clerk of Courts office for criminal and civil Court of Common Pleas records
Proceed to the Prothonotary's office for civil filings, judgments, and docket information
For Magisterial District Court records, visit the relevant district court office directly

By Mail:

Submit a written request identifying the case by party name, docket number, or approximate filing date to the appropriate office
Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and any applicable copying fees

Online:

Use the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System's web portal to search docket information remotely (see the online search section below)

By Telephone:

Contact the Clerk of Courts or Prothonotary directly to confirm record availability before visiting in person

How To Look Up Court Records in Armstrong County Online?

The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System provides centralized online access to court docket information for all 67 counties, including Armstrong County. The following portals are currently available:

Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal (UJS Portal): The primary statewide tool for searching court records allows users to search by party name, docket number, date of birth, or attorney name. The portal covers Common Pleas Court dockets, Magisterial District Court dockets, and appellate court records. Users seeking appellate case information must select the "Appellate" or "Docket Number" search option, as described in the Pennsylvania Judiciary case search system.

Steps to search online:

Navigate to the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System web portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us
Select the court type (Common Pleas, Magisterial District, or Appellate)
Enter the party's name, docket number, or other identifying information
Review the docket sheet, which displays case events, filings, and scheduled hearings
Select individual docket entries to view available documents

PAePay and Docket Sheets: Users may also access common pleas court and magisterial district court docket sheets and make payments through the PAePay system integrated within the statewide portal. The county clerk of courts or district court administrator can assist with records not available through the online system.

Federal Court Records: Federal cases are not accessible through the state portal. Members of the public seeking federal docket information must use the PACER system through the Eastern District of Pennsylvania or the Western District, depending on the case's jurisdiction.

How To Search Armstrong County Court Records for Free?

Pennsylvania law guarantees the right of public inspection of court records at no charge. Under 65 P.S. § 67.702, agencies may not charge a fee for the inspection of public records; fees may only be assessed for duplication or certification of documents.

The following resources are currently available at no cost:

UJS Web Portal – Free online docket searches for all Armstrong County Common Pleas and Magisterial District Court cases; no account or registration is required
In-person inspection – Members of the public may inspect physical case files at the Clerk of Courts or Prothonotary's office without charge during regular business hours
OOR Appeal Docket – The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records provides free access to its Armstrong County appeal decisions online

Fees are assessed for printed copies of documents, certified copies, and certain electronic reproduction requests. The standard copying fee in Pennsylvania courts is currently $0.25 per page for standard documents, with additional fees for certified copies.

What's Included in a Armstrong County Court Record?

The contents of a court record vary by case type, but Armstrong County court records generally include the following components:

Criminal Case Records:

Criminal complaint and affidavit of probable cause
Charging documents (information or indictment)
Bail and bond orders
Motions filed by prosecution and defense
Plea agreements
Trial transcripts
Verdict and sentencing orders
Probation and parole conditions

Civil Case Records:

Complaint and summons
Defendant's answer and affirmative defenses
Discovery filings (where entered into the record)
Motions and supporting briefs
Court orders and rulings
Final judgment
Post-judgment enforcement filings

Family Court Records:

Divorce petitions and decrees
Child custody orders and modification petitions
Child and spousal support orders
Protection from abuse (PFA) orders

Probate/Orphans' Court Records:

Wills and letters testamentary
Inventory and appraisement of estate assets
Accountings and distribution orders
Guardianship petitions and orders

Traffic and Summary Offense Records:

Citation and complaint
Hearing notices
Disposition and fine records

How Long Does Armstrong County Keep Court Records?

Armstrong County courts retain records in accordance with the retention schedules established by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Retention periods vary by record type and court level.

Record Type	Retention Period
Criminal felony case files	Permanent
Criminal misdemeanor case files	10 years after final disposition
Civil case files (general)	10 years after final disposition
Domestic relations/support orders	Permanent while order is active; 10 years after termination
Orphans' court/probate records	Permanent
Magisterial District Court civil records	5 years
Traffic/summary offense records	5 years after final disposition
Juvenile delinquency records	Sealed; subject to expungement rules

These schedules are established pursuant to Pennsylvania Supreme Court administrative directives and the General Records Retention Schedule for Pennsylvania courts. Records designated as permanent are transferred to the county archives or the Pennsylvania State Archives upon closure.

Types of Courts In Armstrong County

Armstrong County's judicial system operates within the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System and includes the following courts:

Armstrong County Court of Common Pleas (47th Judicial District) The Court of Common Pleas is the principal trial court of general jurisdiction in Armstrong County. It handles felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, civil litigation, family law, orphans' court matters, and appeals from Magisterial District Courts.

Armstrong County Court of Common Pleas 500 E. Market St., Kittanning, PA 16201 (724) 548-3220 Armstrong County Court of Common Pleas Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Magisterial District Courts Magisterial District Courts in Armstrong County handle summary criminal offenses, traffic violations, preliminary hearings in criminal matters, and civil claims up to $12,000. Armstrong County is served by several magisterial district judges operating in different geographic areas of the county.

Magisterial District Court 33-3-01 317 N. McKean St., Kittanning, PA 16201 (724) 543-2201 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Pennsylvania Superior Court (Appellate) The Superior Court hears appeals from the Court of Common Pleas in civil and criminal matters. It does not maintain a physical presence in Armstrong County but serves the region from its Pittsburgh office.

Pennsylvania Superior Court – Pittsburgh Office 400 North Lexington Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15208 (412) 247-5880 Pennsylvania Superior Court

Pennsylvania Supreme Court The Supreme Court is the court of last resort in Pennsylvania and exercises supervisory authority over all courts in the Commonwealth, including those in Armstrong County.

Pennsylvania Supreme Court – Western District Office 400 North Lexington Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15208 (412) 565-2816 Pennsylvania Supreme Court

The court hierarchy in Armstrong County proceeds as follows: Magisterial District Courts → Court of Common Pleas → Pennsylvania Superior Court → Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court (for certain matters) → Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

What Types of Cases Do Armstrong County Courts Hear?

Each court within Armstrong County's judicial structure handles a defined category of legal matters.

Court of Common Pleas:

Felony criminal prosecutions (murder, robbery, drug trafficking, sexual offenses)
Misdemeanor criminal cases appealed from or transferred from Magisterial District Courts
Civil litigation involving claims exceeding $12,000
Divorce, child custody, child support, and spousal support
Protection from abuse proceedings
Juvenile delinquency and dependency matters
Orphans' court matters (wills, estates, guardianships, adoptions)
Appeals from Magisterial District Court decisions

Magisterial District Courts:

Summary criminal offenses (disorderly conduct, retail theft, minor traffic violations)
Preliminary arraignments and preliminary hearings in felony and misdemeanor cases
Civil claims up to $12,000 (landlord-tenant disputes, small claims)
Restitution and fine collection
Issuance of search and arrest warrants

Pennsylvania Superior Court (on appeal from Armstrong County):

Appeals in civil and criminal matters from the Court of Common Pleas
Post-conviction relief appeals
Family law appeals

How To Find a Court Docket In Armstrong County

A court docket is the official chronological record of all filings, hearings, and orders in a case. Members of the public may locate Armstrong County court dockets through the following methods:

Online via the UJS Web Portal:

Access the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us
Select "Court Dockets" and choose the appropriate court type
Enter the party name, docket number, or date range
The resulting docket sheet displays all case events, scheduled hearings, and filed documents
Users may print or save docket sheets directly from the portal

The Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal provides access to docket sheets for both Common Pleas and Magisterial District Courts statewide, including Armstrong County. The portal also integrates with PAePay for online payment of court costs and fines.

In Person:

Visit the Clerk of Courts (for criminal dockets) or the Prothonotary (for civil dockets) at the Armstrong County Courthouse, 500 E. Market St., Kittanning, PA 16201
Staff can retrieve docket sheets upon request during public counter hours

By Docket Number: If the docket number is known, users may enter it directly into the UJS portal for immediate results. Armstrong County Common Pleas docket numbers follow the format: CP-03-CR-XXXXXXX-XXXX (criminal) or CP-03-CV-XXXXXXX-XXXX (civil).

For appellate docket searches, users must select the appellate search option within the portal, as noted in the Pennsylvania Judiciary case search interface.

Which Courts in Armstrong County Are Not Courts of Record?

A "court not of record" is a judicial tribunal that does not maintain a verbatim transcript of proceedings and whose decisions are subject to de novo review—meaning the case is reheard entirely—upon appeal to a higher court. Under Pennsylvania law, Magisterial District Courts are classified as courts not of record pursuant to 42 Pa. C.S. § 1515, which defines the jurisdiction and record-keeping obligations of magisterial district judges.

In Armstrong County, the following courts are not courts of record:

Magisterial District Courts – All magisterial district courts operating within Armstrong County are courts not of record. Proceedings before these courts are not transcribed verbatim, and appeals from their decisions to the Court of Common Pleas are conducted as new trials (de novo)

By contrast, the Armstrong County Court of Common Pleas is a court of record. All proceedings before the Court of Common Pleas are transcribed by an official court reporter, and the record is preserved for appellate review. The Pennsylvania Superior Court, Commonwealth Court, and Supreme Court are also courts of record. This distinction is significant because parties appealing a Magisterial District Court decision to the Court of Common Pleas are entitled to a completely new hearing rather than a review of the lower court's record.