Court records in Bradford County, Pennsylvania can be searched through several channels. BradfordCourt.us can help find publicly available information about court cases filed in the county. You can also search docket sheets through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System (UJS) web portal, visit the clerk's offices at the Bradford County Courthouse in Towanda, or use public terminals available on-site during business hours.
Bradford Court System & Jurisdictions
Bradford County operates within Pennsylvania's unified judicial system. Two court levels handle nearly all local cases:
Court of Common Pleas
This is the county's general trial court, located at the Bradford County Courthouse in Towanda. It has broad jurisdiction over:
- Criminal cases — felonies and misdemeanors bound over from the magisterial district courts
- Civil litigation — contract disputes, personal injury, and cases exceeding the magisterial district court monetary limit
- Family Court matters — divorce, custody, child support, protection-from-abuse orders, and adoption
- Orphans' Court / Probate — wills, estates, guardianships, and trust matters (handled as a division of the Court of Common Pleas)
- Juvenile cases — delinquency and dependency proceedings
The Prothonotary maintains civil court records, while the Clerk of Courts office is responsible for criminal and juvenile court records.
Magisterial District Courts
Bradford County has several magisterial district judges who handle:
- Summary offenses — minor criminal charges and most traffic violations
- Small claims — civil disputes up to $12,000
- Landlord-tenant cases — eviction proceedings and security deposit disputes
- Preliminary hearings — initial hearings for felony and misdemeanor charges before cases move to the Court of Common Pleas
- Emergency protection-from-abuse orders — issued when the Court of Common Pleas is unavailable
If you are unsure which court handled a case, searching by name on the UJS portal will return results from both court levels across the state.
Bradford Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
Court schedules in Bradford County can be checked through the following methods:
- UJS Web Portal — The UJS case search allows you to look up individual cases and view scheduled hearing dates listed on the docket sheet. Search by participant name or docket number.
- Bradford County Court of Common Pleas — The court's page on the Pennsylvania Courts website may post term schedules, argument lists, or judicial calendars. Contact the court directly for the most current calendar.
- Contact the courthouse — Call the Court Administrator's office at 570-265-1707 to ask about today's or this week's hearing schedule.
Magisterial district court hearing dates appear on individual case docket sheets through the UJS portal. You can also call the specific magisterial district court office where the case is filed.
How to Get a Copy of a Bradford Court Document
The process depends on the type of record and whether you need a certified or uncertified copy.
Online
Docket sheets for most Bradford County cases are available free through the UJS web portal. These are unofficial copies. The portal does not provide certified documents or copies of filed pleadings, motions, or exhibits.
In Person
- Visit the appropriate office at the Bradford County Courthouse during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
- For civil records, go to the Prothonotary's office.
- For criminal or juvenile records, go to the Clerk of Courts office.
- For estate or probate records, contact the Register & Recorder's office (the Register of Wills function).
- Request either a certified or uncertified copy. Certified copies bear an official seal and signature; uncertified copies do not.
By Mail
Send a written request to the appropriate office specifying the case name, docket number (if known), and the document needed. Include payment for applicable fees. Make checks payable to the specific office (e.g., "Prothonotary of Bradford County"). Mail requests to:
Restricted Records
Certain records are not publicly accessible, including:
- Sealed or expunged criminal records
- Juvenile delinquency and dependency case details
- Adoption records
- Protection-from-abuse petitions where access has been restricted by court order
For criminal background checks beyond court docket searches, the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system provides statewide criminal history results online.
Bradford Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court document copies in Pennsylvania are set by statute and local fee schedules. The table below reflects common charges. Contact the specific office to confirm current amounts, as fees may be updated by administrative order.
| Service | Estimated Fee | Office |
|---|---|---|
| Uncertified copy (per page) | $0.25 – $0.50 | Prothonotary / Clerk of Courts |
| Certified copy of a document | $5.00 – $10.00+ | Prothonotary / Clerk of Courts |
| Certification / seal fee | Varies | Prothonotary / Clerk of Courts |
| Docket sheet printout (in-office) | Varies | Prothonotary / Clerk of Courts |
| Online docket sheet (UJS portal) | Free | UJS Web Portal |
| PATCH criminal history check | $22.00 | PA State Police (online) |
Payment methods: The Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts offices generally accept cash, checks, and money orders. Ask the office directly whether credit or debit cards are accepted. Online PATCH requests are paid by credit card through the state portal.
Fees are established under Pennsylvania's fee schedule statutes and may be adjusted periodically. If you need an exact quote before visiting, call the courthouse at 570-265-1707 or contact the relevant county department for current pricing.