Lycoming County
Lycoming County is Pennsylvania's largest county by land, occupying a land area of about 1,229 square miles. Named after Lycoming Creek, the county was formed in 1795 from territories owned by Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. The county's population is 114,022 residents, while its largest city and government seat is the City of Williamsport.
Lycoming County has three trial courts, including the Court of Common Pleas, Magisterial District Courts, and Orphans' Court. The Lycoming County Court of Common Pleas has general jurisdiction over criminal and civil proceedings beyond other trial courts in the county. It exercises exclusive authority over all felony-related trials and civil actions involving personal injuries, contract breaches, and financial torts. As an appellate court, the apex court can review or modify judgments from the Magisterial District Courts in Lycoming County.
The Orphans' Court is a division of Lycoming County's Common Pleas Court. It addresses probate cases such as the administration of deceased estates, handling of wills, adoptions, conservatorships, and guardianships. Meanwhile, the Magisterial District Judges in Lycoming County try less severe criminal and civil cases. These include felony preliminary hearings, traffic crimes, misdemeanors, landlord-tenant disputes, and civil violations.
The Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts keeps Lycoming County public court records created during court proceedings. These records contain hearing dates/locations, case filings, evidence, court orders, dockets, affidavits, transcripts, dispositions, judgments, and appeals. Examples of public court records in Lycoming County court records, based on case types, include the following:
- Civil records
- Criminal court records
- Probate records
- Property records
- Family law records
Court records considered confidential under the PA Right to Know Law include juvenile, mental health, adoption, and sealed court records. Individuals can get public court documents by contacting the court clerk via phone or mail. They can also visit the courthouse in Lycoming County to make in-person requests:
Lycoming County Courthouse
48 West Third Street, 1st Floor
Williamsport, PA 17701
Phone: (570) 327-2272 (Clerk of Courts)
Phone: (570) 327-2251 (Prothonotary's Office)
Generally, court records copies in Lycoming County cost $0.50 per page and $6 per certified copy. Meanwhile, members of the public can access Lycoming County court records online free of charge via the Civil Court Online Portal or Pennsylvania Case Search portal. Online users can search both platforms by providing docket numbers, filing dates, complaint numbers, citation numbers, or attorneys' names.
