Search Lackawanna County Family Court Records Online - Scranton, PA
Lackawanna County family court records are maintained by Clerk of Judicial Records Mauri B. Kelly at the 45th Judicial District Court of Common Pleas in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Lackawanna County offers free online access to family court records with docket coverage back to 1995. The Family Court Document Center provides forms for custody, PFA, paternity, and related proceedings. The courthouse is located at 200 N. Washington Avenue, Scranton, PA 18503. Search Lackawanna County family court records through the statewide UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us, or visit the courthouse in Scranton for in-person access and certified copies.
Lackawanna County Quick Facts
Lackawanna County Family Court System
The Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas is part of Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System under 42 Pa.C.S. § 301. Lackawanna County is located in northeastern Pennsylvania, with Scranton serving as both the county seat and a major urban center for the region. The 45th Judicial District handles all family law matters for Lackawanna County residents including divorce, child custody, child and spousal support, Protection from Abuse orders, adoption, guardianship, name changes, and paternity actions.
Lackawanna County family law proceedings are governed by Title 23 Pa.C.S. Domestic Relations. Custody decisions in Lackawanna County are made based on the best interests of the child, considering all sixteen statutory factors. Support orders follow the Pennsylvania Support Guidelines based on combined net monthly income. PFA proceedings in Lackawanna County can result in emergency orders granted the same day as the petition, with a final hearing scheduled within ten business days.
Lackawanna County operates a dedicated Family Court with its own document center providing 34 or more forms for family court matters. Available forms include the Affidavit of Accountability, Custody Complaints in English and Spanish, Custody Fee Sheet, How to File guides for new custody cases and emergency custody actions, Civil Contempt petitions, PFA Packets in English and Spanish, Petitions for Modification, Paternity Testing petitions, Special Relief petitions, and Parenting Plan forms. This breadth of available materials makes Lackawanna County one of the most self-help-friendly family court systems in northeastern Pennsylvania.
The Lackawanna County Family Court page at lackawannacounty.org provides direct access to all family court resources, forms, and procedures. The Clerk of Judicial Records at lackawannacounty.org maintains both civil and family court records for the 45th Judicial District.
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Lackawanna County Family Court Records Access
Lackawanna County provides free online access to family court records. Coverage extends back to 1995, with documents available at no cost from the early 2000s. This is one of the most accessible county court record systems in Pennsylvania and a significant advantage for residents, attorneys, and researchers who need to search Lackawanna County family court records without visiting the Scranton courthouse.
Under 204 Pa. Code § 213.81, the Pennsylvania Public Access Policy authorizes remote access to dockets, court orders, and published opinions. Lackawanna County has implemented this policy through its free online system, which makes the docket and linked documents available at no charge. For records predating the electronic system or for certified copies with official court seals, contact the Clerk of Judicial Records at 570-963-6723 or visit the courthouse at 200 N. Washington Avenue, Scranton, PA 18503.
The statewide UJS Case Search at ujsportal.pacourts.us/CaseSearch also includes Lackawanna County cases. You can search there as a starting point or use the county's own online system for more direct document access. Twenty-nine civil court forms are available through the Clerk of Judicial Records for parties handling their own cases. Browser pop-ups from lpa-homes.org must be permitted for the document viewing system to function correctly.
The Lackawanna County Family Court page shown below is the starting point for all online family court record searches and form downloads for Scranton and surrounding communities.
The Lackawanna County Family Court page provides direct access to the online records system, downloadable forms in English and Spanish, and information about all family court services in Scranton.
Types of Family Court Records in Lackawanna County
Lackawanna County family court records cover all domestic relations proceedings heard at the 45th Judicial District Court of Common Pleas. The Clerk of Judicial Records maintains civil and family court records, while the court's Family Court Document Center provides forms and guidance for all primary case types. Records are available online from 1995, with documents linked for most cases from the early 2000s onward.
Divorce records in Lackawanna County include the complaint in divorce, the affidavit of consent or mutual consent documentation, any marital settlement agreement, and the final divorce decree. Certified copies of the decree are available through the Clerk of Judicial Records for a per-page fee. Custody records contain the original custody complaint (available in English and Spanish through the Family Court Document Center), temporary and emergency custody orders, any Guardian ad Litem report, and the final custody order. Emergency custody applications and Civil Contempt petitions are among the 34-plus forms available from the Lackawanna County Family Court.
Support records in Lackawanna County document income submissions, the support order, and all subsequent modifications. PFA records include the initial petition, the emergency ex parte order, and the final hearing order, all of which are accessible through the online records system. Paternity Testing petitions, Parenting Plan forms, and Petitions for Modification are among the specialized forms available through the Family Court Document Center. Adoption and juvenile dependency records are subject to additional restrictions under Pennsylvania law and may require a court order to access.
The Lackawanna County Clerk of Judicial Records office page shown below details the 29 civil court forms and records services available from Mauri B. Kelly's office in Scranton.
The Lackawanna County Clerk of Judicial Records page provides information about court record access, available forms, and contact details for Mauri B. Kelly's office at 570-963-6723.
Lackawanna County Clerk of Judicial Records
Mauri B. Kelly serves as the Lackawanna County Clerk of Judicial Records, the office responsible for maintaining all civil and family court records in the 45th Judicial District. Unlike counties that use a Prothonotary, Lackawanna County designates this official as the Clerk of Judicial Records. The office performs the same functions as a Prothonotary in other Pennsylvania counties: accepting filings, maintaining dockets, storing case files, and providing certified copies of court orders and decrees.
The Clerk of Judicial Records office is located at 200 N. Washington Avenue, Scranton, PA 18503, with a main phone number of 570-963-6723. Staff can assist with locating specific case files, confirming docket information, and processing requests for certified copies. For cases back to 1995, online access is the fastest method for basic record review. For certified copies with official court stamps, an in-person visit or mail request is required. Twenty-nine civil court forms are available through this office for parties representing themselves in family court proceedings in Lackawanna County.
The Lackawanna County government website shown below provides the main portal for all county services, including links to the Family Court and Clerk of Judicial Records pages.
The Lackawanna County government website at lackawannacounty.org connects residents to the Family Court, Clerk of Judicial Records, and all other county services in Scranton.
| Court |
Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas 45th Judicial District Clerk of Judicial Records: Mauri B. Kelly 200 N. Washington Avenue Scranton, PA 18503 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 570-963-6723 |
| Records Access | Free online from 1995; documents free from early 2000s; in-person for certified copies |
| Family Court | lackawannacounty.org/family_court |
The Lackawanna County courts overview page shown below provides the full picture of all court divisions operating in Scranton including family court, civil, and criminal divisions.
The Lackawanna County courts page at lackawannacounty.org/government/courts provides a comprehensive overview of all court divisions and services available to Scranton and Lackawanna County residents.
Legal Help for Lackawanna County Family Court Cases
Lackawanna County residents have access to a robust network of legal assistance resources in Scranton and the surrounding area. Free legal services, self-help forms, and attorney referrals are all available to help residents navigate family court proceedings in the 45th Judicial District.
Pennsylvania Legal Aid serves Lackawanna County through offices in the Scranton area. Visit palegalaid.net to find the appropriate office and apply for free legal assistance with custody, support, PFA, and divorce matters. Income eligibility requirements apply. The Temple Law Pennsylvania Family Court Research Guide provides a thorough online reference covering family court procedures, statutes, and record access policies applicable to Lackawanna County's 45th Judicial District.
The Lackawanna County Family Court Document Center provides over 34 forms including bilingual custody complaints, PFA packets in English and Spanish, and modification petitions. These forms are available at lackawannacounty.org/government/courts/family_court.php. Additional statewide forms are downloadable at pacourts.us/forms. The Pennsylvania Bar Association lawyer referral service at (800) 692-7375 can connect Lackawanna County residents with family law attorneys practicing in the Scranton area.
Note: Lackawanna County's Family Court provides bilingual forms in English and Spanish, making it one of the more accessible courts in northeastern Pennsylvania for Spanish-speaking residents seeking family court records or filing new cases.
Cities in Lackawanna County
Lackawanna County includes several municipalities in and around Scranton. All family court cases for Lackawanna County residents are filed at the Court of Common Pleas in Scranton.
Nearby Counties
Lackawanna County is located in northeastern Pennsylvania and borders several other counties. Verify the county of residence at the time of filing to determine which county holds the family court records you need.