Mercer County Family Court Records in Western Pennsylvania
Mercer County family court records are filed with Prothonotary Janine M. Krol at the 35th Judicial District Court of Common Pleas in Mercer, Pennsylvania. The records office at 101 N. Diamond Street handles all family law proceedings for Mercer County residents, including divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, Protection from Abuse petitions, adoptions, and guardianship matters. Mercer County is located in western Pennsylvania near the Ohio border. You can search Mercer County family court records through the statewide UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us, or visit the courthouse in Mercer for in-person access and certified copies.
Mercer County Quick Facts
Mercer County Family Court System
The Mercer County Court of Common Pleas is the general trial court for the county and the 35th Judicial District. It has jurisdiction over all family law matters, including contested divorce proceedings, property division, child custody disputes, support enforcement, and Protection From Abuse cases. The court follows Pennsylvania rules of civil procedure and the substantive law set forth in Title 23 Pa.C.S. for all domestic relations matters.
The Domestic Relations Section in Mercer County handles ongoing support enforcement and related matters separate from the Prothonotary. If you have an open PACSES child support case, payments and modifications are handled through this section. Juvenile matters, including dependency and delinquency, are managed by the Clerk of Courts. Adoptions, name changes, and guardianship proceedings fall under the Orphans' Court division of the Court of Common Pleas in Mercer.
Mercer County sits in western Pennsylvania between Sharon and Grove City, with much of its population spread across small cities and townships near the Ohio border. The courthouse in the borough of Mercer centralizes all family court proceedings for the entire county. Residents from communities like Sharon, Hermitage, Greenville, and Grove City all file family court matters at the courthouse on North Diamond Street.
Note: Remote online access to Mercer County family court records requires an INFOCON subscription. Free public access is not currently available through the county or through the statewide UJS Portal for most case types.
Accessing Mercer County Family Court Records
INFOCON is the primary remote access system for Mercer County court records. This subscription service is designed for frequent users such as attorneys and title companies. The cost structure includes a setup fee and per-minute charges, making it more cost-effective for those who access records regularly. Casual or one-time searchers may find in-person access at the courthouse more practical.
In-person access is available at the Prothonotary's office at 101 N. Diamond Street in Mercer. Staff can search the index by party name or case number and provide copies of documents from the file. Bring valid photo identification. Fees for copies and certifications vary. Call ahead to confirm hours and current fee schedules before making the trip to the Mercer County courthouse.
The Pennsylvania UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us may have basic docket information for some Mercer County cases. However, under 204 Pa. Code § 213.81, only dockets, orders, and opinions are accessible remotely. Full case files require an in-person or mail request. The UJS Case Search at ujsportal.pacourts.us/CaseSearch allows searches by party name, docket number, or date of birth.
Mail requests to the Mercer County Prothonotary are accepted. Provide the full names of all parties, the approximate filing year, and a description of the records needed. Include payment for search and copy fees or request a fee schedule in advance. Allow adequate time for processing before expecting a response by mail.
Types of Family Court Records in Mercer County
Mercer County family court records encompass all proceedings filed under Pennsylvania domestic relations law. Divorce records typically include the complaint in divorce, all filed pleadings, any property settlement or separation agreement, master's reports on disputed property issues, and the final decree of divorce. The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101, makes most of these records publicly accessible unless sealed by the court.
Child custody records include petitions for custody, temporary and final custody orders, guardian ad litem reports where applicable, and any mediation agreements. These records involve minors and may have certain portions restricted from public access. Support records document both child and spousal support orders, modification history, and any contempt proceedings filed for non-payment in Mercer County.
Protection From Abuse records in Mercer County cover the full PFA process. The petition initiates the proceeding. A temporary PFA order may be issued on an emergency basis. A final PFA hearing is held within ten business days. Both temporary and final orders are part of the public docket. Juvenile records are confidential. Adoption records from the Orphans' Court are sealed unless a court orders access.
Mercer County Prothonotary Office
A third-party records search resource for Mercer County is available at pennsylvaniacourtrecords.us/mercer/, which provides an additional index for locating Mercer County family court records.
This third-party platform offers an index of Mercer County court records and can serve as a starting point when searching for family court case information before contacting the Prothonotary's office directly.
| Prothonotary |
Janine M. Krol, Prothonotary 101 N. Diamond Street Mercer, PA 16137 |
|---|---|
| Court | Mercer County Court of Common Pleas, 35th Judicial District |
| Online Access | INFOCON subscription required; not available for free online |
Legal Help for Family Court in Mercer County
Mercer County residents who need help with family court matters have several avenues for assistance. Legal aid programs, bar association referrals, and court self-help tools can all connect you with support for divorce, custody, support, and PFA proceedings in western Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network offers free civil legal assistance to income-qualifying residents. Visit palegalaid.net to find the regional office serving Mercer County. Legal Services of Northwestern Pennsylvania covers western Pennsylvania and handles family law matters for eligible clients in Mercer County. Attorneys there can assist with PFA petitions, custody disputes, and support modifications.
The Temple University guide at guides.temple.edu explains Pennsylvania's court record systems and how to research family court cases. It provides a helpful overview for both legal professionals and members of the public. Court forms for self-represented parties are available at pacourts.us/forms. The public access policy for Pennsylvania court records is found at 204 Pa. Code § 213.81.
Note: The Mercer County Bar Association may maintain a lawyer referral service connecting residents with local family law attorneys in the Sharon and Mercer area.
Nearby Counties
Mercer County is located in western Pennsylvania, near the Ohio state border. Neighboring counties serve communities spread across the western Pennsylvania region. If you are uncertain whether a family court case was filed in Mercer County, consider where the parties resided when the case was initiated.