Monroe County, Pennsylvania State Court Records

In Monroe County, court records are official documents created by the county’s judicial system during legal proceedings. These documents collate information about legal actions and their outcomes within Monroe County, promote judicial accountability, support legal research and appeals, document the fair enforcement of legal rights, and provide important background information for law enforcement and public safety in criminal cases.

Monroe County has two primary offices that manage court records: the Monroe County Prothonotary handles civil case records, while the Clerk of Courts oversees criminal files. These offices organize and preserve every complaint, motion, order, and judgment generated during a case. Under Pennsylvania’s Right to Know Law (RTKL) and state court rules, court records are public documents, accessible to all interested parties regardless of residency status. Although Monroe County’s court records are part of the broader public records system, they are distinct documents from the county’s vital records, arrest information, and federal case files.

Are Monroe County Court Records Public?

Yes, Monroe County court records are generally open to the public. The Unified Judicial System (UJS) Public Access Policy governs the creation, storage, and access of court records. Most Monroe County court records are accessible, although some restrictions apply to sensitive or confidential information. Typically, civil, criminal, traffic, probate, and appellate records are available for public inspection and copying, unless specific laws or court rules limit access to particular details.

However, some case types and records are restricted or sealed to protect privacy and sensitive information. Restricted records include:

Juvenile records
Adoption cases
Sealed or expunged criminal records
Domestic violence and protection from abuse (PFA) orders
Mental health and medical records
Sensitive personal information, such as Social Security numbers and financial details.

What Information is Available in Monroe County Court Records?

The content of a Monroe County court record varies by case type. Nonetheless, the information contained in a typical Monroe County court record includes, but is not limited to:

Case number
Filing date
Case status
Summaries of key events
Scheduling orders
Complaints and petitions
Motions and responses
Evidence and exhibits
Orders and judgments
Hearing/trial records.

Monroe County Court Records Search

In Monroe County, there are several options for individuals seeking access to court records. The best method for accessing the county’s court records depends on the case type and documents. Individuals seeking access to court records in Monroe County can use online search tools or contact the Monroe County Prothonotary Office (for civil cases) or the Clerk of Courts (for criminal cases).

Online Access

Interested persons can search for Monroe County’s court records online through the Monroe County Court of Common Pleas Civil Case Docket and Judgment Index (C-Track) portal. This search portal allows record seekers to search for lawsuits, judgments, liens, and foreclosures by party name, case number, or filing date.

For criminal cases and summary appeals, interested parties should log in to the Pennsylvania UJS Web Portal. Users can access criminal case dockets from the Court of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Courts using names, OTN (Offense Tracking Numbers), or docket numbers as search criteria. Information seekers should note that while these search tools provide access to Monroe County’s court records, they do not provide access to family matter-related case information.

In-person Access

The public may also visit the Monroe County courthouse to search records at public access terminals or receive assistance from court staff. Both the Prothonotary and the Clerk of Courts offices may help locate case files and provide copies of documents for a fee. Access may be subject to court rules and privacy restrictions.

Monroe County Courthouse,

610 Monroe Street,

Stroudsburg,

PA 18360,

Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Mail and Phone Requests

Information seekers can also call the Monroe County Prothonotary Office at (570) 517-3370 or the Monroe County Clerk of Courts at (570) 517-3385 to inquire with staff members or submit mail-in requests. A mail request for Monroe County’s court record should include the subject’s name, case number, and filing dates, in addition to a self-addressed stamped envelope with sufficient postage

Court records may also be requested by mail from the appropriate office (Prothonotary or Clerk of Courts). Requests should include detailed case information (names, case numbers, or filing dates), a self-addressed stamped envelope with sufficient postage for the return of documents, the specific document required, and payment for any applicable copy fees. Accepted payment methods usually include money orders or certified checks.

Fees for Court Records in Monroe County

Individuals seeking copies of Monroe County’s court records should note that they are required to make payments. The costs for copies of Monroe County court records depend on the access method, document type, and number of copies. Monroe County charges the following fees for copies of court records:

Photocopies (per page) - $0.25 (self-service)/$1.00 (staff-assisted)
Certified copy (first page) - $4.00
Certified copy of divorce decree - $12.50
Exemplified record - $13.75
Record search (name change/verification) - $13.25 (includes certification)
Ordinary transcripts - $4.25 per page (standard delivery)
Expedited transcripts - $5.25 per page
Financial record retrieval - $7.00 for 15 minutes of staff time (plus $0.25 per page for copies).

In Monroe County, the Orphans’ Court issues marriage licenses, while copies of vital records are obtained through the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PADOH). A copy of Monroe County’s marriage license costs $40.00. The PADOH charges $20.00 for each copy of a birth certificate or death record.

Monroe County Courthouse Locations

In Monroe County, the judicial system comprises the Court of Common Pleas and the Magisterial District Courts. The Monroe County Court of Common Pleas has general jurisdiction over civil and criminal trials. However, it handles cases beyond the authority of the Magisterial District Courts. Under Pennsylvania’s judicial system, Magisterial District Courts handle certain civil and criminal cases, including summary offenses, preliminary hearings for criminal cases, DUI cases, landlord/tenant disputes, and general claims within certain financial limits.

Individuals who need to contact the Monroe County Court of Common Pleas can visit the Monroe County Courthouse at:

Monroe County Courthouse

610 Monroe Street,

Stroudsburg,

PA 18360

Phone: (570) 517-3009

Fax: (570) 517-3866.

Divisions and Case Types:

Civil (major civil lawsuits, equity cases)
Criminal (felony and serious misdemeanor trials)
The Family Division (comprising the Custody Department and the Domestic Relations Section (DRS)). This division handles divorce, child support and custody, paternity, and Protection from Abuse (PFA) cases.
Probate/Orphans’ Court (estates, guardianships)
Juvenile Probation (delinquency and dependency).

Monroe County Magisterial District Courts

Magisterial District Court	Jurisdiction	Address	Phone Number
43-2-01 Magisterial District Court	Stroudsburg Borough	Pocono Outlet Complex 823-A Ann Street Stroudsburg PA 18360	(570) 420-3492
43-2-02 Magisterial District Court	East Stroudsburg Borough	98 Day Street East Stroudsburg PA 18301	(570) 420-3496
43-3-01 Magisterial District Court	Coolbaugh Township	5560 Municipal Drive Tobyhanna PA 18466	(570) 894-8566
43-3-02 Magisterial District Court	Hamilton Township, Stroud Township	1211 North Fifth Street Stroudsburg PA 18360	(570) 420-3494
43-3-03 Magisterial District Court	Jackson Township, Pocono Township	3361 Route 611 Suite 4 Bartonsville PA 18321	(570) 629-1460
43-3-04 Magisterial District Court	Chestnuthill Township, Eldred Township, Polk Township, Ross Township	1479 Route 209 PO Box 218 Brodheadsville PA 18322	(570) 992-4919
43-4-01 Magisterial District Court	Delaware Water Gap, Middle Smithfield Township, Smithfield Township	1155 Red Fox Road P.O. Box 1127 Marshalls Creek PA 18335	(570) 223-1287
43-4-02 Magisterial District Court	Barrett Township, Mount Pocono Borough, Paradise Township, Price Township	1200 Route 390 Suite 102 Cresco PA 18326	(570) 595-2520
43-4-04 Magisterial District Court	Tobyhanna Township, Tunkhannock Township	1878 Route 940, Suite 203 Pocono Pines PA 18350	(570) 646-7949

Criminal Records Access in Monroe County

In Monroe County, criminal records are available through both state and county systems, each serving different purposes. State-level criminal history checks are handled by the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), rather than Monroe County courts. These checks may be requested through the PATCH (Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History) system, offering a summary of an individual’s criminal history across all Pennsylvania jurisdictions.

The fee structure for criminal history checks is as follows:

Standard Request (Employment, Licensing): $22.00
Volunteer Request: Free
Individual Access and Review (Mail-in only): $20.00.

Local criminal case records in Monroe County are accessible for free through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System (UJS) Web Portal. Individuals may search for cases by participant name, docket number, or OTN, and view docket sheets or court summaries.

For certified copies or older records, interested persons should visit the Monroe County Courthouse in Stroudsburg, where the Clerk of Courts manages criminal case records. Public terminals are available for detailed searches.

Monroe County Probate Records

Monroe County probate records document legal filings that manage a person’s affairs after death or when the individual may no longer handle those matters personally. These records typically fall into several main categories:

Wills and probate filings initiate the probate process when someone dies with a valid will, making the will, the petition for grant of letters, and the estate asset inventory part of the public record.
Trust documents related to the management and administration of an estate
Petitions filed to open an estate or to appoint an executor or estate administrator
Estate inventories and financial accountings that list assets and track how they are managed or distributed
Guardianship records involving minors or adults who cannot manage their personal affairs
Conservatorship is when the court appoints someone to manage another person’s financial matters.

These estate records provide a historical and legal record of how property and responsibilities were handled. Access depends on the type of case. The Register of Wills uses the Landex Remote Web system to make some recent probate filings searchable online, with estate records from 1836 to the present indexed and available for search. The public may view or purchase recent filings through this portal. More detailed information or copies of files require an in-person visit to the Register of Wills office. However, courts restrict certain records by law, redacting sensitive information and sealing cases involving minors or specific mental health matters.

Monroe County Family Court Records

In Monroe County, family law cases fall under the Court of Common Pleas (Family Division), with the Prothonotary’s Office serving as the primary custodian of records for divorce and custody cases. Access is more restricted than in standard civil cases due to the sensitive nature of domestic matters. The county uses the C-Track Public Access system, though most family law cases have limited online availability. Viewers may usually see case existence, case numbers, and party names, while motions, orders, and complaints remain inaccessible.

Divorce and custody records are public unless sealed, with sensitive details redacted, while adoption records are strictly confidential and typically require a court order. Authorized individuals may request records or certified copies from the Prothonotary’s Office or the Domestic Relations Section (DRS) for child and spousal support matters at the Monroe County Courthouse. Certified copies require a fee and are available for request in person or by mail.

Federal Court Records in Monroe County

Monroe County falls under the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, which handles federal civil and criminal matters from the county, including:

Federal crimes investigated by agencies like the FBI, DEA, ATF, or Homeland Security
Civil rights cases
Federal question cases (for example, constitutional issues or federal statutes)
Diversity jurisdiction cases (parties from different states with claims over $75,000)
Bankruptcy appeals from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of PA

Although Monroe County has no federal courthouse, cases are usually assigned to the Scranton or Wilkes-Barre divisions due to their proximity. The primary method for accessing federal court dockets and documents is through PACER, a national web-based service that requires registration and typically charges $0.10 per page (fees under $30 per quarter are waived). Users may search within the Middle District or nationwide. Alternatively, individuals may visit the Clerk of Court’s Office in person, use public terminals for free, and request certified copies (for a fee) or submit record requests by mail.