Court records in Butler County, Pennsylvania, can be searched through several channels. ButlerPACourt.us can help you find publicly available information about court cases in the county. You can also search dockets through the statewide UJS Portal, visit the Clerk of Courts or Prothonotary offices in person, or use public-access terminals at the Butler County Courthouse. Each method offers a different level of detail depending on the case type and record availability.
Butler Court System & Jurisdictions
Butler County falls within Pennsylvania's 50th Judicial District. Several courts operate within the county, each handling specific types of cases:
- Court of Common Pleas — Criminal Division: Felonies, misdemeanors, and criminal appeals from the magisterial district courts.
- Court of Common Pleas — Civil Division: Civil lawsuits, contract disputes, personal injury claims, and cases exceeding the jurisdictional limits of the minor courts.
- Court of Common Pleas — Family Division: Divorce, custody, child support, protection-from-abuse orders, and juvenile matters.
- Court of Common Pleas — Orphans' Court Division: Probate of wills, estate administration, guardianships, adoptions, and trust matters.
- Magisterial District Courts: Preliminary hearings in criminal cases, summary offenses, traffic violations, landlord-tenant disputes, and civil claims up to $12,000. Butler County has several magisterial district judges spread across the county.
If you are unsure which court handled a case, start with a name or docket number search on the UJS Portal case search, which covers both Common Pleas and magisterial district court records statewide.
Butler Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
Court calendars for Butler County list scheduled hearings, trials, and other proceedings. To find today's, tomorrow's, or this week's schedule:
- Visit the UJS Portal and search by case or party name to view scheduled events tied to a specific docket.
- Contact the appropriate court office directly — the Clerk of Courts (criminal cases) or the Prothonotary (civil cases) — to ask about upcoming hearing dates.
- Check the Butler County Court of Common Pleas website or the court administrator's office for published judicial calendars and courtroom assignments.
Magisterial district court schedules are typically available by contacting the individual district court office where the case is filed. Public terminals at the Butler County Courthouse may also display current scheduling information.
How to Get a Copy of a Butler Court Document
You can obtain court documents from Butler County through several channels, depending on the record type and whether you need a certified or uncertified copy.
Online
Docket sheets and some filings are viewable through the UJS Portal. These are generally unofficial copies. For certified documents, you will usually need to contact the court office directly.
In Person
Visit the appropriate office at the Butler County Courthouse:
Clerk of Courts (criminal records, bail bonds, jury matters)
Prothonotary (civil filings, judgments, liens)
Register of Wills / Orphans' Court (probate, estates, guardianships)
By Mail
Send a written request to the relevant office at the address above. Include the full case caption or docket number, the specific document you need, whether you require a certified copy, and a check or money order for the applicable fee. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Criminal History Checks
For a statewide criminal background check — rather than a single case document — use the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system, managed by the Pennsylvania State Police. PATCH returns criminal history records from the state repository and is separate from county court docket searches.
To locate someone incarcerated in a state correctional facility, use the Inmate/Department Supervised Individual Locator maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. County jail inmates (such as those at the Butler County Jail) may also appear in that system, though county facilities sometimes maintain their own rosters.
Butler Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court record searches, copies, and certifications in Butler County are set by statute and local administrative order. The table below reflects commonly assessed fees in Pennsylvania courts. Confirm exact amounts with the relevant office, as fees may be updated periodically.
| Service | Approximate Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Docket sheet copy (unofficial) | Free – $5.00 | Often free online via UJS Portal; printed copies may carry a per-page charge |
| Photocopy of court document | $0.25 – $0.50 per page | Varies by office |
| Certification of a document | $5.00 – $10.00 | Added to the per-page copy cost |
| Exemplified copy | $10.00+ | Requires additional court seal; used for out-of-state filings |
| Record search (by clerk) | $5.00 – $10.00 | Per-name or per-case search conducted by office staff |
| PATCH criminal history check | $22.00 | Paid online at epatch.pa.gov; set by the Pennsylvania State Police |
Most offices accept cash, checks, and money orders. Some may accept credit or debit cards in person. Online payments through the UJS Portal or PATCH are processed electronically. Contact the specific office before mailing a request to confirm the current fee and accepted payment methods.
Certain records — including juvenile cases, some family court matters, and sealed or expunged records — are restricted from public access under Pennsylvania law. If you are unsure whether a record is available, ask the clerk before submitting payment.