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Berks County Court Records

Court records are records created during and generated in connection with a legal case. Legal cases in Berks County are handled by the Court of Common Pleas, which comprises several divisions that handle different types of cases. Court records are one mechanism designed by the legislature to ensure judicial fairness and accountability. In a broader context, these records function with several other public records in maintaining accountability across the judicial, legislative, and executive branches of government.

Are Berks County Court Records Public?

Yes. Berks County public records comprise court records per 204 Pa. Code § 213.81. This means that individuals are legally permitted to inspect or retrieve a copy of a court record in Berks County or anywhere else in the state. However, certain records are subject to restrictions that prevent the public from accessing them. These restrictions are typically placed on records containing private or protected information. Such records include

  • Juvenile proceedings
  • Mental health records
  • Financial account numbers
  • Identifying information of certain crime victims
  • Confidential informant details

What Information is Available in Berks County Court Records?

Court records in Berks County contain every detail necessary to identify the parties involved in the case, the type of case, the case’s events from initiation to finalization, and the presiding court’s actions. These details include

  • The names of the parties in the case and their attorneys
  • The case number, case type, and case status
  • Scheduled court hearing dates
  • Documents (in paper or electronic form) brought for the court to review
  • Arrest information (if a criminal case)
  • A financial summary
  • All court actions, including orders and judgments

Berks County Court Records Search

Berks County court records are available to the public through several access methods. The best method for access is subjective and depends on the requester’s needs and reasons for the search. Individuals may generally search for a court record in the following ways.

  • Online Access

Individuals can search for Berks County court records through the Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal. The portal includes information from the Appellate Courts, Criminal Court of Common Pleas, and Magisterial District courts. Civil court information can be accessed through the Berks County Prothonotary Search Portal. Searches on both portals can be made by name or docket number; however, users should note that these portals provide access only to case docket sheets. Individuals may need to explore alternative search options to access the full case file.

The Genealogy Research Portal also allows individuals to search for estate records filed with the Berks County Orphans’ Court from 1752 to the present.

  • In-Person Access

In-person access is generally the most common and effective way to access Berks County court records. It involves visiting the relevant office at the Berks County Courthouse and lodging a search request, while providing details about the record, such as a name or case number. Unlike online searches, individuals are privy to the full court record, provided it is not confidential. However, in-person searches may incur a fee for the requester. For transcripts, requesters may complete the Request for Transcript Form and take it to the appropriate office that handled the case.

  • Mail and Phone Requests

In some cases, requesters may submit their request in writing or complete the Request for Access Form and mail it to the appropriate office. Any written request should sufficiently describe the sought record; otherwise, it may be denied. Requesters will also need to include a self-addressed stamped envelope so the record may be mailed back to them when found. Additionally, individuals may submit an open records request via email to the Court Open Records Office (for general court records) or the Prothonotary Open Records Officer (for civil court records).

Fees for Court Records in Berks County

Individuals seeking court records in Berks County should expect several types of fees, depending on the record sought. Court record fees in the county are as follows:

  • Copy fee: 25 cents per page
  • Certified copy of a court record (including a divorce decree): $10
  • Court transcripts: $2.75 per page for original in bound paper format and 75 cents per page for regular copies

Berks County Courthouse Locations

Berks County utilizes a centralized primary courthouse facility, complemented by several Magisterial District Courts that operate in decentralized locations throughout the county. The primary courthouse houses the Criminal Division of the Court of Common Pleas, the Prothonotary, the Orphans’ Court, and other divisions. The Magisterial District Courts are minor courts that handle minor offenses and small civil claims. The address of each courthouse is listed below.

Berks County Courthouse

633 Court Street

Reading, PA 19601

Phone: (610) 478-6550

Fax: (610) 478-6570

MDC 23-1-01 Building

600 East Penn Avenue

Suite 5

Wernersville, PA 19565

Phone: (610) 678-6721

Fax: (610) 678-9835

MDC 23-1-02 Building

1150 Muhlenberg Street

Reading, PA 19602

Phone: (610) 374-9288

Fax: (610) 374-3079

MDC 23-1-03 Building
 Berks County Services Center

3rd Floor

633 Court Street

Reading, PA 19601

Phone: (610) 378-5101

Fax: (610) 378-0441

MDC 23-1-05 Building

633 Court Street

Reading, PA 19601

Phone: (610) 373-2127

Fax: (610) 373-2635

MDC 23-1-06 Building

3200 Reading Crest Avenue

Reading, PA 19605

Phone: (610) 929-4440

Fax: (610) 921-3625

MDC 23-2-01 Building

441 Morgantown Road

Reading, PA 19611

Phone: (610) 375-7101

Fax: (610) 375-7144

MDC 23-2-02 Building

401 Walnut Street

West Reading, PA 19611

Phone: (610) 374-7721

Fax: (610) 374-7769

MDC 23-2-03 Building

6112 Perkiomen Avenue

Birdsboro, PA 19508

Phone: (610) 779-5137

Fax: (610) 779-4681

MDC 23-2-04 Building

400 East Wyomissing Avenue

Ground Floor, Suite 1

Mohnton, PA 19540

Phone: (610) 777-3885

Fax: (610) 796-0227

MDC 23-3-01 Building

321 North Furnace Street

Suite 180

Birdsboro, PA 19508

Phone: (610) 582-8615

Fax: (610) 582-2598

MDC 23-3-02 Building

100 Schaeffer Street

Suite 2

Boyertown, PA 19512

Phone: (610) 367-2357

Fax: (610) 369-0264

MDC 23-3-03 Building

590 Oley Road

Oley, PA 19547

Phone: (610) 987-3344

Fax: (610) 987-3067

MDC 23-3-04 Building

110 West Arch Street

Suite 118

Fleetwood, PA 19522

Phone: (610) 944-7202

Fax: (610) 944-5471

MDC 23-3-05 Building

2739 Bernville Road

Leesport, PA 19533

Phone: (610) 916-4496

Fax: (610) 916-1662

MDC 23-3-06 Building

61 North 3rd Street

2nd Floor

Hamburg, PA 19526

Phone: (610) 562-4364

Fax: (610) 562-5962

MDC 23-3-07 Building

7191 Bernville Road

Bernville, PA 19506

Phone: (610) 488-6224

Fax: (610) 488-0579

MDC 23-3-09 Building

2312 Fairmont Avenue

Suite 500

Reading, PA 19605

Phone: (610) 373-4424

Fax: (610) 373-8297

Criminal Records Access in Berks County

Access to criminal records in Berks County is provided primarily by law enforcement and the courts. The Berks County Sheriff’s Department provides criminal record access at the county level, while the Pennsylvania State Police provides access at the state level. The State Police is also responsible for statewide criminal history background checks; individuals may access a criminal history record through the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system.

The county courts, specifically the Court of Common Pleas and the Magisterial District Courts, are responsible for maintaining criminal case files. Interested persons may access a case file in person, send a mail request, or search docket information on the Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal.

Berks County Probate Records

Berks County probate records relate to the legal process of administering a deceased person’s estate, whether they left a will (testate) or not (intestate). Probate records are kept by the Register of Wills in the Orphans’ Court and typically include documents such as wills, letters testamentary, guardianship and conservatorship petitions, and estate administration accounts.

Access to probate records in the county is governed by 204 Pa. Code § 213.81, making them publicly accessible. However, for certain sensitive records, access is limited to specific parties, such as the family members, the family’s legal representative, and authorized court officials.

Individuals may visit the Register of Wills Office at the Berks County Services Center to obtain a probate record. To find a record, requesters will need to provide the case number or a case party’s name. Additionally, researchers may use the Genealogy Research Portal to search for estate records online.

Berks County Family Court Records

The Berks County Family Court handles a range of domestic issues, including divorce, paternity, spousal and child support, adoptions, juvenile dependency, and protection from abuse matters. Family court records are public records, but generally experience more restrictions than other records due to their sensitive nature.

To view the physical case file of a family court record, individuals may visit the Prothonotary’s Office at the Berks County courthouse. Docket sheets may be accessed online through the Prothonotary Search Portal.

Federal Court Records in Berks County

Berks County federal court records are not handled or managed by county-level courts; they are handled by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Court records may be obtained from the Clerk’s Offices at any of the court’s locations. Individuals may also use the Pacer Case Locator to locate federal court records online. Users should note that access through the portal costs a fee.

Berks County Court