Monroe County Public Records /Monroe County Court Records

Monroe County Court Records

What Is Monroe County Court Records

Court records in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, are official documents generated and maintained by the judicial system in connection with legal proceedings filed within the county's courts. These records serve as the formal, permanent account of all judicial activity and encompass a broad range of document types, including:

Case files — the complete collection of documents associated with a specific legal matter
Dockets — chronological logs of all filings, hearings, and actions taken in a case
Pleadings and motions — formal written submissions by parties to a case, including complaints, answers, and petitions
Orders and judgments — official rulings issued by presiding judges
Transcripts — verbatim written records of court proceedings
Exhibits — physical or documentary evidence admitted during hearings or trials
Sentencing records — documentation of penalties imposed in criminal matters

Court records are distinct from other categories of public records maintained by Monroe County agencies. Property records, for example, are held by the Monroe County Recorder of Deeds, while vital records such as birth and death certificates are administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and local registrars. Court records are exclusively generated through judicial proceedings.

The courts that maintain records in Monroe County include the Court of Common Pleas (which handles civil, criminal, family, and orphans' court matters), Magisterial District Courts (which handle minor civil and criminal matters, traffic cases, and preliminary hearings), and the Pennsylvania Superior and Supreme Courts for appellate matters. Records span civil litigation, criminal prosecutions, domestic relations and family law cases, probate and estate proceedings, traffic violations, and small claims actions. Under § 9.1 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Judicial Administration, court records are defined as all documents, information, and data filed with or maintained by a court in connection with a judicial proceeding.

Are Court Records Public In Monroe County

The majority of court records maintained in Monroe County are presumptively open to the public under Pennsylvania law. The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.) establishes a broad right of public access to government records, and the Pennsylvania Rules of Judicial Administration further affirm that court records are public unless a specific exception applies. Members of the public may inspect most civil case files, criminal case files following the filing of charges, judgments and court orders, docket sheets, and scheduled hearing information without demonstrating a particular need or interest.

Records that are routinely accessible to the public include:

Civil case dockets and filed pleadings
Criminal case files after charges have been formally filed
Final judgments and court orders
Docket sheets reflecting the procedural history of a case
Hearing and trial schedules

Certain records are exempt from public disclosure under Pennsylvania Rules of Judicial Administration Rule 509, including juvenile delinquency records, mental health commitment records, adoption records, and documents sealed by court order. It is important to note that federal court records for cases filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania are governed separately by federal rules and are accessible through the federal PACER system, not through Monroe County's local court portals. The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records provides authoritative guidance on the scope of public access rights under state law.

How To Find Court Records in Monroe County in 2026

Members of the public seeking court records in Monroe County may access them through several official channels depending on the type of case and the court in which it was filed.

Step 1 — Identify the correct court. Determine whether the matter was heard in the Court of Common Pleas, a Magisterial District Court, or an appellate court, as each maintains its own records.

Step 2 — Search online portals. The Monroe County Prothonotary's Office provides online access to civil case dockets through the C-Track civil case docket system, which indexes all civil matters filed in the Court of Common Pleas. The Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal provides statewide case search functionality for both trial and appellate court records.

Step 3 — Visit the courthouse in person. Members of the public may inspect physical case files at the Prothonotary's Office or the Clerk of Courts during regular business hours. Staff are available to assist with locating records by case number, party name, or filing date.

Step 4 — Submit a formal records request. For records not available online or in person at the public counter, a written request may be submitted to the Monroe County Office of Open Records pursuant to the Right-to-Know Law.

Step 5 — Pay applicable fees. Copying fees may apply for reproductions of physical documents. Online searches and in-person inspection of records are generally available at no charge.

How To Look Up Court Records in Monroe County Online?

Several official online portals currently provide access to Monroe County court records, each covering a distinct category of cases.

Monroe County C-Track Portal (Civil Cases) The Monroe County Prothonotary's Office maintains the C-Track civil case search portal, which indexes civil case dockets and judgment records filed in the Court of Common Pleas. To search:

Navigate to the C-Track search page
Enter a case number, party name, or attorney name in the designated fields
Select the applicable date range if known
Review the returned docket entries and associated filings

Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal (Statewide) The Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal case search provides access to docket information for cases filed across Pennsylvania's trial and appellate courts, including Magisterial District Court records. Users may search by docket number, party name, or court type. Appellate court cases require selection of the "Appellate" or "Docket Number" search option.

Monroe County Open Records Portal The Monroe County Office of Open Records provides a formal mechanism for submitting Right-to-Know requests for records not otherwise available through the above portals.

How To Search Monroe County Court Records for Free?

Pennsylvania law currently guarantees members of the public the right to inspect court records at no cost. Under 65 P.S. § 67.702, agencies may not charge a fee for the inspection of public records — fees apply only when copies are requested. This principle extends to court records accessible through the Monroe County Prothonotary's Office and the Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal.

The following resources are available free of charge for search and inspection purposes:

C-Track civil case docket search — free online access to Monroe County Court of Common Pleas civil dockets and judgment indexes
Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal — free statewide docket search covering Magisterial District Courts and appellate courts
In-person inspection at the Monroe County Prothonotary's Office and Clerk of Courts — no fee for viewing records at the public counter

Certified copies and printed reproductions are subject to per-page fees established by the court. Requests for large volumes of records may also incur duplication costs.

What's Included in a Monroe County Court Record?

The contents of a court record vary by case type, but Monroe County court records generally include the following categories of documents:

Civil Case Records

Complaint, answer, and responsive pleadings
Motions and supporting briefs
Court orders and opinions
Judgment entries and satisfaction of judgment filings
Docket sheets reflecting all case activity

Criminal Case Records

Criminal complaint and information or indictment
Bail and bond documentation
Preliminary hearing records
Plea agreements
Verdict and sentencing orders
Probation and parole documentation

Family Court Records

Divorce decrees and property settlement agreements
Child custody orders and modification petitions
Support orders and payment histories
Protection from abuse orders

Orphans' Court / Probate Records

Wills and letters testamentary
Estate inventories and accountings
Guardianship orders

Traffic and Summary Offense Records

Citation information
Hearing notices and dispositions
Fine and penalty records

How Long Does Monroe County Keep Court Records?

Monroe County courts retain records in accordance with retention schedules established by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Retention periods vary by record type and court level.

Record Type	Minimum Retention Period
Civil case files (general)	10 years after final disposition
Criminal case files (felony)	Permanent
Criminal case files (misdemeanor)	10 years after final disposition
Juvenile delinquency records	Until subject reaches age 28 or 5 years after final discharge
Orphans' court / probate records	Permanent
Traffic and summary offense records	5 years after final disposition
Court transcripts	Varies; typically 10 years minimum

These schedules are established pursuant to Pennsylvania Supreme Court General Court Regulation No. 95-01 and applicable provisions of the Pennsylvania Judicial Code. Records designated for permanent retention are transferred to archival storage and remain accessible to the public. Records that have reached the end of their retention period may be destroyed in accordance with approved disposition schedules.

Types of Courts In Monroe County

Monroe County's judicial system operates within Pennsylvania's unified court structure, which proceeds from Magisterial District Courts at the base level through the Court of Common Pleas, then to the Superior Court and Commonwealth Court at the intermediate appellate level, and finally to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court as the court of last resort.

Monroe County Court of Common Pleas The Court of Common Pleas is the principal trial court of general jurisdiction in Monroe County, handling civil, criminal, family, and orphans' court matters.

Monroe County Courthouse 610 Monroe Street, Stroudsburg, PA 18360 (570) 517-3009 Monroe County Court of Common Pleas Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Monroe County Prothonotary's Office 610 Monroe Street, Stroudsburg, PA 18360 (570) 517-3009 Monroe County Prothonotary Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Monroe County Clerk of Courts 610 Monroe Street, Stroudsburg, PA 18360 (570) 517-3009 Monroe County Clerk of Courts Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Magisterial District Courts Monroe County is served by several Magisterial District Courts, which handle summary offenses, minor civil disputes, traffic matters, and preliminary hearings in criminal cases. These courts are presided over by elected Magisterial District Judges.

MDJ 43-1-01 — 913 Main Street, Stroudsburg, PA 18360, (570) 424-5958
MDJ 43-1-02 — 5 N. Courtland Street, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301, (570) 421-6950
MDJ 43-2-01 — 3330 Rte. 940, Suite 101, Pocono Summit, PA 18346, (570) 839-7111
MDJ 43-3-01 — 1 Pocono Blvd., Mount Pocono, PA 18344, (570) 839-7111

Pennsylvania Superior Court (Intermediate Appellate) Appeals from the Monroe County Court of Common Pleas in most civil and criminal matters are heard by the Pennsylvania Superior Court.

Pennsylvania Superior Court — Philadelphia Office 530 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106 (215) 560-5880 Pennsylvania Superior Court

Pennsylvania Supreme Court The Pennsylvania Supreme Court serves as the court of last resort for all matters arising within the Commonwealth's unified judicial system.

Pennsylvania Supreme Court — Eastern District 601 Commonwealth Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17106 (717) 787-6181 Pennsylvania Supreme Court

What Types of Cases Do Monroe County Courts Hear?

Each court within Monroe County's judicial hierarchy handles a defined category of legal matters.

Court of Common Pleas — Civil Division

Contract disputes and commercial litigation
Personal injury and tort claims
Real property disputes
Small claims matters above the Magisterial District Court threshold
Appeals from Magisterial District Court civil decisions

Court of Common Pleas — Criminal Division

Felony criminal prosecutions
Misdemeanor cases bound over from Magisterial District Courts
Jury and bench trials in criminal matters

Court of Common Pleas — Family Division

Divorce and equitable distribution proceedings
Child custody and visitation disputes
Child and spousal support matters
Protection from abuse petitions
Adoption proceedings

Court of Common Pleas — Orphans' Court Division

Probate of wills and administration of decedents' estates
Guardianship of incapacitated persons and minors
Trust administration matters

Magisterial District Courts

Summary criminal offenses (including traffic violations)
Preliminary arraignments and preliminary hearings in criminal cases
Civil claims up to $12,000
Landlord-tenant disputes and eviction proceedings
Restitution and fine collection

Pennsylvania Superior Court

Appeals from Court of Common Pleas civil and criminal decisions
Post-conviction relief appeals

Pennsylvania Supreme Court

Discretionary review of Superior and Commonwealth Court decisions
Cases involving constitutional questions of statewide significance

How To Find a Court Docket In Monroe County

A court docket is the official chronological record of all filings, hearings, and judicial actions in a specific case. Members of the public may locate Monroe County court dockets through the following methods:

Online Search

The Monroe County civil case docket index maintained by the Prothonotary's Office allows users to search by case number, party name, or judgment information for civil matters filed in the Court of Common Pleas.
The Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal provides docket access for Magisterial District Court cases and appellate proceedings statewide. Users may search by docket number, participant name, or court location.

In-Person Access Members of the public may visit the Monroe County Prothonotary's Office or Clerk of Courts during regular business hours to request docket sheets for civil and criminal cases, respectively. Staff at the public counter can retrieve dockets by case number or party name.

Written Request Docket information not available through online portals may be requested in writing through the Monroe County Office of Open Records pursuant to the Right-to-Know Law. The Monroe County Open Records office processes such requests within the statutory timeframe established under 65 P.S. § 67.901.

Which Courts in Monroe County Are Not Courts of Record?

A court of record is a court whose proceedings are formally documented, preserved, and subject to appellate review. Under Pennsylvania law, specifically 42 Pa. C.S. § 323, courts of record include the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, Superior Court, Commonwealth Court, and Courts of Common Pleas. These courts maintain permanent, certified records of their proceedings.

Magisterial District Courts in Monroe County are currently classified as courts not of record under Pennsylvania law. This designation means that:

Proceedings before Magisterial District Judges are not transcribed verbatim as a matter of course
No official stenographic record is created during hearings
Appeals from Magisterial District Court decisions are heard de novo (anew) in the Court of Common Pleas, meaning the appellate court conducts a fresh hearing rather than reviewing a transcript
Magisterial District Courts do not have the authority to hold parties in contempt in the same manner as courts of record

This distinction has practical significance for parties involved in summary offense proceedings, minor civil disputes, and landlord-tenant matters heard at the Magisterial District Court level, as the absence of a verbatim record means that any appeal requires a completely new proceeding before the Court of Common Pleas.