Armstrong Court Records are the official Armstrong County judicial records and docket entries filed with the Armstrong County Court of Common Pleas and its six Magisterial District Courts in Pennsylvania. These Armstrong County court records cover criminal indictments, civil lawsuits, divorce filings, custody disputes, probate matters, Protection from Abuse orders, and small claims. Anyone needing an Armstrong court case lookup can find party names, docket numbers, filing dates, hearing schedules, and final dispositions through the Armstrong County case index or other official sources. The Prothonotary holds civil, family, and probate matters. The Clerk of Courts holds criminal cases. Both offices operate from the Armstrong County Courthouse at 500 Market Street in Kittanning, Pennsylvania. Public access is granted under Pennsylvania Rule of Judicial Administration 401 and the state Right to Know Law, with narrow exceptions for sealed, juvenile, and expunged files. Most filings become searchable within days of being entered into the statewide docket system, making court records search Armstrong a practical task for residents, attorneys, journalists, and employers running background checks.
Armstrong Court Records become accessible through three primary search channels, each suited to different needs and urgency levels. The free Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Docket Sheets portal lets users run an Armstrong court docket search by name, case number, or offense tracking number across all county divisions at any time of day. For Armstrong court record lookup involving Magisterial District matters, summary offenses, or landlord-tenant disputes, contacting the specific MDJ office directly yields more complete results than the statewide aggregator. Third-party platforms compile Armstrong public court records and add features like multi-county criminal history reporting, email alerts on new filings, and FCRA-compliant background check reports. To find Armstrong court records effectively, gather the full legal name, approximate filing year, case type, and any known docket numbers before starting your search. Once records are located, certified copies can be ordered by mail or in person from the Prothonotary or Clerk of Courts for a small per-page fee plus a certification charge, which lets you access Armstrong court documents with a raised court seal for legal use.
Search Filters You Can Use- Case category (Civil, Criminal, Family, Probate, or MDJ)
- Filing date range
- Participant name (last, first, or business name)
- Docket number prefix
- Magisterial District or judge assignment
Magisterial District Court Search Coverage
Armstrong County operates six Magisterial District Courts. Each court handles summary offenses, small claims under $12,000, and landlord-tenant disputes for a defined area of the county.
- MDJ 33-1-01 covers Kittanning Borough and Manor Township
- MDJ 33-1-02 covers Ford City and Bethel Township
- MDJ 33-1-03 covers Leechburg and Gilpin Township
- MDJ 33-1-04 covers Apollo and Parks Township
- MDJ 33-1-05 covers Freeport and Buffalo Township
- MDJ 33-1-06 covers Rural Valley and Valley Township
Information You Need Before Searching
Strong search results depend on accurate details. Collect these facts before opening the portal.
- Full legal name of the party (avoid nicknames)
- Approximate year the case was filed
- Case type (criminal, civil, family, or probate)
- Magisterial district number, if known
- Offense Tracking Number (OTN) for criminal cases
Types of Armstrong County Court Records
Armstrong County maintains six main record categories. Each category has its own search methods and access rules set by Pennsylvania Rule of Judicial Administration 401 and the state Right to Know Law.
Criminal Court Records
The Clerk of Courts keeps criminal case files. The records include felony indictments, misdemeanor appeals from MDJ courts, guilty pleas, sentencing orders, restitution details, and parole information. Search by defendant name, OTN, or docket number.
Common criminal case types in Armstrong County include DUI charges, theft, burglary, drug possession, assault, and domestic violence. Sexual offense records follow strict access limits to protect victim identity.
Civil Court Records
The Prothonotary keeps civil case files. Civil records cover lawsuits over $12,000, contract disputes, personal injury claims, medical malpractice cases, civil appeals, and municipal actions. Use the party name or docket number to find a civil case.
Family Court Records
Family records include divorce decrees, custody orders, child support, Protection from Abuse (PFA) filings, adoption papers, and dependency cases. Family court records follow 23 Pa.C.S. § 3301 for divorce and related matters.
Many family court documents stay confidential. The docket sheet is public in most cases, but the underlying financial disclosures and sensitive filings remain restricted to the parties involved.
Probate Court Records
The Register of Wills keeps probate records. The files cover wills, estate administration, guardianship papers, and involuntary commitments. Will filings before death stay sealed. Filings after death become public through the UJS portal.
MDJ Court Records
Magisterial District Court records cover summary offenses, traffic violations, small claims, and landlord-tenant disputes. Each MDJ office runs its own docket system apart from the Court of Common Pleas.
Land Court and Recorder of Deeds
The Recorder of Deeds keeps land records separate from the Court of Common Pleas. The records include mortgages, deeds, liens, and easements. Many users searching for court records actually need Recorder of Deeds records for property research.
Record Type and Access Levels
| Record Type | Maintained By | Public Access | Search Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | Clerk of Courts | High (victim info redacted) | Name, OTN, Docket Number |
| Civil | Prothonotary | High | Party Name, Docket Number |
| Family | Prothonotary | Limited (docket only) | Party Name |
| Probate | Register of Wills | High (post-death) | Decedent Name |
| MDJ | MDJ Office | High | Name, Docket Number |
| Land or Deed | Recorder of Deeds | Very High | Grantor, Grantee, Parcel Number |
Armstrong County Court System Structure
Armstrong County sits in Pennsylvania’s 5th Judicial District. The 5th District also includes Indiana, Jefferson, and Westmoreland counties. A President Judge leads the district with a team of associate and senior judges.
Court of Common Pleas
The Court of Common Pleas is the main trial court in Armstrong County. The court runs four specialized divisions that handle different case types.
- Criminal Division handles felonies and major misdemeanors
- Civil Division handles disputes over $12,000 and equity actions
- Family Division handles divorce, custody, support, and PFA cases
- Orphans’ Court handles estates, wills, and guardianship matters
Magisterial District Judge Courts
Six Magisterial District Judges handle summary offenses, civil claims under $12,000, and preliminary criminal arraignments. An MDJ decision can be appealed de novo to the Court of Common Pleas for a fresh hearing.
Appellate Path
Appeals from Armstrong County go to the Pennsylvania Superior Court as the intermediate appellate level. Cases can move further to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on allowance of appeal. Federal matters involving Armstrong County residents go to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
Free vs Paid Court Record Search
The PA UJS Web Docket Sheets portal is the free official source. The portal provides the same data the courthouse uses, so accuracy is high. Paid third-party services add convenience features like alerts and multi-county searches.
Free Official Sources
- PA UJS Web Docket Sheets at ujsportal.pacourts.us
- Armstrong County Prothonotary Office in person
- Armstrong County Clerk of Courts in person
- Armstrong County Recorder of Deeds online
Paid Third-Party Services
Commercial services pull data from the same public sources. The added value comes from extra features that fit professional research and ongoing monitoring needs.
- Cross-county criminal history reporting
- Email alerts for new filings
- Mobile-optimized lookup
- Background check reports (FCRA-compliant tiers for employers)
- PACER integration for federal cases
Free and Paid Side-by-Side
| Feature | Free UJS Portal | Paid Service |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $0 | $0 to $30 per month |
| Data Source | Official PA UJS | Aggregated public and commercial sources |
| Accuracy | Authoritative | Accurate with possible update delays |
| Multi-County Search | No (one county at a time) | Yes (statewide or national) |
| Alerts | No | Yes |
| FCRA-Compliant Reports | No | Yes (premium tier) |
| Certified Copies | Must request from courthouse | Some services assist with ordering |
Sealed and Restricted Records
Not every Armstrong County court record is public. Sealed records, expunged records, juvenile records, and certain family court documents follow Pennsylvania law. Standard search tools do not show these files.
Records Restricted from Public Search
- Juvenile dependency and delinquency records (42 Pa.C.S. § 6307)
- Adoption records (23 Pa.C.S. § 2905)
- PFA petitions and supporting documents (party access only)
- Grand jury materials (42 Pa.C.S. § 4552)
- Trade secrets and confidential business filings
- Mental health commitment records
- Sexual assault victim identity (redacted in most cases)
Clean Slate Act and Expungement
Pennsylvania’s Clean Slate Act (Act 56 of 2018, expanded 2024–2025) provides automatic sealing. The sealing covers certain non-violent misdemeanor and summary convictions after a waiting period. As of 2026, the AOPC applies the sealing automatically to qualifying records in Armstrong County.
Third-party databases may still show the sealed records until their next update cycle. Run a fresh search on the PA UJS portal to confirm the current status of any record.
How to Request Access to a Sealed Record
- File a Petition to Unseal with the Armstrong County Court of Common Pleas
- Provide statutory or case-specific justification for the request
- Give notice to the District Attorney’s office and any affected parties
- Attend a sealing hearing before a Common Pleas judge
Eligible petitioners include the defendant, the District Attorney, victims of certain crimes, criminal justice agencies, and researchers with judicial approval.
How to Obtain Certified Copies
Certified copies of Armstrong court records carry a raised court seal. The copies are accepted for legal filings, government applications, and immigration matters. You can order them in person, by mail, or through the PA UJS eFiling system for some case types.
In-Person Requests
Visit the appropriate office at the Armstrong County Courthouse, 500 Market Street, Kittanning, PA 16201. Office hours run 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, except court holidays. Bring a valid photo ID and the docket number for the case you need.
Mail Requests
Send a written request to the Prothonotary or Clerk of Courts. Include the case name, docket number, specific documents you need, your contact details, and payment by check or money order. The office does not accept cash through the mail.
Typical Fee Schedule
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Photocopy (per page) | $0.25 to $0.50 |
| Certification fee | $5.00 to $10.00 |
| Exemplification (raised seal) | $20.00 or more |
| Search fee (no case provided) | $10.00 to $15.00 |
| Returned check | $30.00 |
Record Search Tips and Filters
Search results improve when you use the right filters and prepare your query in advance. These tips apply to the PA UJS Web Docket Sheets portal and third-party services that index Armstrong County data.
Narrow Results with Specific Filters
- Add a filing year range to skip old unrelated cases
- Pick a single case type instead of searching all categories
- Search by docket number when the number is known
- Use exact spelling for the participant name field
- Check the Magisterial District filter for summary cases
Handle Common Name Issues
Common surnames produce many results. Try these steps to find the right person in a busy docket.
- Add a middle name or initial to the search
- Use a date of birth range when the portal allows it
- Look at the filing year to match the case timing
- Cross-check the case type with the party role
What to Do If No Results Appear
A blank result can mean the case is sealed, filed under a different name, or handled at the MDJ level. Contact the Prothonotary or Clerk of Courts office directly for help. Some older cases from before statewide digitization sit in physical files only.
Contact Information
Use the contacts below to reach the offices that maintain Armstrong County court records. Call ahead to confirm hours, fees, and document availability before you visit.
Armstrong County Courthouse
500 Market Street, Kittanning, PA 16201
Prothonotary (Civil, Family, Probate)
Phone: 724-543-2510
Address: 500 Market Street, Kittanning, PA 16201
Clerk of Courts (Criminal)
Phone: 724-548-3241
Address: 500 Market Street, Kittanning, PA 16201
Recorder of Deeds (Land Records)
500 Market Street, Kittanning, PA 16201
Pennsylvania UJS Web Docket Sheets
Website: ujsportal.pacourts.us
Frequently Asked Questions
Armstrong Court Records serve as the public gateway to civil, criminal, family, and probate filings in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. These records help you verify backgrounds, check property disputes, confirm court dates, and trace family history. The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System keeps most filings online through a free portal. The Prothonotary office in Kittanning holds older documents. Anyone can search by name or docket number, and the system updates daily. Clear records keep legal matters transparent and protect your rights as a citizen.
How do I search Armstrong Court Records online?
Begin your Armstrong Court Records search at the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Docket Sheets portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us. Start by selecting Armstrong County from the Court of Common Pleas dropdown menu. Next, choose how to search: participant name, docket number, or case number. The system then pulls up civil, criminal, family, and probate filings. It covers the Court of Common Pleas and all six Magisterial District Courts. Results display party names, filing dates, hearing schedules, and case status. The portal runs free of charge, operates as an official source, and updates daily by county staff. You can view docket entries right away, yet certified copies carry a small fee through the Prothonotary office.
Where can I find Armstrong County court records for free?
You can find Armstrong County court records for free through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Docket Sheets at ujsportal.pacourts.us. This free online portal covers civil, criminal, family, and probate cases. It pulls from the Court of Common Pleas and all six Magisterial District Courts. You can search by name, docket number, or case number, then view party details, hearing dates, and filing history. For older records predating 1990, visit the Armstrong County Prothonotary office in Kittanning. In-person visits cost nothing for casual viewing, but certified copies and printouts require a per-page fee.
How do I perform an Armstrong court case lookup by name?
To run an Armstrong court case lookup by name, visit ujsportal.pacourts.us and select Armstrong County. Type the last name first, then the first name in the participant search field. Wrap the full name in quote marks for an exact match, or leave them off to catch similar spellings. The portal searches both the Court of Common Pleas and the six Magisterial District Courts at once. Results list every case tied to that name, along with docket numbers, filing dates, and current status. Click any case to see motions, orders, and upcoming hearings.
What types of cases appear in the Armstrong County case index?
The Armstrong County case index includes civil, criminal, family, and probate cases filed in the Court of Common Pleas. Summary appeals, landlord-tenant disputes, and traffic citations come from the six Magisterial District Courts. They serve Kittanning, Ford City, Leechburg, and other towns. Divorce, custody, support, and protection from abuse filings appear under the family category. Meanwhile, Orphans Court matters such as wills, estates, and guardianship records fall under probate. With each case type showing distinct docket codes, learning the abbreviations helps you sort results faster.
Can I access Armstrong court documents remotely?
Yes, you can access Armstrong court documents remotely through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us. Once you find a case, click the docket number to view filings, motions, orders, and hearing transcripts uploaded by the clerk. You can print or save these PDFs from any device. For certified copies, mail a written request to the Armstrong County Prothonotary at 500 Market Street, Kittanning, PA 16201. Include the docket number, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a payment check. Online requests for certified copies go through the Prothonotary secure payment page.
How do I read an Armstrong court docket search result?
An Armstrong court docket search result shows the docket number, case caption, filing date, and current status at the top. Below that, you will see a chronological list of every entry the clerk recorded. Each entry lists the filing date, the filing party, a short description, and the judge assigned. These descriptions cover actions like complaints, motions, or orders. You can scroll through past entries to track rulings, continuances, and sentencing. Click any PDF link to open the actual document. Use the hearing date column to plan your next court appearance or set reminders for deadlines.