I cannot find my case

Troubleshooting for this FAQ is organized into escalating Levels. Try Level 1 first. If your issue remains, continue sequentially through each Level until your problem is resolved or alternate instructions are provided.

Level 1: Try (or Retry) Your Name Search

If you are having trouble finding your case, try completing the following Participant Name search:

  1. Begin a new search by clicking the CLEAR button on the Case Search screen.

  2. Click on the Search By dropdown and select Participant Name.

  3. Enter the Last Name of the case participant.

  4. Enter the First Name of the case participant.

    Note: The person’s name may not be spelled exactly as it appears in the court’s system. Try using their full legal name or alternative spellings. If the person has a common name, try narrowing your search using their date of birth (if known).

  5. Select the County in which the participant's court case is filed (ex. Allegheny, Cumberland, Erie, Delaware, etc.). If unknown, this information is typically specified on documents sent by the court.

  6. Leave the other fields blank and click the SEARCH button.

  7. Review your search results. If you are unable to find your case, try modifying your search.

Level 2: Modify Your Name Search

Complete the following steps:

  1. Begin a new search by clicking the CLEAR button on the Case Search screen.

  2. Verify that Participant Name is selected in the Search By field. If not, make this selection from the dropdown.

  3. Reenter the Last Name of the case participant.

  4. Reenter the First Name of the case participant.

  5. Select a Docket Type. Refer to the descriptions below for Magisterial District Court and Common Pleas court docket types.

  6. Leave the other fields blank and click the SEARCH button to review your search results.

 

Magisterial District Court Docket Types:

  • Criminal - Cases arising from criminal offenses where the most serious charge is a misdemeanor or felony offense.

  • Traffic - Cases arising from offenses under the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code (Title 75) and violations of local traffic ordinances.

  • Non-Traffic - Offenses arising from summary (minor criminal) offenses, unrelated to the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, or for local non-traffic ordinances.

  • Landlord/Tenant - Non-criminal cases arising from a real property dispute between a landlord and a tenant.

  • Civil - Non-criminal cases arising from a financial dispute between parties.

Court of Common Pleas Docket Types

  • Criminal - All major criminal cases.

  • Summary Appeal - The appeal of a summary conviction on a traffic or non-traffic citation that originated in a Magisterial District Court.

  • Miscellaneous - Includes things like appeals on decisions regarding bail set by a Magisterial District judge, search warrants, motions, and matters stemming from criminal cases such as contempt of court.

Level 3: Still Unable to Find Your Case?

There are some docket sheets that are not available on the UJS Portal even if the correct search information is entered. This includes docket sheets for juvenile cases, civil cases in the Courts of Common Pleas, cases that have been expunged or are pending expungement, sealed cases, limited access cases (Act 5 of 2016), or instances where the case record was destroyed in accordance with the judiciary's record retention policy.

If you have questions about your docket sheet, contact the court where your case is filed.

If you don’t have the court’s phone number, refer to the Magisterial District Court or Common Pleas Court phone listing. Clicking either of these links opens a new webpage.

 

Searching for a Magisterial District Court office phone number

Tip: Completing a search by District Court is recommended. Use the following steps:

  1. Change the Search field from County to District Court.

  2. In the blank field, enter the district court number in which your case is filed (Sample District Number: 51-3-01).

  3. Click the SEARCH button.

  4. Click the SHOW DETAILS button to display the phone number for the court.