Northampton County Public Records Search
Northampton County public records are maintained by offices in Easton, Pennsylvania. Located in the Lehigh Valley region, Northampton County is one of the faster-growing counties in the state. Court records, land documents, property records, tax information, and government filings are all available to the public. Many records can be found online. This page walks through the key offices that hold Northampton County public records and explains how to request or search for the documents you need.
Northampton County Quick Facts
Northampton County Records and Offices
The Northampton County government is headquartered in Easton at the Government Center. Multiple departments operate from this location. The county maintains a comprehensive set of public records including court documents, land records, property assessments, tax information, and vital statistics. Each department has its own Open Records Officer and follows Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law for public records requests.
Northampton County residents should be aware of an important notice from the county: Northampton County will never solicit payments over the phone, and no county employee will ever threaten arrest for nonpayment via a phone call. This official guidance protects residents from scams. It also reflects the county's commitment to honest, transparent government. Real county business is done in person at the Government Center in Easton or through official written communications.
Note: Northampton County taxes are payable online through the county's payment portal, though online payments do carry a processing fee that the county does not control.
Northampton County Court Records
The Northampton County Court of Common Pleas hears civil, criminal, family, and orphans' court cases. The Prothonotary maintains the civil docket and all related case files. The Clerk of Courts manages criminal records. Both offices are located at the Northampton County Government Center in Easton.
Court records in Northampton County are searchable through the Pennsylvania UJS Portal. This free tool covers all 67 Pennsylvania counties. Search by docket number or party name to find Northampton County cases. The portal returns case summaries, hearing histories, and current status. For certified copies or complete case files, contact the Northampton County Prothonotary directly. Staff can pull files and provide copies for a per-page fee. Sensitive files such as juvenile records or sealed cases are not publicly accessible.
Criminal records in Northampton County are also searchable through the UJS Portal. This includes arrests, charges, and dispositions. For a certified criminal history covering all of Pennsylvania, use the Pennsylvania State Police PATCH system.
Northampton County Property and Land Records
The Northampton County Recorder of Deeds records all land instruments in the county. Deeds, mortgages, liens, assignments, and releases are indexed and stored at this office. The Recorder's index is searchable by grantor and grantee name or by parcel information. These records are essential for title searches, property purchases, and legal research involving Northampton County real estate.
The Northampton County Assessment Office maintains values for all taxable real estate in the county. These values drive the real estate tax bills sent to property owners. Residents can look up their assessment online through the county's GIS and assessment tools. The Tax Claim Bureau handles properties with delinquent taxes. All assessment and tax records are public and available for review at the Government Center in Easton or through online tools offered by Northampton County.
Note: Northampton County real estate records reflect a high volume of transactions due to the active Lehigh Valley real estate market. Always verify recording information with the Recorder's office before completing a property transaction.
Northampton County Records Requests
Under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, any person can request records from Northampton County government agencies. Submit a written request to the Open Records Officer at the specific department. The agency must respond within five business days. The law presumes records are public unless a specific exemption applies.
The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records oversees the Right-to-Know process statewide. Their website has forms and instructions. If Northampton County denies your request or fails to respond in time, you may appeal to the Office of Open Records. Appeals cost nothing and do not require legal help. The state will review the denial and issue a binding ruling. This ensures that Northampton County residents and others can hold the county accountable and access the public records they are entitled to see.
Northampton County Vital Records and Additional Sources
Births and deaths in Northampton County are recorded by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Certified copies of birth and death certificates can be ordered through the Division of Vital Records. Marriage licenses are issued by the Register of Wills in Easton. After the ceremony is performed and the signed license returned, the record becomes permanent. Divorce records are filed with the Northampton County Prothonotary.
For state-level oversight and additional resources, visit the Pennsylvania state government portal. The Auditor General periodically reviews Northampton County government financial records. These reports are public documents available on the Auditor General's website. Researchers interested in historical Northampton County records can also contact the county historical society in Easton, which holds archives that predate modern government recordkeeping systems.
Nearby Counties
Northampton County is located in the Lehigh Valley and borders several other Pennsylvania counties as well as New Jersey across the Delaware River.