Union County Pennsylvania Public Records
Union County public records are available through county offices in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. Home to Bucknell University and the Federal Penitentiary at Lewisburg, Union County is a distinct central Pennsylvania community with a broad range of public records. Court documents, property records, land instruments, and government filings are all maintained here and open to the public under state law. This guide covers the key offices that hold Union County public records and explains how to search and access them.
Union County Quick Facts
Union County Records and Government
The Union County government operates from the courthouse in Lewisburg. Union County is a small but active county in central Pennsylvania along the West Branch of the Susquehanna River. The county government maintains a full complement of row offices including the Prothonotary, Clerk of Courts, Recorder of Deeds, Register of Wills, Treasurer, and Sheriff. Each office maintains specific categories of public records and can be contacted through the county website at unionco.org.
Union County's records cover the full range of government activity in the county. Property records reflect a mix of residential, commercial, agricultural, and university-related land uses. Court records cover both local civil matters and criminal cases. Estate records flow through the Register of Wills. Marriage licenses are issued by the same office. The county serves a fairly compact geographic area, which means most records searches can be completed fairly efficiently at the Lewisburg courthouse.
Note: Union County courthouse offices are located in Lewisburg and follow standard county government hours. The courthouse building is on the main square in Lewisburg, which makes it easy to find for first-time visitors.
Union County Court Records
The Court of Common Pleas handles civil, criminal, family, and orphans' court cases in Union County. All case records are maintained by the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts in Lewisburg. Court records are public documents unless a judge has ordered them sealed. They include complaints, motions, orders, verdicts, and sentencing information for all cases filed in Union County.
Free online access to Union County court records is available through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Portal. Search by party name or docket number to find cases. The portal provides docket summaries, hearing histories, and case status. For full case documents or certified copies, contact the Union County Prothonotary in Lewisburg directly. Staff can search records and provide copies for a per-page fee. In-person visits allow you to review the full physical case file at the courthouse. Criminal records are also searchable through the UJS Portal.
Union County Property and Land Records
The Union County Recorder of Deeds records all instruments affecting title to real property in the county. Deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements are all filed and indexed at this office in Lewisburg. The Recorder's index allows searches by grantor and grantee name. Once a document is recorded in Union County, it becomes part of the permanent public land record. Every significant real property transaction in Union County passes through this office.
Property assessment records are managed by the Union County Assessment Office. The office sets assessed values for all taxable parcels, which feed into real estate tax bills. Property owners can review their assessment at the county offices in Lewisburg. If they disagree with the value, they can file an appeal through the county appeals process. The Tax Claim Bureau handles delinquent taxes and periodic tax sales. All of these records are public and available in Lewisburg during regular business hours.
Note: Union County includes some properties associated with Bucknell University. Tax-exempt educational properties do not appear in the taxable assessment rolls but are tracked as part of the total county property inventory.
Union County Records Requests
Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law gives every person the right to request public records from Union County government agencies. Submit a written request to the Open Records Officer at the relevant department. The agency must respond within five business days. Extensions of up to 30 days are allowed. Records are presumed public under the law.
The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records provides forms and guidance for public records requests. If Union County denies your request, you can appeal to the Office of Open Records at no cost. The Office reviews the denial and issues a binding decision. This process is designed for regular people and does not require legal representation. The Right-to-Know Law is codified at 65 P.S. Section 67.101 and available through the Pennsylvania Code and Bulletin website for full reference.
Union County Vital Records and Other Resources
Birth and death records for Union County are held by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Certified copies can be ordered from the Division of Vital Records. The state has records from 1906 onward. Marriage licenses in Union County are issued by the Register of Wills in Lewisburg. After the ceremony and return of the signed license, the record is permanent and public. Divorce records are with the Prothonotary and are searchable through the UJS Portal.
For statewide criminal history record checks, the Pennsylvania State Police PATCH system covers all counties including Union. The Auditor General may audit Union County government operations periodically, and those reports are public. The Pennsylvania state portal links to all relevant state agencies for Union County residents. Genealogical researchers can contact the Union County Historical Society for materials that complement the county government's public records collection.
Nearby Counties
Union County borders several central Pennsylvania counties. Records near county lines may fall under more than one jurisdiction.