Northampton County Background Check and Criminal Records
Northampton County background check records are kept by the Court of Common Pleas in Easton, Pennsylvania. With a population of approximately 314,000, Northampton County sits in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania and borders New Jersey along the Delaware River. Criminal records, court dockets, and warrant information are all accessible through local offices or statewide online tools. This page covers the key sources for background check records in Northampton County and explains how to use each one.
Northampton County Quick Facts
Northampton County Criminal Court Records
The Northampton County Court of Common Pleas processes all felony and major misdemeanor criminal cases for the county. Court records are generated at each stage of a case, from the initial filing through final sentencing. Criminal docket sheets list the case number, defendant details, charges by grade, bail information, court dates, and dispositions. These records are public and can be accessed through the county courthouse or through the Pennsylvania UJS Portal online.
Northampton County includes Bethlehem, one of the Lehigh Valley's largest cities. The county also borders the Delaware River, with Easton sitting directly across from Phillipsburg, New Jersey. This geography means Northampton County courts sometimes handle matters involving cross-state activity. The county has a well-developed public records infrastructure, with dedicated offices for criminal records, civil records, and warrant enforcement all based at the courthouse in Easton.
The Northampton County government at northamptoncounty.org maintains online information for all county departments. The county has enacted ban-the-box policies for public employment, reflecting a broader commitment to fair consideration of criminal history information. This does not limit public access to records. Court files remain public documents under Pennsylvania law.
How to Look Up Northampton County Records
Start your Northampton County background check search online using the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us. This free tool lets you search by name, case number, or offense tracking number. It returns criminal docket sheets for cases filed in Northampton County going back many years. No account is needed. Results show case status, charges, bail details, and hearing history. This is a solid first step, but the portal does not provide certified documents.
To get certified records, contact the Northampton County Clerk of Courts directly. The office is located at the Northampton County Courthouse, 669 Washington Street, Easton, PA 18042. You can reach the office by phone at (610) 829-6600. Staff can confirm whether a case exists in the county system and guide you through the process of requesting a certified copy or criminal record search. Fees for these services follow the county's standard schedule. Call ahead to confirm current rates and required identification before visiting in person.
Note: For cases involving misdemeanor-level offenses that originated at the Magisterial District Court, those records are also accessible through the UJS Portal using the MDJ docket format specific to Northampton County.
Northampton County Clerk of Courts
The Northampton County Clerk of Courts is responsible for maintaining all criminal court records for the county. This office manages felony case filings, stores court files, handles misdemeanor and summary appeals, and provides certified copies of court documents. Anyone seeking a background check based on criminal court proceedings in Northampton County should contact this office first.
The Northampton County government website provides direct access to department contacts and public information.
The Clerk of Courts office at the Northampton County Courthouse handles walk-in visits and mail requests. Staff are available to search case records by name or case number. Certified copies are issued upon request. For civil records including judgments, custody matters, and protection from abuse orders, contact the Northampton County Prothonotary at (610) 829-6605, also at 669 Washington Street, Easton.
| Office |
Northampton County Clerk of Courts Northampton County Courthouse 669 Washington Street Easton, PA 18042 Phone: (610) 829-6600 |
|---|---|
| Website | northamptoncounty.org/clerk-of-courts |
| Prothonotary | northamptoncounty.org/prothonotary | (610) 829-6605 |
| Sheriff | northamptoncounty.org/sheriff | (610) 829-6610 |
PATCH System and UJS Portal for Northampton County
Pennsylvania offers two major statewide tools for background check searches. The PATCH system, run by the Pennsylvania State Police, provides official criminal history reports. These reports are based on statewide data, not just Northampton County records. PATCH is the right tool when you need a comprehensive, certified history across all Pennsylvania counties. Access it at pa.gov/agencies/psp. Fees apply and vary by search type.
The Pennsylvania UJS Portal allows free public searches of all court dockets statewide, including Northampton County case records.
The UJS Portal pulls data from all 67 counties. For Northampton County specifically, you can filter searches or simply review results that identify cases filed in that county. The portal is best for confirming case details, checking case status, or identifying whether a case exists before requesting certified documents. The combination of the UJS Portal for discovery and a certified PATCH report for confirmation gives you the most complete picture of a person's criminal history tied to Northampton County and beyond.
Public Records and Right-to-Know in Northampton County
Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law allows any person to request access to public records held by Northampton County agencies. The county must respond within five business days. If a request is denied, you can appeal to the state Office of Open Records at openrecords.pa.gov. That office provides a neutral review and can compel disclosure if the denial was improper.
The Northampton County Sheriff's Office at 669 Washington Street, Easton, handles warrant enforcement and service of process throughout the county. The office can be reached at (610) 829-6610. Visit northamptoncounty.org/sheriff for more information. The Sheriff also maintains the most-wanted list for the county and works with state and federal agencies on active warrant enforcement in the Lehigh Valley region.
Note: Under 18 Pa.C.S. §9101, the Criminal History Record Information Act sets the legal framework for how criminal records are handled and shared in Pennsylvania, including in Northampton County.
Northampton County Sex Offender Registry
Pennsylvania's Megan's Law registry includes registered sex offenders from every county, including Northampton. You can search the database at pameganslaw.state.pa.us for free. Results include the registrant's name, photo, address, and offense details. The registry is maintained by the Pennsylvania State Police and updated on a regular basis. Searching by city, zip code, or name can help you identify registrants located in Bethlehem, Easton, or other parts of Northampton County.
The Pennsylvania Megan's Law registry is a key tool in any complete background check for Northampton County residents or activity.
Registrants are assigned to tiers based on the nature of their offense. Tier I offenders must register for 15 years. Tier II offenders must register for 25 years. Tier III offenders must register for life. The Northampton County Sheriff's Office works with the State Police to monitor compliance locally. Any suspected violation of registration requirements should be reported to local law enforcement or the Pennsylvania State Police.
Clean Slate and Expungement in Northampton County
Pennsylvania's Clean Slate program automatically seals certain old criminal records without a petition. Clean Slate 3.0, enacted in 2023, covers qualifying misdemeanors after seven years with no new offense, summary offenses after five years, and certain non-violent drug felonies. Sealing removes these records from public view. A sealed record will not appear in standard background check searches for Northampton County or anywhere else in Pennsylvania. More information is available at iprospectcheck.com/pennsylvania-background-checks.
When automatic sealing does not apply, a person may petition for expungement through the Northampton County Clerk of Courts. The legal basis for expungement eligibility is found in 18 Pa.C.S. §9122.2. Filing fees and procedures are set by the Northampton County court. Contact the Clerk at (610) 829-6600 for current fee information and to confirm whether a specific case qualifies. An expungement order clears the record from all public court databases and PATCH reports in Pennsylvania.
Those who work or volunteer with children in Northampton County must complete DHS clearances under Act 153 of 2014. Submit these requests through the state portal at compass.state.pa.us. These clearances check both criminal history and child abuse history records across the state.
Cities in Northampton County
Northampton County is home to Bethlehem, one of the Lehigh Valley's most prominent cities. All criminal cases in Bethlehem are filed with the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas in Easton.
Other communities throughout Northampton County also fall under the jurisdiction of the Easton courthouse for criminal and civil matters.
Nearby Counties
Northampton County borders several Pennsylvania counties in the Lehigh Valley and Pocono regions. If records you need are not in Northampton, one of these neighboring counties may hold them.