Union County Background Check Records Online
Union County background check records are maintained by the Court of Common Pleas and the Clerk of Courts in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. Located in central Pennsylvania with a population of approximately 44,000, Union County is home to Bucknell University. Criminal history, court records, and public records from Union County are accessible through both state and local systems. This page explains how to find and use Union County background check information through the correct official sources.
Union County Quick Facts
Union County Criminal Records Overview
Union County sits in the center of Pennsylvania and is bounded by Snyder, Northumberland, Montour, Lycoming, Centre, and Mifflin counties. The county seat of Lewisburg is a small borough along the Susquehanna River. Lewisburg is well known as the home of Bucknell University, which adds an academic dimension to the community. The Union County Courthouse stands in Lewisburg and houses the Court of Common Pleas along with county government offices.
Criminal background check records from Union County cases are part of the statewide criminal history repository maintained by the Pennsylvania State Police. Cases processed at the Union County Court of Common Pleas and through local Magisterial District Courts are reported to the state system. This means that a PATCH search or UJS Portal search will return Union County records as part of a statewide query. The records reflect the full history of a case from filing through final disposition, including any appeals.
Union County also hosts a federal correctional institution in Lewisburg, which is separate from the county's criminal justice system. Federal cases are handled through the federal courts rather than the Union County Court of Common Pleas. Background checks for federal criminal history require separate federal systems and are not captured by the Pennsylvania PATCH system or the UJS Portal, which cover only state-level cases.
Note: The federal penitentiary in Lewisburg operates under federal jurisdiction and is entirely separate from Union County's court system and public records.
How to Search Union County Background Records
You have several ways to access background check records tied to Union County. The best option depends on what you need. Free online searches work for basic case information. A PATCH request gives you the most complete and official criminal history. In-person visits to the courthouse in Lewisburg allow you to review full case files and get document copies.
The UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us is the free online tool for searching Union County court dockets. Use the last name, first name format when entering a name. The portal covers Magisterial District Courts and the Court of Common Pleas for Union County. Results show docket sheets that include charges, bail information, hearing dates, plea entries, and final case outcomes. No login is required. You can filter by court type, case category, case status, and date range to focus your results on Union County records.
For a certified criminal history record, submit a request through the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system. PATCH is operated by the Pennsylvania State Police and searches the full statewide criminal history repository. It returns records from Union County and all other Pennsylvania counties. The system requires an account and a processing fee. Results typically arrive within 7 to 14 business days. PATCH is the recognized official source for criminal background check data under Pennsylvania law.
Union County Clerk of Courts Records
The Union County government website offers information about county offices including the Clerk of Courts, Prothonotary, and Sheriff. You can find contact details and online resources at the Union County website.
The Clerk of Courts in Union County is the official keeper of criminal case files at the Court of Common Pleas. This office receives all documents filed in criminal cases, maintains the case dockets, and provides public access to those records. If you need copies of court orders, charging documents, or other papers from a Union County criminal case, contact the Clerk of Courts in Lewisburg. Staff can search records by name or case number and produce copies for a standard fee. The Clerk of Courts office is located at the Union County Courthouse.
| Clerk of Courts |
Union County Courthouse 103 South Second Street Lewisburg, PA 17837 Phone: (570) 524-8751 |
|---|---|
| Court | Union County Court of Common Pleas |
| Website | unionco.org/clerk-of-courts |
| Prothonotary | unionco.org/prothonotary |
| Sheriff | unionco.org/sheriff |
The Union County Prothonotary handles civil court records. If your public records search includes civil judgments, civil case filings, or other non-criminal court records from Union County, the Prothonotary is the right office to contact. The Sheriff's Office manages warrant service, county law enforcement coordination, and the county jail. For questions about warrants or arrests in Union County, reach out to the Sheriff directly at the same courthouse address.
PATCH System and UJS Portal in Union County
Pennsylvania provides two primary online tools for accessing background check and court record information. Both cover Union County cases and are available without visiting the courthouse. Using both systems together gives you the most complete view of a person's criminal history connected to Union County.
PATCH is run by the Pennsylvania State Police and is the official statewide criminal history system. When a criminal case concludes in Union County, the outcome is reported to the state repository. PATCH searches that repository and returns a comprehensive criminal history for the subject across all Pennsylvania counties. The system is used for personal record review, licensing clearances, and other purposes that require official documentation of criminal history. You must create an account and pay a processing fee to use PATCH.
The UJS Portal gives free public access to Union County court docket information. The portal covers both Magisterial District Courts and the Court of Common Pleas. Docket sheets show charges filed, bail set, hearing dates, plea entries, and final dispositions including sentences. The portal also shows information about attorneys of record and scheduled hearings. Recent entries may not appear immediately in the portal. Juvenile records and expunged cases are not displayed. The portal is a good tool for initial research into Union County cases before committing to a paid PATCH request.
Note: PATCH results carry legal weight as official criminal history records. UJS Portal docket information is useful for research but is not a substitute for certified criminal history from the Pennsylvania State Police.
Union County Public Records and Right-to-Know
Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law applies to all Union County government agencies. Any person may request government records under this law. You do not need to state a reason for your request. The agency receiving the request must respond within five business days.
Most Union County court records are already accessible as part of the public docket. You can view them at the courthouse or through the UJS Portal without filing a formal request. The Right-to-Know process becomes necessary when records are not available through routine public channels. To request records from a Union County office, submit your request in writing to the specific office that holds the records. If the request is denied, you can appeal to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records.
Union County also maintains a variety of non-court public records including property tax records, deed records, and county meeting minutes. The Recorder of Deeds handles real property records in Union County. These records can be relevant when conducting a thorough public records review that goes beyond criminal history. The county website at unionco.org links to individual department pages with contact information for specific record requests.
Union County Sex Offender Registry
Pennsylvania's Megan's Law registry includes sex offenders registered in Union County. The registry is maintained statewide by the Pennsylvania State Police and is free to search online. It is updated regularly to reflect current registration information for offenders living or working within Union County borders.
Search the registry at pameganslaw.state.pa.us. You can search by county to see all registered offenders with Union County addresses. The registry shows each offender's name, photo, current address, and the offense type that triggered their registration requirement. Pennsylvania's tiered system requires registration for 15 years at Tier 1, 25 years at Tier 2, and for life at Tier 3. The tier reflects the seriousness of the offense that led to the registration requirement.
The Union County Sheriff's Office works with the Pennsylvania State Police to monitor compliance with sex offender registration requirements throughout the county. Registered offenders must report address changes and comply with periodic verification requirements. Failure to register as required is a criminal offense under Pennsylvania law. If you have concerns about a registered sex offender in Union County, contact the Pennsylvania State Police or the Union County Sheriff's Office in Lewisburg.
Note: The Megan's Law registry only includes individuals convicted of qualifying sexual offenses with current registration requirements. It does not include arrests that did not result in conviction or offenses that do not fall under the registration statute.
Clean Slate and Expungement in Union County
Pennsylvania's Clean Slate Act provides automatic sealing of certain criminal records under 18 Pa.C.S. Section 9122.2. Records that qualify are sealed from public view without any court filing required. The law covers non-violent misdemeanor convictions and summary offenses after a ten-year period with no additional criminal activity. Sealed records are not visible in public searches including UJS Portal queries and most consumer-facing background check tools.
Expungement in Union County goes further than sealing. A successful expungement results in the physical destruction of the record. To seek expungement, you file a petition with the Union County Court of Common Pleas in Lewisburg. The court notifies relevant agencies and issues a destruction order if the petition is granted. Cases that ended in acquittal, withdrawal, or nolle prosequi may qualify for expungement quickly. Some conviction-based expungements are available under conditions set by Pennsylvania statute, including age-based relief for older offenses.
The Criminal History Record Information Act (CHRIA) at 18 Pa.C.S. Section 9101 sets the framework for how criminal records in Union County and across Pennsylvania are stored, shared, and accessed. CHRIA outlines the rights individuals have to challenge inaccurate records and the rules agencies must follow when using criminal history information. Act 153 of 2014 also sets requirements for clearances tied to positions working with children, which may involve Union County residents seeking clearances through the DHS COMPASS system.
Union County residents who need assistance understanding their rights under Clean Slate or pursuing expungement may contact a local legal aid organization or an attorney who handles Pennsylvania criminal record law. The Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network provides free help to those who qualify based on income.
Nearby Pennsylvania Counties
Union County is surrounded by several central Pennsylvania counties. Each county operates its own court system and maintains its own public records. Search neighboring county records separately through the UJS Portal or by contacting each county's courthouse directly.