Prothonotary

IMPORTANT NOTICE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY:  

WELCOME: 

The term “Prothonotary” originates from the Greek word meaning "first notary of the Court."   In the Butler County Court of Common Pleas, the Prothonotary serves as the official custodian of all civil and family court records.  This office is dedicated to maintaining accurate and up-to-date documentation of all proceedings within its jurisdiction.  We are committed to delivering prompt, courteous and efficient service to the Court, legal professionals and the public.  Our responsibilities include the recording, preservation and retrieval of all records entrusted to our care, ensuring transparency and accessibility within the judicial system.  

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The link below provides public access to our case management system


https://civil.co.butler.pa.us/CaseSearch/

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DUTIES:

The Prothonotary’s office is where civil records are kept on a permanent basis. At this office you will find records accurately indexed in terms of name and case number. We became computerized in 1993 and began scanning records in 2001.

CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS:

The link to make a payment by credit card is located on the lower right-hand side of this page.  You must have your case number to make a payment.  You cannot pay for a case that hasn't been created in our office yet.  If you are requesting a divorce decree, please call the office first to confirm before paying for the divorce decree.  

SERVICES:   

The services listed below are some of the more popular services we provide to the public.  For a complete list of services with their fees, please click on the link called ’Fee Schedule’.

  • Administration of Oaths
  • Appeals of District Judge decisions
  • Appeals of driver’s license suspension
  • Appeals of Zoning Hearing Board decisions
  • Civil Action complaints
  • Custody actions
  • Discontinuances and satisfactions
  • Divorce Decrees
  • Return to former name after divorce
  • Judgments and Executions
  • Naturalization records
  • No Lien Contracts
  • Notary Public registrations
  • Passports
  • Petitions to for change of name
  • PFA (Protection From Abuse) files

All records in the Prothonotary’s Office are available to the public in our office, except on specific occasions when a record is sealed by Order of Court.  We maintain two computer terminals in our lobby for public access to our records.  Individual documents as well as docket sheets (overviews of cases in order by the date of filings) may be printed for your use.  Photocopies are 25 cents and microfilm copies are 25 cents per page. 

Solicitor for the Prothonotary

The current Solicitor for the Prothonotary Office is John J. Bench, Esquire. 

Related Resources

Find a list of resources related to the Prothonotary in the Resource Directory.

Disclaimer

The purpose of the information listed on this website is to be helpful to those who have questions. Please note that absolutely no information listed for the Prothonotary Office should be used as legal advice. Personnel in this office are not permitted to give any legal advice. If you have a question concerning a legal issue, please contact an attorney.  If you choose to represent yourself or would like to research something on your own, there is a law library located on the 3rd floor of the Government Center.   You can also find forms and instructions on the Administrative Offices of Pennsylvania Courts website at https://www.pacourts.us/