Luzerne County

Luzerne County is located in northeastern Pennsylvania, including approximately 906 square miles in the heart of the Wyoming Valley and surrounding mountains. Luzerne County seat is Wilkes-Barre, a historic city that is the governmental and commercial center for Luzerne County's population of approximately 325,000 residents. Established in 1786, Luzerne County was named after Chevalier de la Luzerne, a French supporter of American independence. Luzerne County's geography includes the Susquehanna River, which flows through its center, the Pocono Mountains to the north, and extensive former anthracite coal mining regions. Major municipalities include Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton, Kingston, Pittston, and Nanticoke. Luzerne County is home to several colleges including Wilkes University, King's College, and Penn State Wilkes-Barre. Key landmarks include Luzerne County Courthouse at 200 North River Street in Wilkes-Barre, the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, Seven Tubs Natural Area, and Ricketts Glen State Park. What makes Luzerne County unique is its rich anthracite coal mining heritage, its role in the labor movement, its diverse immigrant communities that came to work the mines, and its recovery from devastating floods including Hurricane Agnes in 1972. Luzerne County underwent significant governmental reform after a 2009 corruption scandal, adopting a home rule charter with an elected county council and manager. Public records are managed by several agencies: Luzerne Recorder of Deeds of Deeds at 200 North River Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711, handles property documents; the Prothonotary manages civil court records; and the Register of Wills handles probate and estate matters. Luzerne County Assessment Office at the Government Center administers property tax assessments.

Sheriff & Law Enforcement

Luzerne County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement duties within Luzerne County, particularly in unincorporated areas. The office is tasked with maintaining peace and order, serving legal documents, and executing warrants. It also is key to the transportation of prisoners and the security of Luzerne County courthouse. Notable programs include community outreach initiatives meant to crime prevention and public safety education.

Police Departments

Luzerne County is served by several law enforcement agencies, including Luzerne County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments. Key city police departments include the Wilkes-Barre Police Department, Hazleton Police Department, and Pittston City Police Department. Each department is responsible for law enforcement within its jurisdiction, handling local crimes, traffic enforcement, and community policing. These agencies often collaborate on major investigations and share resources for regional crime-fighting efforts.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

Law enforcement in Luzerne County is provided by multiple agencies working across 76 municipalities. The Sheriff can be contacted through the office’s website, and the office website provides information on warrant checks and sheriff sales at www.luzernecounty.org. Luzerne County Correctional Facility, located at 200 Water Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702, houses pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates.

• Pennsylvania State Police Troop P provides coverage to municipalities without local departments.
• Citizens may request arrest records, incident reports, and police logs from individual departments, though certain investigative records may be exempt.
• Requests should be made in writing to the specific department that made the arrest.
• Processing fees for record copies vary by department but typically range from $0.25 to $1.00 per page.
• Response time is generally five business days under Pennsylvania law, though extensions may apply for complex requests.

Criminal Records

Criminal records in Luzerne County cover felony, misdemeanor, traffic offenses, and the sex offender registry. Luzerne County Clerk of Courts manages court records, while the Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain arrest and incident records. Background checks in Pennsylvania can be conducted through the Pennsylvania State Police, which provides access to statewide criminal history information. The Pennsylvania State Police offers additional resources for residents seeking full background checks, including fingerprint-based searches.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Luzerne County are maintained by Luzerne County Sheriff's Office and local police departments. These records document the circumstances of an arrest, including the charges, date, and location. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records through the respective law enforcement agency, often requiring a formal request under the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law. Luzerne County arrest records typically include the individual's personal information, details of the arrest, and any charges filed.

Jail & Inmate Records

Luzerne County Correctional Facility is the primary detention center for Luzerne County, located in Wilkes-Barre. The facility handles the booking process for people arrested within Luzerne County, where they are photographed, fingerprinted, and held pending bail or court appearances. Inmate lookup services are available online, allowing the public to search for current detainees. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, requiring appointments and adherence to security protocols.

• The bond and bail process in Pennsylvania allows for release through cash bail or bond services, which can be arranged through the facility or local bail bondsmen.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

Mugshots in Luzerne County are taken and retained by Luzerne County Correctional Facility during the booking process. These images are part of the arrest record and can be accessed through the facility's online inmate search tool or by request from the Sheriff's Office. While Pennsylvania does not have specific mugshot removal laws, individuals may petition for removal or sealing of records under certain circumstances, such as expungement or if charges are dropped.

Luzerne County's judicial system operates through the Court of Common Pleas of the 11th Judicial District, headquartered at Luzerne County Courthouse, 200 North River Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711. The main courthouse phone is. The Court of Common Pleas has original jurisdiction over civil cases exceeding $12,000, criminal felonies and misdemeanors, family law matters including divorce and custody, and appeals from lower courts.

• Certified copies of court documents can be requested in person or by mail from the appropriate office with fees typically $8.00 for the first two pages and $2.00 for each additional page for Common Pleas records.
• Magisterial District Court fees vary but are generally $8.00 per document.

Property and land records for Luzerne County are maintained by Luzerne Recorder of Deeds of Deeds, located at 200 North River Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711 The Recorder's Office is responsible for recording and maintaining deeds, mortgages, liens, satisfactions, easements, rights-of-way, UCC financing statements, military discharge papers (DD-214s), and other documents affecting real property. These records are public under Pennsylvania law and date back to Luzerne County's founding in 1786. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

• Luzerne County provides a free online property records search through Luzerne County website at www.luzernecounty.org, allowing users to search by name, document type, book and page, or instrument number.
• Older records may require an in-person visit or mail request.
• Recording fees are established by state law: $59.50 for the first page and $3.00 for each additional page for most documents.
• Certified copies cost $8.00 for the first two pages and $2.00 per additional page.
• A free online GIS property mapping system and assessment database is available through Luzerne County website, allowing searches by owner name, address, or parcel ID.

Vital records for Luzerne County are maintained by multiple agencies depending on the record type and date. Birth and death certificates from January 1906 onward are available from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records, P.O. Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103, phone 724-656-3100. Birth certificates from 1906 to present can also be requested from Luzerne County Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court at 200 North River Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711, phone, though the state office is generally faster for recent records.

• Birth certificates cost $20 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously.
• Death certificates have the same fee structure.
• Processing time is typically 3-4 weeks by mail, though expedited service is available for additional fees.
• Couples must apply in person together, present photo identification and Social Security numbers, and pay a $50 fee.
• Copies of marriage certificates cost $10 each.

Business and licensing records in Luzerne County are maintained by several agencies depending on the type of business activity. Fictitious name registrations (Doing Business As or DBA filings) are recorded with Luzerne County Prothonotary at 200 North River Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711 These filings are public records searchable through the Prothonotary's office during business hours or by written request. The filing fee is approximately $70 for a five-year registration.

• Corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and other business entities must register with the Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations.
• The Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce, located at 2 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701, phone, website www.wilkes-barre.org, provides business networking, advocacy, and information services.

Explore public records for 42 cities and communities in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.

Luzerne County's economy has undergone significant transformation from its historical dependence on anthracite coal mining to a more diversified base including healthcare, education, logistics, manufacturing, and service industries. The median household income is approximately $54,000, slightly below the Pennsylvania state average.

• Manufacturing, while diminished from its peak, remains important with food processing, industrial equipment, and specialty manufacturing.

Elections in Luzerne County are administered by Luzerne County Bureau of Elections, located at the Penn Place Building, 20 North Pennsylvania Avenue, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701. The Elections Bureau can be contacted through the office’s website, and information is available at www.luzernecounty.org/elections. Voter registration in Pennsylvania can be completed online at www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/pages/voterregistrationstatus.aspx, in person at the Elections Bureau, at PennDOT driver license centers, or by mail using a paper application. The registration deadline is 15 days before any election.

• To register, applicants must be U.S.
• Mail-in ballots (no-excuse absentee voting) are available to all registered voters in Pennsylvania under Act 77.
• These can be requested from the Elections Bureau under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law.
• Citizens may request to observe election processes including pre-election testing of voting equipment, election day operations, and post-election audits by contacting the Elections Bureau.