COVID-19 DEPARTMENT DETAIL – UPDATED 06/05/2020 “GREEN PHASE”

Masks or facial coverings are required for entry into the Mercer County Courthouse.They must be worn in all public areas and when social distancing of six feet cannot be maintained. For the safety of all visitors and staff, remember to practice good hygiene including but not limited to, washing your hands frequently, wearing your mask properly, and covering coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue.

County employee travel is permitted for necessary trips based on in-person conference schedules and events to satisfy job training or customer service delivery requirements. Together, we are tougher than COVID-19.

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COURTS

The judicial emergency declared for Mercer County has ceased as of June 1, 2020.

The Mercer County Court of Common Pleas will be open for all business subject to the following:

• All persons present, including parties, attorneys, court staff, sheriff deputies, and others shall wear masks, practice social distancing, use hand sanitizer, and take all other precautions.
• Courtrooms No, 1 and 2 shall be utilized for any hearings with a larger number of people,
• Courts will continue to use advanced technology communications to the greatest extent possible subject to state and federal constitutional requirements.
• Jury trials will be held beginning the June 2020 trial term commencing on June 9, 2020 subject to the following:
• The number of prospective jurors at any one time will be limited to the least amount necessary as determined by the Court Administrator and President Judge to ensure that a fair jury is obtained,
• Courtrooms No. 1 and 2 will be utilized for any trials.
• Additional seating will be arranged to ensure that jurors can practice social distancing.
• Trial jurors will use jury rooms 1 and 2 during breaks but will hold deliberations in Courtroom No. 3 or 4.
• All parties shall wear masks, practice social distancing, use hand sanitizer, and take all other precautions.
• Any additional precautions the President Judge may determine for the health and safety of all persons present.
• All Common Pleas Judges shall have the authority to limit the amount of persons present at any one time in their courtrooms subject to state and federal constitutional rights.
• All Magisterial District Judges shall have the authority to limit the number of persons present at any one time in their courtrooms subject to state and federal constitutional rights.
• Furthermore, all Magisterial District Judges shall have the authority to limit the number of persons present at any one time in their buildings subject to state and federal constitutional rights.

 

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BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COMMISSION

 

Mercer County Behavioral Health Commission now has a COVID-19 Warm Line up and running through Central Intake during the normal business hours.  The number is the same - 724-662-2230 - and individuals will need to identify that they would like to speak with someone about COVID-19, be asked to leave their name/number and one of the staff will call them back.  Please note that when someone is called back, the number will be from a blocked/restricted number since staff are working from home.  Staff members will be able to provide linkages to area supports, government websites related to COVID-19, etc.  This does not take the place of any other service in our county.

 

 

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CLERK OF COURTS – 724-662-7548

 

Any criminal filings needed to be filed may be mailed to the Clerk of Courts, 112 Courthouse, Mercer, PA 16137 or faxed to 724-662-1604.  For anyone needing to make payments on fines, costs or restitution, you may come into the office or mail your payment to the Clerk of Courts, 112 Courthouse, Mercer, PA 16137.  If you include a self-addressed stamped envelope, we will mail you a receipt.  We also have available a website for online case payments at:  http://ujsportal.pacourts.us.  Click on ePay under the eCommerce menu and follow the prompts.  Should you have further questions, you can contact the Cost Collections Department at 724-662-3800, extensions 2410, 2419 or 2426.   

 

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ELECTIONS / VOTER REGISTRATION – 724-662-7542

 

Primary public interaction would include registering to vote, updating a voter registration and applying for an absentee/mail-in ballot. All voter registration and absentee/mail-in applications can be conducted online or by mail. While the office is open, we are following social distancing guidelines so office access will be limited to one or two people at a time. Visitors might be required to wait in a properly spaced line depending on how busy foot traffic is at any one time. Voters who can should continue to conduct their business electronically at www.votespa.com or by mail. If voters cannot access applications, we would be happy to mail them the correct form if they call our office.

 

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PROTHONOTARY – 724-662-7561

We are open for filing of documents. However, we encourage the use of filing by mail, FedEx or UPS. As of May 11, we will no longer accept fillings by email.

 

Current Operations of Business:

Forms for Divorces and Custody filings are available on the County website (https://www.mcc.co.mercer.pa.us) for free. We will be happy to answer any questions concerning these forms and the fees to file them. Phone: 724-662-7561

 

Passports

We have resumed taking passport applications effective June 2, 2020.  However, Passport Services will not be able to meet its usual processing time of 6-8 weeks for routine service. Customers should expect significant delays beyond the time period it normally takes to receive their passport and citizenship evidence documents.  For further information check the official website for passport information at https://travel.state.gov. 

 

PFA (Protection from Abuse)
As always, we will be open for filing of Protection from Abuse cases. Only the party requesting the PFA need appear for the temporary hearing. There is no need to bring extra people with you for the initial filing. They can appear with you for your full hearing when scheduled.

 

 

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RECORDER OF DEEDS – 724-662-7573

On Monday, May 11, 2020, the Recorder’s Office reopened to the public. The health and safety of our employees and the public we serve, is paramount. As such, we will be observing appropriate CDC and PA DOH guidelines.  No more than 2 people may congregate at our recording counter in order to maintain social distancing.  Others will be asked to wait in the hallway or in our research room.  No more than 6 people will be permitted in our research room at one time in order to maintain social distancing. Only parties with business to conduct will be permitted inside of the office.  Others will be asked to wait in the hallway.

**NO DOCUMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR RECORDING AFTER 4 PM.

How does this affect land recordings?
We continue to encourage the submission of documents for recording via U.S. Mail, Fed Ex and UPS packages or e-Recording which began June 1, 2020. Subdivisions/Land Development Plans along with proper recording fees (check/cash) may be mailed in. We strongly recommend mailing subdivisions/land development plans in a proper mailing tube to prevent damage. If you have a specific need regarding recording, please contact our office.  Our contact information is listed below. 

Can I still perform searches of documents?
Yes. Nearly all records are searchable on our website, www.mcc.co.mercer.pa.us  Choose Elected Offices-Recorder’s Office-Index Search where indexes and documents can be viewed/copied. Should you require assistance, please contact our office.

I’m a Veteran. Can I still record my DD214?  Get a copy of my DD214? Obtain my Operation Veteran Appreciation ID card?
Any Veteran who needs to record/obtain a copy of their discharge records or would like to receive their Operation Veteran Appreciation ID discount card is encouraged to call the Mercer County Veteran’s Office to set up an appointment.  No appointments will be scheduled after 4 PM.   724-662-7511

CONTACT INFORMATION

Dee Dee Zickar, Mercer County Recorder of Deeds
Email: dzickar@mcc.co.mercer.pa.us
Phone: 724-662-3800 ext. 2274

Dottie Pepe, Mercer County Recorder 1^st Deputy
Email: dpepe@mcc.co.mercer.pa.us
Phone: 724-662-3800 ext. 2276

We thank you for your understanding during this challenging time and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.  As we adhere to the protocol of social distancing and the need to limit community spread of this virus, we believe this to be in the best interest of you, the public we serve, and our staff and families.

 

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REGISTER OF WILLS ORPHANS’ COURT – 724-662-7548

 

The Register of Wills office is now probating estates by appointment only.  One estate per appointment.  We are only permitting the Executor/Administrator with the presence of the attorney only in the office.  All renunciations, subscribing and non-subscribing witnesses must be notarized outside the office.  All other filings must still be done by mail to the Register of Wills, 112 Courthouse, Mercer, PA 16137.  To set up appointments or if you have any questions, please call 724-662-3800, Extensions 2246 or 2253.

 

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SHERIFF’S OFFICE – 724-662-6135

 

To do our part to ensure that we maintain safety for our customers and staff, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office will be accepting applications for a License to Carry Firearms by Mail. 

 

Here are the steps that you will need to follow:

• Fill out the application in its entirety. Applications are available at  https://www.mcc.co.mercer.pa.us
• Make a photocopy of your driver’s license. (If there are changes to your driver’s license, such as address or name, make a photocopy of your update card). If you are submitting a renewal application, make a photocopy of your License to Carry Firearms. 
• Issue a Check or Money Order in the amount of $20.00 to the Mercer County Sheriff
• Mail completed application, required photocopies, and check or money order to: Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, 205 S Erie St, Mercer, PA 16137, Attn: Firearms Division

 

Once your application has been received, and initially processed, you will be called and given a date and time to appear at the Sheriff’s Office to complete your application process for a License to Carry Firearms. As we continue processing applications as quickly as possible, we appreciate your patience in these times of uncertainty. Processing may take up to 45 days.  

 

Sheriff's Sale Continued

Sheriff’s Sales of August 31, 2020 are continued to the November 2, 2020 sale date per Court of Common Pleas Order No. 2020-1372

 

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SOIL CONSERVATION - 724-662-2242

We have transitioned to normal business operations. There are no public programs scheduled at this time.

Office Hours:

Monday - Friday from 8:00 am -4:00pm

Any other questions or inquiries and requests for assistance, please call 724-662-2242 during normal business hours or contact us by email at jrussell@mcc.co.mercer.pa.us.

 

 

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TREASURER – 724-662-4440 or 724-662-7508

 Members of the public will be required to wear masks while conducting business at the Treasurer’s Office and stay behind the Plexiglas barriers on the counters. Only two customers (one per counter) are permitted in the Treasurer Office lobby at one time. Exceptions will be made for children accompanying a parent or guardian, but for their safety it is encouraged that customers leave children at home unless childcare is unavailable.

 

We encourage everyone to conduct as much business as possible with our office from home via phone, mail, or internet. Below are instructions on how to access our services from the safety and comfort of your home. We are available via phone (724-662-4440) to help you with any barriers to accessing these services.     

 

Dog Licenses - 724-662-4440 or 724-662-7508

Applications and payment can be mailed to our office at 104 Courthouse, Mercer PA 16137. Dog Licenses can also be purchased at:  https://www.doglicenses.us/PA/Mercer. Once the license application/payment has been received in the mail or online, we will mail the license to you. If you need a blank application to mail to us, call the office and one will be sent to you for completion.

Please know that COVID-19 cannot be spread from animal to human or human to animal. There is no need to abandon your dogs at a shelter or in the wild. Please have a plan in place to care for your animals should you contract the virus and not feel well enough to do so yourself.

Hunting and Fishing Licenses - 724-662-4440 or 724-662-7508

Hunting and Fishing Licenses can be purchased on “The Outdoor Shop” at:  https://www.pa.wildlifelicense.com/start.php These will be processed through the Game Commission and Fish Commission and mailed to your address. Effective May 8, these can be printed and signed for immediate use. The Treasurer’s Office will be processing antlerless deer applications through the mail in July.

 

Boat Registrations - 724-662-4440 or 724-662-7508

The Mercer County Treasurer’s Office will not be suspending boat registrations, but we strongly encourage you to use the information on the following site to mail your boat registration directly to the Boat Commission.

https://www.fishandboat.com/Boat/RegisterTitle/Pages/default.aspx

 

Small Games of Chance/Bingo - 724-662-4440 or 724-662-7508

All Small Games of Chance and Bingo applications should be sent through the mail with payment. The application will be processed and mailed to your desired address. If you need blank applications, please visit

https://www.mcc.co.mercer.pa.us/treasurer/Licenses.htm to print the application or call the office and one can be mailed to you.

*Please remember to have the signature page of the application notarized to prevent delay of license processing.

 

If you have any questions or concerns, please call the office at 724-662-4440.

 

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VETERANS AFFAIRS – 724-662-7511

 

EFFECTIVE FRIDAY JUNE 5, 2020: The Veterans Affairs office will remain open to the public. We encourage calling the office prior to walking into the department. We STRONGLY ADVISE calling to schedule an appointment. The office will be available for walk-in appointments Tuesdays through Thursdays; however, walk-ins may experience a wait time to limit the number of people in the office at one time; to maintain social distancing standards and to allow our staff to properly sanitize throughout the day. Mondays and Fridays will continue to be reserved for scheduled appointments only.

 

HOURS OF OPERATION 8:30 am through 4:30 pm: Access to the office may be limited. Business operations will be conducted within proper health and safety guidelines for employees and the public we serve; maintaining appropriate Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Pennsylvania Department of Health, and Mercer County operational guidelines. We recommend veterans use postal mail and electronic means, when possible, to submit documents.

 

UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE no more than 3 people may access the office at a time.  Additional visitors must wait in the hallway.  While visiting and working at the courthouse, ALL veterans, clients and staff will maintain social distancing (when possible) and wear appropriate face coverings.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Mercer County Veterans Affairs
14 Courthouse
Mercer, Pa 16137
Phone: 724-662-7511
Fax: 724-662-7516

Email:
Director, Bradley Alan: balan@mcc.co.mercer.pa.us

Assistant Director, Jodi Fitchko: jfitchko@mcc.co.mercer.pa.us

Administrative Assistant, Nathan Floyd: nfloyd@mcc.co.mercer.pa.us

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CONTACT INFORMATION