Emergency Judicial Order Dated April 3, 2020

Important procedural changes for obtaining PFAs in light of the Judicial Emergency declared by this Court and by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania on April 1, 2020, directing the closure of court facilities

Emergency Judicial Order Dated April 1, 2020

in accord with the Order of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court dated April 1, 2020 extending the declaration of the Judicial Emergency through April 30, 2020, it is hereby ordered and decreed that, the Judicial Emergency declared in the 45th Judicial District of Pennsylvania shall continue to exist through April 30, 2020 due to the COVID-19 crisis

Emergency Judicial Order Dated March 16, 2020

in accord with the Order of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania authorizing this Court to declare a Judicial Emergency in the 45th Judicial District of Pennsylvania, I do hereby declare that a Judicial Emergency exists in this Judicial District and shall continue to exist until April 14, 2020 on account of COVID-19

Emergency Custody Petitions

in light of the Judicial Emergency declared by this Court and by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on April 1, 2020, the COVID-19 Emergency Declaration and Stay at Home Order issude by Governor Tom Wof on March 27, 2020, requiring all Lackawanna County residents to to remain at home or at their place of residence to avoid spreading COVID-19, recognizing, however, that child custody transfers are permitted under the Order

Commissioners Implement Major Safeguards Against Coronavirus

The Lackawanna County Commissioners announced today (March 20) tighter measures to safeguard both the general public and County staff in their attempt to stop the exposure, transmission and spread of the Coronavirus.
The Lackawanna County Government Center will be closed to the general public as of March 23.

Important numbers

Governor Wolf’s Shelter in Place Order / Materials

March 27, 2020 – Governor Wolf and Health Secretary Expand ‘Stay at Home’ Order to Nine More Counties including Lackawanna County.

Governor Wolf: All Non-Life Sustaining Businesses in Pennsylvania to close physical locations as of
8 P. M. today to slow spread of COVID – 19

Wolf Administration Orders Closure of Non-Life-Sustaining Businesses at 8 p.m. Today, March 19
Enforcement Actions for Restaurant, Bar Dine-In Closure Began at 8 p.m., March 18
Enforcement Actions for Non-Compliance will Begin at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, March 21

Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf today ordered all non-life-sustaining businesses in Pennsylvania to close their physical locations as of 8 p.m. today, March 19, to slow the spread of COVID-19. Enforcement actions against businesses that do not close physical locations will begin at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, March 21.

View Online 

The Lackawanna County Board of Commissioners has declared a “State of Emergency” in its continued attempt to safeguard the staff and the general public from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and SARS CoV2.   

March 16, 2020 – For Immediate Release

Declaration Of Emergency Regarding The Coronavirus

                The Lackawanna County Board of Commissioners has declared a “State of Emergency” in its continued attempt to safeguard the staff and the general public from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and SARS CoV2.

This preventative action was done with the knowledge that the virus is in our State and region, and it is a matter of time before a case(s) is/are identified.

The public should be cognizant that the Government Center and the Courthouse will remain open, but with the possibility of a scaled back staff, operations and services.  Both bodies are committed to serving the public in the quickest manner and with as many resources as possible.

In brief, the emergency declaration by the Board of Commissioners allows the County to take immediate action to address public health and safety matters in Lackawanna County.  The Declaration vests the Commissioners/County with the authority, under the act, to handle the emergency situation without regard to time consuming procedures and formalities pertaining to: performing public work; entering into contracts including obligations, employment of temporary workers, the rental of equipment, purchase of supplies and materials; levying of taxes; and appropriating and expending funds.

The Declaration will further allow the Board of Commissioners, acting through the County Chief of Staff and Emergency Services Director, to cancel meetings, limit access to all county buildings, offices, parks and property; establish protocols for dealing with the public and secure supplies; and materials to deal with the emergency without the need of engaging in the formal bid process.

Once again, it is important however to note that County government, including all Row offices, and the Lackawanna County Courthouse remain open for essential business.  The public is asked to refrain from accessing the county offices unless it is absolutely necessary.

Please be cognizant that much of County business can also be done electronically, such as paying taxes.

Tax payment information is as follows:

In Person

• Cash only will be accepted in the tax office
• Checks can be mailed or dropped off in a locked drop box inside the vestibule of the Lackawanna County Government Center

Receipts will be mailed and cancelled checks can serve as a receipt

Payments can be made online to www.ScrantonTaxOffice.org.  Click on “Make A Payment” on the menu bar.

In the interest of public health and protecting the integrity of the election, and to make sure everyone is provided the right to a safe vote, the County encourages everyone to take advantage of the new Pennsylvania laws to vote by mail or absentee.  Go to www.lackawannacounty.org to make a request.

In addition, all County parks and the Trolley Museum are closed until further notice.

Temporary Motion Practice in Lackawanna County

Important change to Motion Practice in Lackawanna County Motion Court, Family Motion Court and Orphan’s Court

PEMA Mission Request Fillable Form

Commonwealth of PA Emergency Management Agency Resource Request Form

COVID – 19 Lackawanna County Prison Employee Guidelines

The Lackawanna County Recorder of Deeds has implemented the following changes due to the COVID-19 State of Emergency

In light of the COVID-19 outbreak emergency, I would like to encourage paper document submitters to consider taking advantage the electronic recording (e-recording) of land record or Powers of Attorney documents service that we offer. I wanted to remind you of this service that will eliminate the need for any walk-in, US Mail or express mail submissions.

The Lackawanna County Register of Wills has implemented the following changes due to the COVID-19 State of Emergency

The Lackawanna County Board of Commissioners, Salary Board and Prison Board Meetings 

originally scheduled for Wednesday March 18, 2020 have been cancelled.

New meeting dates will be announced.

The 2020 / 2021 Lackawanna County ARTS Engage!

RFQ is open and can be downloaded by clicking above.  More details and instructions can be found in the RFQ section of this website under Public Records at the top of this page. The ARTS Engage! Program a partnership between the Lackawanna County Arts and Culture Department and Office of Youth and Family Services (OYFS)  that seeks to fund non-profit or businesses to provide high quality arts programming for the public and youth in OYFS.

Due to Covid-19, the information session scheduled for March 27 is now on YouTube. There will be a conference call next Wednesday, April 1, at 10:00 a.m.

If you are interested in participating, email: [email protected]. Questions about the RFQ many be emailed to this address as well.

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