Cumberland County Court Records

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court defines court records as documentary materials, including books, photographs, dockets, papers and other data in any form collected or produced in trial courts pursuant to rules of court, statute, or law.

These Pennsylvania court records include materials generated in Cumberland county's judicial district. They help lawyers research old cases, allow judges to refer to precedents, and ensure the general public can follow up court proceedings.

People seeking Cumberland County court records can use resources provided by the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania, Cumberland County Clerk of Court, and the ninth judicial district's Prothonotary.

Are Court Records Public in Cumberland County?

Yes, Pennsylvania's Right-To-Know Law authorizes the public to view and request Cumberland court records. 204 Pa. Code § 213.81 also instructs individuals to access case data using resources provided by the state’s judiciary. These resources include specific Cumberland County court offices and statewide systems. However, record custodians will deny requests and restrict access to specific information where state law, federal regulations, or court rules prohibit access to records.

Protected records include juvenile proceedings, expunged and sealed court records, Cumberland County criminal records related to active police investigation, sensitive personal information like social security numbers and financial records, and certain victim and confidential informant information.

Cumberland County Court Records Search

As mentioned, the public's right to access court records is codified in the RTKL. They can make oral or written requests to the court of common pleas and magistrate district court offices to view and order records. They can also use online databases run by different court administrations.

It is important to understand the specific type of record one seeks. This determination allows them to identify the right custodian to approach.

However, using certain third-party websites may remove the need to research the record's custodian, as these services allow users to search for various Cumberland County public records from one place.

Cumberland County Court Records Search by Name

Different court offices offer name-based service for free and a cost. Most online platforms for searching case records allow users to look for court documents and other details by name. Depending on the system or office, individuals will be allowed to search by attorney, participant, and business (or organization) name.

However, in some cases, requesting research services from court clerks will incur charges.

Third-party vendors also provide name search options to simplify the process for customers.

Cumberland County Courts

Cumberland County is Pennsylvania’s 9th judicial district. It comprises the court of common pleas and magisterial district courts. The following are their locations and contact information:

Court of Common Pleas

Cumberland County Courthouse
1 Courthouse Square
Room 205
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 240-6100

Magistrate District Courts

District Court 09-1-01
920 Linda Lane
Camp Hill, PA 17011
Phone: (717) 737-3434
Fax: (717) 960-5534

District Court 09-1-02
1901 State Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011
Phone: (717) 761-0583
Fax: (717) 960-5505

District Court 09-1-03
98 South Enola Drive
Suite 1
Enola, PA 17025
Phone: (717) 728-2805
Fax: (717) 960-5543

District Court 09-2-01
2260 Spring Road
Suite 3
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 218-5250
Fax: (717) 960-5525

District Court 09-2-02
20 North Hanover Street
Suite 106
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 240-6564
Fax: (717) 240-7821

District Court 09-3-01
35 West Orange Street
Shippensburg, PA 17257
Phone: (717) 532-7676
Fax: (717) 960-5503

District Court 09-3-02
55 Penn Drive
Newville, PA 17241
Phone: (717) 776-3187
Fax: (717) 960-5509

District Court 09-3-03
417 Village Drive
Suite 7
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 218-2365
Fax: (717) 960-5515

District Court 09-3-04
5275 East Trindle Road
Suite 110
Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
Phone: (717) 697-2201
Fax: (717) 960.5596

District Court 09-3-05
507 North York Street
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Phone: (717) 766-4575
Fax: (717) 960-5529

Cumberland County Superior Court Case Search

The Pennsylvania Superior Court is one of two statewide intermediate appellate judicial bodies in the commonwealth. It majorly handles appeals on family law, criminal matters and most civil actions from the state’s judicial districts. It is not a county-level court of general jurisdiction like Superior Courts in other U.S. regions.

Instead, the Court of Common Pleas is Cumberland County's general jurisdiction court. It hears every trial case, except matters specifically reserved for the Magistrate District Court. It can also appeal cases from the district court.

People seeking court records received, maintained, and generated in the Courts of Common Pleas can approach the Clerk of Court or Prothonotary. The Prothonotary is the records custodian for the court's civil division while the Clerk of Court maintains and provides access to records generated in the criminal division.

Generally, individuals can access case information through the online database operated by the Unified Justice System of Pennsylvania. They can search using various parameters, including case-related numbers (citation, complaint, docket, incident, offense tracking, and state identification numbers), date filed, and name (participant, organization, and attorney names).

Using the name search, individuals are able to select Cumberland County, the case (docket) type, case status, and filing date to get specific results. The result page displays basic information about individual cases, including participant name, docket number, court type, court office, and filing date. Site users can download the docket to view more information about each case.

Cumberland County District Court Records

Cumberland County's Magistrate District Court is also classed as a minor court and is among the state judiciary's first level. Magisterial district judges oversee preliminary hearings, arraignments, and summary offenses. Their civil jurisdiction is limited to matters worth $12,000 or less.

People looking to obtain records from this court can use tools and methods provided by the Cumberland County Prothonotary and Clerk of Court, go through the unified justice system's online case search portal, and visit courthouses to obtain and view files.

Cumberland County Criminal Records

Individuals seeking criminal information may be looking for Cumberland County arrest records, such as confinement, booking, and bail details. Local law enforcement agencies generally maintain these records. They can approach them in person, by phone, email, and mail to make inquiries.

For example, if a person’s loved one was recently arrested, individuals can visit or contact the arresting agency. People who believe they may have warrants issued for their arrests because they failed to appear in court or settle a court-ordered restitution can contact the warrants division of the Cumberland Sheriff’s Office at (717) 240-7322.

They can also contact the county prison to inquire about Cumberland arrest records related to inmates.

Cumberland County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Criminal court case records are generated when the Cumberland District Attorney’s office arraigns and charges individuals in the county’s Magistrate District Court or Court of Common Pleas. In some situations, cases begin with complaints, followed by arrest warrants, then arraignment happens after law enforcement apprehends and confines the individual.

The papers, documents, pleadings, court orders, evidence, dispositions, and other materials filed and issued in these cases are included in the case records. Cumberland criminal records also include arrest information as they are used during prosecution proceedings.

Individuals seeking these records can obtain them through the Clerk of Courts’ office. They can view records from 1993 to date for free on a computer at the clerk's office. Docket books are available for free viewing and they contain records preceding 1993. One can also inspect physical files for free. However, collecting copies and printouts will cost requesters 50 cents per page while certification costs $11.50 per document.

People who want to access court transcripts must fill out the Request for Transcript or Copy. They can use the following information to visit the clerk's office, submit the transcript request application, and make inquiries:

1 Courthouse Square
Room 205
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 240-6250
Fax: (717) 240-6571

Interested parties can also use the online case information portal provided by the Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System to view criminal case dockets. When searching by name, they should ideally select Cumberland County and criminal-related docket types (criminal, traffic, non-traffic, e.t.c.). The result shows each defendant’s charges, arresting officer and agency, arrest and complaint dates, bail details, case status, and case disposition (verdict, sentencing, and penalties).

Get Cumberland County Civil Court Records

Civil cases are adjudicated by the Cumberland County Magistrate District Court and Courts of Common Pleas. They are legal matters where aggrieved parties (plaintiffs) petition courts to seek damages or prompt the defendant to take (or suspend) specific actions. Civil cases can be between individuals and organizations.

The Cumberland County Prothonotary's office is responsible for maintaining and dispensing civil records generated in the county's Court of Common Pleas. The office's web portal allows the public to search civil cases filed after 1994. They can view docket entries and basic information, such as case type, plaintiff and defendant details, case disposition, and judicial officer information for free. However, they must pay to view case documents.

Searches are generally initiated by case party name and case number. The name search option allows partial name inputs and specific case type selections. Searchers can also select filing date ranges, enter judge and attorney names, and provide parcel numbers to retrieve streamlined results.

Individuals can also visit the Prothonotary's office in person to view dockets and files and request copies of case documents. People looking to order copies by mail must include the required fees and as much information as possible in writing to enable the office to provide the requested documents.

The office charges the following fees:

Plain copies - 50 cents per copy

Certification - $6 for the first page and $1.per additional page

Viewing documents on the web portal: 80 cents per document.

Interested parties can also go through the Clerk of Orphans’ Court to obtain probate records and use the state judiciary’s case information tool to find and view docket entries on general civil case records. Additionally, they can visit Magistrate District Court locations to view and request civil court records.

Cumberland County Family Court Records

Family law encompasses cases such as child support, adoption, divorces, annulment, alimony, domestic violence, and parental rights actions. They are generally handled by the civil division of the Court of Common Pleas and individuals can obtain their records through the Prothonotary's office.

However, the Clerk of Orphans' Court is responsible for maintaining records pertaining to adoption and minors' estate administration proceedings. The Orphans' Court also receives applications for and issues marriage licenses.

Cumberland Dissolution of Marriage Records

Dissolution of marriage cases are family law matters (under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3301 et seq) initiated to end martial unions in the civil division of the Court of Common Pleas. These legal actions produce Cumberland County marriage records, such as divorce decrees and annulment case files. Like other civil cases in the county’s Court of Common Pleas, they are maintained and disbursed by the Prothonotary’s office.

Individuals seeking divorce decrees can apply in person or by mail and must pay the $20 fee per copy. People requesting by mail are advised to include as much as details as they can, such as plaintiff and defendant’s name, docket number, contact details where the office can reach them, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Interested parties can also view docket entry details of divorce proceedings through the web portals provided by the Prothonotary and Pennsylvania Judiciary. People who want to inspect uncertified documents from these cases can also pay the 80 cent fee to view or print them via the Prothonotary's online tool.

Cumberland County Marriage and Divorce Records

Members of the public seeking certified copies of divorce records must go through the Prothonotary's office as mentioned earlier. However, persons interested in copies of marriage licenses and certificates must approach the Cumberland County Register of Wills (also Clerk of Orphans’ Court).

These records are important for purposes such as name changes, social security applications, Department of Treasury joint income tax return filings, and mortgage transactions.

Interested parties can visit the register's office in person or fill out the Certified Copy of a Marriage License request form and mail it to:

Register of Wills & Clerk of Orphans' Court
County of Cumberland
1 Courthouse Square, Suite 102
Carlisle, PA 17013

Each copy costs $20, and mail-in requesters are required to include self-addressed envelopes and enclose checks payable to the Register of Wills. One can also obtain a certified copy of a Cumberland County marriage certificate for $5.

Cumberland Birth and Death Records

Birth and death records are called Cumberland County vital records. They are required for different legal and official purposes. Cumberland County birth records are usually needed for school enrollment, social security benefits, applications for IDs such as drivers' licenses and passports, and citizenship validations amongst others. Death certificates are required when settling a deceased person's estate, inheritance proceedings, pensions settlements, and life insurance claims. Both records can also be used for genealogy research.

Only the following individuals are allowed to request birth and death records:

• The person (subject) named on the record
• The record subject's spouse
• The subject's relatives, such as their child (including grandchild), sibling, and grandparent and great-grandparent.
• Step-parents and step-siblings must provide the marriage certificate of the subject's biological parent as proof.
• Subject's attorney or legal representative
• Power of Attorney
• Government agencies administering the deceased person's estate
• Entities with vested (and provable) financial interests (for death records)

People looking to obtain a Cumberland County birth certificate or death record created from 1906 must apply to the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Division of Vital Records. The division accepts mail-in, in-person, and online requests. However, only people aged 18 and above can apply online whereas individuals aged 16 and above can apply in person and by mail.

Walk-in requesters can visit any of the department's public offices across the state. People looking to request by mail must fill out the Application for Birth Certificate or Death Certificate and send it to the following address by first-class mail:

Division of Vital Records
Birth Certificate Processing Unit
P.O. Box 1528
New Castle, PA 16103

Requesters must provide accepted identification and the required $20 fee payable to Vital Records. Individuals ordering online will use the division's authorized vendor but will pay an additional $10 processing fee.

People looking to obtain Cumberland County birth records and death certificates from 1894 to 1906 must contact the county's Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court office. These records can only be viewed in person.

Cumberland County Probate Court Records

Probate matters in Cumberland County are heard in the county's civil division. They involve cases covering administration of estates for decadents and minors, conservatorships and guardianships, trusts, and claims against estates, among others. These records are maintained by the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court office. The office also processes inheritance tax payments and estate filings for deceased Cumberland County residents.

Interested individuals can visit the office in person or send record requests by mail to view or collect certified copies of probate documents. People requesting by mail must fill out and submit the Request for Access form or the Research Request form (to research cases where case details are unknown) and send it to the following address:

1 Courthouse Square
Suite 102
Carlisle, PA 17013

They can also use the office's web portal to access documents recorded from 1994 to date. However, the online application requires a subscription and it costs the following:

• $10 daily
• $20 weekly
• $50 monthly
• $200 yearly

Cumberland County Property Records

People who own real estate properties in Cumberland County must file specific documents to officially assert ownership, facilitate sales and transfers, and record other transactions, such as judgments, taxes, mortgages, and liens. These documents can be used to validate ownership, verify tax bills, and identify any property’s liabilities, such as pending liens and unpaid taxes.

Interested parties can access these records through Cumberland County Recorder of Deeds, Tax Claims, and Property Assessment offices. These offices provide the following resources:

• Deeds Records Access: The recorder’s office offers a web application through which users can access and view the county’s real estate documents for a fee.
• Delinquent Real Estate Tax Database: This web system shows information about properties behind on their taxes. It displays property ownership, house address, property description, and tax details.
• Property Mapper allows members of the public to select properties on a map and view their details.

Cumberland County Court Records Online

Cumberland County public records, such as arrest information, court data, real estate details, and vital records, are accessible through third-party sites like Pennsylvaniacourtrecords.us. These sites are private businesses with no government affiliation. However, they collate records from public agencies to allow users to access them from one place.