Dauphin County Court Records

Dauphin County court records refer to the documents and papers generated or submitted to the courts during a legal process. The Clerk of Courts maintains court records, providing details of the actions that transpired during the court proceeding. Court documents normally include the case number, type, and names of the parties involved in the action. Other details found in court records include the complaints, petitions, motions, court orders, transcripts, evidence, exhibits, dockets, judgments, and decrees.

Pennsylvania court records are significant in the administration of justice in the state. Firstly, documenting the legal process ensures transparency and trustworthiness in the legal system. In addition, court records serve as evidence for future legal proceedings. Lastly, the records created in court can be used as supporting appeals or supplementary legal actions related to the case.

Are Court Records Public in Dauphin County?

Yes, court records are open to the public in Dauphin County. Per the Pennsylvania Right To Know Law, records held by public agencies are presumed to be open to the public unless the Act exempts it. The Law asserts that any information, regardless of form, created, received, or maintained in connection to government activities, such as the courts, is open for public inspection, viewing, and printing.

However, while records held by public bodies are presumed open to the public, the Act prohibits record custodians from disclosing certain court records. Per the Act, the following records are closed to the public:

• Court records sealed by state or federal law
• Confidential or privileged information contained in a court record
• Record from law enforcement agencies relating to ongoing investigations or pending legal proceedings
• Sensitive personal information where disclosure would result in invasion of personal privacy.

Therefore, juvenile court records, adoption proceedings, matters involving trade secrets, child custody disputes, guardianship lawsuits, and paternity court records are not Dauphin County public records. Furthermore, sensitive or confidential matters such as mental health records, medical records, social security numbers, financial account information, tax returns, driver's license numbers, or passport numbers contained in a court record are exempted from public view. However, the act does provide that sensitive or confidential information be redacted from the court record before issuing to requesters.

Dauphin County Court Records Search

There are several options available to persons seeking a Dauphin County court record.

• The Dauphin County Prothonotary Office provides online access to civil court records filed and heard in the county.
• The Pennsylvania Judicial Administration also provides an online platform to access court records heard in the state, including Dauphin County.
• The Clerk of Court provides access to court records at the courthouse. Interested persons may conduct an in-person search or request the record by mail.

Dauphin County Court Records Search by Name

The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania provides access to court records via an online repository, the Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal. Record seekers may conduct a name-based search for Dauphin County court records. The name search requires input of the participant's first and last name and the lawsuit filing date. A copy of the record costs $0.50, and a certified copy costs $10.90.

Dauphin County Courts

The Dauphin trial court system comprises 3 Courts of Common Pleas and 17 Magisterial District Courts.

Dauphin County District Court Records

The Magisterial District Court in Dauphin County serves as the county’s District Court. The court presides over certain types of criminal and civil cases. Criminal cases handled at the Magisterial District Courts include minor DUI cases, certain third-degree misdemeanors, most preliminary hearings, and some ordinance violations. Civil cases heard at the Magisterial District include certain landlord/tenant disputes, small claims, certain ordinance violations, contract matters, and some foreclosure and liens cases.

The Clerk of the Magisterial Districts Courts across Dauphin County are the record custodians for District Court records. Record seekers should identify the relevant Magisterial Court that presided over the case. Interested persons may contact the record custodian stating the required court records to obtain the records. Record seekers may purchase the record by mail, fax, or in person at the applicable courthouses. The Clerks of the Magisterial District Courts charge a fee to obtain the records. The costs vary per courthouse and type of record requested.

Dauphin County Criminal Records

Dauphin County Criminal records refer to the official documents that provide information about an individual's conflict with law enforcement agencies. Criminal records, also called arrest records, details a person's criminal history. Dauphin criminal records contain information on the personal details of the individual arrested, including their name, address, gender, date of birth, race, height, and weight. In addition, Dauphin County arrest records list the date and time of arrest, the offense, charges, the arresting officer’s details, booking information, prior arrests and convictions, court information, and case status.

Interested persons may obtain Dauphin County arrest records from the Dauphin County Sheriff’s Department. Record seekers may request an arrest record by writing to the department providing relevant information to locate the record. In addition, record seekers may contact the specific local police department in the municipal or city where the arrest occurred. Requests for the record may be in person, fax, or by mail. The directory of the Sheriff’s Department is at:

Dauphin County Courthouse
101 Market Street
1st Floor, Room 1004
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: (717) 780-6590
Fax: (717) 780-6557

Dauphin County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Criminal court records are the papers generated in court during a criminal case. The Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas presides over criminal court cases. The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System provides a Case Search web tool to look up criminal court records filed and heard in the state. Searchers may look up the record using the name, incident number, citation number, docket number, or organization name. In addition, record seekers must select Dauphin County to narrow the search results.

Get Dauphin County Civil Court Records

Civil Court records refer to the documents and papers generated in court during a civil dispute involving individuals or businesses. Dauphin County civil courts typically have jurisdiction over general civil claims without financial limits. They also handle domestic relations cases, including juvenile matters, divorce, paternity, and adoption lawsuits.

The Dauphin Court of Common Pleas - Prothonotary Office presides over civil court cases in the county and provides online access to Searchable Civil Records. The database provides access to civil court records from November 2001. Record seekers may use the Search by Name, Case Number, Participant Address, or Reference Number to look up civil court records from the county.

Interested persons may also view the record in person at the Clerk of Court Office or purchase it by mail or fax. The Clerk charges a fee to obtain copies of the record, depending on the type of record requested and the number of copies.

Dauphin County Family Court Records

Family Court records refer to the documents filed, generated, and maintained by the courts during a domestic-related legal proceeding. Generally, Family Court records are open to the public. However, certain family records that are sensitive, confidential, or involving minors are not open to the public.

The Family Court Division of the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas handles and oversees the legal process relating to family law issues. The Dauphin County Prothonotary Office provides access to non-confidential family court records through the Case Search tool. In addition, the Clerk of Court maintains a database of Family Court records. Record seekers may mail or fax a written request for the records. The office also accepts walk-in requests for the record.

Dauphin Dissolution of Marriage Records

Dissolution of marriage records are the official documents detailing the legal ending of a marriage. In Pennsylvania, dissolution of marriage is treated the same way as divorce. Consequently, dissolution of marriage records are maintained at the county level. The Clerk of the Orphans Court maintains marriage dissolution records. To access the documents, record seekers may contact the Clerk’s Office with relevant information to locate the record.

Dauphin County Marriage and Divorce Records

Marriage records are official documents that confirm a couple's legal union. Divorce records, issued by the government, provide information on the lawful ending of a marriage. Dauphin County marriage and divorce records are public records and can be obtained by interested persons.

The Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphan Court is the county's record custodian for marriage consummate. The Clerk maintains marriage records from 1885 to the present. Record seekers may view Dauphin County marriage certificates online using the Online Service provided by the courts. Searchers may create an account to access the records. Record seekers may search the database using the record name or marriage license number. Certified copies of marriage records may also be ordered by mail. Mail requesters must complete the Request for Certified Copy - Marriage License - Dauphin County Form. It costs $10.00 per certified copy of marriage records. The fees are payable with money orders or credit/debit cards only. Requesters can mail the request to:

Marriage License Bureau
Dauphin County Courthouse
101 Market Street
Room 103
Harrisburg, PA 17101

The Clerk of the Orphans Court is the county's record custodian for divorce records. Record seekers may request the record in person or order the record by phone, fax, or mail. Searchers must furnish the record custodian with the information necessary to facilitate the search. The record custodian charges a fee to purchase the records. The costs are payable with credit/debit cards or money orders. However, walk-in requesters may pay cash. The physical and mailing address of the record custodian is:

Dauphin County Administration Building
2 South 2nd Street
First Floor Lobby
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: (717) 780-6500
Fax: (717) 780-6474

Dauphin Birth and Death Records

Dauphin County birth records are official documents recording the birth of an individual. Death Records issued by the government confirm the death of a person. Birth and death records prove a person's existence or death and establish legal rights such as parentage or inheritance rights. Birth and death records are used for legal purposes such as obtaining a driver's license, claiming benefits, or settling estates.

Per state law, both records constitute Dauphin County vital records and are publicly available. However, the law only permits persons with direct and tangible interests to order certified copies of birth and death records. The Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans Court maintains birth and death records from 1893-1906. Persons requesting birth and death records within these dates may fill out the Request for Search - Birth Certificate Form or the Request for Search - Death Certificate Form. Record seekers can mail the completed form to the Register of Wills Office. There is a $50.00 fee to obtain the records, payable by money order or credit/debit card only.

Dauphin County birth certificates and death certificates after 1906 are available at the Vital Records Division of the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Record seekers may fill out the Application for a Birth Certificate Form or a Death Certificate Form to purchase the records. Record seekers may order the record in person or by mail. Requests must include acceptable government-issued photo identification. It costs $20.00 to purchase certified copies of Dauphin County birth or death records. Walk-in requesters may pay the fees with credit or debit cards, while mail requesters may pay the costs with a check or money order. The office directory for walk-in and mail requests for death and birth records from Dauphin County is at:

Department of Health
Division of Vital Records
Birth Certificate Processing Unit, or
Death Certificate Processing Unit
105 Nesbit Road
P.O. Box 1528
New Castle, PA 16103

Dauphin County Probate Court Records

The Probate and Register of Wills Office is reasonable for probate-related matters in Dauphin County. The probate process in the county includes probating wills, granting letters of testamentary, estate administration after death, determining the validity of a will, and dealing with inheritance taxes. Probate documents include:

• Petition for Grant of letters
• Certification of Notice
• Affidavit and Release of Beneficiary
• Inventory
• Notice of Claim
• Small Estate Affidavit
• Renunciation

The office also handles marriage applications and adoption filings.

Persons interested in Dauphin County probate records can view them online using the Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans Court Online Service.

In addition to modern estate records, estate records dating back to the late 1700s and inheritance tax dockets dating back to 1917. Persons who require additional information on probate records can call the Office of Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans Court at (717) 780-6500.

Dauphin County Property Records

Dauphin County property records include documents such as deeds, indices of deeds, and mortgage indices. The Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds Office maintains the county’s property records. The Recorder of Deeds office has deeds and related documents dating from 1785 to the present and mortgages from 1979 to the present. Other property documents in the county include easement agreements, property surveys, subdivision maps, plat maps, zoning ordinances, satisfaction of mortgage, and property tax records.

Dauphin County property records are available on the Recorder of Deeds. In addition, interested persons can obtain these records in person at the office:

Recorder of Deeds Office
Dauphin County Courthouse
Room 102
101 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: (717) 780-6560

The office is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Copies of Dauphin property records go for $0.50 per page, with an extra charge of $1.50 for certified copies.

Dauphin County Court Records Online

Members of the public can access online records via the Pennsylvania Case Search Portal. Record seekers may also be able to access county court records through third-party online sources like Pennsylvaniacourtrecords.us. Such platforms can make the process cost-effective and time-saving. Third-party sources also tend to have comprehensive search options, making the search more refined and easier to find records. Users of these services should know that records from third-party sources may not be admissible in court, and there is a privacy issue as they may not have adequate means to protect sensitive information.

Dauphin County Courts

The Dauphin trial court system comprises 3 Courts of Common Pleas and 17 Magisterial District Courts. The directory of court locations across the county is as follows:

Courts of Common Pleas

Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas - Clerk of Courts (Criminal)
Dauphin County Courthouse
101 Market Street, P.O. Box 1295
Harrisburg, PA 17108
Phone: (717) 780-6532
Fax: (717) 780-6472

Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas - Prothonotary (Civil)
Dauphin County Courthouse
101 Market Street, Room 101
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: (717) 780-6520
Fax: (717) 780-6477

Dauphin County Orphans’ Court
Dauphin County Courthouse
101 Market Street, Room 103
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: (717) 780-6510
Fax: (717) 780-6474

Magisterial District Courts

Dauphin County Magisterial District Court 12-0-00
Dauphin County Judicial Center
451 Mall Road
Harrisburg, PA 17111
Phone: (717) 780-6824
Fax: (717) 561-4196

Dauphin County Central Court 12-0-01
451 Mall Road
Harrisburg, PA 17111
Phone: (717) 780-6824
Fax: (717) 561-4196

Dauphin County Magisterial District Court 12-1-01
2125 Paxton Church Road
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Phone: (717) 545-4143
Fax: (717) 657-2107

Dauphin County Magisterial District Court 12-1-02
451 Mall Road
Harrisburg, PA 17111
Phone: (717) 238-3388
Fax: (717) 238-3004

Dauphin County Magisterial District Court 12-1-04
1520 Walnut Street
Harrisburg, PA 17103
Phone: (717) 233-1220
Fax: (717) 233-1598

Dauphin County Magisterial District Court 12-1-05
538 South 29th Street
Harrisburg, PA 17104
Phone: (717) 231-3500
Fax: (717) 231-3504

Dauphin County Magisterial District Court 12-1-06
5925 Locust Lane
Harrisburg, PA 171049
Phone: (717) 671-8640
Fax: (717) 671-1899

Dauphin County Magisterial District Court 12-2-01
1201 South 28th Street
Harrisburg, PA 17111
Phone: (717) 558-1160
Fax: (717) 558-1056

Dauphin County Magisterial District Court 12-2-02
102 Agnes Street
Harrisburg, PA 17104
Phone: (717) 939-6996
Fax: (717) 939-4868

Dauphin County Magisterial District Court 12-2-03
50 Canal Street
Royalton, PA 17057
Phone: (717) 944-4463
Fax: (717) 948-1974

Dauphin County Magisterial District Court 12-2-04
1805 North Cameron Street
Harrisburg, PA 17103
Phone: (717) 233-3599
Fax: (717) 233-3547

Dauphin County Magisterial District Court 12-2-05
1300 Rolleston Street
Harrisburg, PA 17104
Phone: (717) 234-0949
Fax: (717) 234-0953

Dauphin County Magisterial District Court 12-3-01
185 Manors Road, Suite 1
Elizabethville, PA 17023
Phone: (717) 362-3396
Fax: (717) 362-4507

Dauphin County Magisterial District Court 12-3-03
5925 Stevenson Avenue, Suite B
Harrisburg, PA 17112
Phone: (717) 545-0261
Fax: (717) 545-8015

Dauphin County Magisterial District Court 12-3-04
576 East Main Street
Hummelstown, PA 17036
Phone: (717) 583-1912
Fax: (717) 583-1915

Dauphin County Magisterial District Court 12-3-05
8010 Bretz Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17112
Phone: (717) 671-8720
Fax: 717-671-128