Franklin County Court Records

The Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania Section 1.0 defines Pennsylvania court records as documents (orders, opinions, judgments, decrees), indices, and dockets for any case filed with, obtained, and kept by a court or custodian. It excludes memoranda, drafts, notes, correspondence, worksheets, and judges and court personnel work products. The Clerks in the different courts located in Franklin County are the custodians of court records. They disseminate records online, by mail, and in person. A typical court record contains the following information:

• Case number, caption, type, and status, and reference number
• Date of birth, filing date, complaint number, incident number
• Sex, eye and hair color, and race
• Case participants (party type, address, and attorney name and address)
• Case dispositions (date, category, and result)
• Case documents (date, description, date added)
• Case docket entries (date, category, description, and attachment)
• Case judgments (date, creditor, debtor, description, and amount)

Court records are a part of the Franklin public record and serve historical value. They provide insights into societal issues and the evolution of laws over time. Attorneys use court records for legal research to build their cases. By studying past cases, they can develop strategies and arguments that are more likely to succeed based on historical outcomes. If a party in a legal case believes there has been an error in the trial, court records are essential for the appellate court to review the proceedings of the lower court. The appellate court relies on these records to determine if any legal errors were made that could affect the outcome of the case.

Are Court Records Public in Franklin County?

Yes. The Pennsylvania Right-To-Know Law and Section 3.0 of the Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania consider court records to be public information. Therefore, they are open to public inspection and copying at custodians’ offices during business hours. However, few court records are deemed confidential because of their nature. Some examples of confidential court information and documents in Frankin County are:

• Driver license numbers
• Social Security Numbers
• Minors’ educational records
• Medical/Psychological records
• Income and Expense Statement
• Agreements between the parties
• State Identification (SID) Numbers
• Children and Youth Services’ records
• Financial account numbers and source documents
• Marital Property Inventory and Pre-Trial Statement
• Abuse victim’s address and other contact information
• Minors’ names and dates of birth, excluding minors charged as defendants in criminal matters

Franklin County Court Records Search

There are several ways of conducting court records searches in Franklin County. Below are some means of finding court records:

• The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania Web Portal
• In person at the court where the case was handled
• By mail using the appropriate form
• Through third-party site

Franklin County Court Records Search by Name

Inquirers can view court records online through the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania Web Portal. The case attorney's name or the participant’s name should be entered to view all case records bearing the seared name. Alternatively, requesters can visit the Courts of Common Pleas to request court records. The case party’s name, a valid ID, and the necessary fees ($0.05 per copy) should be provided to facilitate the search.

Franklin County Courts

The Franklin County judicial system comprises of a Courts of Common Pleas, which is in the 39th Judicial District, and minor or special courts presided over by magisterial district judges (MDJs). Below are the addresses of the courts in Franklin County:

39th Judicial District
14 N. Main St.
Chambersburg, PA 17201
Fax: (717) 261-3854

Magisterial District Judge 39-2-01: Borough of Chambersburg
218 North Second Street
Chambersburg, PA 17201
Phone: (717) 263-5808
Fax: (717) 263-1923

Magisterial District Judge 39-3-02: Borough of Waynesboro, Washington Township
22 North Oller Avenue
Waynesboro, PA 17268
Phone: (717) 762-9411
Fax: (717) 762-9297

Magisterial District Judge 39-3-03: Fannett Township, Hamilton Township, Letterkenny Township, Lurgan Township
9724 Cumberland Highway
P.O. Box 135
Pleasant Hall, PA 17246
Phone: (717) 532-7672
Fax: (717) 532-2506

Magisterial District Judge 39-3-04: Borough of Orrstown, Borough of Shippensburg (West End), Greene Township, South Hampton Township
1157 Garver Lane
Chambersburg, PA 17202
Phone: (717) 263-7949
Fax: (717) 261-1849

Magisterial District Judge 39-3-05: Antrim Township, Borough of Greencastle
401 South Washington Street
Greencastle, PA 17225
Phone: (717) 597-8581
Fax: (717) 597-8123

Magisterial District Judge 39-3-06: Borough of Mercersburg, Montgomery Township, Metal Township, Peters Township, St. Thomas Township, Warren Township
20 Veterans Way
Mercersburg, PA 17236
Phone: (717) 328-3521
Fax: (717) 328-3527

Magisterial District Judge 39-3-07: Borough of Mont Alto, Guilford Township, Quincy Township
2038B Lincoln Way East
Chambersburg, PA 17201
Phone: (717) 263-5820
Fax: (717) 263-4116

Franklin County Superior Court Case Search

The Pennsylvania Superior Court hears criminal and civil cases appealed from the Franklin County Courts of Common Pleas. Record seekers can view or obtain copies of Superior Court records via the following methods:

• Online: The easiest way to find Superior Court records is online through the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania Web Portal, which is free. Users can search, view, and print Superior Court records on the portal. Click the ‘Appellate’ or ‘Docket Number’ option from the dropdown to search by court name or docket number.
• By mail: Requests can be made by mailing a completed Request for Access Form along with the necessary fees to any of the Superior Court Prothonotary's Addresses. A copy of Superior Court records costs $0.50 per page, certifications cost $8, and additional copies cost $1 per page.
• In-person: Interested individuals can visit any of the Superior Court Prothonotary's locations during business hours to request Superior Court records. Most offices are open from Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The record staff will ask for a valid ID and give the requester a public access viewing form to complete before processing the request.

Franklin County District Court Records

Franklin County is part of the 39th Judicial District, where major civil and criminal cases are heard. The district court also handles cases involving juvenile delinquency, divorce, child custody, adoption, abuse, estates, and guardianships. Record seekers can find District Court records in person at any of the Magisterial District locations. Requests should be made during business hours. The Clerk will require a name or case number and a fee to conduct the search.

Franklin County Criminal Records

The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) provides criminal records online and by mail. Online requests can be made through the PATCH site. Registered and non-registered users can use the site for $22, payable by credit card or by billing a pre-established account. A notarized copy costs an additional $5 non-refundable fee. Mail requesters must complete form SP 4-164. The form and the necessary fees (payable by check or money order) should be mailed to:

Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository
164 1800 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758

Individuals interested in obtaining Franklin County arrest records can visit the Jail in person. The arrestee’s name, arrest date, or jail number can be provided to facilitate the search. The Frankin County Jail is located at:

Franklin County Jail
1804 Opportunity Ave
Chambersburg, PA 17201
Phone: (717) 264-9513
Fax: (717) 264-6766
Email: jail@franklincountypa.gov

Franklin County Criminal Court Case Lookup

The Court of Common Pleas handles all severe criminal cases in Franklin County. Similarly, Magisterial District Judges hear criminal cases such as parking violations and misdemeanor and felony offenses.

Individuals can request criminal court case records at the courthouse during normal business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). Alternatively, record seekers can complete the Request for Access Form and submit it by mail to the Court of Common Pleas or conduct a search online via the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania Web Portal. The search criteria are by the attorney, citation number, complaint number, date filed, docket number, incident number, and participant name.

Get Franklin County Civil Court Records

The Court of Common Pleas is the custodian of severe civil cases in Franklin County. Magisterial District Judges handle civil and landlord-tenant complaints that do not exceed $12,000.

The Court of Common Pleas disseminates civil court records online, by mail, and in person. Online requests can be made via the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania Web Portal. The search criteria are by attorney, date filed, docket number, and participant name. Mail requesters must submit a Request for Access Form alongside the necessary fees. In-person requests can be made at the courthouse from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Franklin County Family Court Records

Both the Prothonotary's office and the Court of Common Pleas handle family cases in Franklin County. Requesters can appear at any of these offices to request family court records. Although not all family court records are available to the public, some records are open for inspection and copying. To get public family court records, basic information about the case must be provided to facilitate the search. The record staff may not require a fee to view family court records, but copies of such records typically come with a fee.

Franklin Dissolution of Marriage Records

The Franklin County Prothonotary is the custodian of dissolution of marriage records. The Prothonotary’s Office disseminates copies of such records in person during business hours. The case party names or dissolution of marriage date may be required to process the request. Certified copies cost between $5 and $10, depending on the type of seal. Contact the Prothonotary’s office before visitation to find out if any documentation is required to obtain the dissolution of marriage records.

Franklin County Marriage and Divorce Records

The Franklin County Clerk of Courts Office provides marriage records from 1885 to the present to the public. Copies of marriage records cost $8 per copy. The Duplicate Marriage License Request Form can be filled out online to request Franklin County marriage certificates. Once the form is submitted, the office will reply to the requester with instructions on paying via credit card. Franklin County marriage records requests can also be made by phone at (717) 261-3805 or in person at the Clerk’s Office from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Prothonotary's office files all divorce cases in Franklin County. Therefore, requesters can obtain copies of divorce records at the office during office hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). Copies of divorce decrees with certified gold seals cost $10 per copy, while divorce decrees with regular certified court seals cost $5 per copy. Payment can be made by cash. The Office is located at:

The Franklin County Prothonotary's Office
14 N. Main St.
Chambersburg, PA 17201
Phone: (717) 261-3858
Fax: (717) 264-6772

Franklin Birth and Death Records

The Franklin County Archives & Records Management Department is the custodian of birth and death records of events that occurred prior to 1906. The Department has an Online Repository where individuals can find digitized birth and death records for free. Alternatively, record seekers can visit the Department on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to request birth or death records. The office is located at:

Franklin County Archives
340 N. Second Street
Chambersburg, PA 17201
Phone: (717) 261-3154
Email: archives@franklincountypa.gov

The Pennsylvania Department of Health Division of Vital Records issues birth and death records from 1906 to the present. These records are not open to the public. Only authorized individuals 18 years of age or older can access Franklin County birth and death records. Franklin County birth certificates can be issued by mail and in person to applicants who are 16 years of age or older. The following individuals are eligible to obtain copies of birth and death records in Franklin County:

• The subject of the record (for only Centre County birth certificate)
• Spouse, ex-spouse, parent or step-parent, brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, son, daughter, step-son or step-daughter, grandparent, great-grandparent, grandchild and great-grandchild
• Power of Attorney
• Attorney or legal representative
• Representative of the decedent's estate (for only Centre County death certificate)
• Individuals showing a direct financial interest in the decedent
• Government office that has assumed administration of an estate
• Extended family members who indicate a direct relationship with the decedent

Franklin County vital records (birth or death) are available online, by mail, or in person. Online requests are processed through a third-party vendor. Copies of birth and death records cost $20 each, but online requests attract a $10 processing fee payable by credit card. Online requesters will receive copies of their desired records via first-class mail or pick them up at a Vital Records Office. Mail requests include sending a completed Application for Birth or Death Certificate Form, an acceptable form of ID, and an appropriate fee to:

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

In-person requests can be made at any of the Vital Record Public Offices from Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Same-day services are available in most offices for requests received by 2:30 p.m. Franklin County birth certificates take approximately 2 weeks to process, and death certificates take 3 weeks.

Franklin County Probate Court Records

The Franklin County Register & Recorder handles the probate of estates upon death for executors or administrators. Therefore, anyone can visit the Register & Recorder’s Office during business hours to access probate records. The record staff will require basic information about the record before processing the request. Although the record staff may not charge a fee for inspecting the desired record, copies of probate records will attract a small fee.

Franklin County Property Records

The Franklin County Register & Recorder's office records all property documents, including land records, deeds, and mortgages. The Register & Recorder permits public searching of property records remotely through a third-party vendor and in person at the office. In-person requests can be made from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at:

Franklin County Register & Recorder's office
Administration Building
272 North Second St, Suite 205
Chambersburg, PA 17201
Phone: (717) 261-3872
Fax: (717) 709-7211

Record seekers can also find property records at the Franklin County Tax Office. Property information can be viewed using the Parcel Mapper Plus or in person at the Office. The record staff may permit in-person requesters to view property records for free via the counter computer. Property record copies cost $0.25 per page. Contact the Tax Office by phone at (717) 261-3801, Fax at (717) 264-5218, or by email at taxservices@franklincountypa.gov for more information on property record requests.

Franklin County Court Records Online

Most third-party sites, like Pennsylvaniacourtrecords.us, provide public access to court records. They make court records available when a first or last name is entered into the search box. Users can find court information for free at the initial stage of the search, but a small fee is required for extensive searches. Although third-party sites provide court information across multiple jurisdictions, they are not reliable. Therefore, users must verify information retrieved from third-party sites against court records issued by official record custodians.