| Prothonotary (civil records) | Lancaster County Prothonotary |
|---|---|
| Clerk of Courts (criminal records) | UJS Web Portal (used for Lancaster County criminal dockets) |
| Clerk address | 50 North Duke Street, Lancaster, PA 17602 (mail for Prothonotary: P.O. Box 83480, Lancaster, PA 17608) |
| Phone | Prothonotary (717) 299-8282; Register of Wills (717) 295-5994 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (filing hours end at 4:30 p.m.) |
| Earliest records noted | Varies by court — older files may be on paper or microfilm |
| Plain copy fee | Set by the clerk — ask when you request |
| Certified copy fee | Set by the clerk — ask when you request |
Lancaster County keeps civil case records with the elected Prothonotary and criminal case records with a separate elected Clerk of Courts, both based at 50 North Duke Street in the city of Lancaster. A third office, the Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans' Court, is in the same building and keeps probate, estate, and marriage-license records.
The county's public records page points criminal searchers to the statewide UJS Web Portal and offers a separate civil-case search tool through the Prothonotary's office. There is no single combined Lancaster County case search; each office's page links to the right tool for its case type.
Lancaster County is the seat of one of Pennsylvania's larger judicial districts, and its courthouse complex on North Duke Street also houses the Court of Common Pleas' civil, criminal, family, and Orphans' Court divisions. Attorneys and self-represented parties who need to file new civil actions can do so through the Prothonotary's e-filing system without a trip to the courthouse, while criminal filings and scheduling remain with the Clerk of Courts and the district attorney's office. Anyone unsure which office holds a given file should start with the county's Public Records page, which sorts requests by case type before sending searchers to the Prothonotary, the Clerk of Courts, or the UJS Portal.
Search Lancaster County court records online
Prothonotary (civil records)
Lancaster County Prothonotary
- Cost
- Free to search; fees for certified copies and e-filing
- Coverage
- Civil, custody, divorce, judgment, and appeal filings for the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas
- Records
- Civil, Family
The office's page links to a dedicated civil case search and e-filing tool.
Clerk of Courts (criminal records)
UJS Web Portal (used for Lancaster County criminal dockets)
- Cost
- Free
- Coverage
- Criminal case dockets for the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas
- Records
- Criminal, Traffic
Lancaster County's Public Records page directs criminal case searches to the statewide UJS Portal rather than a county-run criminal database. Contact the Clerk of Courts directly for certified copies.
Other courts
Lancaster County Register of Wills
- Cost
- Free to search in person; fees for certified copies
- Coverage
- Wills, estates, guardianships, and Orphans' Court dockets, including marriage licenses
- Records
- Probate
What is available online
The Prothonotary's online civil search and e-filing system covers lawsuits, judgments, custody, and divorce filings, with document access for cases filed electronically. Criminal case information is on the statewide UJS Portal. Register of Wills records are primarily searched at the office counter.
Which clerk has your record
In Pennsylvania, the clerk who keeps a file depends on which court heard the case. Check the court name on the case notice, citation, or order, then use the office and coverage details above to identify the record holder. Court names and responsibilities differ by state; a county clerk may not keep court case files. For federal cases, see the PACER guide. The full court structure is on the Pennsylvania page.
| Court | Typical cases | Records kept by |
|---|---|---|
| Superior Court of Pennsylvania | Appeals in most civil and criminal cases from the Courts of Common Pleas; Family law and custody appeals | Prothonotary of the Superior Court (docket sheets on the UJS Web Portal) |
| Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania | Civil actions by and against the Commonwealth and its agencies; Appeals from state agencies and licensing boards; Some local government and election matters | Prothonotary of the Commonwealth Court (docket sheets on the UJS Web Portal) |
| Courts of Common Pleas (60 judicial districts) | Felony and misdemeanor criminal cases; Civil lawsuits, contracts, and personal injury; Divorce, custody, and support | Prothonotary (civil) and Clerk of Courts (criminal) of the county; Register of Wills (Orphans' Court) for probate |
| Magisterial District Courts | Summary offenses and traffic citations; Landlord-tenant and small claims up to the statutory limit; Preliminary arraignments and hearings in criminal cases | Magisterial District Judge's office for that magisterial district |
| Philadelphia Municipal Court and Pittsburgh Municipal Court divisions | Misdemeanors and summary offenses within city limits; Landlord-tenant and small civil claims; Traffic within the city | Clerk of the Municipal Court division (Philadelphia); handled within the Court of Common Pleas structure in Allegheny County |
Request records in person or by mail
Lancaster County clerk offices
50 North Duke Street, Lancaster, PA 17602 (mail for Prothonotary: P.O. Box 83480, Lancaster, PA 17608)
Phone: Prothonotary (717) 299-8282; Register of Wills (717) 295-5994
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (filing hours end at 4:30 p.m.)
Contact details were taken from the office's website and are re-checked on a schedule; confirm hours before visiting.
Civil records. Search online through the Prothonotary's civil case search, or visit 50 North Duke Street. Certified copies require the case number and payment; mail requests go to P.O. Box 83480, Lancaster, PA 17608.
Criminal records. Search the UJS Web Portal by name or docket number. Contact the Lancaster County Clerk of Courts for certified copies or documents not shown online.
Probate and estate records. Contact or visit the Register of Wills at (717) 295-5994. Ask for the will, letters testamentary or of administration, or the estate document you need.
Fees
| Item | Typical cost in Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Plain copy | Set by the clerk — ask when you request |
| Certified copy | Set by the clerk — ask when you request |
Copy fees are set locally by each Prothonotary, Clerk of Courts, and Register of Wills under fee schedules authorized by the Judicial Code (42 Pa.C.S.) and county fee ordinances, so the per-page and certification charges differ by county and change periodically. Confirm the current fee with the specific office before sending payment.
Need a copy an agency will accept? See how to get certified copies of court records.
Sealed and restricted records
Pennsylvania court records are presumed open under the Unified Judicial System's public access policy, but the policy itself carves out categories that are not published even though a file exists:
The Pennsylvania guide lists every category of sealed and restricted record, and our guide to expunging or sealing a criminal record explains how to remove one from public view.
Frequently asked questions
How do I search Lancaster County, PA civil court records?
Use the Prothonotary's online civil case search, linked from the Prothonotary's page on the county website.
How do I search Lancaster County, PA criminal court records?
Use the statewide UJS Web Portal. Lancaster County directs criminal searches there rather than operating a separate criminal database.
Where do I get a Lancaster County probate record?
From the Register of Wills, in the same building as the Prothonotary at 50 North Duke Street, Lancaster.
Can I e-file civil cases in Lancaster County?
Yes, the Prothonotary's office offers e-filing for civil cases through the same portal used for case searches.
Sources
- Lancaster County — Prothonotary — https://www.co.lancaster.pa.us/155/Prothonotary
- Lancaster County — Register of Wills — https://co.lancaster.pa.us/159/Register-of-Wills
- Lancaster County — Public Records — https://www.co.lancaster.pa.us/454/Public-Records
- UJS Web Portal (statewide, used for Lancaster County criminal dockets) — https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/
- Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania — Courts — https://www.pacourts.us/courts
- Unified Judicial System — Public Records — https://www.pacourts.us/public-records
- Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania — https://www.pacourts.us/Storage/media/pdfs/20210524/020901-publicaccesspolicy_2010-000836.pdf
- PATCH — Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Search — https://www.pa.gov/agencies/psp/programs/records-request/overview-of-patch
- 18 Pa.C.S. Chapter 91 — Criminal History Record Information (expungement, Clean Slate) — https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/18/00.091..HTM
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania — https://www.paed.uscourts.gov/
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania — https://www.pamd.uscourts.gov/
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania — https://www.pawd.uscourts.gov/
- PACER — Federal court records — https://pacer.uscourts.gov/
See also: all Pennsylvania counties.