Lancaster County Court Records
What Is Lancaster County Court Records
Court records in Lancaster County encompass the official documentation generated by judicial proceedings within the county's court system. These records constitute the formal written history of any matter brought before a court and may include case files, docket sheets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts of proceedings, exhibits admitted into evidence, sentencing records, and any other documents filed with or produced by the court. Court records are distinct from other categories of public records maintained at the county level, such as property records held by the Recorder of Deeds or vital records maintained by the Register of Wills.
The following courts within Lancaster County generate and maintain official court records:
- Court of Common Pleas – the primary trial court of general jurisdiction, maintaining records for civil, criminal, family, and orphans' court matters
- Magisterial District Courts – courts of limited jurisdiction handling preliminary criminal proceedings, minor civil disputes, landlord-tenant matters, and summary traffic offenses
- Lancaster County Orphans' Court – a division of the Court of Common Pleas handling probate, guardianship, and estate matters
- Lancaster County Family Court – a division handling domestic relations, custody, support, and juvenile matters
Records maintained across these courts cover civil litigation, criminal prosecutions, family law proceedings, probate and estate administration, traffic violations, and small claims matters. Under 42 Pa. C.S. § 1722, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court is authorized to prescribe general rules governing practice, procedure, and the conduct of all courts, including standards for the creation and maintenance of court records.
Are Court Records Public In Lancaster County
Court records in Lancaster County are presumptively open to the public under Pennsylvania law. The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq., establishes a broad right of public access to government records, and the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania maintains its own Public Records Access Policy governing access to judicial records specifically. Members of the public may inspect most civil case files, criminal case files following the filing of charges, judgments and court orders, docket sheets, and scheduled hearing information.
Records that are routinely available to the public include:
- Civil complaint filings and responsive pleadings
- Criminal docket entries following arraignment
- Final judgments and court orders
- Sentencing records in criminal matters
- Probate filings and estate inventories
- Scheduled hearing and trial dates
It is important to note that federal court records for matters heard in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania are governed separately by federal rules and are accessible through the federal PACER system, not through county or state portals. The Lancaster County Courts operate under the Public Records Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System, which affirms the principle of open access while identifying categories of records subject to restriction.
How To Find Court Records in Lancaster County in 2026
Members of the public seeking court records in Lancaster County may access them through several channels depending on the type of record and the court in which the matter was filed.
- In-person inspection: Records may be inspected at the Clerk of Courts office located at 50 North Duke Street, Lancaster, PA 17602, during regular business hours. Requesters should bring identifying information about the case, such as the case number, party name, or approximate filing date.
- Written request: Formal written requests for copies of court records may be submitted to the Clerk of Courts. Requests should identify the record with sufficient specificity to allow retrieval.
- Online search: Many Lancaster County court records are accessible through the Pennsylvania Judiciary's online case search portal without the need to visit a courthouse in person.
- Certified copies: Parties requiring certified copies of judgments, orders, or other documents must submit a request to the Clerk of Courts and pay the applicable per-page fee established by court rule.
The Clerk of Courts is primarily responsible for recording, maintaining, and processing criminal and juvenile records for the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas.
How To Look Up Court Records in Lancaster County Online?
The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System provides online access to court records through its web-based portal. Members of the public may search Lancaster County court records using the following resources:
- Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal – Case Search: The primary online tool for searching Lancaster County court records is the Pennsylvania Judiciary case search portal, which allows searches by party name, docket number, or case type across Common Pleas and Magisterial District Court records.
To conduct an online search, users should follow these steps:
- Navigate to the Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal case search page.
- Select the appropriate court level — "Common Pleas," "Magisterial District," or "Appellate" — from the available options.
- Enter the party's name, docket number, or other identifying information in the designated search fields.
- Review the returned docket entries, which include case status, filing dates, scheduled hearings, and disposition information.
- Select individual docket entries to view detailed case information or to identify documents available for retrieval.
For appellate court cases, users must select the "Appellate" or "Docket Number" search option within the portal. Records for Magisterial District Courts are also searchable through the same system by selecting the appropriate court level.
How To Search Lancaster County Court Records for Free?
Pennsylvania law and the policies of the Unified Judicial System provide for free public inspection of court records. Under the Public Records Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System, members of the public are entitled to inspect court records without charge. Fees are assessed only when copies are requested.
The following resources are currently available at no cost:
- Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal: The online case search tool is free to use and does not require account registration for basic docket searches. Users may view docket sheets, case status, and scheduling information at no charge.
- In-person inspection at the Clerk of Courts: Members of the public may review physical case files at the Clerk of Courts office without paying an inspection fee. Per 65 P.S. § 67.702, agencies may charge fees for duplication but not for the act of inspection itself.
- Magisterial District Court dockets: Docket information for cases heard before Lancaster County's Magisterial District Courts is accessible through the same statewide portal at no cost.
Fees apply when requesting printed or certified copies of documents. The per-page duplication fee and certification fee are established by the court and are subject to periodic revision. Answers to common questions about accessing criminal court records are available through the county's frequently asked questions page.
What's Included in a Lancaster County Court Record?
The contents of a court record vary by case type, but generally encompass all documents filed with the court and all official actions taken in a matter.
Criminal court records typically include:
- Criminal complaint and affidavit of probable cause
- Charging documents and information
- Bail and bond orders
- Preliminary hearing transcripts and orders
- Plea agreements
- Trial transcripts and jury instructions
- Sentencing orders and probation conditions
- Post-conviction filings
Civil court records typically include:
- Complaint, answer, and responsive pleadings
- Motions and supporting briefs
- Discovery orders
- Pre-trial conference orders
- Trial transcripts and exhibits
- Final judgment and any post-judgment orders
Family court records typically include:
- Divorce complaints and decrees
- Custody orders and modification petitions
- Support orders and payment histories
- Protection from abuse orders
Probate and orphans' court records typically include:
- Petitions for probate and letters testamentary
- Estate inventories and accountings
- Guardianship orders
- Adoption decrees (subject to access restrictions)
Traffic and summary offense records typically include:
- Citation information
- Hearing notices
- Disposition and fine payment records
How Long Does Lancaster County Keep Court Records?
Lancaster County courts retain records in accordance with the retention schedules established by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Retention periods vary by record type and court level.
- Criminal court records (felony and misdemeanor): Retained permanently or for extended periods, as serious criminal matters are subject to long-term preservation requirements.
- Civil court records: Generally retained for a minimum of ten years following final disposition, with certain categories retained permanently.
- Family court records: Custody and support records are typically retained for a minimum of ten years following the youngest child's eighteenth birthday.
- Orphans' court records: Estate and guardianship records are generally retained permanently due to their ongoing legal significance.
- Magisterial District Court records: Summary offense records are typically retained for five years; misdemeanor and felony preliminary hearing records are forwarded to the Court of Common Pleas upon bound-over status.
- Traffic records: Summary traffic offense records are generally retained for five years following final disposition.
These schedules are governed by the General Records Retention and Disposition Schedule for the Judiciary issued pursuant to the authority of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court under 42 Pa. C.S. § 1722.
Types of Courts In Lancaster County
Lancaster County's court system operates within the structure of the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System and consists of courts at multiple levels of jurisdiction.
Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas 50 North Duke Street Lancaster, PA 17602 (717) 299-8282 Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The Court of Common Pleas is the court of general jurisdiction for Lancaster County, handling felony criminal matters, major civil litigation, family law, orphans' court, and appeals from Magisterial District Courts.
Lancaster County Clerk of Courts 50 North Duke Street, Room 201 Lancaster, PA 17602 (717) 299-8282 Clerk of Courts Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Magisterial District Courts Lancaster County is served by multiple Magisterial District Courts located throughout the county. These courts handle preliminary arraignments, bail hearings, summary offenses, minor civil claims up to $12,000, and landlord-tenant disputes. Contact information for individual Magisterial District Courts is available through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System's court locator.
The court hierarchy in Lancaster County proceeds as follows: Magisterial District Courts → Court of Common Pleas → Pennsylvania Superior Court or Commonwealth Court (depending on case type) → Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
What Types of Cases Do Lancaster County Courts Hear?
Each court within Lancaster County exercises jurisdiction over specific categories of matters.
Court of Common Pleas – Criminal Division:
- Felony offenses
- Misdemeanor offenses bound over from Magisterial District Courts
- Juvenile delinquency matters
Court of Common Pleas – Civil Division:
- Civil actions exceeding $12,000 in controversy
- Equity matters
- Appeals from Magisterial District Court civil judgments
Court of Common Pleas – Family Division:
- Divorce and annulment proceedings
- Child custody and visitation
- Child and spousal support
- Protection from abuse petitions
- Adoptions
Court of Common Pleas – Orphans' Court Division:
- Probate of wills and administration of decedents' estates
- Guardianship of incapacitated persons and minors
- Trust administration
- Involuntary termination of parental rights
Magisterial District Courts:
- Summary criminal offenses
- Summary traffic violations
- Preliminary arraignments and bail hearings for felony and misdemeanor charges
- Civil claims up to $12,000
- Landlord-tenant disputes and eviction proceedings
How To Find a Court Docket In Lancaster County
A court docket is the official chronological record of all filings, orders, and proceedings in a case. Members of the public may locate Lancaster County court dockets through the following methods:
- Online via the Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal: The statewide case search portal allows users to retrieve docket sheets for Common Pleas and Magisterial District Court cases by entering a party name, docket number, or date range. Docket sheets display all entries in chronological order, including filing dates, document descriptions, and scheduled events.
- In-person at the Clerk of Courts: Docket sheets for criminal and civil matters may be reviewed at the Clerk of Courts office at 50 North Duke Street, Lancaster, PA 17602, during regular business hours.
- By telephone: General docket inquiries may be directed to the Clerk of Courts at (717) 299-8282.
When searching online, users should select the correct court level to ensure accurate results. Appellate docket searches require selection of the "Appellate" option within the portal.
Which Courts in Lancaster County Are Not Courts of Record?
A court of record is a court whose proceedings are officially documented and preserved, whose acts and judicial proceedings are enrolled in permanent records, and which has the authority to fine or imprison for contempt. Courts not of record, by contrast, do not maintain a verbatim transcript of proceedings as part of their official record, and appeals from such courts are typically heard de novo — meaning the appellate court conducts an entirely new hearing rather than reviewing a transcript.
Under Pennsylvania law, Magisterial District Courts are currently classified as courts not of record. Pursuant to 42 Pa. C.S. § 1515, Magisterial District Courts exercise limited jurisdiction and do not maintain verbatim records of their proceedings. As a result, appeals from Magisterial District Court decisions in civil matters and summary criminal convictions are heard de novo by the Court of Common Pleas.
The Court of Common Pleas, by contrast, is a court of record under Pennsylvania law, and all proceedings before it are transcribed and preserved as part of the official court record. This distinction has practical significance for parties seeking to appeal a decision, as the availability of a transcript determines whether an appellate court reviews the record or conducts a new hearing.