About Pennsylvania Public Records

Pennsylvania public records are governed by the Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. §§ 67.101–.3104, which presumes records of every Commonwealth agency, local agency, judicial agency, and legislative agency are public unless covered by an enumerated exemption. County Recorders of Deeds hold land records, the Pennsylvania State Police PATCH portal handles statewide criminal history, and the AOPC Web Portal publishes court dockets.

Pennsylvania Public Records

Court Records

Child Support Dockets
Official Free
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services records of child support dockets. Free service, but registration is required.
🌐 pa.gov
Court Records | Appeals
Official Free
Search the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System for Supreme, Superior, or Commonwealth Appellate Court Web Docket Sheets by docket number or by court name and docket type, district, party name, etc.
🌐 ujsportal.pacourts.us

Criminal Records

Child Support Liens
Official Free
Registration is required to search this Pennsylvania Child Support Program service to search for child support liens.
🌐 pa.gov
Criminal Histories
Official Free
This service was established by the Pennsylvania Criminal History Information Act and provides access to the Pennsylvania Access to the Criminal History (PATCH) System for Pennsylvania criminal rec...
🌐 pa.gov
Legislation
Official Free
Search the Pennsylvania Legislature for Bills and Resolutions by Chamber/Document Type/Number or keyword and Session.
🌐 legis.state.pa.us
Berks County Most Wanted
Official Free
Provided by the Berks County Sheriff's Office. Browse photos of most wanted criminals & view information including name, DOB, physical description, charges, and last known address.
🌐 co.berks.pa.us
Criminal Background Search
Official Free
Do a criminal background search statewide in Pennsylvania or search over 450 million criminal records nationwide. Pennsylvania records include: statewide District Court felony, misdemeanor and traffic filings; statewide corrections records; disposed cases from the Common Pleas Courts; and Pennsylvania registered offenders.
🌐 searchsystems.net

Property Records

Unclaimed Property
Official Free
Pennsylvania unclaimed property database. Provides city, zip code, holder information, and recovery instructions.
🌐 patreasury.gov

Vital Records

Adoption - Waiting Children
Official Free
Browse or search for children up for adoption in Pennsylvania to view photo, name, PAE #, age, ethnicity, date listed/modified, personal details, families considered and legal status.
🌐 adoptpakids.org
Private Adoption Agencies
Official Free
Browse this alphabetical listing of private adoption agencies in Pennsylvania to view agency name, address, phone, fax, e-mail, Website and hours of operation.
🌐 adoptpakids.org

Licenses

Wine and Spirit Stores
Official Free
Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board licensed Wine and Spirit stores. Search by category or location.
🌐 pa.gov

Business

Civic

Campaign Finance
Official Free
Search the Pennsylvania Department of State Campaign Finance Reporting System by filer name, election year, report cycle, office, district, and/or political party.
🌐 campaignfinance.state.pa.us
Ethics Commission Records
Official Free
Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission advices, opinions, orders, financial interest statements, gaming lists.
🌐 pa.gov
Military - Mexican Border Campaign Veterans
Official Free
Browse the Pennsylvania State Archives Mexican Border Campaign Veterans Card File Indexes by name. Provides name, rank, regiment and company, age/place of birth, physical description, date of comm...
🌐 phmc.pa.gov
Military - Militia Officers 1775-1800
Official Free
Browse the Pennsylvania State Archives Militia Officers Card File Indexes by name for officers who served during the American Revolution, in Indian campaigns, and in the Whiskey Rebellion. Databas...
🌐 phmc.pa.gov

Other

Insurance Adjusters & Appraisers
Official Free
Search this Pennsylvania Insurance Department service for licensed insurance agents, brokers, administrators, managers, adjusters, appraisers, and producers.
🌐 pa.gov
Insurance Administrators
Official Free
Browse or search the Pennsylvania Insurance Department list of licensed insurance companies. Browse by name or search (with no punctuation) by a portion of the name.
🌐 insurance.pa.gov
Insurance Companies
Official Free
Browse or search the Pennsylvania Insurance Department list of licensed insurance companies. Browse by name or search by NAIC company code or a portion of the company name.
🌐 insurance.pa.gov
Contractors
Official Free
Provided by the Pennsylvania Attorney General. Search for contractors by keyword and location, or HIC number, business name, city, and zip.
🌐 hicsearch.attorneygeneral.gov
Attorneys
Official Free
Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania registered attorneys by name, attorney ID, or city.
🌐 padisciplinaryboard.org
Check Cashers
Official Free
Search Pennsylvania Department of Banking records for licensed Check Cashers.
🌐 pa.gov
Child Abuse History Clearance (Info)
Official Free
Information from the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare on how to obtain a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance. Clearance requires an FBI fingerprint based FBI record check. An online crim...
🌐 pa.gov
Jobs
Official Free
Pennsylvania JobGateway jobs database.
🌐 pa.gov
Personal Care Home Directory
Official Free
Use this directory to search for Personal Care Homes and assisted living facilities licensed in Pennsylvania. Search by county, region, zip code, or facility name. Includes disciplinary actions.
🌐 pa.gov
Public Utility Commission
Official Free
Search the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission document database by document name/#/type, utility type and/or date to view documents including public meetings orders, commissioner motions &state...
🌐 pa.gov
Unemployment Compensation Benefits
Official Free
Search this database of recently filed Pennsylvania Forms UC-1099G, Statement for Recipients of Unemployment Compensation Payments by SSN to view amount of UC benefits paid and the amount of federal income tax withheld, if any.
🌐 pa.gov
Missing Persons
Official Free
Pennsylvania missing persons index, provided by the Pennsylvania Doe Network Area Director.
🌐 namus.gov

Frequently Asked Questions

What public records are available in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania provides public access to court records, criminal histories, vital records (birth/death/marriage), property records, professional licenses, voter registration, and business filings. Each record type has its own page on SearchSystems.net.

Are Pennsylvania public records free?

Most online lookups — court calendars, property assessor portals, license verification, voter status — are free. Certified copies and fingerprint-based criminal-history checks typically carry a state fee.

What law governs public records in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania public records are governed by the Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.

How do I request a record not available online?

File a written records request with the state or local agency that maintains the record. Most Pennsylvania agencies must respond within a fixed statutory window (typically 3–15 business days).