Free links to official Pennsylvania state and county government records — courts, criminal histories, vital records, property, voter, business, and licenses across all 67 counties.
How to Search Pennsylvania Criminal Records (Start Here)
Pennsylvania criminal records come from two main sources: the state criminal history repository (maintained by the state police or equivalent agency) and individual county court systems. These are separate databases that may show different information.
What this page covers: Pennsylvania state-level criminal history searches, county court criminal case lookups, and sex offender registry searches. What it does not cover: Federal criminal cases (those require PACER) or arrest records that did not result in charges.
Where to start: For a broad criminal history check, start with the state repository. For specific case details (charges, dispositions, documents), go to the Prothonotary / Clerk of Courts in the county where the case was filed. For sex offenders, use the state sex offender registry.
Common mistake: A state criminal history search and a county court search are not the same thing. The state repository compiles conviction data from across the state. County courts have the actual case files with full detail. You may need both.
Edited by Sam Rokni — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: Pennsylvania repository URL, fee, and statute verified against the official Pennsylvania State Police - PATCH publisher on review date. 6 primary .gov sources cited below.
Pennsylvania Criminal Records — Key Numbers (2026)
PA EPATCH — online checks incur a credit-card processing fee per transaction. PATCH helpline 1-888-783-7972.
$22 (+ card-processing fee for online orders)
Public access fee
Per state-only check
Online via EPATCH
Primary method
How to submit
Pennsylvania State Polic
Issuing agency
Statewide repository
18 Pa. C.S. §9106
Governing statute
State law citation
June 04, 2026
Last reviewed
By SearchSystems
What a state criminal-history check actually covers
State-only check (State Identification Bureau): Returns arrests, dispositions and convictions reported to that one state's repository. It does not include arrests from other states or most federal cases. See the FBI's directory of state agencies: State Identification Bureau Listing.
What state repositories miss: The FBI's national survey of state criminal-history information systems documents known reporting gaps (missing dispositions, delayed updates, sealed/expunged handling). See BJS: Survey of State Criminal History Information Systems.
What Changed in 2026 — Pennsylvania Criminal Records
2026
Pennsylvania state-only check active
The Pennsylvania State Police - PATCH continues to process state criminal history checks via epatch.pa.gov.
FACTThe Pennsylvania State Police - PATCH check covers ONLY Pennsylvania arrests/convictions. Out-of-state and federal records are NOT included.
MYTH"Free third-party 'instant' checks are accurate."
FACTOnly epatch.pa.gov (the official Pennsylvania repository) is authoritative. Data brokers often have stale data.
MYTH"Sealed records will show on a check."
FACTRecords sealed or expunged under Pennsylvania law are removed from public-facing checks. Law enforcement may still access them.
MYTH"Arrest = conviction on my record."
FACTAn arrest is not a conviction. Most Pennsylvania public checks distinguish arrests, dispositions, and convictions; the FCRA bars non-conviction arrests older than 7 years from employer checks.
MYTH"State and FBI checks return the same data."
FACTThe Pennsylvania state check shows Pennsylvania-only records. The FBI check is fingerprint-based and shows records reported by all agencies nationwide.
Not sure who may legally check whom? The Pennsylvania background check guide explains the official routes, the court-record option, and your FCRA rights.
Looking for someone in custody right now? The Pennsylvania inmate search page collects the state, county, and federal locators in one place.
Criminal Records Databases
35 official Pennsylvania criminal records sources.
This is the court-records channel for Pennsylvania: case searches and docket details. Confirm details with the official criminal record office before relying on them.
In an increasingly digital world,. seen a prime example of this with fraudulent "WARRANTS FOR THE ARREST OF A WITNESS IN A CIVIL ACTION" circulating, particularly targeting residents in areas like Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Certification can be submitted and paid for online through the Child Welfare Information Solution (CWIS) self-service portal. Submitting an application online allows individual applicants to receive their results through an automated system that will notify them once their results have been processed.
Custody roster covering Clinton County — who is currently held, with booking dates. Confirm details with the official criminal record office before relying on them.
against the information contained in the files of the Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository only. By signing this form, I verify that I am submitting this request for criminal history record information in connection with my
Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System provides comprehensive public access to court records online and upon request · Access aggregate numerical data from all courts including caseload statistics, collections information and interactive data dashboards
You can then search an inmate by name or date of birth (DOB is recommended) and receive information on charges, bail, visitation and funding for their phone account. The information posted on this website is in compliance with the Pennsylvania Criminal History Record Information Act (CHRIA), 18 Pa.
October 24, 2025, 9:30AM Civil Miscellaneous Hon. J. Brian Johnson Courtroom 2A, 2nd Floor Lehigh County Courthouse. October 27, 2025, 9:30AM Civil Miscellaneous Hon. Thomas A. Capehart Courtroom 5C, 5th Floor Lehigh County Courthouse
The Correctional Facility detains inmates as directed by the Courts, provides treatment services and maintains a physical environment assuring the safety of the public, staff and prisoner. The Correctional Facility also serves as the Central Booking Center for criminal fingerprinting and arraignment, Megan's law processing and fingerprinting for the general public.
Use our Inmate and Parolee Locator to find information about state-sentenced inmates and parolees in Pennsylvania. We update information daily to ensure that it is as complete and accurate as possible. The locator does not include private information. Those who are incarcerated in another state or in a county facility cannot be found using the locator.
Warrant lookups covering Pennsylvania run through here. It is independently run, so verify anything critical against the official criminal record office.
Law-enforcement records for Pennsylvania route through this office. It is independently run, so verify anything critical against the official criminal record office.
What is the Child Support Enforcement Program · The child support enforcement program is a joint effort by federal, state and County governments to locate absent parents, establish and enforce support obligations owed by absent parents to their children, assist with the establishment of the.
Furthermore, Westmoreland County assumes no liability for any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in the information provided regardless of the cause of such or for any decision made, action taken, or action not taken by the user in reliance upon any data provided herein. Any person who uses this information for any unlawful activity, personal gain, or to threaten, intimidate, or harass an inmate or his or her family, or to interfere with an inmate custody, or who otherwise misuses this information, may be subject to criminal prosecution or civil liability.
Additional Resources: Please click here for Court Related forms Please click here for the Local Rules of Court Please click here for Magisterial District Online Forms Please click here for Prothonotary Forms Please click here for the Pro Se Litigant Self Help Center
To maintain a centuries old commitment to provide professional law enforcement services for the safety and welfare of all Columbia County citizens through a highly trained, motivated and focused work force dedicated to public service. As Past President of the Pennsylvania Sheriff's Association.
Parcel and valuation data for Pennsylvania — ownership, assessed values, and property characteristics. It sits outside government; official offices remain the record of authority.
Welcome to Pennsylvania VINE. A free, secure, and confidential way to access custody status and criminal case information, find state-approved service.
It’s finally here! On February 22, 2021 the Records Department went live with its new online portal for traffic accident reports, or as we call them, “Crash Reports.”
Providing quick access to information on cases and court calendars in the Philadelphia Court system. If you need legal assistance, the following information may be helpful. The Elder Justice & Civil Resource Center ("The Center") is a court-based resource center for seniors located at City Hall. The First Judicial District (FJD) of Pennsylvania is composed of two courts which make up the Philadelphia County Court System: the Court of Common Pleas and Municipal.
The Philadelphia Traffic Division Listing Report contains basic listing information concerning Traffic Court citations ("moving violations" or "traffic tickets"). The information provided by the First Judicial District through this Internet service has been reproduced from the Traffic Division's.
Spatial Data Source: Office of Innovation and Technology, City of Philadelphia Government. Police Athletic Leagues (PAL) data source: https://phillypal.org/locations. A Crime Stats Circle allows map users to display crime statistics in a specific radius within a specified area.
Law-enforcement records for Pennsylvania route through this office. It is independently run, so verify anything critical against the official criminal record office.
Users only have to enroll in MFA when they are prompted. Need help enrolling in MFA? Check out our MFA Tips and Resources page to get you started. Log in to the federal Judiciary’s electronic public access services. Close PACER Case Locator PACER Log in Manage PACER Account
67 Pennsylvania counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
Which Pennsylvania counties publish jail rosters and sheriff records online
23 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties run their own online source for jail rosters and sheriff records, based on what this directory indexes. Every other county is covered by the statewide systems listed above — click a county for its full records page.
How do I run an official Pennsylvania background check?▼
Pennsylvania's official statewide criminal-history check is administered by the Pennsylvania State Police - PATCH. Begin the request at epatch.pa.gov. Most state-level checks require submitting fingerprints (live-scan or ink) plus a processing fee, and the response covers convictions and certain non-conviction data permitted by Pennsylvania statute.
Are Pennsylvania criminal records public?▼
Most adult criminal-history information in Pennsylvania is considered public record, but access is restricted depending on the requester (self, employer, government agency) and the data type (arrest, conviction, sealed, juvenile). The Pennsylvania State Police - PATCH explains who can request what at epatch.pa.gov. County-court records are also public and searchable through the trial-court system.
What's the difference between a state and an FBI background check in Pennsylvania?▼
A state check from the Pennsylvania State Police - PATCH (epatch.pa.gov) covers only criminal activity within Pennsylvania. An FBI Identity History Summary (fbi.gov) is the nationwide check covering federal records and contributing states. Employers and licensing boards often require both.
Can I get someone else's Pennsylvania criminal record?▼
Generally, no — only the record subject (with their own ID and signature) or a specifically authorized requester (such as a credentialed employer under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a licensing board, or law enforcement) can pull a third-party criminal history from the Pennsylvania State Police - PATCH. The Pennsylvania State Police - PATCH documentation at epatch.pa.gov lists each authorized requester category.
How do I challenge or correct a Pennsylvania criminal record?▼
If you find an error on your Pennsylvania criminal history, the Pennsylvania State Police - PATCH offers a record-review and challenge process. Begin at epatch.pa.gov — typical steps include fingerprint verification, a written dispute, and supporting court documents (such as a dismissal or expungement order) for each contested entry.
