Dauphin County Court Records
Dauphin County court records consist of documents and materials generated or received by the county’s judicial system in the course of official court business. These records may exist in paper, electronic, photographic, or other formats and are created pursuant to court rules, statutes, or other legal authority. Their primary function is to document judicial proceedings, but they also support administrative operations, statistical reporting, historical research, and personal reference.
Court records are produced as cases move through the judicial system. They reflect filings submitted by parties, evidence introduced by parties, hearings conducted by the court, and decisions issued by the court. The creation, maintenance, and release of these records are governed by a combination of Pennsylvania statutes, court rules, and public records laws that establish standards for recordkeeping and access.
The trial-level courts in Dauphin County serve as the official custodians of the county’s court records, handling the initial processing and adjudication of cases. Responsibility for maintaining accurate dockets and case files rests with the appropriate court offices and clerks.
Court records are distinct from other types of public records, such as arrest information maintained by law enforcement agencies, vital records issued by state health authorities, and federal case files managed by the federal judiciary. However, when combined with these external records, they often provide a more comprehensive view of a legal matter.
Are Dauphin County Court Records Public?
Yes. Dauphin County court records are generally open to the public under Section 3.0 of the Pennsylvania Judiciary’s Case Records Public Access Policy. This presumption of access allows any person to request copies of eligible court records and imposes an obligation on record custodians to grant access when a proper request is made.
Public access, however, is not unlimited. State law and court rules restrict the disclosure of certain cases and specific portions of case files. Records containing sensitive information, material that compromises personal privacy, or content that may endanger an individual are commonly withheld or redacted. For example, records of cases involving minors are typically excluded from public access. Likewise, records sealed or expunged by court order are accessible only to authorized parties, such as justice system personnel. Other categories of non-public information include medical and mental health records, certain family law records, such as adoption files, and select probate-related documents that require confidentiality by law.
Individuals seeking court records in Dauphin are encouraged to review the Unified Judicial System Limits on Public Access guide, which outlines access limitations and details what information may or may not be available to the public.
What Information is Available in Dauphin County Court Records?
The information contained in a Dauphin County court record varies by case type, but most records include identifying details for the parties involved, to the extent permitted by law. This commonly consists of the full names of the primary participants and, where allowed, age or date of birth information.
Court records also typically document key details, such as the docket number, court division, filing office, complaint or case number, filing date, and current case status. Also, members of the public may view docket sheets, filings, and other documentary materials of a case, subject to applicable access restrictions and redaction requirements.
Dauphin County Court Records Search
Courts at different levels offer multiple ways to access case records, including online searches, in-person review, and written or phone requests. To conduct an effective search, requesters should provide basic case details, such as the name of a party, a case or docket number, or a filing date. Knowing which court handled the matter is also essential, particularly for in-person or mail requests, as records are maintained by the court with jurisdiction over the case.
Below are the primary methods available for conducting a Dauphin County court records search:
- Online Access: Electronic access to court records depends on the type of case.
Civil case records may be searched through the online database maintained by the Office of the Prothonotary, which is responsible for civil filings. This system contains records dating from November 1, 2001, to the present and does not include criminal cases.
Criminal case records are accessible through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System’s online case search portal. By selecting Dauphin County and entering the required search criteria, users can retrieve criminal docket information.
- In-Person Access: Visiting the appropriate court office allows requesters to review physical
case files and access records that may not be available online. Public computer terminals are typically provided
by the Clerk of Court or the Prothonotary’s office at the local courthouse. Staff assistance may also be
available to help locate records. Basic case information is usually required to complete a court records search.
- Mail and Phone Requests: Individuals may submit written requests by mail, including sufficient case details and a self-addressed, stamped envelope for response. Mail requests require additional processing time. Phone inquiries may be used to request general information or confirm record availability. Copy fees may apply, and payment is commonly accepted by money order, certified check, or cashier’s check; cash is generally not accepted.
Fees for Court Records in Dauphin County
Inspection and review of Dauphin court records are generally provided at no cost. Fees apply where a person requests copies of records rather than a simple inspection. Under the following charges may apply:
Copy requested | Fee |
|---|---|
Photocopies | 25 cents per page |
Staff time for extensive searches | $5 per extra hour |
If a request involves a larger volume of records or requires significant staff time, the court may require prepayment of the estimated cost before processing begins. In addition, requesters are responsible for any postage or mailing expenses associated with delivering copies.
In limited situations, a magisterial district judge may waive copying or service fees. However, once payment has been made, fees are nonrefundable.
Dauphin County Courthouse Locations
Multiple courts serve Dauphin, each exercising authority over specific categories of legal matters. Together, these courts form the county’s judicial framework and ensure that cases are adjudicated within their subject-matter jurisdiction and monetary or procedural limits.
At the county level, the Court of Common Pleas functions as the primary trial court and possesses the broadest jurisdiction. It adjudicates serious civil disputes, major criminal prosecutions, family law matters, and lower court appeals.
In contrast, Magisterial District Courts handle lower-level cases and preliminary proceedings. Their responsibilities include adjudicating summary offenses and minor criminal violations, issuing arrest and search warrants, presiding over landlord-tenant disputes, and conducting preliminary hearings for misdemeanor and felony cases. These courts also resolve civil claims where the amount in controversy does not exceed $12,000.
Each of these courts operates from designated locations throughout the county. The addresses for the courts serving Dauphin County are outlined below.
Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas - Criminal
Dauphin County Courthouse
101 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17108
Phone: (717) 780-6530
Fax: (717) 780-6472
Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas - Civil
Dauphin County Courthouse
101 Market Street,
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: (717) 780-6520
Fax: (717) 780-6477
Dauphin County Orphans’ Court
Dauphin County Courthouse
101 Market Street #103,
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: (717) 780-6510
Fax: (717) 780-6474
Magisterial District Courts
Magisterial District Court 12-0-00
Dauphin County Judicial Center
451 Mall Road
Harrisburg, PA 17111
Phone: (717) 547-4010
Fax: (717) 888-9076
Magisterial District Court 12-0-01
Dauphin County Prison
501 Mall Road
Harrisburg, PA 17111
Phone: (717) 780-6824
Fax: (717) 561-4196
Magisterial District Court 12-1-01
2125 Paxton Church Road
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Phone: (717) 545-4143
Fax: (717) 657-2107
Magisterial District Court 12-1-02
2967-A N 7th Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Phone: (717) 238-3388
Fax: (717) 238-3004
Magisterial District Court 12-1-04
1520 Walnut Street
Harrisburg, PA 17103
Phone: (717) 233-1220
Fax: (717) 233-1598
Magisterial District Court 12-1-05
538 S 29th Street
Harrisburg, PA 17104
Phone: (717) 231-3500
Fax: (717) 231-3504
Magisterial District Court 12-1-06
5201 Jonestown Road
Harrisburg, PA 17112
Phone: (717) 671-8640
Fax: (717)671-1899
Magisterial District Court 12-2-01
1281 South 28th Street
Harrisburg, PA 17111
Phone: (717) 558-1160
Fax: ((717) 558-1056
Magisterial District Court 12-2-02
102 Agnes Street
Harrisburg, PA 17104
Phone: (717)-939-6996
Fax: (717) 939-4868
Magisterial District Court 12-2-03
50 Canal Street
Royalton, PA 17057
Phone: (717) 944-4463
Fax: (717) 948-1974
Magisterial District Court 12-2-04
1805 North Cameron Street
Harrisburg, PA 17103
Phone: (717) 233-3599
Fax: (717) 233-3547
Magisterial District Court 12-2-05
1300 Rolleston Street
Harrisburg, PA 17104
Phone: (717) 234-0949
Fax: (717) 234-0953
Magisterial District Court 12-3-01
Manors Road, RR 01
Elizabethville, PA 17023
Phone: (717) 362-3396
Fax: (717) 362-4507
Magisterial District Court 12-3-02
1025 Peters Mountain Road
Dauphin, PA 17018
Phone: (717) 921-8007
Fax: (717) 921-3585
Magisterial District Court 12-3-03
5925 Stevenson Avenue
Suite B, Harrisburg, PA 17112
Phone: (717) 545-0261
Fax: (717) 545-8015
Magisterial District Court 12-3-04
576 East Main Street
Hummelstown, PA 17036
Phone: (717) 583-1912
Fax: (717) 583-1915
Magisterial District Court 12-3-05
8010 Bretz Dr
Harrisburg, PA 17112
Phone: (717) 671-8720
Fax: (717) 671-1282
Criminal Records Access in Dauphin County
In Pennsylvania, official statewide criminal history background checks are administered at the state level rather than at the county level. The Pennsylvania State Police serves as the state’s central criminal history repository and is the only agency authorized to issue certified criminal history records. These records encompass reportable criminal history information from across the Commonwealth, including prior arrests and dispositions. Individuals seeking criminal history records for Dauphin County must therefore submit their request through the Pennsylvania State Police, either online via the PATCH (Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History) system or by mail.
County courts in Dauphin County do not generate or certify statewide criminal history reports. Instead, the local judiciary maintains criminal court case records that document the progression of cases handled within the county. These records typically include docket information, filing and hearing dates, rulings, and final dispositions, and they may reference arrest-related details relevant to the court proceedings. It is important to distinguish between criminal history records and criminal court case records, as they serve different legal purposes and are maintained by separate custodians.
Members of the public may obtain Dauphin County criminal court records by submitting requests in person or by mail to the appropriate clerk of court. In addition, electronic access to criminal case dockets is available through the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania, which operates statewide online court portals for public case searches.
Whether a request is made online or through the clerk’s office, record searches generally require specific identifying information. Common search criteria include a case or docket number, the name of a defendant or other party, and, in some instances, supplementary details such as the filing date or court division for streamlined retrieval.
Dauphin County Probate Records
Probate proceedings address legal matters involving wills, estates, incapacitated individuals, and minors. These cases generate Dauphin County probate records, which include estate administration records, guardianship matters, inheritance tax cases, and related filings. These cases are under the jurisdiction of the Orphans’ Court, a division of the Court of Common Pleas with exclusive authority over estate-related matters and the resulting estate records.
The Register of Wills/Clerk of the Orphans’ Court serves as the custodian of estate records and other Orphans’ Court filings. Historical records maintained by these offices extend back several centuries, with estates and Orphans’ court records dating to the 1700s, inheritance tax dockets beginning in 1917, and select birth and death records available for the years 1893 through 1906.
Although court records are generally accessible to the public, access to probate-related files is subject to legal limitations. Certain documents, such as adoption proceedings, are confidential and not open to public inspection. Probate records that are not restricted may be accessed online, in person, or by mail.
Online access is available through the Register of Wills’ electronic records system. Users can search as guests or create an accountto view available records at no cost. Subscribers may print documents without additional charges for a monthly fee of $25.
Individuals may also obtain probate records by visiting the Register of Wills’ office or submitting a written request by mail, especially for searches involving older records or records not available online. Mail requests should include sufficient identifying information, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and the applicable fees. In-person visits may require scheduling an appointment in advance.
Dauphin County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Dauphin are handled by the Court of Common Pleas through its Civil and Juvenile divisions. The court oversees cases involving divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, and juvenile-related matters.
Because family law cases often involve private or sensitive issues, access is more limited than for many other civil records. Although court records are generally presumed open, some family law files may be sealed to protect the privacy of those involved, particularly children. Sealed records may be accessed only by the parties to the case, their attorneys, authorized court personnel, or individuals who present a valid court order.
Family law records that remain open to the public can be accessed using both online and in-person options provided by the judiciary. Requests may be directed to the Office of the Prothonotary or, where applicable, the Register of Wills, depending on the type of case. Individuals may visit these offices to search available records using public access terminals or submit requests by mail. Mail requests typically require basic case information, payment of any applicable fees, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Certified copies of family law records are available for an additional fee. These may be requested in person or by mail from the office that maintains the original court file.
Federal Court Records in Dauphin County
In addition to county-level court records, members of the public may obtain federal-level court records. Dauphin falls within the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, which presides over federal civil and criminal matters arising in the region.
Federal case information is accessible through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records), an online system that allows registered users to view and download federal court documents for a nominal fee. Searches can be conducted by case number, party name, or other identifying criteria, enabling users to review dockets, filings, and case outcomes remotely.
Alternatively, individuals may contact the Clerk of the Court for the federal court in which the matter was filed to request information or copies of records. Requests may be submitted in person or by mail, and requestors must supply sufficient details, such as party names, case numbers, or filing dates, to facilitate accurate retrieval.
It is important to note that only records that are both existing and legally accessible may be released. Documents that are sealed, restricted, or exempt from disclosure under federal law are not available to the public.
