About Pennsylvania public records
State background and court information
Pennsylvania, the "Keystone State", is the second of the original 13 colonies and gained statehood on December 12, 1787. Pennsylvania is the 33rd biggest state in the country by area. The state was an early leader in agriculture with great surpluses to export outside the state. With the abundance of resources from natural resources, many new industries took shape within the state. It was also the birth place of the constitution and many other historical events. A majority of the state's early cities were formed along its rivers from the benefit of transport and trade. Until 1950 the state of Pennsylvania was the second most populated state. Thereafter, New york and California then Florida surpassed the state and making it to this present day, the fifth most populous in the U.S. with over 12 million residents.
There are 67 counties in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Counties are subdivided into municipalities that are either incorporated as cities, boroughs or townships. There are 56 cities in Pennsylvania, which are classified as either first, second, or third class cities. Philadelphia is the largest city in Pennsylvania and is the only first class city with the population of over one and a half million residents.
Pennsylvania has a bicameral legislature set up by Commonwealth's constitution in 1790. The General Assembly has 50 Senators and 203 Representatives. Pennsylvania has two U.S. Senators in the 112th congress and 19 congressional districts. Pennsylvania is divided into 60 judicial districts. Sales tax provides 39% of Commonwealth's revenue. 34% comes from personal income tax, 12% from motor vehicle taxes and 5% from cigarettes and alcoholic beverages.
The Pennsylvania Freedom of Information laws allows the residents of its state to request public information. It's similar to the federal law of Open Records Act, which ensures an open and honest government is a right given to people by its constitution. Transparency gives citizens a way to seek accountability, look into abuses by state, county, city or any agency officials. There are limits in efforts to not release any personal data to the public and protect the state residents' identities. The law establishes that all records, with some exceptions, kept by local and state government are presumed to be open to the public. Pennsylvania law does not allow for the free release of vital records. Therefore, vital records such as birth and death certificates are not open to the public and cannot be searched online. However, instructions and guidelines for birth, death and other vital records can be easily viewed outlined by the PA department of health, division of vital records. Obtaining a index of state agencies can be essential to locating and understanding the documents you seek.
A criminal history background search can be ordered from the Pennsylvania state police criminal data repository. You can verify professional licenses by accessing Pennsylvania's department of state instant online search.
The unified judicial system of Pennsylvania provides online requests for court records. Records of judgments, liens, cases and trials including online docket information is available for public inspection. Researchers often use public records for ancestry and genealogy search. State archives provide historical records of the state and its residents of earlier periods. An updated directory of Pennsylvania public record sources to get the records you are seeking will save time and give you an idea as to what is available from which agency without searching aimlessly online.
Pennsylvania's Supreme Court has mandatory jurisdiction in civil, capital criminal, criminal, administrative agency, juvenile, disciplinary, original proceeding, interlocutory decision cases, discretionary jurisdiction in civil, non capital criminal, administrative agency, juvenile, original proceeding, and interlocutory decision cases.
The Commonwealth Court has mandatory jurisdiction in various civil, non capital criminal, administrative agency, original proceeding, interlocutory decision cases, and discretionary jurisdiction in various civil, administrative agency, original proceeding and interlocutory decision cases.
The state's Superior Court has mandatory jurisdiction in civil, non capital criminal, juvenile, original proceeding, and interlocutory decision cases, and discretionary jurisdiction in civil, non-capital criminal, juvenile, original proceeding, interlocutory decision cases. The court of common pleas has jurisdiction over tort, contract, real property rights, and miscellaneous civil cases, and has jurisdiction over estate, mental health, and civil appeals, domestic relations, misdemeanor, traffic, and has exclusive felony, criminal appeals, miscellaneous and exclusive juvenile jurisdiction with jury trials in most cases.
The Municipal Court has jurisdiction over real property rights from $0 to $10,000, and miscellaneous civil cases, has exclusive small claims jurisdiction for cases valued up to $10,000. The municipal criminal division hears felony, misdemeanor, DWI/DUI, domestic violence cases, ordinance violations and handles preliminary hearings with no jury trials.
The District Justice Court has jurisdiction over tort, contract, real property rights from $0 to $8,000, felony, misdemeanor, DWI/DUI, traffic or other violation cases, handles preliminary hearings but no jury trials. The traffic court has jurisdiction over moving traffic, parking, and miscellaneous traffic cases. The Pittsburgh city magistrates has jurisdiction over real property rights, misdemeanor, DWI or DUI cases. The city magistrates also have jurisdiction over Traffic or other violation. The city magistrates handles preliminary hearings, but no jury trials.
Court records and filings
Pennsylvania court records are maintained by the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania. Courts of Common Pleas serve as the trial courts of general jurisdiction in each county. Magisterial District Courts handle minor civil and criminal matters.
Case records are searchable through the Pennsylvania courts online portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us.
Criminal records and background checks
Pennsylvania criminal records are accessible through the Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History (PATCH) system operated by the Pennsylvania State Police. PATCH provides online criminal background checks. Court records are accessible through the Unified Judicial System docket sheet system, though docket sheet information should not be used in place of a PATCH criminal history background check. PSP operates the Megan's Law public website for sex offender registration.
Vital records
Statewide Pennsylvania vital records. Search births, marriage records and death certificates. Divorces filed with courts. State vital records offices. Link to the agencies in Pennsylvania and order vital records. Many records are public information available to the public from private and government entities. You can use information to verify your records. Look up vital statistics and free vital searches in Pennsylvania to conduct research online. Department of health, certificates used for passport, school entrance, social security, employment and inheritance, birth and death certificates prior to 1906, state archives, records of county governments, supreme court general motion and divorce docket from 1750 to 1837, divorce papers from 1786 to 1815 and genealogy requests.
Property and asset records
Search for assets in Pennsylvania and obtain records of property, business ownership, professional license verification and other personal or corporate assets. Find bankruptcies, liens, UCC judgment filings and find out about information that can effect a person's or company's asset. See the status of a business and verify ownership, DBA, status, activity and whether the corporation or business filed in Pennsylvania owns property, vehicles, real estate and more. Unclaimed property and asset search from official government databases open to the public.
Government records and agencies
Access Pennsylvania government agencies and obtain information on executive branches, legislative branches and jucidial branches within state jurisdiction. Link below to the state government agencies as well as state government information and services. Other state government resources such as codified state law, voters registration and other state government departments
Driving and vehicle records
Direct Pennsylvania official government links to driver license and registration resources. Vehicle registration, tags, driving history, online forms, office locations, and hours.
Expungements and record clearing
Expunge your criminal past of felonies, misdemeanors, D.U.I convictions and more in the state of Pennsylvania. Get information regarding expungements and begin to erase your previous Pennsylvania criminal records statewide as well as nationwide. Some records can contain inaccurate or erroneous information that can be amended. Both juvenile and adult cases that can be corrected and begin your search for employment without a tainted past showing.
Genealogy and historical research
Pennsylvania genealogy related links and topics. Individual state search of your ancestors, start a family tree, browse census records and more online. Historical and Museum Commission's information on genealogy searches.
Missing children resources
Search for missing children in Pennsylvania by name, date they went missing or possible location of where they were abducted. The Pennsylvania State Police acts as the missing childrens clearinghouse and has a wealth of information on abduction and educational materials regarding child safety. They operate the Pennsylvania Child Amber Alert website which is used as an additional resource and tool when an amber alert activation occurs. You will be able to receive important alerts and updates right to your cell phone or mobile device if you sign up for an AlertPA account. The Pennsylvania Missing Persons website promotes public awareness and provides a central location for all the missing persons and unidentified persons in the state. The mission of the Pennsylvania Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is to safeguard our children from Internet crime by "weaving a seamless web of protection" around them, across the nation and around the globe. Parents can find internet rules to teach their children how to surf the web safely. Parents can find the steps to take immediately if they believe their child has gone missing. Family members can download information for those who have experienced a family abduction, learn about the laws that will help them, prevention methods, and suggestions for aftercare following the abduction.Open the main Pennsylvania records directory or browse city record pages for direct source links.