Adams County

Adams County, Pennsylvania is a historic county located in the south-central portion of the Commonwealth, bordered by Maryland to the south and Franklin County to the west. Adams County seat is Gettysburg, the site of the key 1863 Civil War battle and President Abraham Lincoln's famous Gettysburg Address. Adams County was established on January 22, 1800, from part of York County and named after the second President of the United States, John Adams. Adams County includes approximately 522 square miles and serves a population of roughly 103,000 residents. Adams County is characterized by rolling agricultural scenes, historic battlefields, and strong tourism infrastructure centered on Gettysburg National Military Park, which attracts millions of visitors annually. Adams County's economy balances traditional agriculture, particularly fruit orchards and nurseries, with heritage tourism and small manufacturing. Major municipalities include Gettysburg Borough, New Oxford, Littlestown, and East Berlin. Adams County government operates from Adams County Courthouse at 111-117 Baltimore Street in Gettysburg, PA 17325. Key county offices include Adams County Recorder of Deeds, responsible for land records and document recording; Adams County Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court; Adams County Assessment Office, which maintains property valuations; and Adams County Prothonotary, which is the civil court clerk. Adams County's unique position as home to one of America's most significant battlefields makes it a center for historical preservation, education, and commemoration.

The with the Adams County Court serves Adams County and is located at 117 Baltimore Street in Gettysburg. The court handles civil, criminal, family, and probate cases for the area. Court records and case filings can be requested in person or through the Pennsylvania online court portal.

The Adams County Court has jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases arising within the county, including family law, probate, small claims, and felony proceedings. Case records are maintained by the Adams County Clerk of Courts and are accessible to the public under Pennsylvania open records law. Appeals from lower courts are also heard at this level.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

• Requests for arrest records can be submitted to the arresting agency or Adams County Clerk of Courts.
• Booking photos and mugshots are generally available through the arresting police department or Adams County Prison, though some older records may require an in-person visit or written request.
• Citizens seeking full criminal background information should contact the Pennsylvania State Police or submit requests directly to local law enforcement agencies with proper identification and any required fees.

Jail & Inmate Records

• The bond and bail process in Pennsylvania allows for the release of detainees pending trial, with specific procedures outlined by Adams County's judicial system.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

• Adams County Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court (717) 337-9830) handles estate matters, wills, and guardianship proceedings.
• Certified copies of court documents can be obtained from the appropriate clerk's office with fees typically ranging from $5-10 per document plus per-page charges.

• Adams County's GIS mapping system provides detailed parcel maps, aerial photography, and property boundary information accessible through Adams County website.
• Certified copies of recorded documents can be obtained from the Recorder of Deeds office for a fee of $5.00 for the first page and $2.00 for each additional page.
• Recording fees are established by Pennsylvania statute and vary based on document type and page count.

Vital records for this county include birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates issued under state vital statistics law.

• Processing time for mail requests is typically 2-4 weeks.
• Marriage licenses are issued by Adams County Register of Wills & Recorder of Deeds Office (717) 337-9833), with both parties required to appear in person with valid identification and Social Security numbers.
• The marriage license fee is $40.00 in Adams County.

Business records, licenses, and permits for this county are processed by the County Clerk and local government offices.

• Their online business entity search is available at www.corporations.pa.gov and provides free access to entity status, registration dates, registered agents, and filing history.
• Building permits, zoning approvals, and land development applications are processed by individual municipalities in Adams County or by Adams County Planning Office (717) 337-9824) for properties in unincorporated areas.