Pennsylvania, county records

Adams County, Pennsylvania Public Records

Find the right office in Adams County. Court cases, deeds and parcels, sheriff and jail records, vital records and county filings, each linked to the office that keeps them, with addresses and phone numbers.

Official sources first Free directory Links checked Sep. 13, 2026 Mobile friendly

Start here

Most requested Adams County records

Every card below goes to the government office responsible for that record. Use the category buttons to narrow the list.

Filter by type

Showing 12 official sources

Everything else, organized

More official Adams County record sources

Secondary links stay collapsed until they are needed, keeping the page useful without turning it into an endless wall of cards.

More county sources

Local record guide

About public records in Adams County

Useful local context without burying the official record links above.

County profile

Adams County at a glance

State
Pennsylvania
County seat
Gettysburg
Population
103,009
Area
522 sq mi
Founded
1800
Cities and towns
16

Adams County offices and records

Sheriff & Law Enforcement. Adams County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order within Adams County.

Police Departments. Adams County is served by several law enforcement agencies, including Adams County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments such as the Gettysburg Police Department, Littlestown Police Department, and New Oxford Police Department.

Law Enforcement & Arrests. Arrest records in Adams County are public documents available under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.

Arrest Records. Arrest records in Adams County are maintained by Adams County Sheriff's Office and local police departments.

Mugshots & Booking Photos. Mugshots in Adams County are taken and retained by Adams County Sheriff's Office during the booking process.

Sales tax licenses are issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. The Gettysburg Adams Chamber of Commerce (717-334-8151, www.gettysburg-chamber.org) provides business support services, networking opportunities, and economic development resources for Adams County's business community. 118 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325 • Phone: 717-334-8941 20 Cavalry Field Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325 • Phone: 717-337-9802 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. Adams County has multiple magisterial district judges serving different geographic regions of Adams County. Adams County Prothonotary's Office maintains civil court records and can be reached at 717-337-9832, while the Clerk of Courts Office manages criminal case records at 717-337-9827. Adams County Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court (717-337-9830) handles estate matters, wills, and guardianship proceedings. Elections in Adams County, Pennsylvania are administered by Adams County Bureau of Elections, located at 111-117 Baltimore Street, Suite 107, Gettysburg, PA 17325 (phone: 717-337-9831, website: www.adamscounty.us/Dept/Elections). Vital records for Adams County, Pennsylvania are managed at both Adams County and state levels. Birth and death certificates occurring in Adams County can be requested from Adams County Register of Wills & Recorder of Deeds Office, located at 111-117 Baltimore Street, Suite 103, Gettysburg, PA 17325 (phone: 717-337-9833 for vital records). Property and land records for Adams County, Pennsylvania are maintained by Adams County Recorder of Deeds, located at 111-117 Baltimore Street, Suite 103, Gettysburg, PA 17325 (phone: 717-337-9835). Adams County Tax Claim Bureau (717-337-9839) handles delinquent property tax collections and tax sales. Professional licensing for occupations such as contractors, cosmetologists, and healthcare providers is handled by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs at 717-783-1400 or www.dos.pa.gov/occupations.

Straight answers

Adams County public-records FAQs

Open only the answer you need.

Where can I find mugshots or booking photos in Adams County, Pennsylvania?

Mugshots or booking photos in Adams County, Pennsylvania, can be obtained from the Adams County Sheriff's Office. They may provide access to these records through their office or an online portal. For specific requests, you can visit their official website or contact the Sheriff's Office directly.

How do I get a criminal background check in Adams County, Pennsylvania?

To obtain a criminal background check in Adams County, Pennsylvania, you should contact the Pennsylvania State Police, as they handle statewide criminal history checks. The process involves submitting a request through the Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History (PATCH) system. For local records, you may also inquire with the Adams County Clerk of Courts.

How can I look up sex offenders in Adams County, Pennsylvania?

You can look up sex offenders in Adams County, Pennsylvania, by accessing the Pennsylvania Megan's Law website. This registry provides information on registered sex offenders throughout the state, including Adams County. The website allows you to search by name, location, or proximity to a specific address.

How do I register to vote in Adams County, Pennsylvania?

You can register to vote in Adams County through the Pennsylvania Department of State's online voter registration portal at www.register.votespa.com, or submit a paper application to the Adams County Bureau of Elections at 111-117 Baltimore Street, Suite 107, Gettysburg, PA 17325 (717) 337-9831). The registration deadline is 15 days before any election in Pennsylvania. Once registered, you can request mail-in ballots for any election without providing a reason, and applications are available through the Elections Bureau or online at www.votespa.com.

How do I look up property records in Adams County, Pennsylvania?

Property records in Adams County are maintained by the Adams Recorder of Deeds at 111-117 Baltimore Street, Suite 103, Gettysburg, PA 17325 (717) 337-9835). The county offers free online searching through the local GIS and Assessment website, where you can find property ownership, deed records, mortgages, liens, and tax assessment information. You can also access detailed parcel maps and aerial imagery through the county's GIS mapping system. Certified copies of recorded documents are available from the Recorder's office for $5.00 for the first page and $2.00 for each additional page.

How do I get a birth or death certificate in Adams County, Pennsylvania?

Birth and death certificates for events occurring in Adams County can be obtained from the Adams County Register of Wills & Recorder of Deeds Office at 111-117 Baltimore Street, Suite 103, Gettysburg, PA 17325 (717) 337-9833). Certified birth certificates cost $10.00 for the first copy, and death certificates cost $9.00. You can request records in person or by mail with proper identification and proof of eligibility, as only authorized individuals may obtain certified vital records. Processing time for mail requests is typically 2-4 weeks, or you can contact the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records at 724-656-3100 for statewide records.

How do I find business license records in Adams County, Pennsylvania?

Business records in Adams County are available through multiple sources depending on the type of information needed. Fictitious name registrations (DBAs) are filed with the Adams County Prothonotary's Office at 717-337-9832 and can be searched at 111-117 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg. For business entity information including corporations and LLCs, use the Pennsylvania Department of State's free online business entity search at www.corporations.pa.gov. Local business licenses and permits may be issued by individual municipalities or the Adams County Planning Office (717) 337-9824), depending on the business location and type of activity.

Same county

Cities, towns and neighboring counties

Use the city page when a record was created by a municipal police department or city office; use the county page for courts, deeds, vital records and jail custody.