Butler County

Butler County is located in the southwestern region of Pennsylvania, approximately 30 miles north of Pittsburgh. Butler County seat is Butler, a city that is the governmental and commercial hub for Butler County's approximately 193,000 residents. Butler County includes 789 square miles of diverse terrain, including rolling hills, fertile farmland, and significant natural gas reserves in the Marcellus Shale formation. Established in 1800 and named after General Richard Butler County, a Revolutionary War hero, Butler County has a rich history rooted in agriculture, manufacturing, and energy production. Major landmarks include Moraine State Park, one of Pennsylvania's premier recreation areas featuring a 3,225-acre lake, and the historic Butler County Courthouse, constructed in 1885 with distinctive Victorian architecture. Butler County is home to several municipalities including Butler County, Cranberry Township, Mars, Zelienople, and Slippery Rock, which hosts Slippery Rock University. Butler County's public records infrastructure includes Butler County Recorder of Deeds located in the Government Center at 124 West Diamond Street, Butler County, PA 16001; the Clerk of Courts at the same address; and Butler County Assessment Office at 124 West Diamond Street. Butler County maintains a blend of traditional and modern record-keeping systems, with increasing digitization of public records in recent years. Butler County's economy has evolved from steel and agriculture to healthcare, retail, natural gas extraction, and technology sectors, particularly concentrated in the rapidly growing Cranberry Township corridor along Interstate 79.

The or probate cases through the Butler County Court serves Butler County and is located at 124 West Diamond Street. The court handles civil, criminal, family, and probate cases for this county. Court records and case filings can be requested in person or through the Pennsylvania online court portal.

The Butler County Court of Common Pleas is the trial court of general jurisdiction in Butler County, Pennsylvania. The court has jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases, including family law, juvenile matters, and probate.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

• Citizens can request arrest records from the arresting agency by submitting a written request to the agency's open records officer, typically the police chief or designee.
• Response time for public records requests is five business days under Pennsylvania law, with possible 30-day extensions for complex requests.

Arrest Records

• The process for obtaining these records is straightforward, with most requests processed within a reasonable timeframe.

Jail & Inmate Records

• The bond and bail process follows Pennsylvania state guidelines, allowing for the release of inmates under certain conditions.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

• The Clerk of Courts office maintains official court records and charges fees for certified copies: $8.00 for the first page and $2.00 for each additional page.
• In-person record requests can be made at the Clerk of Courts office during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM).
• Some historical records may require additional processing time or research fees.

• Recording fees are $159.50 for the first page and $3.00 for each additional page for deeds and mortgages.
• Butler County Assessment Office, located at 124 West Diamond Street (phone: 724-284-5310), maintains property tax assessment records, ownership information, property characteristics, and assessed values.
• Certified copies of recorded documents can be requested in person or by mail for $8.00 for the first page and $2.00 for each additional page.

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

• Online ordering is available through the VitalChek service at www.health.pa.gov/vitalrecords, with additional service fees.
• Marriage licenses are issued by Butler County Register of Wills & Orphans' Court Clerk, located at 124 West Diamond Street, Butler, PA 16001 (phone: 724-284-5234).
• Couples must apply in person, provide valid identification and Social Security numbers, and pay a $45.00 fee.
• Marriage records and divorce decrees are also maintained by this office, with certified copies available for $8.00 for the first page and $2.00 for each additional page.
• Divorce records can be accessed through the Prothonotary's Office at the same address.

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

• Butler County Chamber of Commerce, located at 201 East New Castle Street, Zelienople, PA 16063, provides business development resources and maintains a directory at www.butlercountychamber.com.
• Contractors working in Butler County must register with the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Home Improvement Contractor Registry.