Chester County

Chester County, Pennsylvania, is located in the southeastern corner of the Commonwealth, forming part of the Philadelphia metropolitan area and bordering Delaware to the south. Chester County seat is West Chester, a vibrant borough that houses the historic Chester County Courthouse and most county administrative offices at 313 West Market Street. Established in 1682, Chester County is one of Pennsylvania's three original counties founded by William Penn. Covering approximately 760 square miles, it is the state's largest county by land area. The 2020 Census recorded a population of approximately 540,896 residents, making it one of Pennsylvania's most populous and affluent counties. Chester County is renowned for its rolling countryside, preserved Revolutionary War sites including the Brandywine Battlefield, extensive mushroom farming operations (producing nearly half of the nation's mushrooms), and its Brandywine Valley cultural attractions. Chester County's scene includes parts of the Piedmont region and features numerous preserved farms, parks, and the scenic Brandywine Creek. Key county offices include Chester County Recorder of Deeds at the Government Services Center at 601 Westtown Road in West Chester County, Chester County Clerk of Courts at 201 West Market Street in West Chester County, and Chester County Assessment Office at the same Westtown Road complex. Chester County balances suburban growth with significant agricultural preservation and historic conservation efforts.

The Chester County Court serves Chester County and is located at 2 North High Street in West Chester. 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 Chester County Court of Common Pleas is the trial court of general jurisdiction in Chester County, Pennsylvania. It has jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases, including appeals from lower courts. The court also has jurisdiction over family law matters, including divorce, child custody, and adoption.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

• Arrest records can be requested from the arresting agency or through the Pennsylvania State Police criminal history background check system.
• Mugshots and booking photos from Chester County Prison are typically available through the online inmate search portal.
• The Pennsylvania State Police Troop J also provides coverage for areas without municipal police departments.

Court records for this county include civil cases, criminal cases, traffic violations, and family law matters handled by the local Circuit, District, or Superior Court.

• Certified copies of court documents require a written request to the Clerk of Courts and payment of applicable fees ($12.50 for the first page and $2.00 for each additional page as of recent fee schedules).
• The Register of Wills office (phone: 610-344-6330), also at 201 West Market Street, handles probate matters, estate administrations, and guardianship records.

• Viewing and printing documents requires payment (typically $1.00 per page).
• The Recorder's office charges $169.50 for the first page of most documents and $5.50 for each additional page for recording services.
• Certified copies cost $12.50 for the first page and $2.00 for each additional page.
• Property tax assessment information is maintained by Chester County Assessment Office at 601 Westtown Road, Suite 310, West Chester, PA 19380 (phone: 610-344-6105).

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

• Birth certificates cost $20 for the first copy and $6 for each additional copy of the same record ordered simultaneously; death certificates follow the same fee structure.
• Processing time for mail requests typically ranges from 4-6 weeks.
• Pennsylvania offers online ordering of vital records through VitalChek at pa.gov/en/agencies/health/resources/vital records, with expedited processing available for additional fees.
• Marriage licenses are issued by the Marriage License Bureau within the Clerk of Orphans' Court at 201 West Market Street, West Chester area (phone: 610-344-6335).
• Both parties must appear in person with valid photo identification and Social Security numbers; the license costs $35 and requires a three-day waiting period unless waived by court order.

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

• This database includes entity status, registration dates, registered agent information, and filing history.
• Chester County Department of Community Development at 601 Westtown Road (phone: 610-344-6285) handles certain county business permits and provides economic development resources.
• Chester County Planning Commission at 601 Westtown Road (phone: 610-344-6285) coordinates regional planning and provides resources for businesses regarding zoning and land development.
• Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry (chestercountychamber.org, phone: 610-725-9100) is a resource for business networking and economic information.