Lancaster County

Lancaster County is located in the south-central region of Pennsylvania, bordered by the Susquehanna River to the west and sharing borders with York, Berks, Lebanon, Chester, and Dauphin counties. Lancaster County seat is Lancaster City, which is the governmental and commercial hub. Lancaster County includes approximately 949 square miles and has a population of over 550,000 residents, making it one of Pennsylvania's most populous counties. Lancaster County is internationally recognized for its substantial Amish and Mennonite communities, creating a unique cultural scene where traditional horse-and-buggy transportation coexists with modern suburban development. Major landmarks include the Central Market in Lancaster County City (the nation's oldest continuously operating farmers market), Longwood Gardens near the Chester County border, and the fertile farmland of the Lancaster Plain. Lancaster County's history dates to 1729 when it was formed from Chester County, and Lancaster City briefly served as the United States capital for one day in September 1777. Lancaster Recorder of Deeds of Deeds office, located at 150 North Queen Street in Lancaster County, maintains property records. Lancaster County Assessment Office, at 50 North Duke Street, handles property valuations. The Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts offices are situated in Lancaster County Courthouse at 50 West King Street. Lancaster County's economy blends traditional agriculture with advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and tourism industries.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

• Requests for arrest records can be submitted to the specific municipal police department that made the arrest or to Lancaster County District Attorney's Office.

Criminal Records

Criminal records in Lancaster County, PA are maintained by local law enforcement agencies and the court system. Background checks are typically obtained through state-level repositories or authorized vendors. For an authoritative source, see Clerk of Courts | Lancaster County, PA - Official Website.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Lancaster County, PA are public under most state public-records laws unless sealed or expunged by a court. They are maintained by the arresting agency, primarily the County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments.

Jail & Inmate Records

The Lancaster County jail is operated by the County Sheriff's Office and houses pretrial detainees and short-sentence inmates. Inmate locator tools allow public searches by name or booking number.

• Look up current inmates and booking information at Inmate Search - Lancaster County.
• Sheriff's Office: Staff Directory • Sheriff's Office.
• The bond and bail process allows release of detainees under conditions set by the court; inquiries about recently arrested individuals can be directed to the jail's administrative office.

• Court records can be searched through Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System web portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us, which provides access to docket sheets for criminal and civil cases.
• Online docket searches are free, though certified copies require fees ranging from $6 to $10 per document plus applicable copying charges.
• In-person record requests can be made at the courthouse during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Property records for Lancaster County, Pennsylvania are maintained by the Lancaster County Recorder of Deeds. This office maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements for properties in Lancaster County.

🔗 https://lancastercountypa.gov

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

• Death certificates cost $9 for the first copy with a $3 expedite fee available.
• Processing time is typically 4-6 weeks by mail or 10-15 business days for online orders.
• Online ordering is available through VitalChek at pa.gov for an additional convenience fee.
• The marriage license fee is $30 if both parties are Pennsylvania residents.
• Code Chapter 1, which establishes the procedures, fees, and eligibility requirements for obtaining vital records certificates.

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

• This free online search tool provides business name, registration date, status, registered agent, and entity number.
• Lancaster County Planning Commission at provides information on zoning and land development regulations.