Mifflin County

Mifflin County is located in central Pennsylvania, nestled in the scenic Juniata River Valley and surrounded by the ridge-and-valley topography characteristic of the Appalachian region. The county seat is Lewistown, a historic town that serves as the governmental and economic hub of the county. Established in 1789, Mifflin County was named after Thomas Mifflin, the first Governor of Pennsylvania and a prominent figure in the American Revolution. The county encompasses approximately 412 square miles and has a population of around 46,000 residents according to recent estimates.

• The Register of Wills and Orphans' Court Clerk maintains offices at the same location.

Sheriff & Law Enforcement

The Mifflin County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in the county, particularly in the unincorporated areas. The office handles the service of legal documents, security at the courthouse, and the transportation of prisoners. While the Sheriff's Office does not operate the county jail, it plays a crucial role in processing arrests and maintaining criminal records. The office is also involved in community programs aimed at crime prevention and public safety education.

Police Departments

Mifflin County is served by several law enforcement agencies, including the Mifflin County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments such as the Lewistown Police Department and the Burnham County Police Department. The Sheriff's Office primarily handles law enforcement in unincorporated areas, while municipal departments focus on their respective jurisdictions. These agencies collaborate on major crimes and emergencies, ensuring comprehensive coverage and public safety throughout the county.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

The Mifflin County Sheriff's Office, located at 20 North Wayne Street in Lewistown, PA 17044, serves as the primary county-level law enforcement agency responsible for courthouse security, warrant service, civil process, and operation of the Mifflin County Correctional Facility. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at (717) 242-2444. Inmate lookup and jail information for the Mifflin County Correctional Facility can typically be obtained by contacting the facility directly or visiting the Sheriff's Office in person during business hours.

• Citizens can request arrest records by submitting a formal public records request to the Sheriff's Office or the specific municipal police department that made the arrest.
• Processing times and fees for records requests vary by agency, and requesters should specify the exact information sought to expedite the process.

Criminal Records

Criminal records in Mifflin County encompass felony, misdemeanor, traffic offenses, and the sex offender registry. The Mifflin County Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain these records, which are accessible to the public under the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law. Background checks can be conducted through the Pennsylvania State Police, which provides statewide criminal history information. The Pennsylvania Bureau of Investigation offers additional resources for residents seeking comprehensive criminal background checks.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Mifflin County are maintained by the Mifflin County Sheriff's Office and local police departments. These records include details of the arrest, charges filed, and personal information of the arrestee. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the appropriate law enforcement agency. Requests are subject to the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law, which governs public access to government records. Arrest records typically include the date and location of the arrest, the charges, and the arresting agency.

Jail & Inmate Records

The Mifflin County Correctional Facility is the primary detention center for the county. Located in Lewistown, this facility handles the booking and detention of individuals arrested within the county. The booking process involves photographing, fingerprinting, and recording personal information. Inmate lookup services are available online, allowing the public to find information about current detainees. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, with scheduled times and a requirement for visitors to be on an approved list.

• The bond and bail process follows Pennsylvania state law, allowing for the release of detainees pending trial under certain conditions.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

Mugshots in Mifflin County are taken and retained by the law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest, usually the Mifflin County Sheriff's Office or local police departments. These booking photos are part of the arrest record and can be accessed through official channels. While some mugshots may be available online, others may require a formal request under the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law. Pennsylvania does not have specific laws for the removal of mugshots from public records, but individuals may petition for removal under certain circumstances.

The Mifflin County Court of Common Pleas is the trial court of general jurisdiction located at the Mifflin County Courthouse, 20 North Wayne Street, Lewistown, PA 17044. The court handles civil cases, criminal prosecutions, family law matters including divorce and custody, and serves as the appellate court for cases from the district justice courts. The Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts office maintains court records and can be reached at (717) 242-1795.

• The Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court handles probate matters, estate administration, guardianships, and adoption records, with offices also located in the Courthouse.
• However, full case documents may require in-person requests or payment of copying fees.
• The Prothonotary's office charges fees for certified copies and document retrieval according to the fee schedule established by Pennsylvania statute.

The Mifflin County Recorder of Deeds office, located at 20 North Wayne Street, Lewistown, PA 17044, maintains all land records including property deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, right-of-way agreements, and other instruments affecting real property titles. The Recorder's office can be reached at (717) 242-2772 and is responsible for recording and indexing documents to establish the public record of property ownership transfers and encumbrances.

• Mifflin County offers online access to land records through a subscription-based system, allowing remote searching of recorded documents by grantor/grantee name, property address, book and page, or instrument number.
• There may be fees associated with accessing full document images online.
• Certified copies of recorded documents can be obtained from the Recorder's office for a statutory fee, typically used for title insurance, mortgage refinancing, and legal proceedings.
• Same-day service is often available for simple requests.
• The office accepts recording of new documents during regular business hours, with fees calculated based on the number of pages and type of instrument being recorded.

Birth and death certificates for events occurring in Mifflin County are maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records, as Pennsylvania operates under a state-level vital records system. Birth certificates can be obtained by application to the Division of Vital Records, 101 South Mercer Street, Room 401, New Castle, PA 16103, or through the online ordering system at https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/certificates/Pages/Certificates.aspx.

• The current fee for a certified birth certificate is $20, with processing times typically ranging from 4-6 weeks for mail requests and faster service available for online orders with expedited shipping.
• Death certificates are obtained through the same state office with identical fees and procedures.
• Marriage licenses in Mifflin County are issued by the Mifflin County Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court, located at 20 North Wayne Street, Lewistown, PA 17044, phone (717) 242-2862.
• Marriage records and divorce decrees are maintained by the same office, with certified copies available upon request by authorized individuals.
• Online ordering for vital records is available through the Pennsylvania Department of Health's contracted vendor, VitalChek, though service fees apply.

Business licensing and registration in Mifflin County operates through multiple governmental levels. The Mifflin County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts office maintains fictitious name registrations (doing business as or DBA filings) for businesses operating under assumed names in the county, located at the Courthouse, 20 North Wayne Street, Lewistown, PA 17044, phone (717) 242-1795. These filings are public record and can be searched in person during regular business hours.

• This free searchable database provides information on business entity status, registration dates, registered agents, and corporate officers.
• Sales tax licensing is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, with businesses required to register for tax collection permits through the state system.

Elections in Mifflin County are administered by the Mifflin County Bureau of Elections, operating under the direction of the Mifflin County Board of Elections and housed within the Mifflin County Courthouse at 20 North Wayne Street, Lewistown, PA 17044. The Elections Bureau can be reached at (717) 242-1794 for voter registration information, polling place locations, and absentee ballot requests.

• Registered voters can verify their registration status, find their assigned polling place, and view sample ballots through the Pennsylvania Voter Services website.
• Pennsylvania law provides for public observation of election processes, including pre-election testing of voting equipment, polling place operations, and canvassing of ballots.
• Citizens can request election-related records under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, though some records related to election security and voter privacy may be exempt from disclosure.
• The Mifflin County Elections Bureau maintains historical election results and provides information on upcoming elections, candidate filings, and voter education initiatives.

Mifflin County's economy is characterized by a diverse mix of manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, and retail trade sectors. Manufacturing remains a cornerstone of the local economy, with significant employers including the Standard Steel division of Harsco Corporation in Burnham, a specialty steel manufacturer that has operated for over a century producing railroad components and forged products.

• The median household income in Mifflin County is approximately $48,000-52,000, somewhat below the Pennsylvania state average, reflecting the rural character and agricultural economic base.

Court Records: ✅ Online (PA Docket Search) | Property: ⚠️ Subscription Required | Arrest/Jail: ⚠️ Phone/In-Person | Vital Records: ✅ State Online System | Business: ✅ Online (State Portal) | Elections: ✅ Online Registration/Info | Overall Score: 7/10 — Mifflin County provides reasonable access to public records with state-level systems compensating for limited county digital services.

Explore public records for 12 cities and communities in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania.