Philadelphia County

Philadelphia County is a unique entity in Pennsylvania, being coterminous with the City of Philadelphia, making it the only first-class county in the Commonwealth. Located in southeastern Pennsylvania along the Delaware River, Philadelphia County serves as both Philadelphia County and municipal government for the city. Philadelphia County Seat is Philadelphia County, which is also the largest city in Pennsylvania and the sixth-most populous city in the United States.

• The Register of Wills, located at City Hall Room 180, manages probate and estate matters.

Sheriff & Law Enforcement

Philadelphia County Sheriff's Office is responsible for a range of law enforcement duties within Philadelphia County. This office primarily focuses on court related functions, including the service of court documents, eviction enforcement, and the transportation of prisoners.

Police Departments

Philadelphia County is primarily served by the Philadelphia Police Department, which is the fourth largest police department in the United States. The department is responsible for maintaining law and order within the city and county limits, handling everything from routine patrols to major criminal investigations. In addition to the city police, the University of Pennsylvania Police Department and the SEPTA Transit Police also operate within Philadelphia County, focusing on campus safety and transit security, respectively.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

Philadelphia County Sheriff's Office, located at 100 South Broad Street, City Hall Room 194, Philadelphia, PA 19110 (phone: 215-686-3560), primarily handles court security, service of legal process, and execution of warrants. The Philadelphia area Police Department, headquartered at 1 Police Plaza (phone: 215-686-3013), is the primary law enforcement agency serving all of Philadelphia County with over 6,000 sworn officers.

• Requests for arrest records can be submitted to the Police Department's Records Unit at 750 Race Street.
• Booking photos and mugshots are generally available through the prison system's online inmate search portal, though some restrictions apply under Pennsylvania law.
• Citizens can request public police records by submitting written requests to the Police Department's Right-to-Know Officer, though certain investigative records may be exempt from disclosure.
• Processing times typically range from 5 to 30 business days depending on the complexity of the request.

Criminal Records

The criminal records system in Philadelphia County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and sex offender registrations. Residents can request background checks through the Pennsylvania State Police, which provides a full criminal history report. The Pennsylvania State Police offers additional resources for accessing statewide criminal records.

• Philadelphia County also participates in the Pennsylvania Megan's Law website, which provides information on registered sex offenders residing in Philadelphia County.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Philadelphia County are maintained by the Philadelphia Police Department. These records include details of the arrest, charges filed, and personal information about the arrestee. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records through the department's Records and Identification Unit, following the guidelines set by the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law. Arrest records typically include the date and location of the arrest, the arresting officer's name, and the charges filed against the individual.

Jail & Inmate Records

The main correctional facility in Philadelphia County is the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, which is part of the Philadelphia Department of Prisons. The facility handles the booking process for people arrested within Philadelphia County, where they are processed and held until bail is posted or they are transferred to another facility. Inmate information can be accessed through Philadelphia County Department of Prisons' online inmate locator.

• Bail in Pennsylvania can be posted through the court system, and the process is handled by Philadelphia County's bail acceptance office.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

Mugshots in Philadelphia County are taken and retained by the Philadelphia Police Department during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the arrest records and can be accessed through the department's records division. While Pennsylvania does not have specific laws for mugshot removal, individuals can request the removal or sealing of records through legal channels if eligible. Mugshots may also be available through third-party websites, although the accuracy and legality of such sources can vary.

Philadelphia County operates under a unified judicial system with multiple court divisions. The Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County, located at City Hall, Broad and Market Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19107 (phone: 215-686-7000), is the general trial court with jurisdiction over civil, criminal, family, and orphans' court matters. The First Judicial District of Pennsylvania website at www.courts.phila.gov provides full access to court information and case searches.

• The Criminal Division handles felony and misdemeanor cases, while the Civil Division processes cases exceeding $12,000 in controversy.
• Online case searches are available through the Unified Judicial System web portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us, which provides free public access to docket sheets, case summaries, and hearing schedules.
• Fees for certified copies are $8.00 for the first page and $2.00 for each additional page.

The Philadelphia Department of Records, located at 201 North Juniper Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 (phone: 215-686-2292, website: www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-records), is the official recorder of deeds and vital statistics for Philadelphia County. The department maintains land records dating back to the 17th century, including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, ground rents, agreements, condominium declarations, and satisfaction pieces.

• The Philadelphia area Land Records system provides free online access to recorded documents at atlas.phila.gov, where users can search by grantor/grantee name, property address, or document number.
• Recording fees are $159.50 for the first page and $3.00 for each additional page for most documents.
• The Office of Property Assessment (OPA), Suite 300 East (phone: 215-686-9200) maintains property tax assessment records and provides a full online property search tool at property.phila.gov.
• The interactive Atlas Philadelphia County GIS mapping system at atlas.phila.gov provides parcel boundary data, zoning overlays, aerial imagery, and property ownership information.
• Certified copies of recorded documents are available in person or by mail for $8.00 for the first page and $2.00 for each additional page.

Philadelphia County vital records are maintained by the Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records, located at 1101 Market Street, 9th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107 (phone: 215-685-5227). Birth certificates for births occurring in Philadelphia area from 1860 to present can be requested in person, by mail, or online through the VitalChek service at www.health.phila.gov/vital records. The fee is $20.00 for the first copy and $10.00 for each additional copy of the same record ordered simultaneously.

• Processing time is approximately 2-3 weeks for mail requests and 10-15 business days for online orders, with expedited service available for an additional fee.
• In-person requests are processed while you wait if the record is readily accessible.
• Death certificates are also available from the same office for deaths occurring in Philadelphia, with the same fee structure.
• Marriage licenses are issued by the Marriage License Bureau, located in City Hall Room 413 (phone: 215-686-2280), with a fee of $90.00 and no waiting period.
• Divorce records are maintained by the Prothonotary's Office at City Hall Room 280, with certified copies available for $8.00 for the first page and $2.00 for additional pages.

Business licensing in Philadelphia County is administered through the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I), located at Municipal Services Building, 1401 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19102 (phone: 215-686-2490). The City's Business Services portal at business.phila.gov provides full information on commercial activity licenses, which are required for most businesses operating within Philadelphia. The annual Commercial Activity License costs $300, with reduced fees for home-based businesses.

• Fictitious name registrations (DBA - Doing Business As) are filed with the Department of Records at 201 North Juniper Street, with a filing fee of approximately $70.00.
• Sales tax permits and employer withholding accounts are registered through the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue at www.revenue.pa.gov.
• Building permits, zoning permits, and certificates of occupancy are processed through L&I, with online applications available through the eCLIPSE system at eclipse.phila.gov.

Elections in Philadelphia County are administered by the Philadelphia City Commissioners, whose office is located at City Hall Room 142, Philadelphia, PA 19107 (phone: 215-686-3469, website: www.philadelphiavotes.com). The three-member Board of City Commissioners serves as Philadelphia County board of elections, overseeing voter registration, polling place operations, and vote tabulation.

• As of the most recent data, Philadelphia County has approximately 1.1 million registered voters.
• Mail-in and absentee ballots are available to all registered voters in Pennsylvania under Act 77 of 2019.
• § 2600 et seq.), citizens may request access to poll books, voted ballot records (though not individual ballot selections due to secret ballot protections), and other election administration documents.

Philadelphia County's economy is diverse and strong, anchored by several major sectors including healthcare, education, financial services, technology, and tourism. Major employers include the University of Pennsylvania Health System, Jefferson Health, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Temple University, Drexel University, Comcast Corporation (headquartered at the Comcast Technology Center), and Lincoln Financial Group. The healthcare and education sector, often called "Eds and Meds," employs over 200,000 residents and drives significant economic activity.

• The median household income in Philadelphia County is approximately $52,000, though this varies considerably by neighborhood.

Court Records: Yes: Online | Property: Yes: Free Search | Arrest/Jail: Yes: Online | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person Preferred | Business: Yes: Online | Elections: Yes: Online | Overall Score: 9/10, Philadelphia County provides excellent digital access to most public records through well-maintained portals, though some vital records require in-person visits for immediate service.

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