Cumberland County Court Records
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Cumberland County is part of Pennsylvania's 9th Judicial District and is served by the Court of Common Pleas and ten Magisterial District Courts, all headquartered at or near the county seat of Carlisle. Criminal prosecutions, civil lawsuits, family law matters, probate filings, and property transactions all generate records maintained by several distinct offices: the Clerk of Courts keeps criminal division files, the Prothonotary manages civil division records, and the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans Court handles estate, marriage, adoption, and guardianship files.
If you're looking for Cumberland County court records, there are several ways to search. Pennsylvania's statewide judiciary runs a centralized docket-sheet search through the Unified Judicial System portal, where you can look up cases across all court levels by participant name, docket number, or other identifiers. PennsylvaniaCourts.us also has information about court structure and resources. At the county level, individual offices operate their own online viewers and accept in-person, mail, and fax requests. Public-access terminals at the Cumberland County Courthouse allow walk-in visitors to research docket entries during business hours.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Cumberland County?
The right search method depends on the type of record and the office that holds it. The approaches below cover the most common situations.
Statewide Online Docket Search
- Visit the UJS Portal Case Search page.
- Choose a search method: participant name, docket number, organization name, offense tracking number, police incident or complaint number, or state ID number.
- For a name search, select Cumberland as the county and choose the appropriate docket type (criminal, civil, family, etc.).
- Review the results, which show the participant name, docket number, court type, court office, and filing date.
- Click a case to view the full docket sheet, including charges, bail information, dispositions, and case status.
County-Level Civil Records (OnBase Web Viewer)
The Prothonotary's searchable civil records portal gives access to civil cases filed after 1994. Search by case number or party name. Docket entries are free to view; individual documents cost $0.08 per page. Only Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome are supported.
In-Person Research
Walk-in visitors can inspect files at the relevant office during regular courthouse hours:
| Office | Location | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clerk of Courts (Criminal) | 1 Courthouse Square, Room 205, Carlisle, PA 17013 | (717) 240-6250 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM |
| Prothonotary (Civil) | 1 Courthouse Square, Suite 100, Carlisle, PA 17013 | (717) 240-6195 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM |
| Register of Wills / Clerk of Orphans Court | 1 Courthouse Square, Suite 102, Carlisle, PA 17013 | (717) 240-6345 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM |
Mail and Email Requests
Each office accepts written requests by mail. Include the case name, docket number (if known), the specific documents you need, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and the applicable fee by check or money order. The Prothonotary's office also accepts email requests for certain items — such as certified divorce decrees — at prothonotary@cumberlandcountypa.gov, with payment processed through the office's online payment portal.
Are Court Records Public in Cumberland County?
Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law (RTKL) establishes a general right of public access to government records, including many court filings. The judiciary's own access framework, codified at 204 Pa. Code 213.81, sets specific rules for case records held by Pennsylvania's trial courts. Under this policy, most docket sheets, pleadings, orders, and opinions filed in Cumberland County courts are presumptively open to the public.
Records that are restricted or confidential include:
- Juvenile proceedings sealed by court order — not available without prior judicial authorization
- Expunged and sealed criminal records
- Records related to active criminal investigations
- Sensitive personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and dates of birth — these must be redacted before filing under 204 Pa. Code 213.81
- Certain victim information and confidential informant details
- Protection From Abuse (PFA) case records — not available for online viewing under the Violence Against Women Act
- Family law cases filed after June 21, 2010 — restricted from online access by local court order; viewable only in person at the Prothonotary's office
Filers are responsible for redacting confidential information before submitting documents. The public access policy lists the specific categories of information that must be removed, and the Clerk of Courts, Prothonotary, and Orphans Court clerk may refuse to accept filings that don't comply.
Cumberland County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Cumberland County originate as complaints filed by the Cumberland County District Attorney's Office, located at 1 Courthouse Square, Suite 202, Carlisle, PA 17013 (Phone: (717) 240-6210). Preliminary hearings and summary offenses are handled by the county's Magisterial District Courts, while felonies and misdemeanors proceed to the Court of Common Pleas.
Where Criminal Records Are Held
The Clerk of Courts is the official keeper of all criminal division records for the Court of Common Pleas. All criminal records except juvenile files sealed by court order are open for public inspection.
In-Person Search at the Clerk's Office
Visitors can use the public computer terminal at the Clerk of Courts to search criminal docket entries dating back to 1993. Docket books covering pre-1993 records are also available for free viewing. Physical case files may be pulled and inspected at no cost.
Clerk of Courts Criminal Fee Schedule (Effective January 1, 2026)
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Criminal search (per name) | $24.75 |
| Photocopies / docket printout (per page) | $0.50 |
| Certification and/or exemplification of record | $13.00 |
| Petition to expunge / limited access | $155.00 |
| Appeal from summary criminal conviction | $54.00 |
| Appeal to higher court | $88.00 (plus $91.25 payable to appellate court) |
The Clerk's staff will conduct criminal record research on written, faxed, or in-person requests for government agencies such as law enforcement or military recruitment offices only. Members of the general public must conduct their own searches using the in-office terminal or the UJS Portal.
Arrest Records and Warrants
Arrest and booking records are held by the arresting law enforcement agency. Contact the relevant municipal police department or the Cumberland County Prison for inmate information. If you think you may have an outstanding bench warrant, contact the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office warrants division at (717) 240-7322, or reach the Sheriff's Office general line at (717) 240-6390.
Court Transcripts
Transcript requests for criminal proceedings can be submitted through the Transcript Request portal. Create an account, provide the docket number, case caption, hearing date and time, and hearing location, and pay by credit card through the portal. Paper transcript request forms are available for people without internet access. Direct questions to Court Administration at (717) 240-6200 or courtadmin@cumberlandcountypa.gov.
Cumberland County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Cumberland County are heard by the Court of Common Pleas for larger claims and by the Magisterial District Courts for claims of $12,000 or less. The Prothonotary's Office acts as clerk of the civil division and maintains all civil filings, docket entries, and case documents.
Prothonotary's Office
Address: 1 Courthouse Square, Suite 100, Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 240-6195
Fax: (717) 240-6573
Email: prothonotary@cumberlandcountypa.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Online Civil Case Search
Civil records filed after 1994 are searchable through the OnBase Web Viewer. Search by case number (format: YYYY-XXXXX) or party name (full or partial). You can also filter by case type, filing date range, judge, attorney name, and parcel number. Docket entries are free to view. Viewing an attached document costs $0.08 per page, payable by Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express. Documents must be viewed from your shopping cart within the portal — they are not emailed.
Key Prothonotary Filing Fees (Effective February 26, 2026)
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil complaint | $181.00 |
| Writ of summons | $181.00 |
| Custody complaint | $303.00 |
| Divorce complaint | $401.00 |
| Divorce additional counts | $61.00 |
| Divorce decree (certified copy) | $20.00 |
| Petition (general) | $126.00 |
| Protection From Abuse | No fee |
| Writ of execution | $35.00 |
| Copies (per page) | $0.50 |
| Certification first page | $6.00 |
| Certification each additional page | $1.00 |
Civil filings must be submitted through the Prothonotary's eFiling system, with filing fees paid at the time of submission via OnBase. Forms for common civil matters are available on the Prothonotary Forms page.
Magisterial District Court Records
Civil cases resolved at the district court level can be searched through the UJS Portal by selecting the appropriate MDJ court. You can also visit any of the ten Magisterial District Court locations in Cumberland County. Some commonly used locations include:
- District Court 09-1-01 — 920 Linda Lane, Camp Hill, PA 17011; (717) 737-3434
- District Court 09-2-02 — 20 North Hanover Street, Suite 106, Carlisle, PA 17013; (717) 240-6564
- District Court 09-3-04 — 5275 East Trindle Road, Suite 110, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050; (717) 697-2201
Cumberland County Family Court Records
Family law cases — including divorce, custody, child support, alimony, domestic violence protection orders, adoption, and termination of parental rights — are filed in the civil division of the Court of Common Pleas. Which office holds the records depends on the case type.
Divorce and Custody Records
The Prothonotary maintains records for divorce, annulment, custody, and support cases. Divorce actions in Cumberland County are covered by 23 Pa.C.S. 3301 et seq. If you need a certified copy of a divorce decree, you can request one in person, by mail, or by email at prothonotary@cumberlandcountypa.gov. The fee is $20 per copy. Mail requests should include the names of both parties, the docket number if available, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a money order for $20 payable to the Prothonotary. Email requesters can pay through the Prothonotary's online payment page.
A divorce procedure manual is available for individuals filing without an attorney.
By local court order, family law cases filed after June 21, 2010 are not available for online viewing through the OnBase Web Viewer. These records can only be inspected in person at the Prothonotary's office during business hours.
Adoption and Guardianship Records
Adoption proceedings, guardianships of minors and incapacitated persons, and termination of parental rights cases are filed with and maintained by the Clerk of Orphans Court. Adoption and guardianship files are generally restricted and may only be accessed in person by authorized parties.
Marriage Licenses
The Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans Court processes marriage license applications and maintains marriage records from 1885 to the present. You can apply for a marriage license through the online marriage license application. Certified copies of marriage licenses can be requested using the Certified Copy of a Marriage License request form or by visiting the office in person. Each certified copy of a marriage license costs $20. A certified copy of a marriage certificate costs $5. Send mail requests to:
Register of Wills & Clerk of Orphans Court
1 Courthouse Square, Suite 102
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 240-6345
Birth and Death Records
Historical birth and death certificates from 1894 to 1906 are held by the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans Court and can only be viewed in person. Records from 1906 forward are maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records. Requests can be submitted online, by mail, or in person at any of the Department's public offices. The fee is $20 per certificate, with an additional $10 processing fee for online orders.
Cumberland County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Cumberland County are heard by the Orphans Court division of the Court of Common Pleas. These cases cover the administration of decedents' estates, probate of wills, inheritance tax processing, guardianships, conservatorships, trust matters, claims against estates, and small estate proceedings.
The Register of Wills plays a quasi-judicial role: probating wills, granting letters testamentary when a will exists, and issuing letters of administration when there is none. When disputes arise, the Register can hold hearings, take testimony, review evidence, and render decisions. The office also acts as an agent for the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue in collecting inheritance tax.
Where Probate Records Are Held
Register of Wills & Clerk of Orphans Court
1 Courthouse Square, Suite 102
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 240-6345
Fax: (717) 240-7797
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
The office maintains estate dockets and files dating back to 1750 and Orphans Court records from 1750 to the present. Inheritance tax dockets from 1915 to 1919 are also archived here.
Searching Probate Records Online
Marriage and estate records from 1994 forward are accessible through the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans Court online records portal. Access requires a subscription:
- Daily access: $10
- Weekly access: $20
- Monthly access: $50
- Annual access: $200
Requesting Probate Records by Mail
To obtain copies of probate documents by mail, complete a Written Request for Access to Case Records form. If you don't know the case details, a Research Request form is available through the Document Center. Send the completed form and applicable fees to the office address listed above.
Records predating 1994 that haven't been digitized must be reviewed in person at the Register of Wills office. The office notes that additional records are being digitized on an ongoing basis and will be added to the online portal as they become available.