York County Court Records Search
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York County, located in south-central Pennsylvania with its county seat in York, operates within the 19th Judicial District and maintains an extensive system of courts handling criminal, civil, family, and probate matters. Court records generated across these proceedings — including docket sheets, affidavits, transcripts, orders, and decrees — are maintained by several distinct offices within the York County Judicial Center and the county’s 19 Magisterial District Courts. Residents, attorneys, journalists, and researchers regularly access these records for purposes ranging from background verification to legal research and enforcement of judgments.
Searching for court records in Pennsylvania can begin with official resources maintained by clerk offices, online case-search tools, and public-access terminals available at courthouses. The Pennsylvania Courts website may assist users in locating publicly available case information across the state. For York County specifically, the Unified Judicial System (UJS) portal, the Prothonotary’s Office, the Clerk of Courts, and the Register of Wills each serve as key access points depending on the type of record sought.
How to Look Up a Court Case in York County?
The primary online tool for locating York County court cases is the UJS Case Search portal, maintained by the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System. This free resource covers filings from the Court of Common Pleas and all 19 Magisterial District Courts in the county.
Steps to search online:
- Navigate to the UJS Case Search page.
- Select the “Participant Name” search option.
- Enter the first and last name of a party, defendant, or attorney.
- Choose “York” from the county dropdown to limit results.
- Optionally refine results by adding the approximate filing date, case status, date of birth, or docket type.
- Review results and click any case to view or download its docket sheet or court summary.
The York County Prothonotary also maintains a separate case search tool for civil filings handled through that office.
Requesting copies of records typically requires more detail than an online search. Persons should provide the docket or complaint number, full party names, and filing dates. Requests can be submitted through the following channels:
- In person at the relevant office in the York County Judicial Center, 45 N. George Street, York, PA 17401
- By email to CoCRecordsRequest@yorkcountypa.gov for criminal records held by the Clerk of Courts
- By mail to the Prothonotary’s Office or Clerk of Courts at 45 N. George Street, York, PA 17401
- Online via the county’s Records Check page for criminal record requests
All offices within the York County Judicial Center are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The Register of Wills closes at 4:15 PM. Viewing docket sheets online is free, but physical and certified copies carry fees that vary by office.
Are Court Records Public in York County?
Pennsylvania’s Right to Know Law (RTKL) establishes a presumption that government records — including court records — are accessible to the public. York County follows this framework, supplemented by the Unified Judicial System Case Records Public Access Policy, which specifically governs access to judicial records statewide.
The York County Clerk of Courts has published a detailed policy document outlining limits on public access to judicial records maintained by that office. Under the UJS Policy and applicable law, the following information categories receive no public access:
- Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, driver’s license numbers, and state identification (SID) numbers
- Names and dates of birth of minors (except when a minor is charged as a defendant)
- Abuse victims’ addresses, employer information, and contact details in family court actions
- Names of human trafficking victims (18 Pa. C.S. § 3019(a))
- Names of minor victims of sexual or physical abuse (42 Pa. C.S. § 5988)
- Documents filed under seal or by court order, including sealed indictments, plea agreements, and protective orders
- Juror qualification forms, information questionnaires, and juror notes
- Pre-sentence reports and related psychiatric or psychological evaluations
- Grand jury proceedings and related records
- Wiretap applications, final reports, and orders (18 Pa. C.S. § 5715)
- Records subject to limited access under the Clean Slate Act (18 Pa. C.S. §§ 9121, 9122.1, 9122.2)
- Medical, psychological, and educational records of minors; Children and Youth Services records; and financial source documents filed with a Confidential Document Form
Partially restricted records may still be available after the custodian redacts protected information. The Clerk of Courts is directed to provide public access as promptly as circumstances allow, and the office posts its public access restrictions both on-site and on the county website.
York County Criminal Court Records
Criminal court records in York County are maintained by the Clerk of Courts, which serves as the official records custodian for the Criminal and Juvenile Division of the Court of Common Pleas. The office processes approximately 8,000 to 9,000 criminal cases annually and also handles filings for summary convictions, bonds filed by tax collectors and constables, financial statements of townships and boroughs, expungements, and emancipation records.
York County Court of Common Pleas — Criminal Division
Address: York County Judicial Center, 45 N. George Street, York, PA 17401
Phone: (717) 771-9612
Fax: (717) 771-9096
Searching criminal case records:
- Online: Use the UJS Case Search portal to search by participant name, docket number, citation number, or attorney. Docket sheets and court summaries are viewable and downloadable at no charge.
- In person: Visit the Clerk of Courts office on the first floor of the Judicial Center to view documents. Paper copies require advance payment of the applicable fee.
- By email: Send requests to CoCRecordsRequest@yorkcountypa.gov with the docket number and document type.
To request a certified criminal records check, email the Clerk of Courts with your full name, date of birth, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and contact information. Juvenile records must be picked up in person with valid identification.
Statewide criminal background checks are handled through the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP). The ePATCH system allows online requests. Alternatively, mail a completed request form with identification and payment to:
Pennsylvania State Police — Central Repository – 164
1800 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758
| PSP Background Check Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Individual background check | $22.00 |
| Personal review check | $20.00 |
| Certified copy surcharge | $5.00 |
| Volunteer check | Free |
Note: As of April 22, 2026, all online ePATCH requests incur a 2% credit card transaction fee.
Criminal cases at the Magisterial District Court level — including preliminary hearings, traffic violations, and minor criminal matters — are handled by the 19 district courts spread across York County. Records for those proceedings are maintained by the individual court where the case was heard.
York County Civil Court Records
Civil case records in York County are primarily maintained by the Prothonotary’s Office, which serves as the civil clerk of the Court of Common Pleas. The office handles filings for lawsuits, contract disputes, personal injury claims, mortgage foreclosures, name changes, protection from abuse petitions, and all other non-criminal matters brought before the court.
Prothonotary’s Office
Address: York County Judicial Center, 45 N. George Street, 4th Floor, York, PA 17401
Phone: (717) 771-9611
Email: Courtselfhelp@yorkcountypa.gov
Records can be searched online through the UJS portal or the Prothonotary’s own case search system. Written requests should include the requester’s contact information, a description of the record or case, and any applicable fees. A self-addressed stamped envelope is required for documents to be returned by mail. Payments are accepted by cash, money order, credit or debit card, certified bank check, or business check. Personal checks are not accepted.
Key filing and copy fees (effective January 1, 2026):
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Commencement of new civil action | $259.00 |
| Complaint — Civil | $259.00 |
| Complaint — Custody | $237.00 |
| Complaint — Divorce | $318.00 |
| Each additional count (divorce) | $41.25 |
| Custody count (with divorce) | $51.75 |
| Arbitration — Appointment of Arbitrator | $55.00 |
| Arbitration Appeal (less than $10,000) | $445.00 |
| Arbitration Appeal ($10,000–$25,000) | $545.00 |
| Arbitration Appeal (over $25,000) | $745.00 |
| Mortgage Foreclosure | $259.00 |
| Protection from Abuse | $253.00 |
| Name Change (non-divorce) | $105.00 |
| Writ of Execution | $54.00 |
| Certification | $8.00 |
| Copies — public printer, per page | $0.25 |
| Copies — staff printer, per page | $1.00 |
The full Prothonotary fee schedule is available on the county website. Many filings marked with an asterisk on the schedule must be submitted electronically through the Prothonotary’s e-filing system.
Small claims and landlord-tenant disputes filed at the Magisterial District Court level follow a separate fee structure. For example, Magisterial District Court 19-3-01 lists civil claim filing costs beginning at $51.50 for motor vehicle cases and $135.00 for adult non-traffic matters. Records from these courts must be requested directly from the individual court where the case was filed.
Property records are maintained separately by the Recorder of Deeds Office at 28 East Market Street, Suite 122, York, PA 17401 (phone: (717) 771-9295), and can be searched using the county’s Searchable Assessment Mapping and Database. In-person copies from the Recorder’s Office cost $0.50 per page.
York County Family Court Records
Family law matters in York County — including divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, termination of parental rights, adoption, and protection from abuse — are adjudicated by the Court of Common Pleas. Records generated in these proceedings are split between two offices: the Prothonotary’s Office maintains most divorce, custody, and alimony files, while the Clerk of Courts holds protection from abuse records and appeals.
Access to family court records is more restricted than other record categories. Cases involving minors, adoption, and sensitive personal circumstances are frequently sealed or subject to confidentiality protections. Requesters who are not parties to the case may need a court order or subpoena. Eligible individuals should provide party names, docket numbers, filing dates, and valid government-issued identification when requesting access.
Divorce records: Divorce case information can be searched through the UJS Case Search. Certified copies of divorce decrees cost $15.00 and must be requested from the Prothonotary’s Office with the case number (if known), names of both parties, approximate divorce date, requester’s phone number, valid identification, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a $15.00 money order payable to the Prothonotary.
The Prothonotary also manages divorce hearing officer appointments under the following fee structure:
- Fault divorce, equitable distribution, or alimony (first 12 hours): $350.00
- Modification of alimony (first 8 hours): $250.00
- Interim relief (first 4 hours): $150.00
- Additional proceedings (each block up to 6 hours): $250.00
Marriage records: The Clerk of Orphans’ Court issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records. The current fee for a marriage license in York County is $70.00 plus a debit/credit card processor fee. Applications are filed electronically and appointments are conducted by video conference. Certified copies of marriage licenses cost $10.00 and can be obtained online through the county’s online record search system or by mailing a completed request form with a check or money order payable to “Clerk of Orphans’ Court” and a self-addressed stamped envelope to: Clerk of Orphans’ Court, York County Judicial Center, 45 N. George Street, York, PA 17401.
Birth and death records: These vital records are maintained at the state level by the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Bureau of Health Statistics and Registries. Birth records are confidential for 105 years and death records for 50 years under Pennsylvania law. Eligible requesters — including the adult subject, parents, legal guardians, spouses, siblings, children, or estate executors — may order records online through approved vendors, in person at the nearest public office, or by mail using the official birth certificate application or death certificate application. The fee is $20.00 per copy. The state bureau holds records dating from 1906; records from 1893 to 1906 are available through the York County Archives under the Clerk of Orphans’ Court.
York County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in York County are handled by the Orphans’ Court division of the Court of Common Pleas. The Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans’ Court administers estates, collects Pennsylvania inheritance taxes, oversees filings for incapacitated persons, and maintains records of wills, estate inventories, letters testamentary, petitions, and related documents.
Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans’ Court
Address: York County Judicial Center, 45 N. George Street, 2nd Floor, York, PA 17401
Phone: (717) 771-9607 (Orphans’ Court) / (717) 771-9288 (Register of Wills)
Fax: (717) 771-4678
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:15 PM
Searching probate records online: The Register of Wills provides limited online access to estate records through the CountyFusion system. Users may search by name, estate number, or filing year. Viewing records is free; certified copies require payment.
Estate files at the York County Judicial Center cover cases from 1985 to the present. Older estate files are held at the York County Archives, covering periods from 1749 through 1984. Will books from 1749 to 1973 and administration bond books from 1794 to 1978 are also housed at the Archives.
Key Register of Wills fees (effective January 1, 2025):
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Letters Testamentary/Administration (assets up to $2,000) | $40.00 |
| Letters (assets $2,001–$5,000) | $50.00 |
| Letters (assets $5,001–$25,000) | $75.00 |
| Letters (assets $25,001–$50,000) | $100.00 |
| Letters (assets $50,001–$100,000) | $150.00 |
| Each additional $100,000 or fraction | $100.00 |
| Probate of Will and Codicil | $50.00 |
| Inheritance Tax Return (REV-1500) | $10.00 |
| Inventory | $10.00 |
| Petition (miscellaneous) | $50.00 |
| Citation (one respondent) | $50.00 |
| Certification | $10.00 |
| Copies — per page | $1.00 |
| Short Certificate | $10.00 |
| Register’s Hearing | $100.00 |
| Caveat — Formal (including bond) | $50.00 |
| Caveat — Informal | $25.00 |
| Death Certificate Recording (without probate) | $20.00 |
| JCP/ATJ/CJEA/OAG and Automation Fee | $56.00 |
The complete Register of Wills fee schedule is published on the county website. All fees marked with a double asterisk (**) are subject to the additional $56.00 in JCP/ATJ/CJEA/OAG ($41.25) and Automation ($14.75) surcharges. Payments must be made by cash, money order, credit or debit card, certified bank check, or business check. The office does not accept personal checks.
Adoption records and certain guardianship filings are confidential and accessible only to case parties or individuals with court authorization. All other probate records are generally available for public inspection, subject to the standard redaction of protected personal identifiers required under the UJS Public Access Policy.