What are Butler County Public Records?
Butler County public records are records with information on an agency's official activities, including records created, maintained, or received by a government entity carrying out its statutory functions. According to the Right-to-Know Law, public records may be images, documents, letters, photographs, and other information regardless of physical form or characteristics.
Under Pennsylvania law, members of the general public can bring action against any agency that unjustly prevents public access to records in its custody. However, the law also states that some records must remain closed to the public. The following are a few examples:
- Autopsy records with the manner of death
- Records that contain details of a person’s disability status, or psychiatric, psychological, or medical history
- Personal identifying information, including financial details, phone numbers, driver’s license numbers, or social security numbers
- Information that could interfere with the physical security or general safety of a building or other infrastructure
- Information that may cause a government agency to lose funds
- Trade secrets and other proprietary information
- Criminal investigation or law enforcement records that could interfere with a person’s right to a fair trial
- Agency drafts that contain bills, resolutions, regulations, and statements of policy
- Information that may jeopardize the safety of lives or property
- Records considered private by federal or state military authority
- Law enforcement, homeland security, military, or national defense information that could tamper with preparedness or protection plans, as well as general public safety
- All records considered public by law
Butler County Crime Statistics
Butler County crime statistics are available online as published by the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), through its UCR Program. According to figures published in 2020, Butler County had 1 murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, 30 rape cases, 19 robberies, 106 aggravated assaults, 597 simple assaults, 118 burglary cases, 1,006 larceny-thefts, 29 motor vehicle thefts, and 10 arson incidents. In total, the county recorded 1,916 Part 1 offenses with a clearance rate of 53.76. In 2019, the Part 1 crime total was 2,185, representing a 12.3% drop between both years.
Are Butler County Criminal Records Public?
Butler County criminal records are public records. Pennsylvania law allows all interested persons to submit requests for criminal history information to the Pennsylvania State Police by mail or online. Interested persons can find criminal history information online via the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) for $22 per search. The PSP accepts payments for online requests via credit cards or PATCH accounts. However, unpaid volunteers that can provide supporting documentation may obtain Butler criminal records free of charge.
Persons who prefer mail requests may submit the criminal history request form (SP4-164) for members of the general public or the SP4-164A form for volunteers. Mail orders also cost $22 for each request, plus an additional $5 if users want notarized records. Interested persons should enclose completed forms with certified checks or money orders payable to the “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.” Mail requests should be forwarded to the:
Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository - RCPU
1800 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758
Phone: (888) 783-7972
How to Obtain Butler County Police Reports and Arrest Records
Individuals seeking Butler County arrest records and police reports may contact the Butler County Sheriff’s Office. Interested persons may visit the Sheriff’s Office to provide relevant details in person or send mail requests containing record information. Required details include the names of involved or arrested persons, incident date and description, the arresting officer, charge information, and other known specifics. Requestors should note that the Sheriff’s Office may charge request fees before issuing copies of Butler arrest records and police reports. Interested parties should forward requests to the:
Butler County Sheriff’s Office
Butler County Courthouse
First Floor
300 S Main Street
Butler, PA 16001
Phone: (724) 284-5245
The Pennsylvania State Police’s Troop D also provides law enforcement services in Butler County. Residents can contact the PSP’s Butler Station at:
Butler County Troop D Station
200 Barracks Road
Butler, PA 16001-2689
Phone: (724) 284-8100
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Butler County
Butler County sex offender information is available on the state’s Megan’s Law Website. Managed by the Pennsylvania State Police, the website provides public access to a statewide database containing records of all registered sex offenders. Interested persons may find Butler County sex offender records using the name, city, county, municipality, zip code, and mile radius options. Interested persons may also restrict results by searching specifically for sexually violent predators, transient offenders, sexually violent delinquent children, and non-compliant offenders. Available offender information includes a full name, known aliases, birth year, offender type, physical description, residential and other addresses, offense information, conviction, date, and photographs.
How to Find Butler County Inmate Records
Anyone can find Butler County inmate records via the Inmate Locator provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. Residents may search by entering available information on the inmate, such as the first name, middle name, last name, inmate number, gender, race/ethnicity, committing county, current location, and citizenship. Users may also enter a date of birth or approximate age.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in the Butler County Jail?
Each inmate at the Butler County Prison must contact the prospective visitor to schedule a visit according to the facility’s visitation schedule. The inmate will then inform the Pod Correction Officer to book their preferred time if available. When visiting the prison, each person must first present valid photo identification to the central control officer for verification.
Visitors should be on inmates' approved visitation lists, changeable only once in 30 days. Each visitor must be at least 18 years old or be accompanied by a legal guardian or parent. However, the Warden or Deputy Warden may approve exceptions in some cases. Visiting minors do not have to feature on the visitation list.
Each inmate may receive three visitors per visit, including 2 adults and 1 child, or 1 adult and 2 children. An inmate may not receive more than one visit per day. Nonetheless, the jail's Treatment Department may pre-approve special 1-hour visits for persons who meet specific criteria. Interested persons may also use the video visitation option by creating accounts and scheduling visits via the prison’s visitation vendor.
Court Records
In Butler County, cases are handled by Courts of Common Pleas or Magisterial District Courts. Butler County Courts of Common Pleas are courts of general jurisdiction that handle matters such as felonies, juvenile cases, and domestic relations cases. Through its Orphans’ Court division, the Butler County Court of Common Pleas also handles trusts, estates, guardianships, wills, and adoptions. Matters heard by the Magisterial District Courts include criminal cases such as some third-degree misdemeanors, ordinance violations, and summary offenses. These courts also hear landlord/tenant disputes and limited civil claims.
Locations of Courts in Butler County
Butler County Court of Common Pleas (Criminal)
Butler County Government Center
124 W Diamond Street
Butler, PA 16003
Phone: (724) 284-5233
Fax: (724) 284-5244
Phone: (724) 284-1409 (Orphans’ Court Division)
Fax: (724) 284-5278 (Orphans’ Court Division)
Butler County Court of Common Pleas - Prothonotary (Civil)
Butler County Government Center
124 W Diamond Street
Butler, PA 16003
Butler, PA 16003
Phone: (724) 284-5214
Fax: (724) 284-0011
Butler County Magisterial District Court 50-1-01
121 Sunnyview Circle
Suite 101
Butler, PA 16001
Phone: (724) 284-5370
Fax: (724) 284-1306
Butler County Magisterial District Court 50-3-01
520 Kelly Boulevard
Slippery Rock, PA 16057
Phone: (724) 794-6221
Fax: (724) 794-1807
Butler County Magisterial Court 50-3-02
112 N. Main Street
Chicora, PA 16025
Phone: (724) 445-3366
Butler County Magisterial District Court 50-3-03
333 W Main Street
Suite 103
Saxonburg, PA 16056
Phone: (724) 352-9465
Fax: (724) 352-4399
Butler County Magisterial District Court 50-3-04
9028 Marshall Road
Cranberry Township, PA 16066
Phone: (724) 772-1717
Fax: (724) 772-3217
Butler County Magisterial District Court 50-3-05
227 W Cunningham Street
Butler, PA 16003
Phone: (724) 431-4854
Fax: (724) 431-4882
Butler County Magisterial District Court 50-3-06
202 E Main Street
Evans City, PA 16033
Phone: (724) 538-3960
Fax: (724) 538-4238
Are Butler County Court Records Public?
Most Butler County court records are considered public. Anyone seeking access to these records may submit requests to the Clerk of Courts Office. However, interested persons should note that the public cannot inspect or obtain copies of certain records considered private by law. For instance, juvenile court records are only public if the offender was at least 14 years old at the time of commission, and the offense would be classified a felony if committed by an adult. Also, access to sealed court records is restricted to certain related persons, unless a court order states otherwise.
Can You Look Up a Butler County Court Record Online?
Anyone can conduct an online Case Search via the Pennsylvania Judiciary's web portal. Interested persons may find desired records by providing any of the following details:
- Participant name
- Docket number
- Incident or complaint number
- Offense tracking number (OTN)
- Attorney
- Citation number
- Parcel
How to Obtain Butler County Civil Court Case Records
Applicants can request civil court case records from the Butler County Prothonotary. Parties may visit the Prothonotary's Office or send written requests via mail. Requestors must provide details of the records, including the names of involved parties, charge information, and other known specifics. The office issues copies of Butler County civil court records at 50 cents per page and $8 per certified copy. Acceptable payment options include cash, business checks, money orders, and credit cards. Interested persons may submit requests for Butler civil court records to either of the following addresses:
Mailing Address:
Butler County Prothonotary
P.O. Box 1208
Butler, PA 16003-1208
Physical Address:
Butler County Court of Common Pleas - Prothonotary (Civil)
Butler County Government Center
124 W Diamond Street
Butler, PA 16003
Butler, PA 16003
Phone: (724) 284-5214
How to Obtain Butler County Criminal Court Case Records
The Butler County Clerk of Courts maintains criminal court records and issues copies to interested requestors. Residents may submit requests for all criminal court records not sealed by a court order or otherwise closed to the public. To request, each applicant should visit the Clerk of Courts or send a written request that describes the record with relevant information. Interested persons should send requests and payments as requested by the office, to the following address:
Mailing Address:
Butler County Clerk of Courts
P.O. Box 1208
Butler, PA 16003
Physical Address:
Butler County Clerk of Courts
Butler County Government Center
124 W Diamond Street
Butler, PA 16001
Phone: (724) 284-5233
Hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Monday through Friday
What are Butler County Divorce Records?
Butler County divorce records are available at the Prothonotary’s Office. The office entertains in-person and mail requests for Butler County divorce decrees from persons who provide details of the records, such as the names of parties to the divorce and divorce date. The Prothonotary’s Office may also charge requestors copy fees. All persons should mail requests or visit the office at either of the following addresses:
Mailing Address:
Butler County Prothonotary
P.O. Box 1208
Butler, PA 16003-1208
Physical Address:
Butler County Court of Common Pleas - Prothonotary (Civil)
Butler County Government Center
124 W Diamond Street
Butler, PA 16003
Butler, PA 16003
Phone: (724) 284-5214
Where and How to Get Public Butler County Marriage Records
The Butler County Clerk of Orphans’ Court maintains marriage records and provides access to copies. Anyone seeking these records may contact the Clerk's Office with the names of both parties to the marriage and the date of marriage. Each Butler County marriage certificate costs $5, which includes a research and retrieval fee. Persons sending mail requests should use cashier's checks or money orders and self-addressed and stamped envelopes. Requests should be submitted as follows:
Mailing Address:
Butler County Clerk of Orphans’ Court
P.O. Box 1208
Butler, PA 16003
Physical Address:
Butler County Clerk of Orphans’ Court
Level L
124 W Diamond Street
Government Center
Butler, PA 16001
Hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Butler County
All Butler County marriage records are considered public. The Clerk of Orphans’ Court does not produce or maintain confidential marriage records.
Where and How to Find Butler County Birth Records
The Pennsylvania Department of Health maintains records of all births in the state and issues copies through its Division of Vital Records. Applicants may request copies of Butler County birth records by mail, in person, or online. However, access to these records is restricted to the following if at least 18 years old:
- The person named on the birth certificate
- The person's spouse, parent, stepparent, sibling, half-sibling, child, or stepchild
- The person’s grandparent, great-grandparent, grandchild, or great-grandchild
- Anyone with Power of Attorney
- The person’s legal representative or attorney
- A family member not listed above if the person named on the certificate is deceased and the requestor can provide a copy of the person’s death certificate
All persons requesting Butler County birth certificates by mail must complete the Application for a Birth Certificate with the name of the listed person at birth, date of birth, sex, place of birth, both parent’s full names, and the person’s current age. Each record costs $20, payable by a check or money order made out to “Vital Records.” Mail requestors should enclose completed copies of the application, payment, and valid government-issued identification and send to the:
Pennsylvania Department of Health
Division of Vital Records
P.O. Box 1528
New Castle, PA 16103
Interested persons may also apply online or visit one of the Pennsylvania Vital Records Branch Offices for in-person requests.
Where and How to Find Butler County Death Records
Butler County death records are obtainable from the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records. However, only the following persons are eligible to request access:
- The decedent's spouse, ex-spouse, parent, stepparent, sibling, half-sibling, child, stepchild, grandparent, grandchild, great-grandparent, or great-grandchild
- Anyone with Power of Attorney or proof of direct financial interest to the decedent
- A representative, attorney, or legal representative of the decedent or the decedent’s estate with supporting documentation
Eligible parties may submit completed copies of the Application for Death Certificate with valid identification and a cashier’s check or money order for $20 made out to “Vital Records.” Interested persons may also submit online applications or request in person at one of the Pennsylvania Vital Records Branch Offices. Mail requests should be submitted to the:
Pennsylvania Department of Health
Division of Vital Records
P.O. Box 1528
New Castle, PA 16103
