Bethlehem Arrest and Public Records | Pennsylvania.StateRecords.org

What Are Bethlehem City Public Records?

As per the Pennsylvania Right-To-Know Law, Bethlehem City public records refer to any form of information generated or maintained in relation to an agency’s business, activity, or transaction and that are not exempt from disclosure under law, decree, or judicial order. These include audio recordings, papers, films, photographs, maps, books, letters, and other physical or electronically stored documents. Examples of records prohibited from public disclosure include:

Academic transcripts
Records concerning or resulting in a criminal investigation
Information connected to a noncriminal investigation
DNA and RNA records
Autopsy records
Real estate appraisals, environmental reviews, engineering or feasibility estimates, audits or evaluations
Documents containing the identifying information on minors (Under 18 years old)
Unpublished lecture notes, articles, manuscripts, and creative works in progress
An agency’s personnel or employee records
Confidential proprietary information
Trade secrets
Information that may jeopardize public safety or personal security

Bethlehem City Crime Statistics

According to the FBI crime statistics, Bethlehem City recorded 1,281 property crimes and 207 violent crimes in 2018. In ascending order, property crimes consisted of five arson incidents, 56 motor vehicle thefts, 217 burglaries, and 1,008 larceny-thefts, while violent crimes included one murder/nonnegligent manslaughter, 32 rape cases, 50 robberies, and 124 aggravated assaults.

On the other hand, the 2017 crime statistics revealed that Bethlehem had 1,359 property crimes and 594 violent crimes. In contrast, the city witnessed a 5.7% and 65.2% decrease in property and violent crimes, respectively. Property crimes consisted of seven arson incidents, 48 motor vehicle thefts, 187 burglaries, and 1,124 larceny-thefts, signifying a -28.6%, +16.7%, +16% and -10.3% change, respectively. Meanwhile, violent crimes included zero murder/nonnegligent manslaughter, 29 rape cases, 61 robberies, and 504 aggravated assaults, signifying a +100%, +10.3%, -18% and -75.4% change, respectively.

Are Bethlehem City Criminal Records Public?

Bethlehem City criminal records are publicly available from local or state repositories, except otherwise restricted by law or court order. These records include information on arrests, prosecution, and convictions recorded in the city or at the state level through the Bethlehem Police Department or Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), respectively. Interested persons may also get criminal court records from the clerk of the court where the case was filed.

For local criminal history background check, call the Records Bureau at (610) 865-7175 or direct requests to the Bethlehem Police Department by providing subject identifying details and $15 fees to:

10 East Church Street,
Bethlehem, PA 18018

To access the PSP central repository, send the completed request form for a standard criminal history check, individual access, or volunteer only, along with fees and other requirements to:

Standard Request:

Pennsylvania State Police
Central Repository – 164
1800 Elmerton Avenue,
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758

Volunteer and Individual Request:

Pennsylvania State Police
Central Repository – RCPU
1800 Elmerton Avenue,
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758

Individuals may also use conduct records check online on the ePATCH website.

How to Obtain Police Reports and Arrest Records

The Bethlehem Police Department (BPD) provides access to various reports of incidents, accidents, or crimes filed by the department. BPD accident reports cost $15, and other documents may cost 25cents per page. Persons interested in obtaining Bethlehem City arrest records or other reports may call the Records Bureau at (610) 865-7175 or make requests in person by providing incident/subject descriptions, fees, and valid identification at:

10 East Church Street,
Bethlehem, PA 18018

Requesters should note that not all documents are publicly available.

How to Find Sex Offender Information in Bethlehem City

As per Megan’s Law, Pennsylvania State Police is responsible for collecting, updating, and providing statewide information on registered sex offenders or predators who reside, work, or attend school in different communities in the state. Bethlehem City residents may find information on offenders living in a community on the Megan’s Law website by conducting offender searches according to county, municipality, city, Zip Code, mile radius, or name. Users may also access the registry of non-compliant offenders, sexually violent predators/ sexually violent delinquents, and transient offenders on the site, as well as register for community notifications.

How to Find Bethlehem City Inmate Records

Finding Bethlehem City inmate records depend on the location of the housing facility. To get information of inmates in Lehigh County Jail Facilities, direct queries to the Lehigh County Department of Corrections at:

38 North Fourth Street,
Allentown, PA 18102
Phone: (610) 782-3846 (DOC)
Phone: (610) 782-3263 (Jail records)
Phone: (610) 871-5960 (Juvenile)
Fax: (610) 481-9347 (Juvenile)

Conversely, send a request for Northampton County Jail Records to:

Northampton County Department of Corrections
666 Walnut Street
Easton, PA 18042
Phone: (610) 829-7400

Note: Use the State Prison Inmate Locator provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections to find inmates in state custody.

How Do I Visit an Inmate in Bethlehem City Jail?

Individuals interested in visiting inmates should first determine the facility where the inmate is housed, such as Lehigh County Jail, Northampton County Prison, or State Facilities. Generally, intended visitors must follow the visitation rules, schedules, and dress code set by the Correction Department of each jurisdiction, as violations may lead to denial of privileges, cancellations, and even fines.

There are limited number and duration of visits, so visitors are advised to schedule appointments beforehand or arrive at the facility early for signing in. All visitors into any facility must provide valid photo identification, submit to search/screening, and avoid taking personal items or contrabands into the visitation area. Moreover, a parent or legal guardian must accompany a minor, taking along proof of relationship.

Specific visitation guidelines for each facility are available at:

Court Records

Bethlehem City court records are papers, audio/videotapes, transcripts, and e-filings of court proceedings and administrative actions on civil, criminal, probate, and other cases filed in courts within its jurisdiction. Courts that serve Bethlehem City include:

Lehigh County Magisterial District Court 31-1-06
565 West Lehigh Street,
Bethlehem, PA 18018
Phone: (610) 691-3950
Fax: (610) 691-0471

Northampton County Magisterial District Court 03-1-04
248 Brodhead Road,
Suite 2,
Bethlehem, PA 18017
Phone: (610) 691-2364
Fax: (610) 861-7645

Northampton County Magisterial District Court 03-2-01
402 East Broad Street,
Bethlehem, PA 18018
Phone: (610) 691-1501
Fax: (610) 691-6506

Northampton County Magisterial District Court 03-2-03
3650 Nazareth Pike,
Suite 2,
Bethlehem, PA 18020
Phone: (610) 746-9740
Fax: (610) 746-2470

Northampton County Magisterial District Court 03-2-04
1404 Walter Street,
Bethlehem, PA 18015
Phone: (610) 865-4010
Fax: (610) 865-4361

Northampton County Magisterial District Court 03-2-10
202 West 4th Street,
Suite 2,
Bethlehem, PA 18015
Phone: (610) 868-9191
Fax: (610) 868-1196

Northampton County Magisterial District Court 03-2-11
1214 Stefko Boulevard,
Bethlehem, PA 18017
Phone: (610) 694-0553
Fax: (610) 694-0638

Are Bethlehem City Court Records Public?

Yes, Bethlehem City court records are public unless otherwise prohibited by law. According to the Pennsylvania Right-To-Know Law, records or information made confidential by law or court order are not publicly available. These include:

Victims identifying information
Information that may deprive a person of the right to an impartial adjudication or a fair trial if disclosed
Information that may harm personal safety
Records that may obstruct an agency's ability to secure an arrest, prosecution, or convictions
Other exempted records

Interested persons may choose to obtain copies with redacted confidential information or petition the court for access to the document.

How to Obtain Bethlehem City Civil Court Case Records

Information on Bethlehem City civil court cases may be available on the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System, and interested persons may use case numbers, dates, party names, and other related details to access docket sheets, court calendars, and case information. For copies of civil case records, determine the record custodian by verifying where the case was filed before making requests in-person, via mail, or through other channels. Requesters may have to provide case/record details, fees, and identification at the Clerk’s Office or mail requests letters/forms and requirements to the Lehigh Clerk of Judicial Records or Northampton Court.

How to Obtain Bethlehem City Criminal Court Records

Interested persons may get access to docket sheets, court calendars, and criminal case information from the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System by providing case numbers, dates, party names, and other related details. For copies of criminal case records, determine the record custodian by verifying where the case was filed before making requests in-person, via mail, or other acceptable channels.

Requesters may have to provide case/record details, fees, and identification at the Clerk’s Office or mail requests letters/forms and requirements to the Lehigh Clerk of Judicial Records or Northampton Court.

What Are Bethlehem City Vital Records?

Bethlehem City vital records refer to any documentation of life events in the jurisdiction done by government agencies in the city, county, or state. Copies of these documents may be certified or uncertified and can be obtained at county and state levels. Examples include marriage certificates, marriage licenses, birth records, divorce decrees, divorce certificates, death records, and other related records.

Where and How to Obtain Bethlehem City Divorce Records

For copies of divorce records in Bethlehem City, interested persons must determine the court where the case was filed before making requests in-person, via mail, or through other acceptable channels. Requesters may have to provide divorce case/record details, fees, and identification at the Clerk’s Office or mail requests letters/forms and requirements to the Lehigh Clerk of Judicial Records or Northampton Court Clerk.

Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Bethlehem City

Access to confidential Bethlehem City marriage records is strictly available to the married couple and other authorized persons or agencies. To obtain marriage records from Lehigh County, eligible persons may send requests via mail, email, or dropbox delivery to the Marriage License Department of the Orphans' Court Division. Send a filled order form, $10 per copy, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:

Marriage License Office, Clerk of Orphans' Court
Lehigh County Courthouse,
455 West Hamilton Street,
Room 123,
Allentown, PA 18101
Email: marriagelicense@lehighcounty.org

However, for records of marriages licensed by the Northampton Orphans’ Court Clerk, direct requests to:

Gina Gibbs, Register of Wills/Clerk of Orphans' Court
669 Washington Street,
Easton, PA 18042
Phone: (610) 829-6488

Where and How to Get Public Bethlehem City Marriage Records

Depending on the marriage licensing body, Bethlehem City marriage records may be available locally at the Lehigh Orphans' Court Division or the Northampton Orphans’ Court Clerk. To get copies of marriage records from Lehigh County, interested persons may make requests via mail, email, or dropbox delivery to the Marriage License Department of the Orphans' Court Division. Send a filled order form, $10 per copy, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:

Marriage License Office, Clerk of Orphans' Court
Lehigh County Courthouse,
455 West Hamilton Street,
Room 123,
Allentown, PA 18101
Email: marriagelicense@lehighcounty.org

However, for records of marriages licensed by the Northampton Orphans’ Court Clerk, direct requests to:

Gina Gibbs, Register of Wills/Clerk of Orphans' Court
669 Washington Street,
Easton, PA 18042
Phone: (610) 829-6488

Where and How to Find Bethlehem City Birth Records

Bethlehem City birth records may be available locally at the Lehigh Orphans' Court Division or the Northampton Orphans’ Court Clerk. Statewide records may also be available at the Vital Records Division of the Pennsylvania Department of Health. However, access to these records may be restricted to eligible persons with direct claims or legitimate interests such as the registrant, parents/legal guardians, descendants, spouses, siblings, and legal representatives.

The Lehigh Orphans' Court Division has birth records from 1893 through 1905, while the Northampton Orphans’ Court Clerk keeps records from 1893 to 1936. Bethlehem City birth certificates for years thereafter may be available at the Vital Records Division. For local records, send requests to the respective Orphan’s Court at:

Clerk of Orphans' Court Office
Lehigh County Courthouse
455 West Hamilton Street,
Room 123
Allentown, PA 18101

Gina Gibbs, Register of Wills/Clerk of Orphans' Court
669 Washington Street,
Easton, PA 18042
Phone: (610) 829-6488

For requests to the Vital Records Division, qualified persons may get in-person services at 105 Nesbitt Road, New Castle by providing original photo identification and fees. Individuals may also mail completed application forms, photocopy of valid identification, and $20 per copy to:

Department of Health
Division of Vital Records
P.O. Box 1528
New Castle, PA 16103

Where and How to Find Bethlehem City Death Records

Records of deaths in Lehigh County from 1893 through 1905 and Northampton County from 1893 to 1936 are available at the Lehigh Orphans' Court Division and Northampton Orphans’ Court Clerk, respectively. Meanwhile, statewide death records from 1906 till date are available at the Vital Records Division. However, access to these records may be restricted to eligible persons with direct claims or legitimate interests such as parents/legal guardians, descendants, spouses, siblings, and legal representatives.

For local records, send requests to the respective Orphan’s Court at:

Clerk of Orphans' Court Office
Lehigh County Courthouse
455 West Hamilton Street,
Room 123
Allentown, PA 18101

Gina Gibbs, Register of Wills/Clerk of Orphans' Court
669 Washington Street,
Easton, PA 18042
Phone: (610) 829-6488

For requests to the Vital Records Division, qualified persons may mail completed application forms, photocopy of valid identification, and $20 per copy to:

Department of Health
Division of Vital Records
P.O. Box 1528
New Castle, PA 16103

In-person services are available at 105 Nesbitt Road, New Castle by providing original photo identification and fees.