Dauphin County Arrest, Court, and Public Records

What are Dauphin County Public Records?

According to the Right-To-Know Law, Dauphin County public records comprise all information created, received, or used by county public agencies in the course of their official functions. Dauphin Public records include documents, letters, films, images, and digitally stored information. Under the Right-To-Know Law, records that meet these criteria should be open to public disclosure regardless of their physical form or characteristics. However, the law states that some records should not be accessible to the general public. Examples include:

Autopsy records that show the manner or cause of death
Records containing information that could cause public agencies to lose funds
Any records that show details of a person’s disability, psychological, or medical status
All records considered classified under state or US military authority
Records that contain personal identifying information, including a phone number, social security number, or driver’s license number

Dauphin County Crime Statistics

The Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General publishes annual reports of statewide crime statistics compiled by the Pennsylvania State Police. According to the Uniform Crime Report (UCR) for 2018, Dauphin County recorded 8,120 crimes, including 3,492 violent crimes and 4,628 property crimes. Published property crimes include 628 burglaries, 3,762 larceny-theft cases, and 328 motor vehicle thefts. Violent crime figures include 36 arsons, 717 aggravated assaults,2,283 non-aggravated assaults, 41 murder and nonnegligent manslaughter cases, 276 robberies, and 161 rape incidents. When compared with the 5,435 total recorded in 2017 for the same crimes, the 2018 total was a 14.8% reduction.

Are Dauphin County Criminal Records Public?

Dauphin County criminal records are considered public records. All interested persons can access personal or third-party criminal history information by sending mail applications or requesting online. Record seekers requesting electronic access may use the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) provided by the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP). PATCH does not require requesters to register on the platform. Each request costs a non-refundable $22 charge, payable by credit card or by billing a PATCH account. Notarized copies are available for an extra $5. Persons using the platform should note that PATCH will charge users for errors, such as misspellings and duplicate submissions.

Persons who prefer mail requests may complete and submit the Criminal History Request Form (SP4-164) to the PSP. Mail requests also cost $22 and are payable by money orders or checks made out to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Mail requests should be submitted to the:

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

Volunteers may submit completed SP4-164A forms to obtain Dauphin criminal records for free. Criminal records available to the public are restricted to:

All convictions
Charges for issued warrants
Charges less than three years from the arrest date if there is no disposition

How to Obtain Dauphin County Police Reports and Arrest Records

Interested persons may contact the Dauphin County Sheriff’s Department. Requestors must provide relevant names, dates, event or incident locations, known charges, and other available details. Persons seeking Dauphin arrest records and police reports may be charged varying fees before receiving copies of desired records. Residents may submit requests to the:

Dauphin County Sheriff’s Department
Dauphin County Courthouse - 1st Floor
Room 104
101 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: (717) 780-6590
Fax: (717) 780-6557

Dauphin County arrest records and police reports may also be available at the Pennsylvania State Police’s Dauphin County station. Interested persons may submit applications to the following address:

Pennsylvania State Police - Harrisburg Station
8000 Bretz Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17112
Phone: (717) 671-7500

Pennsylvania State Police - Highspire Station
P.O. Box 67676
Harrisburg, PA 17106-7676
Phone: (717) 939-9551, Extension 4630

Pennsylvania State Police - Lykens Station
301 State Drive
Elizabethville, PA 17023
Phone: (717) 362-8700

How to Find Sex Offender Information in Dauphin County

Information on Dauphin County sex offenders is available on the Pennsylvania State Police’s Megan’s Law Website. Records on the database are searchable by name, county, city, municipality, mile radius, and zip code. In addition to these queries, users can also restrict searches to non-compliant, transient, or sexually violent offenders. From the search results, users can view each offender’s full name, registration type, birth year, employment address, and residential address. Other available details include the offender’s offense description and conviction date.

How to Find Dauphin County Inmate Records

Dauphin County provides an inmate lookup function for public access to county inmate records. Users may search by name or provide a unique identifier. Using the name search requires a first and last name in the provided text boxes. Alternatively, record seekers may use the unique identifier option and enter one of the following:

Booking number
Permanent number
State ID
County ID
FBI Number
ICE Number

Each inmate’s information page displays the person’s name, photograph, birth date, gender, and physical description. The page also shows the inmate’s booking number, permanent ID number, and police/county ID. Users also have access to incarceration information, charge description, bond details, and detainer information.

How Do I Visit an Inmate in the Dauphin County Jail?

The Dauphin County Prison encourages the general public to visit family and friends in jail. The facility’s visitation schedule is posted on each block and is subject to change. Each inmate is responsible for informing family and friends of any changes in the schedule as the facility does not publish visitation days and times.

Each inmate is allowed one 50-minute visit per week. Inmates in a Classification or Restrictive Housing Unit may not receive any visitors. In addition, the Shift Commander may temporarily suspend visitation privileges of an inmate who is not in a disciplinary housing unit. The Shift Commander may also suspend visitation during an emergency and is not required to make up the lost visit. All visitations for inmates in the general population are non-contact. However, an inmate may earn a contact or merit visit if the person completes an approved program.

Eligible visitors should be at least 18 years old or should be accompanied by an adult if younger. A visitor who is at least 16 years old must provide two forms of identification upon visitation. One of the IDs must be a government-issued photo ID.

Visitors are advised to arrive at least 30 minutes before their scheduled visitation time as processing must be completed 15 minutes in advance. Visitors must also adhere to a strict dress code, which prohibits revealing, obscene, transparent, or otherwise inappropriate clothing. Each visit is restricted to two visitors at one time.

All visitors must submit to the facility’s search procedure before entering. Any visitor who refuses, or flouts any other rule will lose their visitation privileges for at least one year. Intending visitors may use the following contact details for more information:

Dauphin County Prison
501 Mall Road
Harrisburg, PA 17111
Phone: (717) 780-6800

Court Records

The Dauphin County court system includes Courts of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Courts. While the Courts of Common Pleas have general jurisdiction over all cases, Magisterial District Courts exercise limited jurisdiction. Dauphin County courts are located at the following addresses:

Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas - Clerk of Courts (Criminal)
Dauphin County Courthouse
101 Market Street
P.O. Box 1295
Harrisburg, PA 17108
Phone: (717) 780-6530
Fax: (717) 780-6472

Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas - Prothonotary (Civil)
Dauphin County Courthouse
101 Market Street
#101
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: (717) 780-6520
Fax: (717) 780-6477

Dauphin County Orphans’ Court
Dauphin County Courthouse
1st Floor
101 Market Street
#101
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: (717) 780-6510
Fax: (717) 780-6474

Dauphin County Magisterial District Court 12-0-00 (Night Court)
Dauphin County Judicial Center
451 Mall Road
Harrisburg, PA 17111
Phone: (717) 547-4010
Fax: (717) 888-9076

Dauphin County Magisterial District Court 12-1-01
2125 Paxton Church Road
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Phone: (717) 545-4143
Fax: (717) 657-2107

Dauphin County Magisterial District Court 12-1-02
2967-A North 7th Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Phone: (717) 238-3388
Fax: (717) 328-3004

Dauphin County Magisterial District Court 12-1-04
1520 Walnut Street
Harrisburg, PA 17103
Phone: (717) 233-1220
Fax: (717) 233-1598

Dauphin County Magisterial District Court 12-1-05
538 South 29th Street
Harrisburg, PA 17104
Phone: (717) 231-3500
Fax: (717) 231-3504

Dauphin County Magisterial District Court 12-1-06
5925 Locust Lane
Harrisburg, PA 17109
Phone: (717) 671-8640
Fax: (717) 671-1899

Dauphin County Magisterial District 12-2-01
1201 South 28th Street
Harrisburg, PA 17111
Phone: (717) 558-1160
Fax: (717) 558-1056

Dauphin County Magisterial District Court 12-2-02
102 Agnes Street
Harrisburg, PA 17104
Phone: (717) 939-6996
Fax: (717) 939-4868

Dauphin County Magisterial District Court 12-2-03
50 Canal Street
Royalton, PA 17057
Phone: (717) 944-4463
Fax: (717) 948-1974

Dauphin County Magisterial District Court 12-2-04
1805 North Cameron Street
Harrisburg, PA 17103
Phone: (717) 233-3599
Fax: (717) 233-3547

Dauphin County Magisterial District Court 12-2-05
1300 Rolleston Street
Harrisburg, PA 17104
Phone: (717) 234-0949
Fax: (717) 234-0953

Dauphin County Magisterial District Court 12-3-01
185 Manors Road
Suite 1
Elizabethville, PA 17023
Phone: (717) 362-3396
Fax: (717) 362-4507

Dauphin County Magisterial District Court 12-3-02
1025 Peters Mtn Road
Dauphin, PA 17018
Phone: (717) 921-8007
Fax: (717) 921-3585

Dauphin County Magisterial District Court 12-3-03
5925 Stevenson Avenue
Suite B
Phone: (717) 545-0261
Fax: (717) 545-8015

Dauphin County Magisterial District Court 12-3-04
576 East Main Street
Hummelstown, PA 17036
Phone: (717) 583-1912
Fax: (717) 583-1915

Dauphin County Magisterial District Court 12-3-05
8010 Bretz Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17112
Phone: (717) 671-8720
Fax: (717) 671-1282

Dauphin County Central Court 12-0-01
Dauphin County Prison
501 Mall Road
Harrisburg, PA 17111
Phone: (717) 780-6824
Fax: (717) 561-4196

Are Property Records Open to the Public in Dauphin County?

Under the Pennsylvania Right-To-Know Law, Dauphin County property records are public records. Members of the general public may contact the county's property records custodian to inspect records or obtain copies for personal or official use.

Where and How to Find Property Records in Dauphin County?

The Dauphin County Office of Tax Assessment assesses and values all real properties in the county for tax purposes. The office also creates and manages descriptions and ownership records for these properties. Although it establishes property values and keeps records that contain tax information, the Office of Tax Assessment does not determine the applicable real estate tax levy.

Parties seeking Dauphin County property records may contact the Tax Assessment Office with property specifics. Provided details may include the owner's name, property address, purchase or sales information, price range, and other related details. Requestors may submit applications using the details below:

Dauphin County Office of Tax Assessment
Dauphin County Administration Building – 2nd Floor
2 South Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: (717) 780-6101
Email: taxassessment@dauphinc.org
Hours: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday

Interested persons can also obtain property records from the Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds Office. This office maintains records of deeds, mortgages, and other related documents, with most of them dating back to 1785. Records are available online and offline. All applications should go to the:

Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds
Dauphin County Courthouse
Room 102
101 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: (717) 780-6560
Hours: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday

How to Look Up Dauphin County Property Records

Persons interested in online Dauphin County property records can use the Property Search platform. Users can enter a property parcel number (PIN) or use other details such as name, address, sales details, township, or municipality. From the search results, users can view each property's ID, tax year, property use, site address, owner's name, and address, as well as mailing name and address. Additional details include sales history, market land valuation, and property images.

The Recorder of Deeds Office also provides online property records. A simple search is available where the user can request deed, mortgage, satisfaction, and plan records. If the specific document type is unknown, the user can search for a particular name on all available types. Alternatively, interested persons can specify a name, instrument number, book and page number, and record date.

Are Dauphin County Court Records Public?

All interested persons may access Dauphin County court records. Available information includes details of court cases, information on each litigant, charge and offense information, court dates, and the court’s final disposition. However, the general public cannot obtain copies of some court records, including sealed or expunged records. Juvenile records are also considered confidential. In some cases, however, public access may be provided for juvenile records if the juvenile was at least 14 years old at the time of committing an offense that would be adjudged a felony if committed by an adult.

Can You Look Up a Dauphin County Court Case Online?

Dauphin court records are available online through the Case Search function provided by The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania. Users may find records by participant name, parcel, organization, docket number, date filed, citation number, SID, police incident/complaint number, and offense tracking number (OTN).

How to Obtain Dauphin County Civil Court Case Records

Civil court records are obtainable from the Dauphin County Prothonotary. Interested persons may obtain records by submitting requests with all known record details. These may include names of parties to the case, offense or charge details, relevant dates, case number, and the court’s judgment. Record seekers should note that the Prothonotary’s office may request copy fees before fulfilling the request. Applications for Dauphin civil court records should be sent to:

Dauphin County Prothonotary
101 Market Street
Room 101
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: (717) 780-6520

How to Obtain Dauphin County Criminal Court Case Records

The Dauphin County Clerk of Courts is responsible for maintaining criminal court case records. Parties seeking Dauphin County criminal court records may visit the Clerk of Courts or send written requests. Requestors should provide important record details such as names, case numbers, and offense details. Request or copy fees may be applicable. Interested persons may submit requests to the:

Dauphin County Clerk of Courts
Dauphin County Courthouse
2nd Floor
101 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: (717) 780-6530

What are Dauphin County Vital Records?

Dauphin County vital records are records created by government agencies that contain details of county life events. Vital records detail events such as births, deaths, marriages, and divorces. However, not all vital records are considered public information. Available records are requestable from the Prothonotary’s office, Clerk of Court, and the state’s Vital Records Office.

Where and How to Obtain Dauphin County Divorce Records

The Prothonotary’s office maintains divorce records for Dauphin County. Anyone interested in copies of Dauphin County divorce decrees may submit requests that include details such as both spouses’ names and the divorce date. Copy fees may be applicable when requesting Dauphin divorce decrees. Interested requestors should apply to the:

Dauphin County Prothonotary
101 Market Street
Room 101
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: (717) 780-6520

Where and How to Get Public Dauphin County Marriage Records

Dauphin County marriage records are obtainable from the Register of Wills/Clerk of the Orphans’ Court. These records are public and available to all interested persons. Requestors may visit the county courthouse or submit a completed request form. The form requires the approximate date of marriage and each applicant’s name at the time of application. The form should also include the marriage license number if available. The requester must fill out personal details, such as a name, mailing address, phone number, and email address.

Each Dauphin County marriage certificate costs $10, payable by money order or credit card. Credit card payments require a processing fee of at least $1 or 2.55% of the total charge. Parties may also pay with credit cards by filling out the card details. All requests and payments should be submitted to:

Marriage License Bureau
Dauphin County Courthouse
Room 103
101 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101

Where and How to Find Dauphin County Birth Records

The Pennsylvania Vital Records Office keeps records of all births in the state. Under state law, Dauphin County birth records are not public records. Access to a Dauphin County birth certificate is restricted to any of the following persons who is at least 18 years old:

The subject of the record
The subject’s spouse
The subject’s parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, or stepparent
The subject’s sibling, half-sibling, great-grandchild, grandchild, stepchild, or child
The subject’s attorney or legal representative
An applicant with Power of Attorney

Eligible persons may request by completing the birth certificate application. Each record costs $20. Payment is accepted via check or money order made out to “Vital Records.” If no record matches the details filled on the form, the Vital Records Office will issue a “No Record Certification of Death.” Requests should be enclosed with a valid government-issued ID and submitted to:

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

Where and How to Find Dauphin County Death Records

Requestors may obtain Dauphin County death records from the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records. However, access is restricted to adults who are related to the deceased person in one of the following ways:

A spouse
A great-grandchild, grandchild, stepchild, or child
A sibling
A half-sibling
A great-grandparent, grandparent, stepparent, or parent
An attorney or legal representative
Anyone with Power of Attorney

Persons who meet the eligibility requirement may obtain records by submitting a completed death certificate application. Dauphin death certificates cost $20 and are payable by checks or money orders made out to “Vital Records.” All requests should be sent with payment and a valid government-issued ID to:

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