Franklin County Arrest, Court, and Public Records

What are Franklin County Public Records?

In compliance with the Right to Know Law, Franklin County public records include all information regardless of characteristic or physical form, created, received, or preserved as part of a government agency's official duty. Franklin public records include letters, documents, images, film, and other digitally-stored data. Although most public records are public, some records, including the following, are not accessible by all persons:

Classified records under Pennsylvania or US military authority
Medical records
Records containing personal information such as a driver's license number, social security number, or phone number
Some autopsy records
Records that could endanger persons or property

Franklin County Crime Statistics

The Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General provides crime statistics for Franklin County. The statistics are compiled by the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) as part of its Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) system. According to data published in 2018, Franklin County recorded 724 burglaries, 133 motor vehicle thefts, 34 arson incidents, and 2,518 assault cases. Other reported crimes include 98 rape cases and 70 robberies. With 3,199 reported incidents, larceny-theft was the most committed crime in 2018.

Are Franklin County Criminal Records Public?

Under Pennsylvania law, Franklin County criminal records are considered public. To obtain Franklin county criminal records, interested persons may use the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) to request online. Each request costs $22 and is payable by credit card or by billing an account created on the platform. Alternatively, send a completed criminal history request form (SP4-164) to the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP). Each record costs $22 and $27 for notarized requests. Fees are acceptable by checks or money orders payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Volunteers may submit completed SP4-164A forms and obtain Franklin criminal records for free. Requests should be sent to:

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

How to Obtain Franklin County Police Reports and Arrest Records

Franklin County police reports and arrest records are requestable from the law enforcement agencies in the county. Interested persons may contact one of the following police departments:

Alternatively, contact the Pennsylvania State Police Troop H station in Chambersburg. Requestors may reach out using the following information:

Pennsylvania State Police
Troop H
3800 Black Gap Road
Chambersburg, PA 17202
Phone: (717) 264-5161
TTY: (717) 491-1067
Fax: (717) 264-6004

How to Find Sex Offender Information in Franklin County

The Pennsylvania State Police provides access to statewide information on registered sex offenders through its Megan's Law Website. Interested persons may search the website by name, county, municipality, city, zip code, and mile radius. Users may also search specifically for transient, sexually violent, and non-compliant offenders. To find Franklin County sex offenders, use the website's county search. The information displayed on the search result includes each offender's full name, registration type, birth year, residential address, employment address, and photographs. Users may also view the offender's primary offense and conviction information.

How to Find Franklin County Inmate Records

Persons seeking information on residents held at the Franklin County Jail may contact the jail facility at:

Franklin County Jail
1804 Opportunity Avenue
Chambersburg, PA 17201
Phone: (717) 264-9513
Fax: (717) 264-6766
Email: jail@franklincountypa.gov

The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections provides access to statewide details on incarcerated persons through its inmate locator. Use the locator to find inmates by name, inmate number, parole number, gender, race, committing county, current location, and birth date. The online database contains information on each inmate, including a photograph.

How Do I Visit an Inmate in Franklin County Jail?

Inmates at the Franklin County Jail are allowed one 30-minute visit per week. Visits take place on weekdays, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.. No visits may be scheduled after 8:30 p.m.. All visits must be scheduled by calling (717) 264-9513 from 2:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. every weekday. The facility does not entertain unscheduled walk-in visits.

Only two visitors may be present at each visit. Upon entry, visitors must wait until summoned by the Lobby Officer and then present a valid photo ID. A minor may only be allowed in after presenting a birth certificate as their ID. Note that the visitation room may be unavailable upon arrival. In such cases, officers will have to wait outside or in their cars after providing a phone number to receive a call when the room is available.

Court Records

Franklin County has Courts of Common Pleas, which function as part of Pennsylvania's 39th Judicial District. The Court of Common Pleas is a trial court that hears criminal and civil cases. The courts also exercise jurisdiction over several other case types, including child custody, divorce, adoption, juvenile delinquency, guardianships, and estates. Franklin County also has Magisterial District Courts that hear summary offenses, some DUI matters, preliminary hearings, third-degree misdemeanors, and certain ordinance violations.

Locations of Courts in Franklin County

Franklin County Court of Common Pleas
Franklin County Courthouse Annex
157 Lincoln Way East
Chambersburg, PA 17201
Phone: (717) 261-3848
Fax: (717) 261-3854

Franklin County Orphans Court
Franklin County Courthouse Annex
157 Lincoln Way East
Chambersburg, PA 17201
Phone: (717) 261-3805
Fax: (717) 261-3854

Franklin County Magisterial District Court 39-2-01
218 North Second Street
Chambersburg, PA 17201
Phone: (717) 263-5808
Fax: (717) 263-1923

Franklin County Magisterial District Court 39-3-02
22 North Oller Avenue
Waynesboro, PA 17268
Phone: (717) 762-9411
Fax: (717) 762-9297

Franklin County Magisterial District Court 39-3-03
9724 Cumberland Highway
P.O. Box 135
Pleasant Hall, PA 17246
Phone: (717) 532-7672
Fax: (717) 532-2506

Franklin County Magisterial District Court 39-3-04
1157 Garver Lane
Chambersburg, PA 17202
P.O. Box 460
Scotland, PA 17254
Phone: (717) 263-7949
Fax: (717) 261-1849

Franklin County Magisterial District Court 39-3-05
401 South Washington Street
Greencastle, PA 17225
Phone: (717) 597-8581
Fax: (717) 597-8123

Franklin County Magisterial District Court 39-3-06
20 Veterans Way
Mercersburg, PA 17236
Phone: (717) 328-3521
Fax: (717) 328-3527

Franklin County Magisterial District Court 39-3-07
2038B Lincoln Way East
Chambersburg, PA 17201
Phone: (717) 263-5820
Fax: (717) 263-4116

Are Franklin County Court Records Public?

Franklin court records are considered public in compliance with Pennsylvania law. Interested residents may obtain information on court cases, including litigant details, court dates, charge information, and the court's final judgment. However, not all records are accessible by members of the public. Residents may not gain access to sealed or expunged Franklin records. Furthermore, access to records of juvenile and adoption proceedings is exempt from public disclosure. On a case-by-case basis, the court may prevent public access to records that contain sensitive information, may endanger informants, or records that could threaten a litigant's right to a fair trial.

Can You Look Up a Franklin County Court Case Online?

The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania provides online access to court case information throughout the state. Interested persons may search, inspect, and print docket sheets of cases heard at the Courts of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Courts. Residents may use the docket search to find Franklin County court records by docket number, participant name, organization, parcel, SID, offense tracking number (OTN), and police incident/complaint number.

How to Obtain Franklin County Court Case Records

The 39th Judicial District Court provides public access to court case information. Persons seeking Franklin County court records may request by mail, email, fax, or in person. To obtain a Franklin court record, complete the court's request form. Fill the form with details sufficient enough for the Court Administrator's Office to find the desired records. These details should include case type, names of litigants, court dates, charges, the final judgment, and all other relevant information. The form should also include the requestor's name and contact details, such as a mailing address, phone number, email, and fax. Records cost 25 cents for each black and white page and 50 cents for each colored page. Certification may cost up to $5 per record. Send the form to the court using the details below:

Court Administrator's Office – 39th Judicial District
Attention: Open Records Officer
157 Lincoln Way East
Chambersburg, PA 17201
Phone: (717) 261-3848
Fax: (717) 261-3854
Email: msinger@franklincountypa.gov

What are Franklin County Vital Records?

Franklin County vital records contain recorded details of major life events within the county. Events recorded in vital records include deaths, births, divorces, and marriages. Depending on the desired record, Franklin county vital records are obtainable from the Franklin County Prothonotary, Franklin County Clerk of Courts, and the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records.

Where and How to Obtain Franklin County Divorce Records?

The Franklin County Prothonotary's Office maintains records of divorces finalized in the county. Persons seeking copies of Franklin County divorce records may contact the Prothonotary's office with details of the desired records. Ensure to provide the divorced parties' names, divorce dates, and other details of the court's final judgment, if known. Send requests for Franklin County divorce decrees to the Prothonotary's Office or visit in person using the following contact information:

Franklin County Prothonotary's Office
Franklin County Courthouse Annex
157 Lincoln Way East
Chambersburg, PA 17201
Phone: (717) 261-3858
Fax: (717) 264-6772
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Where and How to Get Franklin County Marriage Records

Franklin marriage records are public records and are available with the Franklin County Clerk's Office. Interested persons may obtain marriage records online, by phone, or in person. To obtain a Franklin marriage record online, fill the marriage license request form. The form must contain the full names of both spouses and the wedding year. The requestor should also include a name and personal contact information such as an address, email, and phone number. After submission, the requestor will receive a reply with instructions on paying with a credit card.

Alternatively, request a Franklin County marriage record by calling or contacting the Clerk's Office at:

Franklin County Clerk of Courts
157 Lincoln Way East
Chambersburg, PA 17201
Phone: (717) 261-3805
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:20 p.m., Mondays to Fridays

Records are available for marriages since 1885. For older records, contact the Franklin County Archives.

Where and How to Find Franklin County Birth Records

The Pennsylvania Vital Records Office maintains statewide records of births and issues copies to requestors. However, birth records are not considered public records. To obtain a Franklin County birth certificate, the applicant must be at least 18 years old and one of the following:

The registrant named on the birth record
A parent, step-parent, grandparent, great-grandparent
Spouse
Sibling, half-sibling, child, stepchild, grandchild, or great-grandchild
Anyone with Power of Attorney
An attorney or legal representative of the registrant

If eligible, complete a birth certificate application with the name of the registrant, place of birth, and the full names of the registrant's parents. Applicants must also select a reason for the request as prescribed on the form. Each Franklin birth certificate costs $20 payable by check or money order made out to "Vital Records". Note that the Vital Records office will send a certified "No Record Certification of Death" if the submitted information does not match any records held. Send the completed application, payment, and a copy of a valid ID to:

Pennsylvania Department of Health
Division of Vital Records
Birth Certificate Processing Unit
P.O. Box 1528
New Castle, PA 16103

Where and How to Find Franklin County Death Records

Interested persons may obtain copies of Franklin County death records from the Pennsylvania Vital Records Office. Death records are considered private, with access restricted to persons at least 18 years old and related to the decedent in one of the following ways:

Spouse
Ex-spouse with documentation proving direct interest
Parent, step-parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent
Child, grandchild, or great-grandchild
Stepchild
Sibling or half-sibling
Attorney, legal representative, or anyone with Power of Attorney
Any person with proof of direct financial interest

To obtain a Franklin death record, requesters must complete a death certificate application with the decedent's full name, sex, death date, birth date, and place of birth. Include the full name of both parents of the decedent. Each certificate costs $20. Requestors may pay by check or money order made out to "Vital Records." Send the application with payment and valid ID to:

Pennsylvania Department of Health
Division of Vital Records
Birth Certificate Processing Unit
P.O. Box 1528
New Castle, PA 16103

Are Property Records Open to the Public in Franklin County?

The Pennsylvania Right-To-Know Law allows public access to property records in Franklin County. Interested persons may submit requests for Franklin County property records to the county's record keeper.

Where and How to Find Property Records in Franklin County

The Franklin County Assessment Office maintains property records in the county. The Assessment Office has the primary responsibility of valuing all properties and improvements. The office also prepares tax bills for the various districts. Each page costs 25 cents. Requestors may submit property record applications to the:

Franklin County Tax Assessment Office
272 N Second Street
Chambersburg, PA 17201
Phone: (717) 261-3801
Fax: (717) 264-5218
Email: taxservices@franklincountypa.gov

Franklin County property records are also available at the Register and Recorder's Office. The office records all property records, including deeds, mortgages, land records, and other property documents. Copies cost 25 cents per page and an extra $1.50 for each certified document. Copies of subdivision documents cost 50 cents per page. Requests are processed at the:

Franklin Register and Recorder's Office
Administration Building
272 North Second St, Suite 205
Chambersburg, PA 17201
Phone: (717) 261-3872
Fax: (717) 709-7211
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays

How to Look Up Franklin County Property Records

Franklin property records are remotely accessible using the Tax Assessment Office's online assessment function. The platform provides a map search with an aerial view of county properties and details on each property. Available information includes situs address, owner's name and address, deeded acres, sales date and price, assessment values, and taxable status.

The Register and Recorder's Office also provides remote access to Franklin County property records via the LANDEX system. The system offers two options, including Remote and Webstore record searches. Persons who need frequent access to the platform may use the Remote option for a wider searching experience as well as page and time billing. The Remote option also requires users to install a Microsoft-based application.

The Webstore is advised for persons conducting limited searching. Usage is browser-based, and users can pay for documents online. Users should note that each Webstore payment has an additional $5 processing charge.

Location of Franklin County Property Assessors

Franklin County Tax Assessment Office
272 N Second Street
Chambersburg, PA 17201
Phone: (717) 261-3801
Fax: (717) 264-5218
Email: taxservices@franklincountypa.gov