What are Mercer County Public Records?
The Pennsylvania Right to Know Law defines public records as the information received, maintained, or created concerning a business activity or transaction of a government agency. Public records exist in different forms, including letters, maps, books, sound recordings, photographs, and paper. County residents can obtain records by contacting the official record custodian.
Public county records may also be accessible from third-party websites. Record seekers may use these non-governmental platforms to search for a specific document or multiple county records. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search, such as:
- The address of the requestor;
- A case number or file number (if known);
- The location of the document or person involved;
- The name of the subject involved in the record (not juvenile);
- The last known or current address of the registrant.
Government agencies do not sponsor third-party sites. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Mercer County Crime Statistics
The Pennsylvania Uniform Crime Reporting System (UCR) records detailed information of crimes, arrests, and victimization across Pennsylvania. According to the Pennsylvania Uniform Crime Reporting System (UCR) 2020, Mercer County reported a total of 1971 offenses, including four murders and non-negligent manslaughter, one manslaughter by negligence, 36 rape cases, 14 robberies, 217 aggravated assaults, 513 other assaults- simple, 165 burglary incidents, 969 larceny-theft, 44 motor-vehicle theft, and eight arson cases. Overall the total number of reported crimes reduced by 9.34% between both years.
Are Mercer County Criminal Records Public?
Yes, Mercer County Criminal Records are public records. According to the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law, the public has the right to request criminal records. The public can view and obtain criminal records from the Pennsylvania state police. The Pennsylvania state police maintain a public access portal for the public to do a criminal record search. For a name-based search, requesters are expected to make credit card payments of a non-refundable fee of $22.00 and hope to see the search results within 24hours.
Interested persons can also obtain criminal records by completing a request form and submitting it in person or via mail.
Pennsylvania state police
Central repository – 164
1800 Elmerton Avenue Harrisburg
PA 17110-9758
Phone: (888) 783-7972 (help desk)
How to Obtain Mercer County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
Requesters can obtain Mercer County Arrest Records from the Pennsylvania state police. Interested parties may submit mail orders or visit in person by completing the online record search with information such as the social security number, sex, maiden name, and aliases that may enter for additional information.
Arrest records are part of criminal records that provide information on a suspect's apprehension. When a person is arrested, the following data is usually gathered:
- Name, date of birth, gender, hair color, height, weight, and other physical characteristics
- The date and place of arrest.
- The name of the arresting officer.
- The address and name of the detention centers or jail.
- The name of the arrest warrant's issuer.
Once a record check has been requested, will be immediately received one of the possible responses; pending, no record or request under review. A pending response means to check the status at a later time, a no record response means there's no record contained in the Pennsylvania state police repository, and a request under review response does not indicate a criminal record.
Requesters who wish to obtain a public arrest record will have to pay a nominal cost of copying the document. However, the Pennsylvania state police may decide not to release the record if the record search will sabotage an active criminal investigation.
Pennsylvania state police
Central repository – 164
1800 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758
Phone: (888) 783-7972
How to Find Mercer County Sex Offender Information?
The Pennsylvania State Police maintains a registry of sex offenders. Residents can find sex offender information by entering the offender's last name and the first name on the provided name search. The user can narrow the sex offender search to a specific county using county search, and for a map search, the user can enter the offender's street number, mile radius, street name, zip code, and city using map search. The website contains each offender's full name, address, offense details, physical description, birth year, and status.
Where and How to Find Mercer County Inmate Information?
The public can obtain Mercer County Inmate Records from the Mercer County Courthouse online. The search page provides the public with the committing authority report. The page shows a list of everyone who has been scheduled. It also contains each inmate's full name, gender, commit date, admission type, and committing authorities. The page has report options which are:
- Committing authority report
- Complete alphabetical report
- Male population report
- Female population report
- Transfer/furloughs report
Persons seeking information on currently incarcerated inmates can go to the courthouse or call using the following contact details:
Mercer county courthouse
Mercer, PA 16137
Phone: (724) 662-3800 , (724) 383-1711
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Mercer County Jail?
Families and friends can visit inmates either in-person or video visitation at the Pennsylvania department of corrections. In-person visitation is currently available to vaccinated inmates only; video visitation is available to incarcerated individuals regardless of vaccination status.
For in-person visitation, visitors must schedule a visit online three days in advance, and visitors get to see available time slots when they log in. Only four visitors are permitted with an inmate at a time. All visitors must follow all security procedures and obey all visiting room rules. A notice of visit cancellation will be explained and sent to the visitor's email the morning of the scheduled visit.
For video visitation, all video visits must be scheduled online at least three days in advance, six (6) visitors may participate in a video visit, and each inmate is permitted six video visits per month.
Court Records
Mercer County Court of Common Pleas is the county's court of general jurisdiction, which handles all civil, criminal, juvenile cases. The Court of Common Pleas serves as a trial court while other courts have different jurisdictions over specific case types and appeals.
Locations of Courts in Mercer County
Mercer County Court of common pleas
Mercer county clerk of courts courthouse
112 mercer county courthouse
Mercer, PA 16137
Phone: (724) 662-3800
Mercer county Prothonotaries courthouse
105 Mercer County Courthouse
103 North Diamond Street
Mercer, PA 16137
Phone: (724) 662-2021
Mercer county registers of wills and orphans' court clerks
112 Mercer County Courthouse
Mercer, PA 16137
Phone: (724) 662-3800
Are Mercer County Court Records Public?
Mercer County court records are public records. According to the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law, the public has the right to request court records. Access to Pennsylvania court records is provided by the public records policies of the unified judicial system of Pennsylvania. Requestors may not be able to inspect or obtain sealed records.
Can You Look Up a Mercer County Court Case Online?
Pennsylvania's unified judicial system provides an online case search menu for public access. Requesters can search by appellate, attorney, calendar event, citation number, complaint number, date filed, docket number, incident number, organization, OTN, parcel, participant name, SID.
How to Obtain Mercer County Civil Court Case Records?
Interested persons can obtain a Mercer County Civil Court Case from the Court of Common Pleas; Requesters are usually required to provide needed information concerning the case, such as docket number and parties' names involved. Before producing records, interested parties should be aware that the Clerk's Office may charge a copy fee. Requesters can get these records by sending mail requests to the courthouse or by visiting in person. Residents should submit requests to the following:
Court of common pleas
Mercer county clerk of courts courthouse
112 mercer county courthouse
Mercer, PA 16137
Phone: (724) 662-3800
Court of common pleas
Mercer county Prothonotaries courthouse
105 Mercer County Courthouse
103 North Diamond Street
Mercer, PA 16137
Phone: (724) 662-2021
How to Obtain Mercer County Criminal Court Records?
The Court of Common Pleas has original jurisdiction over criminal records and issues copies of criminal court records to interested persons. Requesters are usually required to provide needed information concerning the case, such as docket numbers and the names of parties involved. The payment of a fee is also required before copies of these records can be obtained. The cost varies by the county court and the type of record requested in Pennsylvania. All requests should be submitted to the following:
Court of common pleas
Mercer County Clerk of Courts Courthouse
112 Mercer County Courthouse
Mercer, PA 16137
Phone: (724) 662-3800
Court of common pleas
Mercer County Prothonotaries Courthouse
105 Mercer County Courthouse
103 North Diamond Street
Mercer, PA 16137
Phone: (724) 662-2021
What are Mercer County Vital Records?
Mercer vital records provide details of life events that occur in the county, such as recorded marriages, divorces, births, and deaths. Access to these records vary. Within a specified period of years, some vital records are made confidential by Pennsylvania status, and a few authorized individuals are allowed to obtain certified copies. After the specified years have elapsed, all interested parties can access the Mercer County, Pennsylvania Vital Records. Residents can make requests to the Division of Vital Record, which maintains birth and death vital records in the state, while the County courthouse in Pennsylvania maintains marriage records and the County Prothonotary's Office maintains divorce records.
Where and How to Obtain Mercer County Divorce Records?
Divorce records for Mercer County can be obtained from the Mercer County Prothonotary. The public has access to the divorce records except otherwise ruled out by court order. Certified copies are strictly given to the divorce parties or persons with the required legal authority to access the record. Requestors are to provide information on the form relevant to the record search. This includes the parties' full names, the location of the divorce, the approximate date the divorce was granted, and the record's court file number (if known). Parties going for a divorce should read the divorce procedure to choose the correct form where applicable. Requestors are to submit completed requests forms to the following address:
Mercer County Prothonotary
105 Mercer county courthouse
103 North Diamond Street
Mercer, PA 16137
Phone: (724) 430-1272
Where and How to Obtain Mercer County Marriage Records?
Mercer County, Pennsylvania, marriage records can be obtained from the license clerk in the County Courthouse that maintains marriage records in the state where the license was issued. In Pennsylvania, the Register of Wills office in each county can provide access to marriage records either by mail or in-person, and the requester will fill out and submit a request order form to the Orphan's Court Clerk Office.
Mary J. Walk, Esquire
Register of Wills Marriage Records Dept.
1st Floor Government Center
201 West Front Street Media, PA 19063
Phone: (610) 891-4400
112 Mercer County Courthouse
Mercer, PA 16137
Phone no: (724) 662-3800 ext. 2248
Fax: (724) 662-1604
Email: mdepreta@mcc.co.mercer.pa.us
Mercer, Pennsylvania 16137
For Mercer County, Pennsylvania, marriage records are public records but are restricted from the general public view. The requester will provide the following information in person to obtain a marriage certificate:
- The full name as it appears on the marriage license or on the identification of other spouses.
- A date or date range that the marriage took place.
- (County or city) where the marriage license was issued.
- The date of birth of both spouses.
- Age of the two spouse(s) at the time of the marriage.
- A copy of the picture I.D. of the applicant
- A signature of the applicant underneath the copied I.D.
Obtaining a marriage certificate costs $25, a plain copy of a Marriage Record is $2, and an exemplified copy is $30. Payable to the Clerk of Orphans' Court by check, or money orders. This fee will be waived for active or veteran military members when obtaining one certified copy of their marriage record. The parties must provide proof of military service.
Where and How to Obtain Mercer County Birth Records?
The Division of Vital Records maintains birth records in the state. Birth records for Mercer County, Pennsylvania, are confidential and are restricted from the public view. The records can be obtained by the following eligible persons that are 18 years and above;
- A person named on the record.
- Registrnt's spouse.
- Registrant's parent or stepparent. (These people must provide a marriage certificate to prove their relationship to the person listed on the record.)
- The person named on the record's brother, sister, half-brother, or half-sister.
- The person named on the record's son or daughter.
- The stepson or stepdaughter of the person named on the record
- (these individuals must submit a copy of their parent's marriage certificate as proof of relationship)
- The grandparent or great-grandparent of the person named on the record.
- The grandchild or great-grandchild of the person named on the record.
- A person who has been granted the power of attorney.
- The person named on the record Attorney or legal representative.
- A family member not listed above can provide a copy of the death certificate if the person named on the record is deceased.
Interested parties can obtain a birth certificate online by placing a request available 24 hours a day and seven days a week. The requester will complete an application form and present a copy of the applicant's photo identification and a signature of the applicant underneath the copied I.D. to the following address to obtain a birth certificate by mail or in person.
Mailing Address:
Division of Vital Records
P.O. Box 1528
New Castle, PA 16103
Walk-in Address:
Erie Public Office
Division of Vital Records
1910 West 26th Street
Erie, PA 16508-1148
Email: RA-DHDVRErie@pa.gov
Phone: (814) 871-4261
Fax: (814) 871-4809
Harrisburg Public Office
Division of Vital Records
Forum Place
555 Walnut Street, First Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1914
Email: RA-DHDVRHarrisburg@pa.gov
Phone: (717) 772-3480
Fax: (717) 787-7100
New Castle Public Office
Division of Vital Records
105 Nesbitt Road
New Castle, PA 16105
Email: RA-DHDVRNewCastle@pa.gov
Phone: (724) 656-3100
Fax: (717) 213-6817
Philadelphia Public Office
Division of Vital Records
110 North 8th Street; Suite 108
Philadelphia, PA 19107-2412
Email: RA-DHDVRPhilly@pa.gov
Phone: (215) 560-3054
Fax: (215) 560-6027
Pittsburgh Public Office
Division of Vital Records
411 7th Avenue, Suite 360
Pittsburgh, PA 15219-1973
Email: RA-DHDVRPittsburgh@pa.gov
Phone: (412) 565-5113
Fax: (412) 565-7783
Obtaining a birth certificate costs $20. An order placed online attracts a fee of $10 and an applicable delivery fee. Payable to the Vital Records Public Office, check, or money orders. In Pennsylvania, members of the United States Armed Forces are eligible for a fee waiver. The requester or the requester's spouse (or widow or widower if not remarried) must be serving in the military to be eligible for this waiver. A fee waiver is also available to those who have been honorably discharged from service. Unless otherwise stated, all Vital Records Offices are open for walk-in services Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. till 4:00 p.m. Closed on holidays.
Where and How to Obtain Mercer County Death Records?
In Mercer County, Pennsylvania, the Division of Vital Records maintains death records in the state. Death records for Mercer County, Pennsylvania, are confidential and are restricted from the public view. The records can be obtained by the following individuals who are 18 years of age and older;
- The spouse or ex-spouse. (However, in order to establish direct interest, the ex-spouse must provide the necessary documentation.)
- Brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister
- Son or daughter
- Parent or stepparent. (A stepparent must provide a marriage certificate to support the relationship to the person named on the death certificate).
- Stepson or stepdaughter (must provide the parent's marriage certificate to prove the relationship)
- The grandparent or great-grandparent
- The grandchild or great-grandchild
- Anyone with the Power of Attorney
- The attorney or legal representative of the deceased's estate (must present supporting documentation)
- An individual showing a direct financial stake to the decedent (must provide documentation to support direct interest)
- Members of the deceased's extended family who have a direct link to the deceased (documentation will be required).
- The representative of the deceased's estate (must present documentation to establish direct interest)
- The government agency in charge of an estate's administration (must present a letter signed by an official of the government office specifying why the applicant is being retained and identifying the estate involved).
A death certificate can be obtained by submitting an online request available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To get a death certificate by mail or in person, the requester will complete an application form and attach a copy of the applicant's photo identification and the applicant's signature underneath the copied I.D. to the following address.
Mailing Address:
Division of Vital Records
Death Certificate Processing Unit
P.O. Box 1528
New Castle, PA 16103
Walk-in Address:
Erie Public Office
Division of Vital Records
1910 West 26th Street
Erie, PA 16508-1148
Email: RA-DHDVRErie@pa.gov
Phone: (814) 871-4261
Fax: (814) 871-4809
Harrisburg Public Office
Division of Vital Records
Forum Place
555 Walnut Street, First Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1914
Email: RA-DHDVRHarrisburg@pa.gov
Phone: (717) 772-3480
Fax: (717) 787-7100
New Castle Public Office
Division of Vital Records
105 Nesbitt Road
New Castle, PA 16105
Email: RA-DHDVRNewCastle@pa.gov
Phone: (724) 656-3100
Fax: (717) 213-6817
Philadelphia Public Office
Division of Vital Records
110 North 8th Street; Suite 108
Philadelphia, PA 19107-2412
Email: RA-DHDVRPhilly@pa.gov
Phone: (215) 560-3054
Fax: (215) 560-6027
Pittsburgh Public Office
Division of Vital Records
411 7th Avenue, Suite 360
Pittsburgh, PA 15219-1973
Email: RA-DHDVRPittsburgh@pa.gov
Phone: (412) 565-5113
Fax: (412) 565-7783
A death certificate costs $20 to obtain.
