Lancaster County PA Arrest Records Search | Jail & Court
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania · Jail custody, arrest records, bail and criminal court cases
Find a Lancaster County Arrest and Follow It Through the Court System
Start with Lancaster County Prison when the person may still be jailed. Then use the booking details to locate the Magisterial District Court or Court of Common Pleas case.
This guide also covers bail, warrants, police reports, visitation, mail, Securus communication, inmate money, Public Defender applications, victim notifications, PATCH checks and record clearing.
LANCASTER RECORD ROUTER
VERIFYING
COUNTY PRISON
SEARCH
PA CRIMINAL DOCKET
DISPOSITION
BOOKING + COURT OUTCOME CHECKED
Arrest does not mean conviction. Lancaster County Prison itself warns that its database should not be used as authority to arrest or detain anyone. Booking information can change, and a police charge can later be dismissed, reduced, amended or resolved without conviction.
Live inmate search
Official Lancaster County Prison database.
Phone lookup
717-299-7800, then press 2.
Court lookup
Use Pennsylvania UJS docket sheets.
Clerk search
$21.50 for the published written record search.
PATCH
$22 statewide background check.
Which Lancaster County record answers your question?
COUNTY PRISON
Is the person jailed now?
Use the inmate search or automated phone system for custody, charges, bail and inmate information.
Best first step after a recent arrest.
ARRESTING POLICE
What did officers report?
Request the incident report, criminal complaint or releasable police documentation from the department that investigated the event.
Lancaster County has multiple local police agencies plus PSP.
MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT COURT
What happened first?
Preliminary arraignment, bail and preliminary hearing normally begin before a Magisterial District Judge.
Felony and misdemeanor cases can begin here.
COMMON PLEAS
What happened to the case?
Review formal arraignment, status conferences, pleas, trial, judgment and sentencing.
The Clerk of Courts maintains Common Pleas criminal records.
PA STATE POLICE
What appears statewide?
Use PATCH for a Pennsylvania criminal history or SP 4-170 for your own full Access and Review.
County searches do not equal a statewide history.How to search Lancaster County Prison inmates
Open the official Public Inmate Search
Use Lancaster County’s jail database rather than a commercial people-search site.
Run the Lancaster County inmate search
Complete the human-verification step
The current prison search requires verification before displaying the live search interface.
Begin with the legal surname
Use a broader search first when the exact first name, middle name or suffix is uncertain.
Use date of birth when possible
Lancaster County specifically recommends DOB when using its automated inmate-information system because it helps separate people with similar names.
Open every plausible result
Do not identify someone from a matching name alone.
Record the inmate identification number
You will need the identifier for money orders, legal mail, account questions and other prison services.
Record every charge separately
One custody event may involve several complaints, warrants or cases.
Check bail information
Treat the displayed figure as custody information and confirm the current court order before posting money.
Identify the criminal docket
Move from the prison result to the UJS court system using the person’s name, complaint number or docket number.
Find the disposition
Do not stop at the arrest or preliminary charge; determine how each count ultimately ended.
Use Lancaster County Prison’s automated inmate-information line
Lancaster County Prison:
717-299-7800
Select option 2 for inmate information.
Select option 2 for inmate information.
Call 717-299-7800
Listen for the inmate-information menu.
Press option 2
This routes the caller to the automated inmate-information service.
Search by name or date of birth
The county recommends date of birth when it is known.
Listen for the charges
Record each allegation instead of relying on memory.
Listen for bail
Write down the amount and any related case information.
Listen for visitation information
The system can help route callers to visiting details.
Use the phone-account information
The automated system can also provide information about funding the incarcerated person’s phone account.
What Lancaster County inmate information means
| Field | What it tells you | What it does not prove | Next action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inmate ID | Identifies the person inside the prison system. | The final outcome of the case. | Use it for money, mail and prison questions. |
| Commitment / booking date | When the custody event was recorded. | The date of the alleged crime. | Compare the complaint and docket. |
| Charge | An accusation associated with custody. | Conviction or final charge. | Read the criminal complaint and later filings. |
| Bail | The release amount or condition presently associated with the case. | That payment clears every warrant or case. | Confirm through the MDJ or Clerk. |
| Housing unit | Where the person is housed inside Lancaster County Prison. | The housing assignment will remain unchanged. | Use the unit to determine the visit day. |
| Release | The custody event has ended. | The charges were dismissed. | Check the UJS docket. |
| Complaint / docket reference | Connects the arrest to a court proceeding. | All counts had the same disposition. | Search the exact number in UJS. |
Verify the person before relying on a Lancaster arrest result
Full legal name is consistent
Middle name, alias or suffix is consistent
Date of birth matches
Arrest or commitment date matches
Police agency matches the known location
Inmate number matches other prison records
Court complaint or docket matches the arrest
Final disposition belongs to the same defendant
Do not use name alone. Pennsylvania’s own court portal warns that public data can be incomplete or delayed. A common-name result should never be treated as enough proof to accuse, publish or make a high-impact decision about someone.
No Lancaster County arrest or jail record found?
The person is still being processed
Intake, identification and commitment processing can delay a new result.
The person was already released
The current inmate locator is not designed as a complete permanent arrest archive.
The spelling is different
Try a former surname, alias, maiden name, suffix or alternate spelling.
You searched by name only
Call the automated line and use date of birth, which Lancaster County recommends.
The arrest occurred in another county
Search the county where the person was actually taken into custody.
The person entered state or federal custody
County prison search will not replace Pennsylvania DOC or federal custody searches.
The court case is still being entered
UJS warns that recent entries may not be immediately reflected online.
The case has limited access
Expunged, sealed and Clean Slate limited-access cases are not visible to the general public through UJS Case Search.
Missing-inmate call script
I am trying to confirm whether [full legal name], date of birth [date], is currently in Lancaster County Prison. The arrest may have occurred on [date] through [police agency]. Can you confirm whether the person is currently committed, released, transferred or listed under another identifier?
Follow the arrest from the MDJ to the Court of Common Pleas
Arrest
A municipal police department, Pennsylvania State Police or another authorized agency makes the arrest and creates the underlying police records.
Preliminary arraignment
The defendant is advised of the charges and bail is set.
Preliminary hearing
The hearing occurs before a Magisterial District Judge. The purpose is to decide whether sufficient evidence exists for the case to continue.
Case closes or moves to Common Pleas
A case not disposed of at the preliminary stage can be forwarded to Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas.
Formal arraignment
When represented, counsel generally enters a not-guilty plea, is added to the docket and requests discovery.
Status conference
The prosecutor and defense address discovery, negotiation, plea options and trial preparation before a judge.
Call of the Criminal Trial List
The matter may be listed for guilty plea, continued or placed into a trial term.
Disposition
The case may end in dismissal, nolle prosequi, plea, acquittal, conviction or another final court disposition.
Sentence / supervision
A conviction can lead to prison, jail, probation, parole, fines, restitution or another lawful sentence.
Request the police report from the agency that created it
Lancaster County Prison is not the arrest-report custodian for every arrest. Lancaster County contains municipal police departments and Pennsylvania State Police coverage. The detailed incident narrative belongs with the investigating agency.
Identify the arresting agency
Read the prison record, criminal complaint or UJS docket.
Record the police incident or complaint number
UJS allows searches by police incident or complaint number when available.
Request the exact document
Ask for the arrest report, incident report or other specifically identified releasable record.
Include a narrow date range
Provide the arrest date, incident date, location and defendant name.
Do not expect the Right-to-Know Law to expose an active investigative file automatically
Criminal investigative information can be subject to separate Pennsylvania access restrictions.
Request releasable portions
Ask the agency to provide non-exempt portions even when some information must be withheld or redacted.
Copy-ready police-record request
I request the releasable police report or incident documentation concerning [full legal name] for the incident or arrest on [date] at [location]. Known identifiers are police incident/complaint number [number], Lancaster County Prison ID [number] and court docket number [number]. Please provide the responsive record electronically when available and identify the legal basis for material withheld or redacted.
Pennsylvania State Police reports and criminal-history checks use separate PSP processes. Do not send a PSP request to Lancaster County simply because the person was later housed in Lancaster County Prison.
Search Lancaster County criminal docket sheets
Open Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal
Use the statewide public court portal.
Open UJS Case Search
Choose Lancaster County
Narrowing the county helps avoid unrelated cases across Pennsylvania.
Search by docket number when known
This is usually the safest route to the correct case.
Otherwise use participant name
Compare date of birth and other available identifiers.
Try the police incident or complaint number
UJS supports these identifiers and they can directly connect an arrest to its case.
Check Magisterial District Court records
Preliminary arraignment, preliminary hearing and early case information may appear there.
Check Court of Common Pleas
Cases forwarded from the MDJ level continue in Lancaster County Common Pleas.
Read every charge disposition separately
One count can be dismissed while another results in conviction.
Check the calendar for the next hearing
UJS Public Calendar can show scheduled criminal court events.
Do not assume a missing case never existed
Sealed, expunged, limited-access and destroyed records may not appear publicly.
UJS states that recent court entries may not immediately appear online. For a time-sensitive matter, verify with the court where the case was filed.
Get an official Lancaster County criminal record search
Lancaster County Clerk of Courts
Lancaster County Courthouse, 2nd Floor
50 N. Duke Street
Lancaster, PA 17602
Phone: 717-299-8275
Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Filing hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Lancaster County Courthouse, 2nd Floor
50 N. Duke Street
Lancaster, PA 17602
Phone: 717-299-8275
Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Filing hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
The Clerk’s office states that it does not conduct its criminal record-search service by telephone.
Prepare a written request
Private individuals must submit the request in writing.
Provide the person’s name
Include aliases, maiden names and prior married names when known.
Provide address and date of birth
These help the Clerk distinguish people with similar names.
Follow the Clerk’s identification requirements
The published private-individual procedure requests full identifying information for its official records check.
Include a certified check
Make payment payable to Clerk of Courts for the required fee.
Receive the court-seal response
The Clerk states that it sends an official court-seal letter identifying Lancaster County charges, offense date and disposition, or a letter stating that no record was found.
Request copies separately when needed
Ordinary and certified copies have separate charges.
Scope limitation: The Clerk states that its criminal record-search result covers convictions occurring in Lancaster County. Use Pennsylvania State Police PATCH when a Pennsylvania statewide criminal-history check is needed.
Lancaster County Clerk of Courts criminal record charges
| Service | Published fee | What it provides |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal record search | $21.50 per search | Written Lancaster County criminal-record search. |
| Certified copy | $8.75 per certified copy requested | Certified court document when requested. |
| Ordinary copy | $0.25 per copy | Non-certified reproduction. |
Search the free UJS docket first. Use a paid Clerk search or certified copy only when you actually need an official county record or certified proof.
Check a possible warrant without relying on an old screenshot
Open the Sheriff’s wanted-persons page
The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office provides a warrant-check route.
Check Lancaster County wanted persons
Match the full identity
Do not act on a name-only result.
Find the issuing court
Determine whether the warrant comes from Common Pleas, a Magisterial District Judge or another jurisdiction.
Read the newest UJS docket entries
A warrant can later be served, lifted or otherwise resolved.
For MDJ warrants, contact the listed MDJ
The Sheriff’s District Court Warrant Control Unit states that it cannot dismiss a Magisterial District Judge warrant.
Get legal advice when the warrant concerns you
The Lancaster Public Defender advises that voluntarily addressing an active warrant with counsel is preferable to waiting for an unexpected arrest.
District Court Warrant Control general questions:
717-723-4929 — press 0
717-723-4929 — press 0
Sheriff scam warning: Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office states that it will not call or email demanding fines, court costs or bail through online payment, gift cards or money cards.
How bail is posted in Lancaster County
Find out who currently holds the case
A new case may still be before the Magisterial District Judge who set bail.
Confirm the exact bail amount
Use the jail information and current court record.
Check every case and warrant
Posting one case does not automatically resolve another hold.
Use the MDJ when the case has not reached the Clerk
Contact the Magisterial District Judge who set bail.
Use Clerk of Courts after the case is received there
Bail may be posted at the second-floor Clerk office from 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. excluding holidays.
Prepare an accepted payment method
The Clerk lists cash or certified check for direct bail payment.
Other permitted surety methods exist
The Clerk also lists bail bondsmen, surety companies and real estate posted as surety.
Keep all bail documents
Save the receipt, docket number and any conditions of release.
| Situation | Where to go | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| Case still at MDJ level | Magisterial District Judge | Use the office that set bail. |
| Case received by Common Pleas Clerk | Clerk of Courts, 2nd floor | Published bail-posting window: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
| Direct payment | Applicable court office | Clerk lists cash or certified check. |
| Surety option | Licensed bail / surety route | Bail bondsman, surety company or eligible real estate may be used. |
Report to Bail Administration when supervision is ordered
Lancaster County Bail Administration
50 N. Duke Street
5th Floor Courthouse
Lancaster, PA 17602
Phone: 717-295-3584
Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
50 N. Duke Street
5th Floor Courthouse
Lancaster, PA 17602
Phone: 717-295-3584
Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
When bail supervision is a condition of release, Bail Administration instructs defendants to report for intake services before 3:00 p.m.
Bring the criminal case information
Bring release-condition paperwork
Report before 3:00 p.m. for intake
Keep the next court date
Follow reporting conditions exactly
Update address/contact information as required
Apply for the Lancaster County Public Defender
Lancaster County Public Defender’s Office
150 N. Queen Street, Suite 210
Lancaster, PA 17603
Phone: 717-299-8131
Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
150 N. Queen Street, Suite 210
Lancaster, PA 17603
Phone: 717-299-8131
Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
The Public Defender states that its office automatically represents incarcerated individuals in qualifying pending criminal matters. If a person is released while the case remains active, the person should reapply through Bail Administration.
Released defendants: where to apply
Apply in person:
Lancaster County Bail Administration
Lancaster County Courthouse
50 N. Duke Street, 5th Floor
Lancaster, PA 17602
Phone: 717-295-3584
Application hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Lancaster County Bail Administration
Lancaster County Courthouse
50 N. Duke Street, 5th Floor
Lancaster, PA 17602
Phone: 717-295-3584
Application hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Bring all required application documents
Criminal Complaint
Police Affidavit
Traffic/non-traffic court letter if jail or probation is possible
Proof of all applicant/spouse income from the last 30 days
Most recent bank statement or account balance
Bank/ATM balance dated the same day as application
Proof of medical-bill payments from the last 30 days
Proof of court-ordered child-support payments from the last 30 days
The Public Defender warns that the application cannot be processed when the required documentation is missing.
Get Lancaster County case support and custody notifications
Victim / Witness Services
50 N. Duke Street
P.O. Box 83480
Lancaster, PA 17608
Phone: 717-299-8048
Fax: 717-209-3164
Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
50 N. Duke Street
P.O. Box 83480
Lancaster, PA 17608
Phone: 717-299-8048
Fax: 717-209-3164
Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Court support
Advocates provide criminal-court information, support and help preparing for hearings.
Safety help
Victim / Witness Services can assist when a victim or witness is threatened or intimidated.
Restitution
Advocates assist victims with restitution-related information and procedures.
Compensation
Staff can help prepare a Pennsylvania Victims Compensation Assistance Program claim.
Impact statement
Victims can request guidance about preparing an impact statement.
Custody alerts
PA SAVIN provides confidential notifications for qualifying custody changes.
PA SAVIN notifications for Lancaster County Prison
Escape notification
Transfer notification
Release notification
Return-to-jail notification
Schedule a visit using the inmate’s housing unit
No walk-ins. A visit must be scheduled by calling on the designated day for the inmate’s housing unit.
Visitation scheduling:
Call 717-299-7800 and select option 1
Scheduling calls: 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. on the designated call day.
Call 717-299-7800 and select option 1
Scheduling calls: 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. on the designated call day.
| Housing | Visit day | Call to schedule |
|---|---|---|
| 3-1 | Monday | Sunday |
| 3-2 | Tuesday | Monday |
| 2-1 | Wednesday | Tuesday |
| 2-2 | Thursday | Wednesday |
| 3-5 | Thursday | Wednesday |
| G-1 Work Party | Thursday | Wednesday |
| G-2 | Friday | Thursday |
| MHU | Friday | Thursday |
| 2-5 | Saturday | Friday |
| D-Block | Saturday | Friday |
| Administrative Segregation | Saturday | Friday |
| C-Main | Sunday | Saturday |
| Work Release | Sunday | Saturday |
Published visiting blocks
Morning
- 8:00–9:00 a.m.
- 9:00–10:00 a.m.
Afternoon / evening
- 1:00–2:00 p.m.
- 2:00–3:00 p.m.
- 6:30–7:30 p.m.
- 7:30–8:30 p.m.
The county’s current visitor-information page is marked revised April 2025. Operational emergencies can suspend normal visiting procedures, so confirm before traveling.
Pass Lancaster County Prison visitor screening
Previously incarcerated visitors must be out at least six months
Schedule the visit the day before according to housing-unit rules
No walk-in visits
Arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled visit
Bring current government photo identification
ID address must match the inmate’s visitation list
Pass the metal detector
Medical implants/devices require supporting documentation
Minors must be with a parent or legal guardian
Guardian must bring proof of guardianship
Footwear is required
Clothing must keep private body areas concealed
Items and clothing that cause problems
Personal property
- No purse or backpack in the visiting room.
- No cell phone.
- Lobby lockers are available for unauthorized personal property.
- Published locker cost: $0.50, quarters only.
Metal detector
- Visitors receive two opportunities to clear screening.
- Jewelry and hair accessories must clear.
- Underwire bras can trigger the detector.
- Medical hardware requires documentation.
Clothing
- No alcohol-related logos.
- No drug-related logos.
- Modest attire is required.
- Proper attire is determined by visitation staff.
Leaving the visitation room for any reason ends the remaining visit. Video and audio surveillance is in use, and the lobby is subject to K-9 inspection.
People held on sexual charges are not permitted visits with minors unless the court directs otherwise.
Do not send ordinary personal mail directly to the prison
Personal-mail procedure changed in June 2024. Lancaster County Prison states that personal mail is no longer accepted directly at the county jail and uses a digital-mail process.
Confirm the incarcerated person’s full booking name and ID
The inmate ID should be included exactly as required by the current digital-mail instructions.
Open the official Contacting Incarcerated Individuals page
The county displays the current Securus personal-mail routing address there.
Copy the current personal-mail address
Do not send personal correspondence to 625 E. King Street
That address is retained for legal mail and specified institutional correspondence rather than ordinary personal mail.
Use Securus eMessaging for digital communication
Friends and family can communicate through the approved system.
Open Securus
Remember that tablets are issued upon commitment
Housing units also contain kiosks and telephones.
Legal mail address
Legal mail
Lancaster County Prison
Incarcerated Individual’s Full Name and ID # — LEGAL MAIL
625 E. King Street
Lancaster, PA 17602
Incarcerated Individual’s Full Name and ID # — LEGAL MAIL
625 E. King Street
Lancaster, PA 17602
Legal mail is delivered unopened to preserve confidentiality. The incarcerated person opens it in front of staff and acknowledges receipt.
Greeting cards
Lancaster County’s mail policy states that greeting cards are not accepted through ordinary mail unless they are shipped directly from the prison’s approved card vendor.
Family emergency: For a death or serious illness involving a family member, contact the Lancaster County Prison Chaplain’s Office at 717-295-2089.
Add commissary money to the correct Lancaster County Prison account
Lobby kiosk
Cash, credit and debit deposits are accepted through the kiosk located in the Lancaster County Prison vestibule. A service fee applies.
JailATM
Friends and family can deposit inmate-account money online. A service fee applies.
Securus
Use Securus for phone calls, eMessaging stamps and tablet media—not for commissary deposits.
Mail a money order or certified check
Inmate account mailing address
Lancaster County Prison
Attn: Inmate Accounts
625 E. King Street
Lancaster, PA 17602
Attn: Inmate Accounts
625 E. King Street
Lancaster, PA 17602
Use money order or certified check only
Write the incarcerated person’s full name
Write the person’s identification number
Do not confuse Securus media money with commissary funds
Published prison processing fee
Lancaster County currently publishes a $35 processing fee for every newly incarcerated or reincarcerated person. The county states that financial privileges and commissary use are unavailable until the fee is paid in full, although medical services remain available regardless of ability to pay the fee.
What happens to remaining money?
Released
The person receives a debit card containing the remaining account balance.
Transferred
The remaining balance is sent by check to the receiving institution.
Set up Lancaster County Prison calls correctly
Lancaster County uses Securus for inmate telephone and eMessaging services. Calls may originate through the person’s tablet or the telephone located in the housing unit.
Confirm current custody
Make sure the person remains at Lancaster County Prison.
Create the approved Securus account
Use the provider linked by Lancaster County.
Open Securus communication services
Choose the correct service
Phone, eMessaging and tablet media use different account functions.
Do not use three-way calling
Lancaster County Prison expressly prohibits three-way calls.
Keep legal discussions separate
Ordinary jail calls and eMessaging should not be treated as confidential attorney-client communication.
Report an urgent Lancaster County Prison safety concern
Prison main number
625 E. King Street, Lancaster, PA 17602
24/7 inmate safety line
The county identifies this as its monitored inmate suicide/safety line.
PREA Hotline
Friends and family may report suspected sexual abuse or harassment.
Lancaster County reports that the prison passed its February 2025 Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Title 37 inspection and remains in compliance through the next scheduled inspection cycle in 2027.
Use PATCH when you need more than Lancaster County
PATCH background check
- Available online or by mail.
- Current fee: $22.
- Optional notarization: additional $5.
- Checks Pennsylvania criminal-history records only.
- Not a federal criminal-history check.
Access and Review
- Used for your own complete Pennsylvania record.
- Form SP 4-170.
- Mail request only.
- Current fee: $20.
- Includes non-convictions as well as convictions.
Use PATCH for a standard check
Open Pennsylvania PATCH
Choose Submit a New Record Check
Non-registered users can submit up to 10 checks in one session.
Enter accurate identity information
Name and identifying information are compared with the PSP Central Repository.
Understand No Record
Many no-record results are returned immediately and can be printed by the requester.
Understand Request Under Review
This does not automatically mean the person has a criminal record.
Wait for manual review when necessary
PSP states that under-review requests may take roughly two to four weeks.
Save the control number
It is needed to check status and validate the result.
PATCH Help Line: 888-783-7972
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Fix an inaccurate jail, docket or Pennsylvania criminal history
Identify which source is wrong
Compare the prison information, police complaint, UJS docket, Clerk record and PSP history.
Save the incorrect entry
Keep the docket number, complaint number, inmate identifier and disputed field.
Obtain the controlling document
Examples include a certified disposition, corrected court order or police correction.
Correct a UJS docket error through the court
Pennsylvania Courts directs parties or attorneys to submit the correction request to the court where the case was filed.
Use PSP Access and Review for your state history
Obtain the complete record before attempting to correct Pennsylvania State Police data.
Do not confuse correction with expungement
Correction fixes inaccurate data. Expungement or limited access changes lawful public access to an otherwise accurate record.
Remove or restrict an eligible Lancaster County record
Pennsylvania has several different remedies. Expungement, limited access and pardon-related relief are not interchangeable.
Expungement
Qualifying arrest or case information is removed according to the court order and Pennsylvania law.
Limited access
The case remains part of the court record but is removed from ordinary public access.
Automatic Clean Slate relief
Some qualifying cases are automatically designated limited access after statutory requirements are met.
Important Lancaster Public Defender guidance
The Lancaster Public Defender explains that charges not resulting in conviction—such as successful ARD completion or dismissed charges—may be eligible for expungement. Its current FAQ also notes that certain qualifying convictions may be eligible for sealing from public view after statutory periods.
Start an expungement correctly
Get your Pennsylvania Access and Review
Complete PSP Form SP 4-170.
Include the $20 PSP fee
Use certified check or money order payable to Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Include government-issued photo identification
Add legal-representation paperwork when an attorney is submitting the request.
Mail it to the PSP Central Repository
Use the RCPU address below.
Review every Lancaster arrest and disposition
Determine which case actually qualifies before filing.
Use the current Pennsylvania expungement form
UJS provides petitions under Rules 490 and 790 depending on the case type.
Open current Pennsylvania court forms
Use the limited-access petition when appropriate
UJS also publishes the current Rule 791 limited-access petition.
File through Lancaster County Clerk of Courts
Use the correct criminal docket number and current filing instructions.
Keep the signed court order
It is the key proof when resolving later public-record or background-report problems.
Recheck public UJS access
Sealed, expunged and limited-access cases are not displayed to the general public through Case Search.
PSP Access and Review mailing address
Pennsylvania State Police
Central Repository – RCPU
1800 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758
Central Repository – RCPU
1800 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758
Right-to-Know requests are not a shortcut to every arrest record
County administrative records
General county records requests go to the County Open Records Officer.
District Attorney records
DA records use the DA’s designated Open Records Officer.
Court records
Judicial records use the court’s own access rules rather than the ordinary county administrative route.
County Open Records Office
150 N. Queen Street, Suite 714
Lancaster, PA 17603
Phone: 717-735-1584
Email: openrecords@lancastercountypa.gov
150 N. Queen Street, Suite 714
Lancaster, PA 17603
Phone: 717-735-1584
Email: openrecords@lancastercountypa.gov
District Attorney Open Records Officer
50 N. Duke Street
Lancaster, PA 17608
Email: dartk@lancastercountypa.gov
The DA states that fax requests are not accepted.
50 N. Duke Street
Lancaster, PA 17608
Email: dartk@lancastercountypa.gov
The DA states that fax requests are not accepted.
Court Rule 509 Open Records Officer
Office of Court Administration
Lancaster County Courthouse
50 N. Duke Street
Lancaster, PA 17608
Email: lancastercourtrule509@lancastercountypa.gov
Office of Court Administration
Lancaster County Courthouse
50 N. Duke Street
Lancaster, PA 17608
Email: lancastercourtrule509@lancastercountypa.gov
Lancaster County jail, court and legal-help contacts
Lancaster County Prison
625 E. King Street
Lancaster, PA 17602
Lancaster, PA 17602
Work Release
Clerk of Courts
50 N. Duke Street, 2nd Floor
Lancaster, PA 17602
Lancaster, PA 17602
Court of Common Pleas
50 N. Duke Street
Lancaster, PA 17608
Lancaster, PA 17608
Bail Administration
50 N. Duke Street, 5th Floor
Lancaster, PA 17602
Lancaster, PA 17602
Public Defender
150 N. Queen Street, Suite 210
Lancaster, PA 17603
Lancaster, PA 17603
Victim / Witness Services
50 N. Duke Street
Lancaster, PA 17608
Lancaster, PA 17608
Lancaster County Sheriff
50 N. Duke Street
Lancaster, PA 17608
Lancaster, PA 17608
Lancaster County Prison map
Lancaster County Courthouse map
Courthouse device warning: Lancaster County Courts state that public cell phones and other audio/video recording devices are prohibited in court facilities. Leave prohibited equipment elsewhere before entering.
What this Lancaster County guide solves without another search
Current custody
Official inmate search, automated phone lookup, DOB search guidance and jail-field interpretation.
Court verification
MDJ-to-Common-Pleas workflow, UJS search identifiers, Clerk search procedure and exact published copy charges.
Bail
Where bail is posted, Clerk hours, cash/certified-check rule, surety alternatives and Bail Administration intake.
Prison visitation
Housing-unit schedule, call days, visit times, no-walk-in rule, ID, minors, metal detector and clothing requirements.
Inmate communication
June 2024 digital-mail change, direct legal-mail address, Securus eMessaging, phone rule and Chaplain emergency number.
Money
JailATM, lobby kiosk, mailed certified funds, Securus separation and Lancaster’s $35 commitment processing fee.
Legal representation
Automatic incarcerated-person representation, released-person reapplication and complete Public Defender document checklist.
Victim services
Advocacy, compensation help, restitution and PA SAVIN release/transfer/escape notifications.
Record correction
UJS correction route, statewide Access and Review, PATCH fees, expungement and limited-access process.
Lancaster County arrest-record questions answered
How do I search Lancaster County PA arrest records?
Start with the official Lancaster County Prison inmate search when the person may still be incarcerated. Then use Pennsylvania UJS Case Search to verify the complaint, criminal docket and final disposition.
How do I find someone in Lancaster County Prison?
Use the Public Inmate Search or call 717-299-7800 and press option 2. The automated system can search by name or date of birth; Lancaster County recommends DOB when it is available.
How do I find the court case after an arrest?
Search Pennsylvania UJS by docket number, participant name, offense tracking number, police incident number or complaint number. Check both Magisterial District Court and Court of Common Pleas records when appropriate.
How much is a Lancaster County Clerk criminal record search?
The Clerk currently publishes a $21.50 search fee, $8.75 for each certified copy requested and $0.25 for ordinary copies.
How do I post bail in Lancaster County?
If the case has reached the Clerk of Courts, bail may be posted at the second-floor courthouse office from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. excluding holidays. The Clerk accepts cash or certified check and also recognizes specified surety options.
How do Lancaster County Prison visits work?
Call 717-299-7800 option 1 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on the designated scheduling day for the inmate’s housing unit. There are no walk-ins, and visitors must arrive 15 minutes early.
How do I send money to someone in Lancaster County Prison?
Use the lobby kiosk, JailATM or mail a money order or certified check with the person’s name and ID to Lancaster County Prison, Attn: Inmate Accounts, 625 E. King Street, Lancaster, PA 17602.
How do I get a Lancaster County public defender?
Qualifying incarcerated defendants are automatically represented. Released defendants with an active case must apply in person through Bail Administration and bring all required criminal and financial documents.
How much is a Pennsylvania PATCH criminal-history check?
The current standard PATCH background-check fee is $22, with an optional $5 notarization charge. A personal Access and Review costs $20.
Can a Lancaster County arrest record be expunged or sealed?
Some non-convictions, successful ARD matters and other qualifying records may be expunged, while other qualifying cases can receive limited access under Pennsylvania Clean Slate law. Eligibility depends on the exact disposition and record.