Lancaster County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Lancaster County?

Public records in Lancaster County are defined under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.102, as any record, document, or information created or received by a Commonwealth agency or local agency in connection with the transaction of public business. Members of the public may inspect a broad range of record categories maintained by various county offices.

The following record types are currently available through Lancaster County government offices:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family matters) — maintained by the Clerk of Courts, which is primarily responsible for recording, maintaining, and processing criminal and juvenile records for the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas
Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, and assessments) — maintained by the Recorder of Deeds and the Assessment Office
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates) — birth and death records are held by the Pennsylvania Department of Health; marriage licenses are issued and maintained by the Lancaster County Clerk of Orphans' Court
Business records (licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations) — maintained by the Prothonotary's Office and the Pennsylvania Department of State
Tax records (property tax and assessment records) — maintained by the Lancaster County Tax Claim Bureau and Assessment Office
Voting and election records — maintained by the Lancaster County Election Commission
Meeting minutes and agendas (county commissioners, boards, and authorities) — available through the Lancaster County Commissioners' Office
Budget and financial documents — published by the Lancaster County Controller's Office
Law enforcement records (arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law) — maintained by the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office and individual municipal police departments
Land use and zoning records — maintained by the Lancaster County Planning Commission

Historical and archival records created within the county courts are preserved by the Lancaster County Archives Division, which was established in 1975 as the official repository for permanent records of county origin.

Is Lancaster County an Open Records County?

Lancaster County fully complies with Pennsylvania's statewide open records framework, and all county agencies are subject to the requirements of the Right-to-Know Law. Under 65 P.S. § 67.301, a record in the possession of a local agency is presumed to be a public record unless it is exempt under the statute, protected by a privilege, or required to be kept confidential by law, regulation, or court order. This presumption of openness places the burden on the agency — not the requester — to justify any denial of access.

Key provisions of the law currently in effect include:

Agencies must respond to written requests within five business days of receipt
Failure to respond within the statutory period is deemed a denial, triggering the requester's right to appeal
The Office of Open Records serves as the statewide appellate body for disputes involving local agencies

The Right to Know Contact Information page on the Lancaster County official website identifies the designated Open Records Officers for each county department, including a separate officer for the District Attorney's Office handling criminal investigative records. The City of Lancaster maintains its own public records program in accordance with the same Act, making available for public inspection all records that meet the qualifications set forth therein.

How to Find Public Records in Lancaster County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Lancaster County public records through several official channels. The process is straightforward and does not require the requester to state a reason for the request in most circumstances.

Step 1 — Identify the correct office. Determine which county agency maintains the record sought. Court records are held by the Clerk of Courts or the Prothonotary; property records by the Recorder of Deeds; archived historical records by the Archives Division.

Step 2 — Submit a written request. Requests must be submitted in writing. The county provides an online open records request form through the Lancaster County Government Center portal. Requests may also be submitted by mail, email, fax, or in person to the designated Open Records Officer for the relevant department.

Step 3 — Search court records online. For judicial records, members of the public may use the UJS Portal case search, which provides access to Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System as a source of public information, including docket entries and case status for matters filed in the Court of Common Pleas.

Step 4 — Await the agency response. Under current law, the agency has five business days to grant, deny, or request a 30-day extension to respond. If the request is granted, the agency will notify the requester of the availability of the records and any applicable fees.

Step 5 — Appeal if denied. If a request is denied or deemed denied, the requester may appeal to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records within 15 business days of the denial.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Lancaster County?

Current fees for public records in Lancaster County are governed by the fee schedule established under 65 P.S. § 67.1307, which authorizes agencies to charge reasonable fees for duplication but prohibits fees for the time spent searching or retrieving records.

Standard fees currently applicable include:

$0.25 per page for black-and-white paper copies (letter or legal size)
$0.25 per page for paper copies made from microfilm or microfiche
Actual cost for specialized documents, oversized maps, or electronic media
Postage at current USPS rates if records are mailed to the requester
Certification fees vary by office; the Recorder of Deeds and Clerk of Courts may charge additional fees for certified copies as authorized by separate fee schedules

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, and money order payable to the relevant county office. Some offices accept credit or debit card payments at the public counter.

Fee waivers are not broadly mandated under the Right-to-Know Law; however, agencies retain discretion to waive or reduce fees in appropriate circumstances, particularly where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest.

Does Lancaster County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to all members of the public under Pennsylvania law, which requires agencies to permit in-person review of public records at no charge. Requesters who wish only to inspect — rather than obtain copies of — records may do so without incurring any fees during regular business hours at the relevant county office.

Several categories of records are also available at no cost through official online portals:

Court case information is searchable at no charge through the Lancaster County Courts public access portal, which operates in accordance with the Public Records Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System
Archived county records may be reviewed in person at the Lancaster County Archives Division without charge
City of Lancaster public records are available for free inspection as described on the City of Lancaster public records page
Property assessment data is accessible through the Lancaster County Assessment Office's online database at no cost

Who Can Request Public Records in Lancaster County?

Any person may submit a public records request to a Lancaster County agency under the Right-to-Know Law. The statute does not restrict access based on residency, citizenship, or organizational affiliation. Specifically:

Residency is not required. Non-residents of Lancaster County and non-residents of Pennsylvania retain the same right of access as county residents
Identification is generally not required for standard public records requests, though some offices may request identification for in-person counter transactions
Purpose need not be stated. Requesters are not required to explain why they are seeking a record, and agencies may not condition access on the requester providing a reason
Restrictions apply to certain record types. Access to juvenile records, sealed court records, and certain law enforcement records is restricted regardless of who is requesting them
Requesting one's own records. Individuals seeking records that contain their own personal information may be required to provide identification to verify identity before access is granted, particularly for vital records and court files

Attorneys, journalists, researchers, and members of the general public are all treated equally under the current statutory framework. Non-governmental organizations and businesses may also submit requests on the same basis as individuals.

What Records Are Confidential in Lancaster County?

Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Pennsylvania law. 65 P.S. § 67.708 enumerates the specific exemptions applicable to local agencies, including Lancaster County. The following records are currently withheld from public access:

Sealed court records — records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the general public
Juvenile records — records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under both state statute and court rules
Ongoing criminal investigation records — records compiled in the course of a criminal investigation are exempt until the investigation is closed or charges are filed, as administered through the District Attorney's Open Records Officer identified on the county's right-to-know contact page
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from otherwise public documents
Medical and health records — protected under both state exemptions and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only through court order
Child welfare and protective services records — confidential under the Child Protective Services Law
Personnel records — employee home addresses, personal telephone numbers, and certain disciplinary records are exempt, though employment contracts and salary information are generally public
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to agencies in confidence are protected from disclosure
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — records relating to the security of public buildings, facilities, or systems are withheld to protect public safety

Where a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the agency is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder. The statute does not provide for a general balancing test; exemptions are applied categorically as defined by the legislature.

Lancaster County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The principal offices responsible for public records in Lancaster County are listed below with current contact information and public counter hours.

Lancaster County Recorder of Deeds 150 N. Queen Street, Suite 322, Lancaster, PA 17603 (717) 299-8238 Lancaster County Recorder of Deeds Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Lancaster County Clerk of Courts 50 N. Duke Street, Lancaster, PA 17602 (717) 299-8282 Clerk of Courts Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Lancaster County Archives Division 150 N. Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17603 (717) 299-8289 Archives Division Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (appointments recommended for archival research)

Lancaster County Open Records Office 150 N. Queen Street (Enter on Chestnut St.), Lancaster, PA 17603 (717) 299-8300 Right To Know Contact Information Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

City of Lancaster Office of the City Clerk (Public Records) 120 N. Duke Street, Lancaster, PA 17602 (717) 291-4711 City of Lancaster Public Records Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.