Franklin County, Pennsylvania State Court Records
Franklin County court records document the history of legal proceedings within the court system. These records play a critical role in providing transparency into how the local courts operate. The trial-level courts, including the Court of Common Pleas and several Magisterial District Courts, act as the primary custodians of these documents. Custodians, such as the Clerk of Courts//Orphans’ Court and the Prothonotary, maintain these files and ensure they remain accessible as mandated by law.
The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania establishes the rules governing the creation and preservation of all court records. Although these documents primarily document legal proceedings, they frequently reference other public information, such as arrest data and vital certificates.
Are Franklin County Court Records Public?
Yes. Under the Case Records Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania, the public possesses a general right to inspect and copy case records. Most civil and criminal filings remain open for review, although the law restricts access to certain sensitive matters. For example, records involving juveniles are not available for public inspection to protect the privacy of minors. The Clerk of Orphans’ Court also restricts access to adoption files, gestational birth records, and documents regarding the termination of parental rights. Moreover, courts redact specific confidential data from public documents, including Social Security numbers and full driver’s license numbers. Legally sealed or expunged records also fall outside the scope of public access.
What Information is Available in Franklin County Court Records?
Franklin County court records contain various components. A case docket serves as a chronological record of every filing and event, providing a thorough summary of court proceedings. These summaries typically list the individuals or entities involved in the lawsuit along with their legal representatives. Within court records, one can find formal petitions/complaints, motions, and affidavits submitted by the parties. Furthermore, the files contain the definitive resolutions of these legal matters, such as judicial opinions, court orders, and judgments.
Court records also often highlight financial information, such as restitution requirements, court fees, and bail figures.
Franklin County Court Records Search
Franklin County court records may be searched and accessed through the following avenues:
- Online Access: Individuals can search for many court records for free through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System’s Web Portal. This portal allows users to search by participant name, docket number, or police incident number for criminal and magisterial cases. While many records are available through this central system, access to specific civil records may vary depending on the type of case.
- In-Person Access: For a more thorough search, the public may visit the Franklin County Judicial Center to use dedicated computer terminals. The Clerk of Courts provides public computers that allow users to search criminal records dating back more than 30 years. Staff members can assist researchers in locating physical docket books for records created before 1993.
Visiting the office in person also allows individuals to request and review the actual physical case files. Researchers seeking historical records can visit the Franklin County Archives, which manages nearly 7 miles of county records.
- Mail and Phone Requests: A court clerk’s office typically accepts written, faxed, or emailed requests for court records, although staff primarily perform research for government or law enforcement agencies. Private individuals who submit requests by mail must typically provide specific details, such as the full name of the parties or a case number.
When requesting copies by mail, individuals should include a self-addressed, stamped envelope to collect the copies. Accepted payment methods generally include cash, money orders, or certified checks. Many offices, including the Prothonotary’s, refuse to accept personal checks from individuals representing themselves in court.
Fees for Court Records in Franklin County
Obtaining copies of court records involves standard fees established by the judicial district. The Clerk of Courts/Orphans’ Court charges 25 cents per page for standard photocopies. If a requester needs a certified copy with an official seal, the fee is $10. Electronic copies of filed transcripts cost 50 cents per page, while bound paper versions cost 75 cents per page. The Prothonotary’s office charges 50 cents per page for standard copies and $5 for each certification.
For vital records (birth & death certificates), one can find ordering information on the county’s website. For marriage records, such information is provided on the Clerk of Courts/Orphans’ Court website.
Franklin County Courthouse Locations
The Franklin County court system consists of the Court of Common Pleas for major cases and several Magisterial District Courts for smaller claims.
Franklin County Court of Common Pleas
Franklin County Judicial Center
14 North Main Street
Chambersburg, PA 17201
Phone: (717) 261-3858
Magisterial District Courts in Franklin County
Franklin County Magisterial District Court 39-2-01
218 N 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, PO 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, PO Box 460
Scotland, PA 17254
Phone: (717) 263-7949
Fax: (717) 263-7079
Franklin County Magisterial District Court 39-3-05
401 S Washington Street
Greencastle, PA 17225
Phone: (717) 597-8581
Fax: (717) 597-8123
Franklin County Magisterial District Court 39-3-06
113 S Main Street
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
Criminal Records Access in Franklin County
Official state-level criminal history background checks in Pennsylvania are handled by the Pennsylvania State Police, not the local county court. Residents can request these comprehensive reports through the Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History (PATCH) system.
The county Clerk of Courts provides access to local criminal case records. While court records offer helpful information about individual cases, they do not replace a formal statewide background check. Users can view criminal court records through the UJS web portal or at public terminals in the courthouse.
Franklin County Probate Records
The legal management of a deceased person’s estate is conducted through the probate process. In Franklin, records from these cases, i.e., probate records, are managed by the Register and Recorder. Within these files, researchers can find formal documents such as inventories, codicils, petitions for letters testamentary, and final accounts detailing the distribution of assets.
On the other hand, the Orphans’ Court oversees adoptions, claims against estates, guardianships, minors’ estates, small estate proceedings, and trusts. The court’s records are maintained by the Clerk of Orphans’ Court.
To obtain the above records, one should contact the specific custodian’s office. Older or more detailed files may require an in-person visit. Researchers can find wills and probate filings dating back to 1784 at the County Archives (see Archives’ online repository). This historical collection ensures that the administration and operation of estates remain documented for future generations. However, certain matters, such as adoptions or guardianships, are confidential or restricted by law to protect personal privacy.
Franklin County Family Court Records
Family court records in Franklin County cover a wide range of sensitive legal matters, including divorce, custody, adoption, and support issues. The Prothonotary serves as the custodian of civil matters, such as divorce and custody, while the Clerk of Orphans’ Court manages adoption and guardianship files. Most family court dockets are available for public viewing through the UJS web portal, which provides an overview of scheduled hearings and case statuses. However, remote access to family court dockets is often limited to basic information to protect privacy.
For more detailed information, researchers may visit the Franklin County Judicial Center to use public terminals. Persons who require certified copies of family law documents, such as a divorce decree, should contact the Prothonotary’s office. The office charges $10 for a certified divorce decree with a gold seal. Requesters must typically provide identification and complete a public access viewing form to inspect restricted physical files.
Federal Court Records in Franklin County
Franklin County falls under the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. This court handles federal civil and criminal cases that arise within the county’s boundaries. The closest physical federal clerk’s office is located in Harrisburg, though additional offices serve the district in Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and Williamsport. These offices maintain official case files and are open to the public during regular business hours for research and document retrieval.
Most federal court records are available electronically through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system. PACER is a national index that allows users to conduct nationwide searches for parties involved in federal litigation. To use this service, individuals must register for a free account. Accessing specific case information and documents through PACER generally costs 10 cents per page, though the cost for a single document is capped at $3. Quarterly fees are often waived if usage remains below $30.