Clerk of Courts

All criminal records are open to the public. Records may be researched and viewed during the hours of regular operation. There are two public computers available for public use to research criminal records dating back more than 30 years. Computer docket entries are viewable for records from 1993 forward. Docket books contain information on records prior to 1993. Record searchers may request the actual file for review. For a fee, copies or a printout of the docket can be obtained.

The staff of the Clerk of Courts will research records upon written, faxed, e-mailed or personal requests made by a government agency such as law enforcement or military recruitment centers only.

Or visit Pennsylvania’s Unified Judicial System

The Clerk of Courts will NOT provide a certified record check. You must contact the Pennsylvania State Police to have a background check completed. You may request a record check by visiting www.psp.pa.gov.

Public Access Policies

Below you will find information on the Public Access Policies of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania. If you have any questions, please contact the Clerk of Courts office. 

Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania Public Access

Beginning January 6, 2018, the following information is confidential and shall not be included in any document filed with the court or custodian, except on a Confidential Information Form (link to attached PDF Confidential-Information-Form-CIF) filed contemporaneously with the document:

• Social Security numbers
• Financial account numbers except the last four digits when financial account is the subject of the case and cannot otherwise be identified
• Driver’s license numbers
• State Identification (SID) Numbers
• Minors’ names and dates of birth (except when a minor is charged as a defendant in a criminal matter)
• An abuse victim’s address and other contact information in family court actions (including employer’s names, address and work schedule)

Beginning January 6, 2018, the following documents are confidential and shall be filed with a court or custodian with the Confidential Document Form (link to attached PDF Confidential-Document-Form-CDF):

• Financial source documents
• Minors’ educational records
• Medical/psychological records
• Children and Youth Services records
• Marital property inventory and pre-trial statement as provided in Pa.R.C.P. No.1920.33
• Income and expense statement as provided in Pa.R.C.P. No.1910.27(c)
• Agreements between parties as used in 23 Pa.C.S. 3105  

A. Caption
The caption should include the name and division of the court, identifying case number, the names of the parties, and the title of the proceeding. 

B. Filing Fee
The filing fee (if applicable) is due at the time of filing papers and is payable by cash, check or money order.

We have a limited selection of forms available for public use. If these forms do not include what you need, you may research your issue in the Franklin County Law Library.

Forms

Court of Common Pleas – Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis

Entry of Appearance Form

Summary Appeal

Notice of Appeal of Summary Criminal Conviction

Request for Delay of Suspension Revocation or Disqualification Form

Expungements/Limited Access Petitions & Orders

Expungement of Records is a procedure whereby a court orders the annulment and destruction of records of an arrest or other court proceedings.

You MUST attach the required Pennsylvania State Police background check, Request for Individual Access and Review, as per Pa.R.Crim.P. 490 and 790. Disregard the last box on the form petition(s) that inaccurately makes it appear that such a petition can be successfully filed without the required background check. Please see the Pennsylvania State Police website for additional information.
  
If an attorney is filing the petition and order, please enter your appearance at the time of filing.

The petitioner shall serve a copy upon the attorney for the Commonwealth.

Petition and order must be completed in its entirety. The Clerk of Courts Office may not assist you in completing the forms. Our office is not permitted to provide legal advice.

Petition for Expungement Pursuant to Pa.R.Crim.P. 490 – Summary Offense

Blank Expungement Order 490 – Summary Offenses

Petition for Expungement Pursuant to Pa.R.Crim.P. 790 – Misdemeanor/Felony Cases  

Blank Expungement Order 790 – Misdemeanor/Felony Cases

Petition for Limited Access

Order for Limited Access

e-Filing and Record Search

PACFile Rule

Attorney PACFile Guide

Local PACFile Rule