Criminal records in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania can be accessed through several channels. DauphinCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for the county. Additional access points include the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System's online portal, the Dauphin County Clerk of Courts office, law enforcement agencies, and the Pennsylvania State Police criminal history repository. The methods below explain how to search, interpret, and request certified criminal records in Dauphin County.
How to Search Criminal Records in Dauphin County
Several methods are available for searching criminal records in Dauphin County. What you need to begin most searches:
- The individual's full legal name (last name, first name)
- Date of birth (helpful for narrowing results)
- Case docket number (if known)
Through DauphinCourt.us
Start at DauphinCourt.us to search for publicly available court record information related to criminal cases in Dauphin County. Enter the person's name or case number to locate docket details.
Online — State and County Portals
- UJS Web Portal: The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Case Search allows you to look up criminal docket sheets statewide. Select Dauphin County, enter the individual's last name and first name, choose "Criminal" as the docket type, and select Search. The county's own guide to accessing public docket information walks through these steps.
- PATCH (Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History): The PATCH system run by the Pennsylvania State Police provides official criminal history record checks. This is the state's designated repository for criminal history information under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9101 et seq.
- Inmate Lookup: To check whether someone is currently held at the Dauphin County Prison, use the county's online inmate lookup tool. For individuals in state custody, the PA Department of Corrections Inmate Locator covers state facilities.
- Sex Offender Registry: Pennsylvania's Megan's Law website allows searches for registered sex offenders by name, county, or zip code.
In Person
Visit the Dauphin County Clerk of Courts office inside the courthouse to search criminal case files or request copies. Public access terminals may also be available in the courthouse. The Self-Help Center on the 4th floor of the courthouse can assist with general questions about court records.
Dauphin County Clerk of Courts
By Mail or Written Request
- Clerk of Courts: Send a written request to the Clerk of Courts at the courthouse address above. Include the individual's full name, date of birth if known, and the specific records you are requesting. Enclose applicable fees.
- State Criminal History: For an official statewide background check, submit a request through the PATCH system online or by mail to the Pennsylvania State Police, Central Repository, 1800 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110.
Search Dauphin County Criminal Cases by Case Number
Pennsylvania uses a standardized docket number format across its courts. A typical criminal case number in Dauphin County looks like this:
CP-22-CR-0001234-2024
- CP — Court of Common Pleas (trial-level court)
- 22 — County code for Dauphin County
- CR — Case type (CR = Criminal)
- 0001234 — Sequential case number
- 2024 — Year the case was filed
Magisterial District Judge cases use a different prefix — MJ — followed by the district judge's office number, the case type abbreviation, and the sequential number. For example: MJ-12201-CR-0000456-2024.
If you have a docket number, enter it directly into the UJS Web Portal case search to pull up the full docket sheet, including charges, hearing dates, and dispositions.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Dauphin County
Criminal docket sheets in Dauphin County contain detailed information about each case. Here is what the key data points mean:
Charges
| Element | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | The Pennsylvania statute section the defendant is charged under (e.g., 18 Pa.C.S. § 3921 for theft) |
| Grade | Felony (F1, F2, F3), Misdemeanor (M1, M2, M3), or Summary offense |
| Original vs. Amended Charges | Charges may be amended by the prosecution before or during trial — docket sheets show both the original and any amended charges |
| Sequence Number | Each charge on a docket is assigned a count number |
Case Status
- Active: Case is currently proceeding through the court
- Pending: Awaiting a hearing or other court action
- Disposed: All charges have been resolved (by plea, verdict, or dismissal)
- Closed: Case is fully concluded, including any sentencing or post-disposition matters
Hearing Types
- Arraignment: Formal reading of charges; defendant enters initial plea
- Preliminary Hearing: Held before a Magisterial District Judge to determine if enough evidence exists to send the case to the Court of Common Pleas
- Pre-Trial Conference: Meeting between prosecution and defense to discuss case status, potential plea agreements, or trial preparation
- Trial: Bench trial or jury trial where evidence is presented
- Sentencing: Court imposes penalties after a guilty plea or conviction
- Review Hearing: Follow-up hearing to check compliance with probation or other court orders
Court Results (Dispositions)
- Guilty: Defendant convicted by plea or verdict
- Not Guilty: Acquitted at trial
- Nolle Prossed: Prosecution chose not to pursue the charge
- Dismissed: Court dismissed the charge
- ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition): A pretrial diversion program — upon successful completion, charges are typically dismissed and eligible for expungement
- Withdrawn: Charge withdrawn by the prosecution
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Dauphin County
The Dauphin County Clerk of Courts is the custodian of criminal and juvenile court records for the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas.
How to Submit a Request
- In person: Visit the Clerk of Courts office at the Dauphin County Courthouse. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
- By mail: Send a written request to the Clerk of Courts at the address below. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth, case number (if available), and a check or money order for applicable fees.
- Statewide criminal history: For a certified Pennsylvania criminal background check, use the PATCH system online. Only the Pennsylvania State Police can issue an official statewide criminal history record.
Dauphin County Clerk of Courts
Identification Required
- Valid government-issued photo ID for in-person requests
- Notarized request may be required for third-party record requests depending on the record type
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Dauphin County
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PATCH online criminal history check | $22.00 | Paid online via the Pennsylvania State Police PATCH system; results typically returned within minutes for records with no match, or within 2–3 weeks if a review is needed |
| Certified copy of court record (Clerk of Courts) | Varies | Contact the Clerk of Courts for the current per-page and certification fee schedule |
| UJS Portal docket sheet | Free | Viewable and printable online at no charge; these are not certified copies |
| FBI fingerprint-based background check | $23.50–$24.00 | Required for certain employment, licensing, or volunteer positions; processed through an approved channeler or the PSP |
Processing times vary. PATCH requests with no criminal history on file are often returned the same day. Requests that require manual review by the State Police may take up to two to three weeks. In-person requests at the Clerk of Courts office are generally handled while you wait, depending on the complexity of the request. Mail requests typically take one to two weeks.
Fee amounts are established under Pennsylvania law and the fee schedules set by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts and the Pennsylvania State Police. Contact the Clerk of Courts directly to confirm current copy and certification fees before submitting a request.