Court records in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania can be searched through several channels. DauphinCourt.us can help find publicly available information about court cases filed in the county. You can also search records through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System's online portal, visit the official Dauphin County Courts website, contact the appropriate clerk's office directly, or use public access terminals at the Dauphin County Courthouse in Harrisburg.
Dauphin Court System & Jurisdictions
Dauphin County's court structure follows Pennsylvania's unified judicial system. Understanding which court handles your case type is essential before searching for docket information.
Court of Common Pleas
The Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas is the county's trial-level court of general jurisdiction. It operates through several divisions:
- Civil Division — lawsuits, contract disputes, personal injury claims, and appeals from magisterial district courts. The Prothonotary maintains all civil filings.
- Criminal Division — felonies, misdemeanors, and related matters. The Clerk of Courts maintains criminal and juvenile records.
- Family Division — divorce, custody, child support, protection from abuse orders, and juvenile dependency cases.
- Orphans' Court Division — estates, guardianships, adoptions, and trust matters. The Register of Wills serves as Clerk of Orphans' Court.
Magisterial District Courts
Dauphin County has several Magisterial District Judges (MDJs) who handle:
- Landlord-tenant disputes
- Civil claims up to $12,000
- Summary criminal offenses and traffic violations
- Preliminary hearings for criminal cases
You can locate the appropriate MDJ for a specific municipality using the Dauphin County GIS Open Data Portal, which includes an MDJ locator tool.
Dauphin Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find today's, tomorrow's, or this week's court schedule in Dauphin County, use these resources:
- UJS Web Portal — The Pennsylvania Courts Case Search allows you to look up individual cases and view scheduled hearing dates by searching a party name or docket number. Select "Dauphin" as the county and choose the appropriate docket type.
- Dauphin County Courts website — Visit the Courts section of the county website for announcements, scheduling information, and links to court departments.
- Courthouse postings — Daily court calendars and hearing lists are typically posted at the Dauphin County Courthouse. The Self-Help Center on the 4th floor can assist with finding scheduled proceedings.
- Contact the clerk — For criminal calendar inquiries, call the Clerk of Courts. For civil calendar inquiries, contact the Prothonotary's office.
Magisterial district court schedules are managed by each individual MDJ office. Call the specific district court to confirm hearing times.
How to Get a Copy of a Dauphin Court Document
The office you contact depends on the type of record you need.
Civil Court Records
The Dauphin County Prothonotary maintains civil case files. You can search cases online through the Prothonotary's public case search portal, which allows searches by name or case number. For copies of filed documents, contact the office directly or visit in person:
Criminal Court Records
Criminal docket sheets are available through the Accessing Public Docket Information page on the county website. To search:
- Go to the UJS Case Search portal
- Enter Dauphin as the county
- Enter the individual's last name, then first name
- Select "Criminal" as the docket type
- Click Search
For certified copies of criminal records, contact the Clerk of Courts:
Certified vs. Uncertified Copies
- Uncertified copies — available for general reference; can often be printed from online portals at no charge or obtained in person for a per-page fee.
- Certified copies — bear the court seal and an official attestation. Required for most legal proceedings. Must be obtained from the appropriate clerk's office, either in person or by mail. Include the case number and a written request when ordering by mail.
Juvenile records, sealed records, and certain family court filings are restricted under Pennsylvania law and are not available to the general public.
Dauphin Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court documents in Dauphin County are set by the respective offices and Pennsylvania statute. The following table reflects commonly assessed fees. Contact the specific office to confirm current amounts, as fees may change.
| Service | Approximate Fee | Office |
|---|---|---|
| Civil case search (online) | Free | Prothonotary |
| Criminal docket sheet (online via UJS) | Free | UJS Portal |
| Uncertified copy (per page) | $0.25–$0.50 | Prothonotary / Clerk of Courts |
| Certified copy of document | $5.00–$10.00+ | Prothonotary / Clerk of Courts |
| Certification fee (seal and attestation) | Varies by document | Applicable clerk's office |
| PATCH criminal background check | $22.00 | PA State Police (online) |
Payment methods: The Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts offices generally accept cash, checks, and money orders. Some online portals accept credit or debit cards. Confirm accepted payment methods before visiting or mailing a request.
For formal criminal background checks beyond court docket searches, the Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History (PATCH) system is maintained by the Pennsylvania State Police. Employers should be aware that the Criminal History Record Information Act (18 Pa.C.S. § 9101 et seq.) governs the use of criminal records in employment decisions.