Berks County Warrant Records Lookup
Berks County warrant records are kept by the Sheriff's Office and the Clerk of Courts in Reading, Pennsylvania. The county seat is Reading, where most warrant records originate from the Court of Common Pleas. You can search for active warrants through the Berks County Sheriff's Warrants Unit or look up court case records online. Berks County also posts most wanted individuals with photos and charge details. This page covers how to find and obtain warrant records in Berks County through local offices and state systems.
Berks County Sheriff Warrant Records
The Berks County Sheriff's Office runs a dedicated Warrants Unit that handles warrant service across the county. This unit has 16 deputies assigned to locate and arrest people with active warrants. The Warrants Unit works out of the courthouse in Reading. They serve criminal warrants, bench warrants, and civil process papers issued by the Court of Common Pleas. You can reach the Warrants Unit at 610-478-6240 for questions about active warrant records in Berks County.
The Sheriff also runs a tip line for the public. If you have information about a person with an active warrant in Berks County, call 610-478-6390. Tips can be left at any time. The Warrants Unit works with local police departments and state agencies to track down people with outstanding warrants. Under Pa.R.Crim.P. 513, a warrant must be based on probable cause shown in a written affidavit. This rule applies to all criminal warrants issued in Berks County.
One key rule to know is that the Sheriff's Office does not accept cash for civil process. All payments must be made by check or money order. This applies to civil process only, not criminal warrant matters.
Note: The Berks County Sheriff's tip line at 610-478-6390 is separate from the main office line and can receive tips after hours.
Berks County Most Wanted List
The Berks County Sheriff maintains a most wanted page on the county website. This list shows people with active warrants who have not been found. Each entry includes a photo, the person's name, and the charges they face. The list is updated as new warrants are issued and old ones are resolved. You can view the most wanted list for Berks County warrant records at the Berks County Sheriff's most wanted page.
Crime Alert Berks County works with the Sheriff to spread the word about wanted individuals. This program helps the public share tips safely. The goal is to bring people with active warrants in Berks County to justice. Crime Alert Berks County accepts tips by phone and online. You do not have to give your name when you call.
Warrant Records in Berks County
Berks County manages warrant records through both the Sheriff's Office and the Adult Probation Office, each handling different types of warrants.
The following resource from the Berks County Adult Probation Office shows how the county tracks and processes warrant records for probation matters.
The Adult Probation Office is located on the 10th floor of the courthouse at 633 Court Street in Reading.
Warrant records in Berks County fall into a few main types. Criminal warrants are issued when a judge finds probable cause that a crime was committed. Bench warrants come from a judge when a person fails to appear in court or violates a court order. Probation violation warrants are issued through the Adult Probation Office when someone breaks the terms of their supervision. Each type of warrant record is stored in the court system and can be looked up through the proper office in Berks County.
Under Pa.R.Crim.P. 150, search warrants in Pennsylvania must be filed with the clerk within a set time after they are served. This means warrant records tied to searches also become part of the court file in Berks County. The rule helps ensure that warrant records are preserved and available for review.
Adult Probation Warrants in Berks County
The Berks County Adult Probation Office has its own Warrants Unit. This unit deals with people who violate the terms of probation or parole. When a person breaks a condition of their supervision, the probation officer can ask the court for a warrant. The court then issues the warrant, and the Adult Probation Warrants Unit works to find and arrest the person. You can contact this unit at 610-478-3890. Their office is at 633 Court Street, 10th Floor, Reading, PA 19601.
Probation warrants differ from standard criminal warrants in Berks County. A criminal warrant is based on new charges. A probation warrant is based on a violation of existing court conditions. Both types appear in the court record. Both can lead to arrest. The Adult Probation Office coordinates with the Sheriff's Warrants Unit on many cases. If a person has both a criminal warrant and a probation warrant in Berks County, both agencies may be involved in the arrest.
Note: Probation violation warrants in Berks County are handled by the Adult Probation Office at 610-478-3890, not the Sheriff's main line.
Berks County Clerk of Courts
The Berks County Clerk of Courts maintains all criminal court records, including warrant records tied to criminal cases. The Clerk's Office is at 633 Court Street, 4th Floor, Reading, PA 19601. You can call them at 610-478-6550. The Clerk of Courts keeps records of all criminal filings, dispositions, and warrant activity in Berks County.
When you need a copy of a warrant record from a Berks County criminal case, the Clerk of Courts is the place to go. You can visit in person or call to ask about a specific case. The office can provide copies of court documents, including warrant affidavits that are part of the public record. Under Pennsylvania's Criminal History Record Information Act (CHRIA), some records may have limits on who can access them. However, most warrant records that are part of open court cases in Berks County are available to the public.
You can also search Berks County court records through the UJS Portal. This state system lets you look up cases by name or case number. It covers courts across Pennsylvania, including the Berks County Court of Common Pleas. The portal shows case details, charges, and docket entries. It is free to search.
How to Search Berks County Warrant Records Online
Several online tools let you search for warrant records connected to Berks County. The most useful state resource is the UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us. You can search by a person's name or by case number. Results show criminal cases filed in Berks County along with charges, hearing dates, and case status. If a warrant was issued as part of a case, you may see it in the docket entries.
The Pennsylvania State Police also offer a criminal background check through the PATCH system. This check shows criminal history information for a person. It may include warrant-related charges. The PATCH system is not a direct warrant search, but it can confirm if a person has been charged under a warrant in Berks County or elsewhere in Pennsylvania.
For public records requests, the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records oversees the Right-to-Know Law process. Under the RTK Law, you can request warrant records from Berks County agencies. The city of Reading also follows this law. Arrest warrant affidavits must be disclosed as public records once they are filed with the court. You can submit a request to the Berks County Clerk of Courts or to the Reading City RTK office for records held by the city.
- UJS Portal for court case and docket searches
- PATCH system for criminal history checks
- Right-to-Know requests for warrant affidavits
- Berks County Sheriff website for most wanted lists
- Berks County Clerk of Courts for certified copies
Pennsylvania Warrant Record Resources
Beyond Berks County offices, the state of Pennsylvania provides several ways to access warrant records. The Pennsylvania State Police records request page lets you ask for criminal history and other records. The state also publishes court rules that govern how warrants are issued and stored.
Rule 513 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure sets out the requirements for issuing a criminal warrant. A judge must review a written affidavit and find probable cause before signing the warrant. This rule applies to all warrant records in Berks County. Title 18, Chapter 91 of the Pennsylvania code covers criminal offenses and penalties that often form the basis for warrant records across the state.
Note: State-level searches may not show all active warrants in Berks County since some records take time to upload to central databases.
Nearby Counties
Berks County borders several other Pennsylvania counties. If a person lives near a county line, their warrant records may be filed in a neighboring county instead. Check the correct jurisdiction before you search.