Find Lancaster County Warrant Records
Lancaster County warrant records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts and local police agencies in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The county seat is Lancaster, where the courthouse sits at 50 North Duke Street. Lancaster County has 19 Magisterial District Judge courts and processes roughly 8,000 criminal records each year. Warrant records cover arrest warrants, bench warrants, and fugitive cases filed through the county court system. The Clerk of Courts serves as the chief filing office for criminal and juvenile cases in Lancaster County.
Lancaster County Clerk of Courts
The Lancaster County Clerk of Courts is the main office for criminal case filings. It is located on the second floor at 50 North Duke Street in Lancaster. The office handles warrants, expungements, and background searches. All criminal records filed in the county pass through this office.
The Clerk of Courts manages records for the Court of Common Pleas. This includes arrest warrants, bench warrants, and related court orders. The office processes about 8,000 criminal records per year. All records are public unless a law or court order says otherwise. Staff can help you search for specific cases or warrants during business hours.
The screenshot below shows the Clerk of Courts page for Lancaster County.
Visit the Lancaster County Clerk of Courts page for office details and contact information.
| Office |
Lancaster County Clerk of Courts 50 N Duke St, 2nd Floor Lancaster, PA 17602 Phone: (717) 299-8200 |
|---|---|
| Services | Criminal filings, warrant records, expungements, background searches |
| Online Search | Docket search available for $21.50 fee, 24-72 hour processing |
Lancaster City Police Warrant Records
The Lancaster City Bureau of Police keeps its own records for cases within city limits. The records department is at 39 West Chestnut Street, Lancaster, on the third floor. You must sign in and get a visitor badge when you arrive.
The records department is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM. You can request local background checks, good conduct letters, and accident reports. A local background check costs $22. A good conduct letter also costs $22. Accident reports are $15. The office accepts cash, checks, and money orders. Make payments to the City of Lancaster. Bring a valid ID with you.
Below is the Lancaster City Police website where you can find more details on their records services.
For questions about city-level records, call the Records Department at 717-735-6670. For emergencies or dispatch, call 717-664-1180. Visit police.cityoflancasterpa.gov for more information.
How to Search Lancaster County Warrants
You have several options for looking up warrant records in Lancaster County. Each one works best for a different situation. Online tools are quick. In-person visits give you the most detail.
The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Portal is a good place to start. Go to ujsportal.pacourts.us and search by name or docket number. It covers all counties in the state. You can see case types, charges, and filing dates at no cost. This is the fastest way to check for active cases.
The Clerk of Courts also offers a docket search service. The fee is $21.50 per search. Results take 24 to 72 hours. This is good if you need an official record from the county. For MDJ court records, you can also check the Lancaster County Magisterial District Courts page at court.lancastercountypa.gov.
- Search the UJS Portal for free case lookups
- Request a docket search from the Clerk for $21.50
- Call the Clerk of Courts at (717) 299-8200
- Visit the courthouse at 50 N Duke St
- Check with Lancaster City Police for city cases
Warrant Records in Lancaster County Courts
Lancaster County courts issue different types of warrants. The type depends on the facts of the case and what the court needs to happen next.
Arrest warrants are signed by a judge when there is probable cause. Under Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 513, an officer must file an affidavit with enough facts to support the charge. The judge reviews it and decides if the warrant should be issued. Once signed, police can arrest the named person anywhere in the state.
Bench warrants are issued by a judge for a missed court date. They also come up when someone fails to pay fines or follow a court order. Bench warrants stay open until the person shows up or is picked up by police. They are common across all 19 MDJ courts and the Court of Common Pleas in Lancaster County.
Search warrants allow police to look through a specific place for evidence. These are also signed by a judge. They must list what police expect to find and where they plan to look. Search warrant records become part of the court file once used.
Lancaster County Public Records
Most warrant records in Lancaster County are public. Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law gives people the right to ask for government records. You can file a request through the Office of Open Records or directly with the county.
The Clerk of Courts keeps all criminal case files open to the public unless a court order says otherwise. Juvenile cases, sealed records, and some ongoing matters are not available. For everything else, you can ask to view or copy the file. Copies cost a small fee per page.
The Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History system at epatch.pa.gov is another option. It gives you a statewide criminal history report. This covers all 67 counties and is useful when you need more than just Lancaster County records.
Steps for Resolving a Warrant
If you learn that you have a warrant in Lancaster County, act fast. Waiting only makes it harder. A bench warrant can lead to arrest during a routine traffic stop or any contact with police.
The first step is to talk to a lawyer. A good attorney can review your case. They may arrange a court date so you can turn yourself in without being held. The Lancaster Bar Association can point you to a local attorney. Pennsylvania Legal Aid at palegalaid.net offers free help to people who qualify.
You can also call the Clerk of Courts at (717) 299-8200. Staff can tell you the status of your case and what the court expects. It is always better to reach out on your own than to wait for police to find you.
Nearby Counties
Lancaster County sits in south-central Pennsylvania. If you are not sure which county covers your address, check before you search. Warrants are tied to the county where the case was filed.