Frequently Asked Questions

The Clerk of Court is the official record keeper for all matters relating to the Criminal Division of the Court of Common Pleas.  All documents pertaining to a criminal court case must be filed with the Clerk of Courts.  All records, with the exception of records involving juveniles and those not open to public inspection by statute or by court order, are open for public view.   

 This office is a fee office and is required to charge fees for services to maintain the office. See Act 36 of 2000.

The Staff of the Clerk of Courts Office is here to assist you.  However, please be advised that we cannot provide legal advice, nor can we provide information over the phone.  If you need assistance with a legal issue, please contact an attorney or visit the Lancaster County Law Library.

Bring with you an original of the motion/petition, notice or document you wish to file along with the appropriate number of copies—please check the Rules of Criminal Procedure for number of copies you will need to bring with you.  Please make sure that each document has the case caption, docket number, affidavit of service, and distribution on proposed orders with correct names and addresses of parties to be served, copies and original of any citation or exhibit you will be attaching to your filing.  For certain filings, there are filing fees.  Please bring cash, exact change only, or a certified check. 

 If you are filing for In Forma Pauperis status (IFP) or Nunc Pro Tunc, please make sure that every line item is completed and complies with the Rules of Criminal Procedure and the Instruction Packet attached to the request.  For nunc pro tunc petitions, you must include an explanation as to why the defendant failed to file his/her appeal within the 30-day time frame.

You can find your docket number(s) by using this link through the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts.  www.ujsportal.pacourts.us 

Bail can be posted at the Clerk of Courts Office, located on the 2nd floor of the Lancaster County Court house during the hours of 8:30 to 4:30 pm, excluding holidays.  The case for which you are posting bail must have been forwarded to and received by the Clerk of Courts Office to process bail, otherwise you will need to contact the Magisterial District Justice who set the bail.   Bail may be posted at the Magisterial District Judge Office.  See Rules of Criminal Procedure 520 – 536.

Types of payments accepted:

• Only cash or certified check is accepted for posting bail
• Bail bondsman
• Surety Company
• Real estate can be posted as surety for bail.

Click here to see our current, up to date Bail Bondsman List (LINK TO BAIL BONDSMAN TAB HERE)

The following procedure and information are required when requesting a record search from this office:

For Private Individuals:

Submit in writing a request to conduct a criminal record search and include the individual’s name, address, date of birth and full social security number.  Include a certified check made payable to “Clerk of Courts” with required fee(s).  Remember to include any aliases, maiden name, prior married names, etc.  This office will not accept requests by phone.  

Once complete, this office will forward the requester an official court seal letter stating the criminal charges, offense date and disposition of the case or cases filed against that individual or a letter stating that no record was found for that individual.  Should you require copies of the record(s), upon receipt of the required fees, those copies will be mailed to you.  If you would like for those records to be certified, additional fees apply. 

Please be advised that the record search results will only include convictions which occurred in Lancaster County.  For a complete criminal history, please contact Pennsylvania State Police

For Government Agencies and Police Departments:

Submit in writing or by fax on your official letterhead, the individuals’ name, address, date of birth and social security number.  Without proper identification of your agency, record searches will not be conducted. 

Fees:

$ 21.50 per search

$ 8.75 per certified copy requested

$ 0.25 per copy requested

THE FOLLOWING IS THE PROCEDURE FOR ACT 122 (DRIVER'S LICENSE RESTORATION) and Act 151 (Jail Time Completion):

If you are reporting to the Adult Probation/Parole Office about restoration of your driving privilege, or if you have received a restoration letter from PennDOT, here are the steps you must complete:

ACT 122

You will need to contact your probation officer by telephone to schedule an appointment to complete an Act 122 Form. At that appointment time, bring with you:

1. A letter of completion from the CARE Center or other approved treatment agency. This letter states that you have completed all DUI-related treatment and have paid for the services in full.
2. Your PA driver's license number. You must know your driver's license number to be put on the appropriate paperwork. If you do not know this number, it will be located on your restoration letter from PennDOT.

If you do not have all these items, the Act 122 will not be complete, and your driver's license will not be restored.

ACT 151 (JAIL TIME COMPLETION)

This states that jail time has been completed. If you are in the process of having your driver’s license restored, the Act 151 paperwork will be completed at the same time as the Act 122 (please see above for explanation). You will need to notify the probation officer at the Act 122 appointment that PennDOT does not have verification of your jail time.

If you have completed the process for an Act 122 but PennDOT does not have notification that your jail time was completed, contact your probation officer and ask them to complete an Act 151. It will be helpful if you are able to provide the dates in which you were incarcerated.

Once the Act 122 paperwork has been completed at the Adult Probation Office, they will electronically file the paperwork to the Clerk of Courts office where we handle processing and filing of this paperwork, and certify all information to PennDOT. 

For all other PennDot issues, please contact PennDot or click here to visit the website https://www.penndot.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx.