Dauphin County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Dauphin County?
Public records in Dauphin County are official documents and information created, received, or maintained by government agencies that are accessible to the public according to Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law (RTKL), specifically 65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq. These records document government activities, transactions, and decisions, serving as a foundation for government transparency and accountability.
Dauphin County maintains numerous types of public records across various departments:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, family, and probate cases maintained by the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Courts
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and property transfers recorded by the Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds
- Vital Records: Birth and death certificates (1893-1905), marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, fictitious name registrations, and Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings
- Tax Records: Property tax assessments, tax maps, and payment records maintained by the Dauphin County Assessment Office
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance reports
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of County Commissioners meetings, boards, and committees
- Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements
- Law Enforcement Records: Certain police reports, incident logs, and jail records (with statutory limitations)
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and building permits
Each record type is maintained by specific county departments or offices. The Dauphin County Prothonotary serves as the custodian for civil court records, while the Clerk of Courts maintains criminal court records. Property records are managed by the Recorder of Deeds, and the Register of Wills oversees probate and estate records.
Is Dauphin County an Open Records County?
Yes, Dauphin County is an open records county that operates in compliance with Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law (RTKL), 65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq. This comprehensive statute, enacted in 2008 and amended in 2023, establishes the presumption that all government records are public unless specifically exempt by law, privileged, or protected by court order.
Under Section 67.301 of the RTKL, "a public record, legislative record or financial record shall be accessible for inspection and duplication in accordance with this act." This provision establishes the fundamental right of public access to government records in Pennsylvania, including those maintained by Dauphin County.
Dauphin County has implemented specific procedures to facilitate public access to records in accordance with state law. The county has designated Right-to-Know Officers in each department who are responsible for responding to record requests. Additionally, the county maintains an official public records policy that outlines procedures for requesting and accessing public information.
The county also adheres to Pennsylvania's Sunshine Act (65 Pa.C.S. §§ 701-716), which requires that official meetings of public agencies be open to the public with proper notice. This law works in conjunction with the RTKL to ensure transparency in both government records and deliberations.
Dauphin County's commitment to open records is further demonstrated by its implementation of online access systems for many record types, allowing citizens to access information remotely without visiting county offices.
How to Find Public Records in Dauphin County in 2026
Accessing public records in Dauphin County can be accomplished through several methods, depending on the record type and urgency of the request:
Online Access:
- Visit the Dauphin County website to access the county's online records portal
- Navigate to the specific department that maintains the desired records
- For court records, use the Unified Judicial System Web Portal to search criminal, civil, and family court dockets
- Access property records through the Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds online search
- Search civil court records through the Dauphin County Prothonotary's searchable civil records system
In-Person Requests:
- Identify the appropriate county office that maintains the records
- Visit during regular business hours (typically Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM)
- Complete any required request forms at the public counter
- Present identification if required for specific record types
- Pay applicable fees for copies or certified documents
Written Requests:
- Download the county's Right-to-Know request form from the Dauphin County website
- Complete the form with specific details about the requested records
- Submit the form to the appropriate department's Right-to-Know Officer
- Include contact information for response
- Allow up to 5 business days for initial response (extensions may apply for complex requests)
For criminal court records, the public docket information system provides detailed instructions on accessing these records through the Unified Judicial System portal.
Vital records from 1906 to present are maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Health rather than the county, while historical vital records (1893-1905) may be available through the county archives.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Dauphin County?
Dauphin County assesses fees for public records in accordance with Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law and departmental fee schedules. Current standard fees for public records in Dauphin County include:
- Photocopies: $0.25 per page for standard black and white copies (8.5" x 11")
- Certified Copies: Additional $1.00-$5.00 per document depending on record type
- Large Format Documents: $3.00-$5.00 per page for maps, blueprints, and other oversized documents
- Digital Media: $1.00 per CD/DVD for electronic records
- Postage: Actual cost when records are mailed
Specific departmental fees include:
- Recorder of Deeds: $15.50 for the first page of recorded documents, $4.00 for each additional page
- Prothonotary: $10.75-$25.75 for civil case document copies depending on certification
- Marriage License: $80.00 application fee
- Criminal Record Check: $22.00 per name search
Under Section 1307(g) of the RTKL, fees must be reasonable and based on the actual cost of providing records. The county cannot charge for staff time spent searching for or retrieving documents, though fees may apply for complex data extraction or specialized document preparation.
Payment methods accepted by most Dauphin County offices include:
- Cash (in-person only)
- Personal checks
- Money orders
- Credit/debit cards (subject to processing fees)
- Electronic payment for certain online services
Fee waivers may be granted at the discretion of department heads when the request is made in the public interest by non-profit organizations, educational institutions, or indigent requestors. However, such waivers are not guaranteed and must be requested at the time of application.
Does Dauphin County Have Free Public Records?
Dauphin County provides several avenues for accessing public records at no cost:
Free In-Person Inspection: Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law guarantees the right to inspect public records without charge during normal business hours. Members of the public may visit county offices to view records without paying fees, provided they do not request copies. This right is explicitly protected under Section 1307(a) of the RTKL, which states that "no fee may be imposed for an agency's review of a record to determine whether the record is a public record."
Free Online Resources: Dauphin County offers several free online record access points:
- The Dauphin County Prothonotary's civil case search provides basic case information without charge
- County Commissioner meeting minutes and agendas are freely available on the county website
- The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal offers free access to criminal docket information
- Property assessment data is available through the county's online assessment system
- Election results and voter information can be accessed without charge
Government Providers of Free Records:
Dauphin County Commissioners Office
Dauphin County Administration Building
2 South Second Street, 4th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 780-6300
Dauphin County Commissioners
Dauphin County Elections Bureau
Dauphin County Administration Building
2 South Second Street, 1st Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 780-6360
Dauphin County Elections
While these resources are provided without charge, users should note that certain detailed information or certified copies still require payment of statutory fees.
Who Can Request Public Records in Dauphin County?
Under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request public records from Dauphin County. Section 102 of the RTKL defines a "requester" as "a person that is a legal resident of the United States and requests a record pursuant to this act." This broad definition encompasses:
- Pennsylvania residents
- Residents of other U.S. states
- Legal residents of the United States
- Business entities registered in the United States
- Non-profit organizations
- Media organizations
- Government agencies
Requestors are not required to:
- Provide identification for most record types (exceptions noted below)
- State the purpose or reason for their request
- Explain how they intend to use the information
- Demonstrate any "legitimate interest" in the records
However, certain record types do have specific eligibility restrictions:
- Vital Records: Birth and death certificates are restricted to the person named in the record, immediate family members, or legal representatives under 35 P.S. § 450.801-A
- Criminal History Information: Access to complete criminal history information is restricted under the Criminal History Record Information Act (18 Pa.C.S. § 9101 et seq.)
- Confidential Records: Records containing personal information protected by privacy laws require proper authorization
When requesting records that contain confidential information about oneself, identification is typically required to verify identity and prevent unauthorized disclosure. For requests involving records about other individuals, certain personal information may be redacted in accordance with privacy exemptions under Section 708 of the RTKL.
Non-U.S. residents may face additional restrictions when requesting certain types of records, though basic public information remains accessible through online portals regardless of residency status.
What Records Are Confidential in Dauphin County?
Dauphin County maintains certain records as confidential in accordance with Pennsylvania law. Under Section 708 of the Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.708), the following record types are exempt from public disclosure:
- Personal Identifying Information: Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, financial account numbers, home addresses of law enforcement officers and judges
- Medical Records: Health information protected under HIPAA and other medical privacy laws
- Juvenile Records: Court records and law enforcement reports involving minors, except in limited circumstances as provided in 42 Pa.C.S. § 6307
- Sealed or Expunged Records: Court records that have been legally sealed or expunged by judicial order
- Ongoing Criminal Investigations: Records relating to active criminal investigations as defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 9106
- Child Welfare Records: Reports and investigations related to child abuse under the Child Protective Services Law (23 Pa.C.S. §§ 6301-6386)
- Adoption Records: Adoption proceedings and related documents under 23 Pa.C.S. § 2905
- Grand Jury Materials: Testimony, exhibits, and deliberations of grand juries
- Personnel Records: Employee evaluations, disciplinary actions, and other personnel information (with limited exceptions for certain basic employment information)
- Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and attorney work product
- Security Information: Building security plans, emergency response protocols, and infrastructure vulnerability assessments
- Trade Secrets: Proprietary business information and trade secrets submitted to the county
- Predecisional Deliberations: Internal discussions and draft documents prior to policy decisions
Pennsylvania law requires agencies to apply a balancing test when determining whether to release records that might contain both public and exempt information. Under this test, the county must consider whether the public interest in disclosure outweighs privacy interests or potential harm from release.
When a record contains both public and confidential information, the county will redact (remove) the confidential portions and release the remainder, as required by Section 706 of the RTKL. Requestors denied access to records may appeal to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records within 15 business days of denial.
Dauphin County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds
Dauphin County Courthouse
101 Market Street, Room 102
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 780-6560
Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Additional County Records Offices:
Dauphin County Prothonotary
Dauphin County Courthouse
101 Market Street, Room 101
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 780-6630
Dauphin County Prothonotary
Dauphin County Clerk of Courts
Dauphin County Courthouse
101 Market Street, Room 104
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 780-6640
Dauphin County Clerk of Courts
Dauphin County Register of Wills
Dauphin County Courthouse
101 Market Street, Room 102
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 780-6510
Dauphin County Register of Wills
Dauphin County Assessment Office
Dauphin County Administration Building
2 South Second Street, First Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 780-6101
Dauphin County Assessment Office
Lookup Public Records in Dauphin County
Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds Office
Dauphin County Court Records Search
Accessing Public Docket Information