Lancaster City Public Records
Lancaster public records are maintained by the City of Lancaster and Lancaster County government. Lancaster is one of the oldest inland cities in the United States and the county seat of Lancaster County. As such, residents have access to both city and county records covering court filings, property documents, permits, and much more. Residents may request public records under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law. This page explains how to find Lancaster public records and which offices handle them.
Lancaster Quick Facts
Where to Find Lancaster Public Records
Lancaster city records are held at City Hall and by individual city departments. The city website at cityoflancasterpa.com provides department listings and contact information for all city offices. The City Clerk maintains Council minutes, ordinances, and official city documents. Each department that creates records has its own Open Records Officer who processes requests under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law.
Lancaster County offices hold records that apply to Lancaster residents and properties at the county level. The county courthouse is located in Lancaster City and houses the Prothonotary, Clerk of Courts, Recorder of Deeds, and other county offices. Court filings and property records for Lancaster addresses are filed with the county. The city and county offices are both within a short distance of each other in downtown Lancaster, making it easy to access both in one trip.
For records held at the state level, visit the Pennsylvania government portal. Vital records like birth and death certificates are available through the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The Pennsylvania Auditor General publishes financial audits for state and local government. State police criminal history checks are processed by the Pennsylvania State Police.
Note: As one of the oldest cities in the country, Lancaster has historical records dating back centuries that may be of interest to genealogists and historians in addition to residents seeking current documents.
Lancaster County Court Records
Court cases involving Lancaster residents are filed at the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas. The Prothonotary handles civil court filings. The Clerk of Courts manages criminal case records. Both are at the Lancaster County Courthouse in Lancaster City. To get copies of court orders, judgments, or case documents related to Lancaster, contact these offices directly or visit in person.
Search Lancaster court records for free through the UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us. The portal covers civil, criminal, and domestic relations cases filed in Lancaster County. Search by party name or docket number. Filing dates, case status, and party names appear at no charge. For copies of actual documents, contact the Prothonotary or Clerk of Courts at the county courthouse.
Magisterial District Courts in Lancaster handle small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, and summary criminal offenses. Their records are also searchable through the UJS Portal. Cases that are appealed from Magisterial District Courts move to the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas.
Lancaster City Government Public Records
Lancaster city government produces public records through the Mayor's Office, City Council, and all city departments. City Council meeting minutes and ordinances are maintained by the City Clerk and are available as public records. City Council information is available at cityoflancasterpa.com/government/city-council. The Mayor's Office generates administrative correspondence, policy documents, and executive directives. City budget documents and financial reports show how Lancaster manages public funds.
Building permits, zoning approvals, and code enforcement records are held by the appropriate city departments. Public works records cover infrastructure projects and city contracts. Police incident reports from the Lancaster City Police Department are also public records. Special event permits and city budgets round out the types of records that Lancaster residents can access.
Many common Lancaster city records are posted online. Budget documents, meeting minutes, and some permit information may be accessible through the city website without a formal records request. Check cityoflancasterpa.com before submitting a Right-to-Know request, as the document you need may already be available online.
Requesting Lancaster Public Records Under RTKL
Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law applies to all Lancaster city agencies. City records are presumed public unless a specific legal exemption applies. You do not need to explain your reason for requesting a record from a Lancaster city department.
To make a request, submit a written request to the Open Records Officer for the relevant Lancaster city department. The department must respond within five business days. If more time is needed, they must notify you in writing with a reason. Denied requests can be appealed within 15 business days to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records. The Office provides request forms and appeal guidance at openrecords.pa.gov.
The Office of Open Records reviews denials and issues binding final determinations. If the Office rules in your favor, Lancaster must provide the requested records or take the dispute to court. Lancaster residents have successfully used this process to obtain records initially withheld by the city. The appeal is free and does not require an attorney to file.
Lancaster Property and Historical Records
Property records for Lancaster City addresses are filed at the Lancaster County Recorder of Deeds. Deeds, mortgages, and liens recorded against Lancaster properties are public records available at the county level. The county assessor maintains ownership data, assessed values, and tax history for all Lancaster properties.
Lancaster County offers online tools for searching property records. You can look up Lancaster addresses by owner name, parcel number, or street address. Tax history and current ownership data are included in online results. These searches are free and do not require a formal records request. For certified copies of deeds, contact the Lancaster County Recorder of Deeds at the county courthouse in Lancaster City.
Given Lancaster's long history, the county holds records going back to the colonial era. Historical deeds, court records, and other documents may be available through the Lancaster County Archives. These older records can be useful for genealogical research and for understanding the ownership history of a Lancaster property over many generations.
Note: Lancaster County's historical records collection is one of the most extensive in Pennsylvania due to the city's age and its role as a regional hub since the 1700s.
Lancaster City is in Lancaster County
Lancaster City serves as the county seat of Lancaster County. Court records, property documents, and other county-level filings for Lancaster residents are maintained at Lancaster County offices. Visit the Lancaster County public records page to learn more about county record access.
Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Other cities near Lancaster also maintain public records through their local offices and county courts.