Adams County Public Records Access
Adams County public records are maintained by various elected offices and county departments located in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Residents and researchers can access court records, property documents, land records, and other public records through the county's official offices. Adams County government keeps detailed records dating back to the county's founding in 1800. This page explains how to search for and obtain public records from Adams County, Pennsylvania.
Adams County Quick Facts
Adams County Government Records
Adams County operates a full range of public offices that create and store records. The county seat in Gettysburg is home to the courthouse where most public records are kept. Departments including the Commissioners' Office, the Clerk of Courts, the Register of Wills, the Recorder of Deeds, the Prothonotary, and the Sheriff's Office all maintain records that are available to the public under Pennsylvania law.
The Adams County website provides information about county departments and how to contact each office. Residents can find hours, addresses, phone numbers, and links to online resources for each department. Many Adams County records can be requested in person or by mail. Some records are available through online databases. The county is committed to providing open access to public information.
The county also maintains budget documents, financial reports, and commissioner meeting minutes as public records. These records give citizens insight into how Adams County government operates and spends public funds. Anyone may request these records under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law.
The Adams County homepage is a good starting point for research. Visit adamscountypa.gov to find contact information for each department, locate online records, and learn how to submit public records requests.
The Adams County government site provides links to each department, including those that maintain public records like deeds, court filings, and vital records for Gettysburg and surrounding communities.
Adams County Court Records
The Prothonotary serves as the clerk of the civil court in Adams County. This office is responsible for keeping all civil case records filed in the Court of Common Pleas. Civil records include lawsuits, judgments, protection from abuse orders, and other civil matters. The Prothonotary in Adams County keeps records of every case from filing through final disposition. You can visit the office in Gettysburg or contact staff by phone to ask about specific cases.
The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Portal allows you to search court records from Adams County and every other county in the state. This free online tool lets you look up cases by party name or case number. Go to ujsportal.pacourts.us to search Adams County dockets from your home or office. The portal shows basic case information, parties involved, and filing history. For full court documents and certified copies, you must contact the Adams County Prothonotary directly at the courthouse in Gettysburg.
The Clerk of Courts handles criminal case records in Adams County. All criminal cases filed in the Court of Common Pleas are recorded here. Magisterial district court records are also searchable through the UJS Portal. Together, these resources give you broad access to Adams County court records.
Note: Court docket information from the UJS Portal should not be used as a substitute for an official criminal history check from the Pennsylvania State Police.
Adams County Recorder of Deeds Records
The Recorder of Deeds in Adams County maintains all real estate records for properties located in the county. These records go back to 1800, when Adams County was established. The types of documents kept by this office include deeds, mortgages, mortgage satisfactions, easements, rights-of-way, and subdivision plans. Anyone buying or selling property in Adams County should check these records before completing a transaction.
You can visit the Recorder of Deeds office at the Adams County Courthouse in Gettysburg to search records in person. Staff can help you find documents by property address, owner name, or document type. Copies of recorded documents are available for a fee. The Recorder of Deeds page on the county website lists office hours and contact information. Title companies, attorneys, and researchers use these records frequently to trace the ownership history of land in Adams County.
Property assessment records and tax information are maintained separately through the county assessment office. These records show the assessed value of each parcel and the current owner of record. Both the assessment records and the Recorder of Deeds records are public under Pennsylvania law.
Right-to-Know Requests in Adams County
Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law (RTKL) gives residents the legal right to access records held by government agencies, including Adams County offices. Under this law, you can request most county records by submitting a written request to the appropriate office. Adams County has designated an Agency Open Records Officer to handle these requests. The RTKL covers a wide range of documents from meeting minutes to financial records to contracts.
To submit a request, write down what records you are looking for and deliver the request by mail, fax, or in person to the Adams County Open Records Officer. The county must respond within five business days by granting the request, denying it, or stating they need more time. If your request is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records. Visit openrecords.pa.gov to find the standard RTKL request form and learn more about the process. The OOR also has helpful guides for requesters who want to appeal a denial.
Note: RTKL requests must be submitted in writing. Verbal requests are not accepted under Pennsylvania law.
Adams County Vital Records
Vital records in Adams County include birth records, death records, and marriage records. The Register of Wills in Adams County handles marriage licenses and related records. Couples applying for a marriage license in Adams County go to this office. The Register of Wills also handles wills, estate filings, and orphans' court matters.
Birth and death certificates for events that occurred in Adams County are maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. You can order certified copies of birth and death records through the Pennsylvania Department of Health online, by mail, or through a third-party service. The Health Department holds vital records going back many decades. Local records from the Register of Wills in Adams County date back much further for marriage records. Both sets of records provide important information for genealogical research and legal purposes.
Marriage records filed in Adams County are stored by the Register of Wills. To obtain a copy of a marriage license from Adams County, contact the Register of Wills office at the Gettysburg courthouse. You will need to provide the names of both parties and the approximate date of the marriage. Fees apply for certified copies.
Adams County Sheriff and Other Records
The Adams County Sheriff's Office maintains records related to law enforcement activities in the county. These include incident reports, sheriff's sale listings, and records related to civil process. Sheriff's sales of real estate occur when properties go through foreclosure or tax delinquency proceedings. These sale records are public and provide information on properties available for purchase at auction.
County commissioner meeting minutes and agendas are also public records in Adams County. These documents record what county officials decided at each meeting and what matters were discussed. They are typically posted on the county website shortly after each meeting. The Adams County budget and annual financial reports are similarly available as public records. Residents can review how tax dollars are allocated across county departments by requesting or downloading these documents.
The Pennsylvania Auditor General conducts performance audits of county programs. Residents interested in how state money flows through Adams County can search the audit database at paauditor.gov. These reports cover a wide range of county programs and provide independent assessments of fiscal management.
Nearby Counties
Adams County borders several other Pennsylvania counties. If you are researching records that may span county lines, check the offices in neighboring counties as well.