Pennsylvania Criminal Records

This guide explains how to find Pennsylvania criminal records, arrest records, court records, inmate information, and the public sex offender registry, and how Pennsylvania's background-check and record-clearing laws work. It was last reviewed in June 2026 using official Pennsylvania sources, and it points you to the state and county agencies that hold each type of record. You can also start a name search using the tool on this page.

How do I look up a criminal record in Pennsylvania?

There are three main ways to look up a Pennsylvania criminal record:

• Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH). The Pennsylvania State Police operates PATCH, an online name-based background check available to anyone at epatch.pa.gov. You submit a person's name and other identifiers, and the system checks against the State Police Central Repository. Results cost $22 per request (plus a 2% credit card fee for online payments as of April 2026). About 80% of searches return a "No Record" certificate immediately; matches go to manual review within two to four weeks.
• The UJS Web Portal (court records). The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System runs a free public case search at ujsportal.pacourts.us covering all levels of court from the Supreme Court down to magisterial district courts. You can search by name and view docket sheets at no cost.
• An online people-search tool like the one on this page, which compiles public-record data from many sources into one report. These tools are for personal knowledge only and are not a substitute for the official PATCH check or an FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act)-compliant background check.

A fingerprint-based search is the only way to confirm a record truly belongs to a specific person. The State Police itself notes that a name-only search can return matches that belong to someone else.

Are criminal records public in Pennsylvania?

It depends on which record. Court case records - docket sheets, filings, and hearing information - are generally public and searchable for free through the UJS portal. The State Police Central Repository, which is the statewide criminal history summary, is also accessible to the public through PATCH, but only by name (not fingerprint) and for a fee. The main exceptions to public access are records that have been expunged (destroyed), records sealed under Pennsylvania's Clean Slate law (hidden from public background checks but retained by law enforcement), and juvenile records, which are confidential by statute.

Where can I look up arrest records in Pennsylvania?

Arrest records in Pennsylvania are held by the arresting agency - a local police department, a county sheriff, or the State Police. Many county sheriff offices publish an online jail roster showing people currently in custody. The PATCH system shows convictions and charges from the State Police Central Repository but is not a comprehensive arrest log. For a specific arrest that did not lead to a conviction, the arresting agency or the local court where charges were filed is the best source. Remember: an arrest record documents that a person was taken into custody, not that they were convicted.

How do I find court records in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania has a unified statewide court case portal that covers every level of court. Go to ujsportal.pacourts.us/CaseSearch and search by party name to find docket sheets from the Supreme, Superior, Commonwealth, Common Pleas, magisterial district, and Philadelphia Municipal courts, all for free. For older paper records or certified copies of a specific case file, contact the clerk of the court in the county where the case was filed. The statewide portal also notes that court case information should not be used as a substitute for an official criminal history background check.

How do I look up warrants in Pennsylvania?

Warrants in Pennsylvania are issued by the courts. The UJS web portal will often show an active warrant status on a docket sheet if one has been issued in that case. For a broader search, contact the magisterial district court or the Court of Common Pleas clerk in the county where charges might be filed. Some county sheriff offices also publish warrant information online. Active warrants can appear on third-party background reports, but the issuing court is the authoritative source.

Do arrests show up on background checks in Pennsylvania?

For employment, tenant, and credit screening done through a consumer reporting agency, the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) applies. Under the FCRA, non-conviction arrest records generally cannot be reported once they are more than seven years old. Pennsylvania does not have a separate state law that is stricter than the FCRA for general consumer background checks, so the federal rules control. The official PATCH check returns convictions and active charges from the State Police Central Repository; arrests that never became charges or convictions are generally not shown in a PATCH result.

How far back does a background check go in Pennsylvania?

Under the federal FCRA, a consumer reporting agency may generally report criminal convictions without a time limit (unlike non-conviction arrests, which are capped at seven years). Pennsylvania does not add a shorter state-level cap on conviction reporting for most private-sector checks. Key points:

• Convictions can generally be reported indefinitely under federal law.
• Non-conviction arrest records, dismissed charges, and similar items are capped at seven years under the FCRA.
• Records that have been sealed under Pennsylvania's Clean Slate law must be withheld from most consumer background reports, because they are no longer accessible to the public or most employers.
• The "ban the box" provision of Pennsylvania's Criminal History Record Information Act (CHRIA) limits when certain employers can ask about criminal history, but does not change what period of time may be reported.

How do I find someone in jail or prison in Pennsylvania?

It depends on where the person is held:

• State prison or on parole. Use the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Inmate/Parolee Locator at inmatelocator.cor.pa.gov to search by name or inmate number. The locator covers people currently incarcerated in a state facility and those on state supervision, and is updated daily.
• County jail. People awaiting trial or serving sentences of up to two years are held in county jails, not state prisons. Check that county's sheriff or prison system website for an inmate roster.
• Federal custody. For federal cases, use the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator rather than the PA DOC tool.

How do I find out if someone is on probation or parole in Pennsylvania?

State parole in Pennsylvania is supervised by the Pennsylvania Parole Board (PBPP). A person on state parole will appear in the DOC Inmate/Parolee Locator with a supervision status. Probation is handled at the county level by each county's adult probation and parole department, and information about a person on probation is best obtained from the sentencing court's docket or by contacting that county's probation office. Probation allows a person to serve a sentence in the community under conditions set by the court instead of being incarcerated.

What crimes are felonies in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania grades felonies by degree rather than letter class. Under 18 Pa.C.S. § 1103, the maximum sentences are:

• First-degree felony (F1): up to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $25,000. Examples include murder, rape, and robbery while armed.
• Second-degree felony (F2): up to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $25,000. Examples include aggravated assault and arson of an occupied structure.
• Third-degree felony (F3): up to 7 years in prison and a fine up to $15,000. Examples include theft over $2,000 and certain drug delivery offenses.

A felony conviction in Pennsylvania stays on your record permanently unless you obtain record relief such as a pardon or, in rare cases, an expungement. There is no automatic deletion of a felony conviction.

What crimes are misdemeanors in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania grades misdemeanors by degree under 18 Pa.C.S. § 1104:

• First-degree misdemeanor (M1): up to 5 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000. Examples include simple assault and theft between $200 and $2,000.
• Second-degree misdemeanor (M2): up to 2 years in prison. Examples include criminal mischief and harassment.
• Third-degree misdemeanor (M3): up to 1 year in prison. Examples include disorderly conduct and certain minor drug offenses.

Pennsylvania also has summary offenses, the lowest level, which are punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $300. Many minor traffic and municipal code violations are summary offenses.

Are traffic violations crimes in Pennsylvania?

Minor traffic violations in Pennsylvania are classified as summary offenses, the lowest level of the criminal grading system. A summary offense is punishable by up to 90 days in prison and a fine up to $300, though most traffic summaries result only in a fine. Summary offenses can appear on a criminal record, but they are not felonies or misdemeanors. More serious driving offenses - such as driving under the influence (DUI) or reckless driving - can be charged as misdemeanors or felonies and will appear on a criminal background check.

Is the sex offender registry public in Pennsylvania?

Yes. The Pennsylvania State Police maintains the public Megan's Law website at meganslaw.psp.pa.gov, which is searchable by name, county, municipality, zip code, or mile radius. The registry shows a registrant's photo, current address, offense, and compliance status. Not every person who has ever committed a sex offense is listed; the site covers those currently required to register under Pennsylvania's version of SORNA (the Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act, codified at 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799 et seq.).

How long must sex offenders register in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania's SORNA (42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.15) sets registration periods by offense tier:

• Tier I offenses: 15 years, with annual in-person verification.
• Tier II offenses: 25 years, with semi-annual (twice-a-year) verification.
• Tier III offenses and Sexually Violent Predators: lifetime registration, with quarterly (four-times-a-year) verification.

A registrant can be removed from the public website after the applicable registration period expires without a new disqualifying offense. The tier a particular conviction falls into is determined by the offense statute; consult the 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.14 offense-classification table or an attorney for a specific offense.

How do I clear or expunge my criminal record in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania offers two separate paths for clearing a record, and they are not the same:

• Expungement (18 Pa.C.S. § 9122). True expungement destroys the record. It is available mainly for non-convictions (charges that were dismissed or withdrawn), ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition) program completions, summary offense convictions after five conviction-free years, and offenses for which a full pardon was granted.
• Clean Slate sealing (18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.2). Expanded by Act 36 of 2023 ("Clean Slate 3.0," effective February 2024), this seals eligible records from public background checks automatically - no petition or fee required. Eligible records are hidden from employers, landlords, and the public, but remain accessible to law enforcement and courts. Automatic sealing now covers misdemeanors with sentences under two years after a seven-year conviction-free waiting period, and some felony drug and property offenses with sentences under seven years after a ten-year waiting period.
• Petition for limited access (18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.1). For records that do not qualify for automatic sealing, individuals can petition the court for a sealing order covering certain second- and third-degree misdemeanors and ungraded offenses carrying up to five years.

All fines and restitution must be paid, and the waiting period must pass without a new conviction. Because eligibility rules are detailed and were expanded in 2024, consult an attorney or a legal aid clinic for guidance on your specific situation.

Do I need a lawyer to clear my record in Pennsylvania?

You are not required to hire a lawyer. Many Clean Slate sealings now happen automatically without any action on your part, and the courts make petition forms available for expungements and limited-access orders. That said, the eligibility rules are technical, a mistake can prevent you from clearing the record, and some relief requires a court petition. Many people use an attorney or a free legal-aid organization, especially for felony drug offenses or cases with unusual facts.

How long does a felony stay on your record in Pennsylvania?

A Pennsylvania felony conviction stays on your record permanently unless you receive a pardon from the Governor, which is then followed by an expungement petition - the only realistic path to destroying a felony record. Clean Slate automatic sealing does not cover most felonies (only limited drug and property felonies under Clean Slate 3.0). There is no automatic time limit that removes a felony from the record itself, and the FCRA's seven-year cap applies only to what a consumer reporting agency may report for non-conviction items, not to the conviction record held by the courts or the State Police.

Are juvenile criminal records private in Pennsylvania?

Juvenile records in Pennsylvania are confidential under 42 Pa.C.S. § 6308. They are generally not accessible to the public, ordinary background checks, or most employers. They remain accessible to courts, probation and parole agencies, law enforcement, and certain school officials. Expungement of juvenile records is available under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9123 when the court determines the person is entitled to relief; unlike adult Clean Slate sealing, most juvenile expungements require a petition rather than happening automatically. Certain serious offenses committed at age 14 or older may be subject to more limited confidentiality protections.

Philadelphia County criminal records

Philadelphia County is Pennsylvania's most populous county, home to approximately 1.6 million residents, and its court system - the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania - handles one of the highest criminal caseloads in the state. The First Judicial District is composed of two courts: the Court of Common Pleas (felonies and larger civil matters) and Municipal Court (misdemeanors). Criminal docket sheets for both courts are searchable for free through the statewide UJS portal. For in-person access to case files, visit the Office of Judicial Records at the Criminal Justice Center in Philadelphia. For a PATCH criminal history check on a specific person, submit a request at epatch.pa.gov for $22.

Official Pennsylvania criminal record sources

• Pennsylvania PATCH (epatch.pa.gov) - request a statewide name-based criminal history check from the State Police Central Repository ($22 per search).
• UJS Web Portal case search (pacourts.us) - free public docket search covering all Pennsylvania court levels, from Supreme Court to magisterial district courts.
• PA DOC Inmate/Parolee Locator - find a person in Pennsylvania state prison or on state parole supervision; updated daily.
• Pennsylvania Megan's Law registry (meganslaw.psp.pa.gov) - free public sex offender search by name, county, or location, maintained by the State Police.
• 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.15 (SORNA registration periods) - the statute that sets Tier I/II/III registration lengths.
• 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122 (expungement statute) - the law governing expungement of Pennsylvania criminal records.
• First Judicial District of Pennsylvania (courts.phila.gov) - Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas and Municipal Court case access and calendars.

Disclosure: criminal.com may earn a commission when you use the people-search tool on this page, which is powered by a third-party background-check service. Results from such tools are for your personal knowledge only and may not be used to make decisions about employment, housing, credit, tenant screening, or any other purpose covered by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). A mugshot or arrest record is not proof of guilt. This page is general information about Pennsylvania public records, not legal advice; for advice about your situation, consult an attorney. Information was last reviewed in June 2026 and laws may change.