Allegheny County Background Check Records
Allegheny County background check records are among the most searched in Pennsylvania. With over 1.2 million residents and Pittsburgh as its county seat, Allegheny County processes a high volume of criminal cases each year. The Department of Court Records Criminal Division handles all felony filings and appeal cases. This page covers how to search Allegheny County criminal history online, what the records contain, how to request certified copies, and what state resources can help you find public records.
Allegheny County Quick Facts
Allegheny County Criminal Records and Court System
Allegheny County is Pennsylvania's second-most populous county. Its Court of Common Pleas handles thousands of criminal cases every year. The court is based in Pittsburgh at the City-County Building on Grant Street. All felony cases in Allegheny County are processed through this court. Misdemeanor appeals from the county's 25 or more Magisterial District Courts also come before the Common Pleas bench.
The Department of Court Records Criminal Division is the official repository for Allegheny County criminal court files. This office receives filings, maintains dockets, and issues certified copies. Case numbers in Allegheny County follow the format CC-XXXXX-CR-YYYY. The criminal division stores records for felony cases, misdemeanor appeals, ARD cases, and expungement proceedings. Older records are maintained in physical files, while newer cases are accessible through the state's online system. You can reach the office at (412) 350-5324 during regular business hours.
The Allegheny County Department of Court Records is the starting point for anyone seeking a local criminal record search. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Staff can help you search by defendant name or case number.
Note: Allegheny County has enacted ban-the-box policies for public county positions, which delay criminal background check inquiries until later in the county's own application process. This does not affect how the public accesses court records.
How to Search Allegheny County Background Check Records
Searching Allegheny County criminal records is straightforward using the right tools. The state's UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us is the best free starting point. It gives you access to docket sheets for Allegheny County cases filed in both the Court of Common Pleas and the Magisterial District Courts. You can search by participant name in Last, First format, or enter a docket number directly. The portal shows charge details, hearing history, pleas, dispositions, and sentencing. No account is needed. Results appear quickly for most cases.
For an official certified criminal history record, use the PATCH system run by the Pennsylvania State Police. PATCH is the state's official criminal background check database. It covers all counties including Allegheny and returns results from the central state repository. Standard results are typically available within a few days. PATCH is the most complete and authoritative source for Allegheny County background check records.
In-person searches at the City-County Building in Pittsburgh give you direct access to case files. You can review documents on-site, get copies, and request certified records from staff at Room 120. Bring valid photo ID and know the name or case number you are looking for. Processing for certified copies takes one to three business days with a $5.00 certification fee plus copy costs.
Allegheny County Department of Court Records
The Allegheny County Department of Court Records Criminal Division is the county's official courthouse record office. It serves the same function as a Clerk of Courts in other Pennsylvania counties. This office manages all criminal case filings for the Court of Common Pleas, maintains the official dockets, and handles certified copy requests from the public.
| Office | Department of Court Records, Criminal Division |
|---|---|
| Address | City-County Building, 414 Grant Street, Room 120, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 |
| Phone | (412) 350-5324 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | alleghenycounty.us |
Allegheny County criminal dockets are detailed and thorough. Each record shows the case number, defendant name and demographics, charges with Pennsylvania statute citations, offense grade (F1 through M3 or summary), bail information, preliminary hearing outcomes, all court appearances, plea negotiations, trial dates, dispositions, and full sentencing details. Sentencing records include confinement terms, probation conditions, fines, costs, and any restitution orders entered by the court. ARD cases and expungement proceedings are also tracked in this system.
The Civil and Family Division is located separately at 440 Ross Street in Pittsburgh, phone (412) 350-7541. That office handles Protection From Abuse orders and civil court matters. The Allegheny County Sheriff's Office at 436 Grant Street, phone (412) 350-4700, handles warrant information and civil process records.
Allegheny County Open Records office for background check requests
The Allegheny County Open Records office processes Right-to-Know requests for county records and is located at 414 Grant Street in Pittsburgh.
Pennsylvania State Background Check Tools
Beyond Allegheny County's local records, Pennsylvania provides several statewide systems for criminal background searches. The PATCH system through the Pennsylvania State Police is the official statewide criminal history database. PATCH results cover all courts in all 67 counties and are the standard for official background check purposes in Pennsylvania. Anyone can submit a request through the PSP website and receive results covering Allegheny County and all other Pennsylvania courts.
Pennsylvania's Criminal History Record Information Act, found at 18 Pa.C.S. Section 9101, governs who can access criminal records and how that information can be used. The law sets rules for the use of background check data and protects individuals from improper use of their criminal history. Pennsylvania also has a Clean Slate law under 18 Pa.C.S. Section 9122.2, which automatically seals qualifying old misdemeanor records. Sealed records do not appear in standard PATCH results. You can learn more about Pennsylvania's background check laws at iprospectcheck.com.
The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency supports background check compliance programs across the state. They provide resources for understanding what clearances are required for various roles and how record sealing and expungement work in Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania State Police PATCH system provides official statewide criminal history records covering Allegheny County and all other Pennsylvania counties.
Open Records and Right-to-Know in Allegheny County
Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law gives the public the right to request government records held by Allegheny County agencies. The Allegheny County Open Records Office processes these requests. You can submit by email to openrecords@alleghenycounty.us or by phone at (412) 350-5326. The office is located at 414 Grant Street in Pittsburgh. Requests are also accepted in person or by mail.
Through the Right-to-Know process, you may access incident reports, arrest logs, booking records, and other county-held documents. Copies cost $0.25 per page. Electronic records may be provided at actual cost. The county has five business days to respond to a request. If the county denies access, you can appeal to the statewide Office of Open Records. The OOR handles appeals and publishes decisions that help clarify public access rights in Pennsylvania.
The Allegheny County Open Records page has the standard request form, fee information, and contact details. For criminal history records specifically, you must use the Pennsylvania State Police PATCH system, as those records are not released through county open records requests.
What Allegheny County Background Records Show
Allegheny County criminal records are among the most detailed in Pennsylvania. Each case docket shows the full history of a criminal matter from first filing to final resolution. The docket includes the defendant's legal name, date of birth, and contact details recorded at the time of arrest. Charges appear with their Pennsylvania Crimes Code citations and offense grades ranging from first-degree felony down to summary offenses.
Bail decisions and conditions are part of every docket. The record shows whether bail was set, denied, or modified. Every hearing is logged with its date and outcome, including continuances. Plea negotiations and guilty pleas appear in the record. If a case went to trial, the verdict is recorded. Sentencing details cover the full range of penalties imposed: prison or jail time, probation terms, fines, court costs, and restitution amounts owed to victims. Appeals filed after sentencing are also tracked in the same docket record. This level of detail makes Allegheny County criminal records a thorough source of background information.
Allegheny County Sex Offender Registry Search
Pennsylvania's Megan's Law sex offender registry covers all counties, including Allegheny. The registry is maintained by the Pennsylvania State Police and is open to the public at pameganslaw.state.pa.us. You can search by name, by county, by city or borough, or by address radius. This lets you see which registered sex offenders live or work in the Pittsburgh area and throughout Allegheny County.
The Allegheny County registry search shows each offender's name, current address, photograph, offense history, and registration tier. Tier classifications reflect offense severity under Pennsylvania's Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. The registry is free to search and does not require an account. Email alert subscriptions let you receive notifications when a registered offender moves into a specified area.
The registry is a separate tool from the criminal background check system. It does not replace a full Allegheny County background check through PATCH or the UJS Portal. For positions involving children or vulnerable adults, Act 153 of 2014 requires a Pennsylvania criminal history record, a child abuse clearance from DHS COMPASS, and an FBI fingerprint check. All three are required.
Cities in Allegheny County
Allegheny County includes Pittsburgh and many surrounding municipalities. Criminal records for Pittsburgh residents are filed with the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas and can be searched through the county courthouse or the UJS Portal.
Nearby Counties
Allegheny County borders several other western Pennsylvania counties. Each has its own courthouse and criminal records system. You can search records from neighboring counties using the same UJS Portal or by contacting those county clerk offices directly.