Franklin County Background Check and Criminal Records
Franklin County sits in south-central Pennsylvania along the Maryland border, with Chambersburg as its county seat. The county has a population near 155,000 and maintains a full court system through the Court of Common Pleas. Franklin County criminal records, background check searches, and public records requests are handled by several local offices and state systems. This page covers every way to find records in Franklin County, from online tools to in-person courthouse visits.
Franklin County Quick Facts
Franklin County Background Check Overview
Franklin County was founded in 1784 and has grown into a mid-sized Pennsylvania county with a strong court system. The Court of Common Pleas in Chambersburg processes all felony cases and misdemeanor appeals from the Magisterial District Courts that serve various parts of the county. The Clerk of Courts office in Chambersburg maintains all criminal case records and provides access to the public in accordance with Pennsylvania law. Anyone seeking a Franklin County criminal history search can start with the courthouse or the statewide record systems.
The county's location along the Maryland border means that some residents have ties to both states. A Franklin County background check covers only Pennsylvania cases. If you need records from Maryland or any other state, you must contact those states directly. For a full picture of a person's history, the FBI fingerprint-based check through the Pennsylvania State Police provides the most complete national search, while the PATCH system covers all Pennsylvania counties including Franklin.
Under 18 Pa.C.S. §9101, all criminal history records in Franklin County are governed by the Criminal History Record Information Act. This law sets rules for how records are collected, shared, and used in Pennsylvania.
Searching Franklin County Criminal History Records
The Franklin County government website provides direct links to all county offices involved in record-keeping. This is a good starting point for understanding which office holds the type of record you need. Criminal records flow through the Clerk of Courts, while civil case records are held by the Prothonotary.
Online searches for Franklin County court records are available through the UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us/CaseSearch. This free tool covers all Pennsylvania courts and requires no login for basic docket searches. You can search by name or case number to find Franklin County cases. Results include charge information, hearing dates, and final dispositions. For a more complete Franklin County record search that includes statewide criminal history, use the PATCH system through the Pennsylvania State Police.
Franklin County Clerk of Courts
The Franklin County Clerk of Courts is the official keeper of criminal court records for the Court of Common Pleas. This office processes all criminal case filings, stores court documents, and provides certified copies to those who request them. Staff can search records by name or case number and help you understand what documents are available for any given case.
| Office | Franklin County Clerk of Courts |
|---|---|
| Address | Franklin County Courthouse, 157 Lincoln Way East, Chambersburg, PA 17201 |
| Phone | (717) 261-3845 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | franklincountypa.gov |
The Franklin County Prothonotary handles civil court records. If you need background information from civil cases such as civil judgments or litigation history, the Prothonotary is the right office. The Franklin County Sheriff manages warrant service and active warrant information for the county.
Note: Fees apply for copies and certified records at the Franklin County Clerk of Courts. Call ahead to confirm current rates and what identification you will need to bring.
PATCH System and UJS Portal for Franklin County
The Pennsylvania State Police PATCH system is the official source for statewide criminal background checks. It covers Franklin County along with all other Pennsylvania counties. You submit a request through the online portal at pa.gov/agencies/psp, provide the subject's identifying information, and receive electronic results. PATCH is the most thorough method for a Franklin County background check because it draws from the central criminal history repository maintained by the state police.
The UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us/CaseSearch is a free complementary tool for Franklin County record searches. It includes docket sheets for all Pennsylvania courts, searchable by name, docket number, or police complaint number. You can filter results by court type, case status, and filing date to narrow down Franklin County results. The system covers Magisterial District Courts, Common Pleas Courts, and appellate courts. For the PAeDocket mobile app, available on Apple and Android, you can search Franklin County records from any device.
Public Records and Right-to-Know in Franklin County
Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law gives the public access to government records held by Franklin County agencies. The Office of Open Records oversees this process and provides a formal appeals path if a request is denied. Franklin County must respond to written requests within five business days. Criminal court records, incident reports, and many other government documents are accessible through this process.
Franklin County residents can submit Right-to-Know requests directly to the agency that holds the records. Each agency has a designated open records officer. The Office of Open Records website offers sample request forms and explains exactly what information to include. Most criminal court records in Franklin County are public, including docket sheets, charging papers, and sentencing orders. Some records may be restricted, such as juvenile cases or records that have been sealed by court order.
Sex Offender Registry in Franklin County
The Pennsylvania Megan's Law Registry includes all registered sex offenders living, working, or attending school in Franklin County. Search the registry at pameganslaw.state.pa.us using name, county, or geographic radius. The registry lists Tier I, Tier II, and Tier III offenders with their name, photo, address, and offense history. Franklin County residents can sign up for email notifications when a registered offender moves into a specified area. The registry is maintained by the Pennsylvania State Police and updated regularly based on compliance checks and registrations from local law enforcement.
Clean Slate and Expungement in Franklin County
Pennsylvania's Clean Slate law at 18 Pa.C.S. §9122.2 automatically seals qualifying misdemeanor convictions older than 10 years when all restitution is paid. No court petition is needed. Sealed records no longer appear in standard public background check searches through PATCH. This applies to all Pennsylvania residents, including those in Franklin County. Serious offenses such as violent felonies and sexual crimes are excluded from automatic sealing.
Franklin County residents who do not qualify for automatic sealing may still petition for expungement in some situations. Cases that were dismissed, ended in acquittal, or were resolved through an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program are often eligible. The petition is filed with the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas in Chambersburg. Once issued, the court order goes to the Pennsylvania State Police, which removes the record from the central database. Act 153 of 2014 governs clearances for positions involving children, and the DHS COMPASS portal handles child abuse history clearances online for Franklin County residents.
Nearby Counties
Franklin County borders several south-central Pennsylvania counties. Criminal cases are filed in the county where the offense occurred. Check the UJS Portal to identify which county court has jurisdiction over a specific case if you are unsure.