dauphin county public records: a practical guide for first-time searchers

What to know

Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law opens much of the county’s paperwork, and Dauphin County-home to Harrisburg-keeps records for property, courts, taxes, and vital events. Know the holder: land with the Recorder of Deeds, civil with the Prothonotary, criminal with the Clerk of Courts, probate with the Register of Wills.

Where to begin

Define your purpose first. For a deed, gather the address or parcel ID; for a case, note a party name or docket number. Recent items may be indexed online, while older volumes require in‑person research or microfilm. Expect per‑page copy fees; bring ID for certified copies.

• Identify the record type and date range before you search.
• Use exact spellings and try variants, e.g., middle initials and former names.
• Note fees, turnaround times, and whether appointments are required.
• For right-to-know requests, state a clear scope and preferred format.
• Protect sensitive data; some records are restricted by law.

If a request is denied, you may appeal through the state process; read the notice carefully. Be patient-clear, organized queries make dauphin county public records work for you.