Philadelphia County Criminal Records
Search Criminal Records in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Start a name-based search through PhiladelphiaRecords.org to identify possible Philadelphia County criminal-record matches. Compare available details carefully, then use the responsible court or agency to confirm a case or request official documents.
- Search using the person’s name and relevant alternate spellings.
- Compare available identifying details before selecting a match.
- Note relevant cases and use the responsible official source for confirmation.
What May Appear in Philadelphia County Criminal Records
Available information varies by record type, court case, and access rules. Relevant criminal court records may contain the following information.
| Information type | What to review |
|---|---|
| Identifying details | Participant name and other available case details |
| Arrest or charge information | Filed allegations or recorded charges |
| Case identifiers and dates | Case number, court, filing date, and docket entries |
| Recorded case disposition | The documented case outcome or disposition |
| Judgment or sentencing information | Court-recorded judgment or sentencing entries, when available |
- A charge or arrest does not establish a conviction.
- Availability depends on the record, source, and access rules.
How to Search Criminal Records in Philadelphia County
Use a careful search-and-confirm process when reviewing possible criminal case information.
- Start with the person’s name and relevant alternate spellings.
- Compare possible matches using available identifying information.
- Record case numbers, courts, dates, charges, and documented outcomes.
- Use the appropriate official portal or custodian for confirmation or documents.
Useful follow-up details include:
- Full name.
- Case number.
- Court or jurisdiction.
- Birth date only when relevant to a supported official search or distinguishing matches.
Official Philadelphia County Criminal Record Sources
Philadelphia County criminal court records are maintained by the Court of Common Pleas and Municipal Court. State criminal-history requests are handled separately through the Pennsylvania State Police.
| Official source | What it provides | Scope or limitation |
|---|---|---|
| UJS Portal Case Search | Searchable criminal case and docket information by participant name or case number | Includes Philadelphia County and other Pennsylvania cases; sealed, expunged, and certain juvenile records are unavailable |
| Philadelphia Courts | Information from the Court of Common Pleas and Municipal Court, the custodians of local criminal court records | Handles Philadelphia County court cases, outcomes, and document-copy requests |
| PA Access To Criminal History (PATCH) | Pennsylvania State Police criminal-history record checks | Statewide criminal-history service; not a substitute for specific court documents and does not include all local court records or out-of-state offenses |
- A Philadelphia County court case search concerns filed court matters and docket information.
- A Pennsylvania criminal-history check has a separate statewide purpose and is not limited to Philadelphia County.
- Court administration sources can help identify the proper custodian for official copies and case confirmation.
Searching Official Philadelphia County Criminal Sources Online
The official online route for Philadelphia County criminal case lookup is the statewide UJS Portal. It is a case-search portal, while the Philadelphia Courts website provides court and records-custodian information.
- Open the UJS Portal Case Search.
- Select Philadelphia County.
- Enter a participant name or case number.
- Review returned docket information and any recorded case outcome.
- Contact the appropriate Philadelphia court division if an official document or confirmation is needed.
For a Pennsylvania criminal-history request, use PA Access To Criminal History (PATCH) and provide the subject’s name and date of birth. That service is distinct from a Philadelphia County case search.
Obtaining Philadelphia County Criminal Court Documents and Certified Copies
Viewing case information differs from obtaining a court document. A certified copy of a specific court document is also different from a certified criminal-history check.
| What you need | Appropriate official route |
|---|---|
| Ordinary copy of a specific court document | Request it from the appropriate division of the Philadelphia Courts |
| Certified copy of a specific court document | Request an eligible certified document from the appropriate Philadelphia court division |
| Statewide criminal-history check | Submit a request through PA Access To Criminal History (PATCH) |
| Certified Pennsylvania criminal-history report | Use PATCH; this is separate from a certified court-document copy |
For a Philadelphia County court-document request:
- Identify the court or custodian maintaining the case.
- Gather the case number, party name, and specific document requested.
- Specify whether you need an ordinary copy or a certified court-document copy.
- Follow the documented in-person or mail request route through the appropriate Philadelphia court division.
Certified court-document copies are available only for eligible court documents. Access to sealed or expunged court records is restricted.
Philadelphia County Criminal Record Limitations and Verification
Keep these limitations in mind when reviewing criminal-record information.
- Identity: A name match alone is not enough to establish that a case belongs to a particular person.
- Outcome: An arrest, charge, or case filing is not a final disposition; review the recorded court outcome.
- Scope: Philadelphia County court results are not necessarily a complete Pennsylvania criminal history.
- Dates: Event, filing, disposition, and sentencing dates can reflect different stages of a case.
- Access: Sealed, expunged, and certain juvenile records are not available through the UJS Portal Case Search.
- Missing results: No search result does not prove that no record exists.
- Verification: Use the responsible Philadelphia court or Pennsylvania State Police service when official confirmation is needed.
Related Philadelphia County Record Guides
- Philadelphia County Arrest Records — Arrest reports and booking-related information.
- Philadelphia County Court Records — Case information, dockets, and court documents.
- Philadelphia County Inmate Search — Custody information and detention-system coverage.
- Philadelphia County Warrant Search — Relevant sources and official status verification.
Frequently Asked Questions About Philadelphia County Criminal Records
Which portal can search Philadelphia County criminal cases?
- The UJS Portal Case Search allows searches for Philadelphia County criminal cases.
- Searches can use a participant name or case number after selecting Philadelphia County.
- Results may include docket information and recorded case outcomes, but the portal does not provide a certified criminal-history report.
Which courts maintain Philadelphia County criminal court records?
- The Court of Common Pleas and Municipal Court are the official custodians of Philadelphia County criminal court records.
- The Philadelphia Courts website is the appropriate starting point for court-record information and copy requests.
- The responsible court division handles ordinary and certified copies of eligible criminal court documents.
How does a Philadelphia County case search differ from a Pennsylvania criminal-history check?
- A Philadelphia County case search focuses on court cases and docket information filed in the county.
- PA Access To Criminal History (PATCH) provides a Pennsylvania State Police criminal-history check using a name and date of birth.
- PATCH is statewide and distinct from requesting documents from a specific Philadelphia County court case.
Where can I request a certified Philadelphia County criminal court document?
- Request certified copies through the appropriate division of the Philadelphia Courts.
- Provide the case number, party name, and document type when making the request.
- A certified court-document copy is different from a certified Pennsylvania criminal-history report.