Lancaster County Residents Directory
Lancaster County has a residents directory that spans many types of public records. The county sits in south-central Pennsylvania and is home to about 550,000 people. Lancaster County is known for its Amish farms and rich past. The residents directory for Lancaster County includes property data, court files, deed records, voter rolls, and more. You can search these records through the county offices in the city of Lancaster. Each office holds a distinct set of files that are open to the public.
Lancaster County Quick Facts
Lancaster County Property Records Search
The Lancaster County Assessment Office keeps property records for all real estate in the county. This office sets the value of each parcel for tax reasons. It also runs an online search tool so you can look up any lot or home. The assessment data shows the owner, lot size, and tax value. You can use these records to learn more about a piece of land or to check your own tax bill. The office sits at 150 North Queen Street in Lancaster.
Property appeals go through the Board of Assessment Appeals. If you think your value is wrong, you can file a form. Lancaster County went through a full reassessment, and all land now has a set ratio tied to fair market value. The county keeps records for every parcel within its lines. These files are part of the Lancaster County residents directory and are open to anyone who asks.
The Lancaster County Prothonotary handles the county's civil court filings, which you can view through the Lancaster County Prothonotary office page. Civil case records, liens, and judgments are all on file here.
The Prothonotary page for Lancaster County shows details about the civil court filing process and how to search for case data online.
This resource helps residents and the public search civil dockets and court records for Lancaster County.
Note: Property records in Lancaster County date back to May 10, 1729, when the county was first formed.
Deed Records in Lancaster County
The Lancaster County Recorder of Deeds keeps all land records for the county. This office files deeds, mortgages, and other papers tied to real estate. It also collects the realty transfer tax when land changes hands. You can get certified copies of any recorded file from this office.
Lancaster County has a long history of deed records. The Recorder has files going back to 1729. You can search old deeds through the Lancaster County deed search tool. This site lets you look up old and new land records. The index books are also on hand at the office in Lancaster. For very old records, the Lancaster County Archives holds maps, deed books, and more from the 1700s and 1800s. Historical maps from 1824, 1864, 1875, and 1899 are all on file.
All deed records in Lancaster County are public under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, found at 65 P.S. section 67.101. Anyone can ask to see these files. You do not need to own the land or be part of a case. The Recorder of Deeds office can help you find what you need in the Lancaster County residents directory.
Lancaster County Voter Registration Directory
The Lancaster County Board of Elections runs voter rolls and manages all elections. Voter records are part of the residents directory for Lancaster County. These records show each person's name, address, party, and voting history. The office is in the county seat of Lancaster.
You can also check your own voter status through the state portal at pavoterservices.pa.gov. This site lets you look up your record, find your polling place, and see sample ballots. Lancaster County voter files are kept current by the Board of Elections staff. They update rolls after each election cycle and process new sign-ups year round.
The Board of Elections website for Lancaster County shows how to register and find election results.
Use this page to check dates, view past results, or learn about the next vote in Lancaster County.
Searching Court Records in Lancaster County
Court records for Lancaster County are held at the Court of Common Pleas in the city of Lancaster. The Prothonotary files civil cases. The Clerk of Courts handles criminal and other matters. Both offices keep records that are part of the public residents directory for Lancaster County.
You can search court dockets online through the UJS Web Portal. This free tool covers all Pennsylvania counties. Type in a name or case number and you can see basic details for any case in Lancaster County. For copies of the full file, contact the Prothonotary or visit the courthouse. The portal is run by the state court system and is free to search.
Lancaster County Archives also holds old court and civil records. Birth registers from 1852 to 1855 and 1881 to 1906 are on file. Marriage license records go from 1885 to 1998. Death records, wills dating back to 1730, and naturalizations from 1800 to 1991 can all be found. The archives sit at 150 North Queen Street in Lancaster. You can reach them at 717-299-8319.
Note: The Lancaster County Archives has nearly 500 record series in its collection, with searchable online indexes.
Public Records Requests
Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law gives every person the right to ask for government records. Lancaster County follows this law. You can submit a formal request through the county's open records process. The Open Records Officer for Lancaster County is based at 150 North Queen Street, Suite 714, in Lancaster. You can call 717-735-1584 or email openrecords@lancastercountypa.gov to start your request.
If your request is denied, you can appeal. Most appeals go to the Office of Open Records at 555 Walnut Street, Suite 605, in Harrisburg. Criminal investigation records have a separate appeal path through the District Attorney. The entire process is spelled out in Pennsylvania law to make sure the public can get the records they need from the Lancaster County residents directory.
The state keeps vital records such as birth and death files from 1906 onward. You can order these through the PA Division of Vital Records. For older records, check the Lancaster County Archives.
Lancaster County Historical Records
Lancaster County has one of the deepest sets of historical records in Pennsylvania. The county was formed in 1729. Its archives hold deeds from that first year and wills from 1730. Orphans Court files go back to 1742. Military discharge indexes span from 1864 to 1947 and include the soldier's name, regiment, birth place, age, and date of discharge. These records become public 75 years after the date they were recorded.
You can view many of these files at the Lancaster County Archives. The collection includes trust books from 1841, estate files from 1902, and veteran burials from the Revolutionary War through 1988. Delayed birth certificates from roughly 1870 to 1906 are also on file. The archives team can help you locate records for genealogy or other research needs.
- Deeds from 1729 to present
- Wills from 1730 onward
- Marriage records from 1852 to 1998
- Naturalizations from 1800 to 1991
- Death affidavits from 1874 to 1978
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission also holds records tied to Lancaster County. Visit the State Archives for more. These resources are all part of the broader residents directory for Lancaster County and the state.
Note: For recent military discharges, contact the Lancaster County Recorder of Deeds rather than the Archives.
Cities in Lancaster County
Lancaster County includes the city of Lancaster and a number of townships. Each municipality is served by the county offices for property, court, and voter records. The residents directory covers all areas within the county.
All public records for these areas are held at the Lancaster County offices in the city of Lancaster.
Nearby Counties
Lancaster County borders several other Pennsylvania counties. If you need records from a different area, check the county where the person lives or where the property sits.