York County Directory of Residents
York County is in south-central Pennsylvania and has a population of about 450,000 people. The county seat is the city of York. Public records in the York County residents directory cover property data, deed files, court records, voter rolls, and vital records. The county uses a commissioner form of government. All main offices are at the York County Administrative Center on East Market Street. Searching the York County residents directory gives you access to records kept by elected row offices across the county.
York County Quick Facts
York County Property Records
The York County Assessment Office sets values for all real estate in the county. Property values are based on 100 percent of market value as of July 1, 2004. The reassessment took effect on January 1, 2006. The current Common Level Ratio is 50.46 percent. You can use this ratio to estimate what the county thinks your home is worth by dividing your assessment by the ratio.
You can search York County property records online at assessmentpublic.yorkcountypa.gov. The search tool lets you look up by owner name, parcel number, or address. There is also an advanced search for sales data. The York County Property Viewer shows maps and tax details. Assessment records are updated through field reviews, deed transfers, building permits, and sub-division plans.
The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records oversees public records access across the state. You can learn more at openrecords.pa.gov.
This state resource helps residents understand their rights when requesting records from York County offices.
York County offers two programs that reduce taxes on land. The Clean and Green program gives a tax break on ten or more acres of farmland, forest, or open space. The Homestead and Farmstead Property Exclusion, under Act 1 of 2006, cuts the assessed value before school tax is figured.
Note: The York County Assessment Office is at 28 East Market Street in the York County Administrative Center.
York County Deed Search
The York County Recorder of Deeds is at 28 East Market Street. The office records real estate documents, military discharge papers, and notary bonds. You can access deed records online. Printing costs $0.20 per page for downloads or $0.50 per page at the office. Credit card payments work for one-time users. Frequent users can set up an online house account.
York County works with five e-recording partners for filing deeds. These are Tyler E-Filing, Simplifile, CSC, EPN, and Indecomm Global Services. All documents are on public computer terminals in the office. If a page is hard to read on screen, staff can pull up the microfilm or the old books.
Office staff cannot search titles for you. They can show you how the computers work, but for a full title search you need to hire a title searcher, an abstracting company, or a lawyer. The Tyler Records Public Access Web gives remote access to documents from 1749 to 1980. This is a key tool in the York County residents directory for anyone doing deed research.
The York County Map Office assigns Uniform Parcel Identifiers within 24 hours. The fee is $20 per UPI. Each UPI is a set of numbers that points to a single lot or parcel. You need final approval from both the local municipality and the York County Planning Commission before a UPI can be assigned.
Court Records in York County
York County court records are held at the Court of Common Pleas. The Prothonotary files civil cases including custody, driver's license appeals, and civil filings. The Clerk of Orphans Court handles marriage licenses. The Register of Wills keeps estate records. Each of these offices is part of the York County residents directory.
You can look up criminal case records from 2000 to the present on the UJS Web Portal. This free tool covers all counties in the state. For older criminal records from 1749 to 1999, check the York County Archives. Civil case filings from 1749 to 1930 are also at the archives. Birth and death records from 1893 to 1906 are on hand there too.
- Criminal records from 1749 to 1999 at the Archives
- Criminal records from 2000 to present on UJS Portal
- Civil case filings from 1749 to 1930
- Deeds from 1749 to 1943 at the Archives
- Deeds from 1943 to present at the Recorder of Deeds
Pennsylvania law makes most court records public. Under 65 P.S. section 67.101, any person can request to view these files. Some records may be sealed by court order, but the bulk of the York County residents directory is open.
Note: The York County Archives holds deed records going back to 1749, the year the county was formed.
York County Public Records Requests
All Right-to-Know requests for York County go through an online portal. Requests sent after business hours are dated as received on the next business day. Before you file a formal request, the county asks that you first search the Prothonotary's database, the Recorder of Deeds webstore, or the Commissioners' meeting minutes. If you still cannot find what you need, submit your request through the York County Open Records Center.
Different types of records have different paths. Voter registration and election requests go through the Election Code to the Voter Registration and Elections Department. District Attorney records have their own Right-to-Know page. Court of Common Pleas financial records use a separate open financial records form. All other requests go through the main Open Records Center for York County.
Keep in mind that all emails and letters to public officials in York County may be treated as public records. Your name and details may be shared if someone else asks for them. This is part of how the state's open records law works.
York County Voter Registration
The York County Board of Elections manages voter rolls and runs all elections. Voter data is part of the York County residents directory. You can check your own status at pavoterservices.pa.gov. The state portal shows your registration, polling place, and sample ballots.
The state voter services portal lets Pennsylvania residents look up their own records quickly.
Use this tool along with the York County elections office to stay up to date on your voter record.
Vital Records for York County Residents
Birth and death records from 1906 to the present are kept by the state. You can order them from the PA Division of Vital Records. Older birth and death files from 1893 to 1906 are at the York County Archives. Marriage licenses are issued by the Clerk of Orphans Court at the York County courthouse.
The Pennsylvania State Archives also holds historical records that may tie to York County residents. Genealogy researchers often use both the county archives and the state system to find the records they need. These vital files are a key part of the York County residents directory for anyone tracing their family line or proving a legal matter.
Cities in York County
York County has the city of York as its county seat, along with many boroughs and townships. County records for all of these places are held at the Administrative Center in York.
All county-level records for York County municipalities are managed from the offices in the city of York.
Nearby Counties
York County shares a border with Lancaster County to the east. Records are kept by county, so make sure you search the right one for the person or property you are looking for.