Chester County Criminal Records Database

Chester County criminal records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts at the Chester County Justice Center in West Chester, Pennsylvania. With a population of roughly 550,000, Chester County is one of the most populous counties in the state and one of the original Pennsylvania counties, established in 1682. The county operates the 15th Judicial District Court of Common Pleas. Criminal case records are searchable through the UJS Portal and PACFile, or you can request copies directly from the Clerk of Courts office in West Chester.

Chester County Clerk of Courts

The Chester County Clerk of Courts is Erin T. McCoy, an elected official who serves as the official custodian of all criminal court records for the 15th Judicial District. The Clerk's office manages case filings for all felony and misdemeanor matters, processes summary appeals from Magisterial District Courts, handles bail processing, and collects fines, costs, and restitution ordered by the court. The office also implements Clean Slate automatic sealing for eligible records and provides information to individuals seeking to understand the process.

Chester County uses a separate Clerk of Courts office, distinct from the Prothonotary which handles civil records. This separation reflects the county's size and caseload. Chester County requires mandatory e-filing through the PACFile system for most attorney-initiated filings. Public access terminals are available at the Justice Center for self-service record searching.

The Clerk of Courts office is located at the Chester County Justice Center, 201 West Market Street, Suite 1400, West Chester, PA 19380. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Phone inquiries can be directed to 610-344-6400. Email is available at clerkofcourts@chesco.org.

The Chester County Clerk of Courts page at chesco.org provides the full fee schedule, record request procedures, PACFile instructions, and contact details for the Justice Center in West Chester.

How to Search Chester County Criminal Records Online

Chester County criminal court records are available for free through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Portal. Visit ujsportal.pacourts.us and search by participant name, docket number, OTN, complaint number, or citation number. Results include case status, all charges filed, hearing dates, attorney of record, dispositions, and sentencing data. The UJS Portal covers both Court of Common Pleas cases and Magisterial District Court records in West Chester and throughout Chester County.

Chester County also uses the PACFile system, which provides additional access for attorneys and authorized users. Civil docket access in Chester County is available through PACFile on a partial-free basis. For public users searching criminal records, the UJS Portal remains the primary free tool. Multiple public access terminals are available inside the Chester County Justice Center for those who prefer in-person searching.

The Chester County government portal at chesco.org connects residents to court services, county departments, and public records resources across the county's many offices and agencies.

Note: Juvenile records under the Juvenile Act, Protection from Abuse orders, and cases expunged or sealed under Clean Slate are not visible through the public UJS Portal. For these records, contact the Chester County Clerk of Courts.

Criminal History Checks for Chester County

For a full statewide criminal history report that includes Chester County arrests and convictions, use PATCH, the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History system. PATCH is managed by the Pennsylvania State Police under 18 Pa.C.S. Chapter 91 (CHRIA). A standard check costs $22 and a notarized result costs $27. Apply online at epatch.pa.gov using Form SP 4-164.

About 85% of requests return a no-record result immediately by email. Requests that identify a potential record go to a manual review process with results mailed in 2 to 4 weeks. The PATCH helpline at 1-888-QUERY-PA (1-888-783-7972) can assist with pending requests. PATCH results are governed by 18 Pa.C.S. Chapter 91, which sets rules on who may access criminal history records and how that data may be used.

Chester County Record Fees and Copy Requests

Chester County charges $0.25 per page for standard document copies. Certified copies range from $15 to $25 depending on the document type. Mail requests are accepted from the Clerk of Courts office along with a self-addressed stamped envelope and appropriate payment. Cash, check, money order, and credit cards are all accepted at the Justice Center. Same-day service is available for records that are readily accessible. Older or archived case files may take 3 to 5 business days to retrieve.

Chester County maintains felony records permanently. Misdemeanor records are kept for 20 years. Summary offense records are retained for 3 to 7 years depending on the type. If you need records from an older case, contact the Clerk's office in advance to confirm availability and retrieval timelines.

Note: Security screening is required to enter the Chester County Justice Center. Bring valid photo identification when visiting the Clerk of Courts office in West Chester.

Clean Slate and Expungement in Chester County

Chester County actively implements Pennsylvania's Clean Slate Act (Act 56 of 2018), which created automatic sealing for qualifying criminal records. People convicted of non-violent misdemeanors of the second or third degree who remain crime-free for 10 years and have paid all fines qualify for automatic sealing. Summary convictions are eligible after 7 years. Once sealed, records are removed from public-facing systems including PATCH, though courts, law enforcement, and certain licensing agencies retain access.

For cases not covered by Clean Slate, you can petition the Chester County Court of Common Pleas for expungement under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122. Qualifying situations include arrests without charges, dismissed charges, acquittals, and some ARD completions. Petitions are filed through the Chester County Clerk of Courts in West Chester. The Clerk of Courts office provides information to eligible individuals about the sealing and expungement process in Chester County.

Public Records Access in Chester County

Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, codified at 65 P.S. § 67.101, gives every person the right to request public records from government agencies. In Chester County, submit your written request to the Open Records Officer at the specific agency holding the records. Agencies have five business days to respond with the records, a denial, or a request for an extension.

Criminal court records at the Chester County Court of Common Pleas are public under Pennsylvania law, with exceptions for juvenile cases, sealed matters, and expunged records. The full case file is open to any member of the public, not just the parties involved. The Clerk of Courts can assist with locating specific dockets and providing copies. For information about the broader Pennsylvania court system, visit pacourts.us.

Nearby Counties

Chester County borders several counties in southeastern Pennsylvania and the state of Delaware. If you are unsure which county court holds a particular record, check the municipality where the case was filed.

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