County, Delaware Criminal Records Search: Cases & Public Records

Where Should You Search Delaware County Criminal Records?

Delaware County has separate record sources for criminal court cases, Pennsylvania criminal-history reports, police arrests and jail custody information.

How to Search Delaware County Criminal Court Records Free Through UJS

The Pennsylvania Judiciary maintains the statewide Unified Judicial System Web Portal. It provides free public docket access for Courts of Common Pleas, Magisterial District Courts and other Pennsylvania courts.

For ordinary public docket searches, you do not need to register or purchase a background-check report.

Step-by-step Delaware County criminal case search

1. Open the UJS Case Information page. Visit the official Pennsylvania Judiciary website and choose the public Case Search or docket-sheet option.
2. Select the correct court type. For major criminal cases, choose Court of Common Pleas. For preliminary criminal complaints, misdemeanors and summary offenses, choose Magisterial District Court.
3. Choose Participant Name. If you do not know the criminal case number, search by the defendant’s name.
4. Enter the defendant’s name. Provide the last name and first name. You can narrow the results further when accurate additional information is available.
5. Select Delaware County. Choose Delaware from the Pennsylvania county field. This excludes cases in neighboring counties unless you perform a broader search.
6. Choose the criminal docket category. For a Common Pleas felony or criminal case, select Criminal. For a Magisterial District Court citation, choose the appropriate Criminal, Traffic or Non-Traffic docket category.
7. Run the search. Review the displayed name, court, docket number, filing date and other available case identifiers.
8. Open the matching docket. Select the available docket-sheet or case-detail link to review criminal charges, proceedings, court dates and dispositions.
9. Verify the final outcome. Look for the final judgment, plea, dismissal, acquittal, sentencing entry or other applicable disposition.
10. Contact the clerk for certified documents. A downloadable docket sheet is not automatically a certified judgment. Request official documents from the appropriate court custodian when needed.

What can you find in a Delaware County criminal docket?

Depending on the public-access status and court, the docket may contain:

• Criminal docket number and court location
• Defendant and participant information
• Filing date and current case status
• Original and amended criminal charges
• Preliminary hearings and arraignment information
• Scheduled court events
• Motions and docket entries
• Disposition and sentencing information
• Available court costs or financial entries

Can you search Delaware County criminal cases on a phone?

Yes. The Pennsylvania Judiciary provides the free PAeDocket mobile application for public docket research. It supports searches by case number, participant name and several other identifiers.

For detailed research involving multiple docket types or case filters, the standard UJS website may be easier to navigate.

Which Delaware County Court Handles Criminal Cases?

Criminal matters in Delaware County can appear in different courts. Understanding the difference helps you find the original complaint and the final prosecution.

Why a Delaware County felony may appear in two courts

A felony complaint can begin with a Magisterial District Judge before proceeding to the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas.

Consequently, one incident may have an MJ docket number for the initial proceedings and a separate CP-23-CR docket number for the Common Pleas prosecution.

The Magisterial District Court record may describe a preliminary hearing or a case being held for court. The Common Pleas docket should be reviewed for the later trial-level result.

Delaware County Magisterial District Courts by Municipality

Delaware County includes 49 municipalities. The Magisterial District Court that handles a case depends on the relevant municipality and judicial district, not necessarily where a defendant lives.

The county’s official Magisterial District Judges directory provides court numbers, addresses and phone numbers by municipality.

These examples do not represent all of Delaware County’s Magisterial District Courts. Use the complete county directory for Upper Darby, Haverford, Radnor, Springfield, Ridley, Aston and other communities.

How to find the correct lower court

1. Identify the municipality where the criminal complaint or citation was filed.
2. Open the official Delaware County Magisterial District Courts list.
3. Match the municipality, ward or precinct with the listed court.
4. Search UJS using the relevant court number or participant name.
5. Contact the District Court for public documents not available online.

For Chester and other municipalities divided among multiple Magisterial Districts, the correct ward or precinct can matter. Use the court printed on the criminal complaint whenever possible.

Delaware County Pennsylvania Criminal Docket Numbers Explained

Delaware County uses Pennsylvania’s statewide court-numbering system. The county number for Common Pleas cases is 23, while its Magisterial District Court identifiers begin with 32.

This difference is useful because the two kinds of case numbers represent different court systems.

These are example number formats, not actual criminal cases.

What the codes mean

• CP: Court of Common Pleas.
• MJ: Magisterial District Court.
• 23: Delaware County’s Common Pleas county code.
• CR: Criminal docket.
• SA: Summary appeal.
• MD: Miscellaneous docket.
• TR: Traffic docket.

The Delaware County Office of Judicial Support specifically instructs filers to use the format CP-23-MD, CP-23-SA or CP-23-CR, followed by the case sequence and year as applicable.

How to read a criminal disposition

How to Get Certified Delaware County Criminal Court Records

The Office of Judicial Support (OJS) maintains Delaware County Court of Common Pleas criminal records. Its Criminal Division performs the functions traditionally associated with the Clerk of Courts.

The office also handles bail processing, summary appeals and related appellate filings.

Steps to request a certified criminal disposition

1. Find the case in UJS. Record the full CP-23-CR docket number, defendant name and court.
2. Identify the document you need. Common requests include a certified judgment of sentence, dismissal order, docket record or disposition.
3. Contact the OJS file room. Ask whether the document is available for public inspection, copying or certification.
4. State whether certification is required. A plain copy and a certified court record are not interchangeable for official purposes.
5. Confirm the fee and available request methods. Ask whether the office accepts your request in person, through the relevant email workflow or another approved method.
6. Pay using the accepted method. Do not send payment until the office confirms the amount and instructions.
7. Verify the delivered document. Check the docket number, defendant, disposition date and certification.

What if the case is in a Magisterial District Court?

For paper records maintained by a Magisterial District Judge, the Pennsylvania Judiciary instructs requesters to contact that particular court office directly.

Do not assume the OJS Criminal Division maintains every original lower-court citation document.

Can you request a criminal hearing transcript?

Transcripts are separate from docket sheets and certified orders. Delaware County’s public records directory directs Common Pleas and Magisterial District Court transcript requests to its court electronic recording services.

Contact the court that held the hearing to determine whether an official transcript or audio recording is available and what charges apply.

Delaware County Criminal Records Fees and Certification Costs

Delaware County publishes an Office of Judicial Support Criminal Filing Fees schedule. The published schedule available in December 2025 includes the following charges.

Fee verification: The county’s latest linked fee document should be checked before making payment. OJS publishes that personal checks are not accepted under the listed filing schedule, with cash or money order specified. The correct payment method may depend on the service.

Pennsylvania PATCH Criminal Background Checks for Delaware County

For a state criminal-history background check, use Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH), operated by the Pennsylvania State Police.

PATCH searches the criminal-history records maintained by the State Police Central Repository. It is distinct from a free Delaware County court docket search.

How to request an official Pennsylvania criminal-history check

1. Open the PATCH website. Go to the official Pennsylvania State Police online criminal-history portal.
2. Select Submit a New Record Check. Choose the correct individual or authorized-request workflow.
3. Enter requester information. Provide the requested contact and identifying details.
4. Enter the subject’s information. Verify the person’s legal name, date of birth and any other fields requested.
5. Choose the request type. Standard checks and qualifying volunteer checks have different charges and requirements.
6. Review the payment. A standard Pennsylvania criminal-history check costs $22. Online credit-card transactions have an additional 2% processing fee under the notice effective April 22, 2026.
7. Submit the check and save the control number. Keep the request date and confirmation details.
8. Retrieve your result. Print the available No Record or Record response after processing is complete.

PATCH fees and special services

What if PATCH shows Request Under Review?

This status means the submitted information requires further State Police review. It does not by itself prove that the person has a criminal record.

The State Police updates the status after review to No Record or Record. Retain the request’s control number so you can retrieve the result.

Delaware County Jail Inmate Search: George W. Hill Correctional Facility

Delaware County’s principal correctional facility is George W. Hill Correctional Facility in Thornton, Pennsylvania.

The county’s official prison website directs people searching for an incarcerated person to VINELink, a separate custody information and notification service.

How to look up a Delaware County inmate

1. Open VINELink. Use the service linked from the official Delaware County prison website.
2. Select Pennsylvania. Choose the state before beginning the search.
3. Search by available identifying information. Enter the person’s name or another supported search identifier.
4. Review potential matches. Compare the name and details to avoid identifying the wrong person.
5. Check available custody status. Review the information available through the service and any notification options.
6. Contact George W. Hill for official verification. If you need proof of incarceration or a release-related record, use the facility’s Central Records Department.

How to obtain an incarceration verification letter

The county prison instructs requesters seeking proof of incarceration to call 610-361-3200, extension 300.

For inquiries involving a person’s release, the Central Records page provides separate records department contacts.

Formal facility record subpoenas, court orders and expungement record requests must follow the prison’s published procedures and applicable legal requirements.

Does the county jail record show a conviction?

Not necessarily. The jail may hold people awaiting trial, serving qualifying county sentences or detained for another lawful reason.

To determine whether criminal charges resulted in conviction, search the corresponding Pennsylvania UJS docket and verify the court’s final disposition.

Delaware County Arrest Records and Police Reports

Police arrest and incident records are maintained by the investigating law-enforcement agency. They are not the same as a Court of Common Pleas criminal docket.

Delaware County includes independent municipal police departments serving communities such as Chester, Upper Darby, Haverford, Radnor, Springfield and other municipalities.

How to request a police arrest or incident record

1. Identify which police department handled the incident.
2. Find the approximate arrest or incident date.
3. Obtain the report or police incident number if available.
4. Contact the agency’s records unit or open-records officer.
5. Specify the incident report, arrest information or other record required.
6. Follow the agency’s identification, payment and legal access procedures.

Can you request investigative records from the District Attorney?

The Delaware County District Attorney’s Office publishes specific instructions for records within its custody or control, including criminal investigative record requests and appeals.

The office explains that qualifying Right-to-Know requests should be submitted in writing. Criminal investigative materials can also be subject to exemptions or separate appeal procedures.

Delaware County Criminal Record Expungement, Clean Slate and ARD

Some Pennsylvania criminal records qualify for expungement or limited public access under the state’s criminal-history laws.

Expungement and Clean Slate limited access are different legal remedies. Expungement may remove qualifying criminal-history information, while limited access restricts disclosure without necessarily destroying every record.

Pennsylvania Clean Slate and limited-access records

Pennsylvania expanded its Clean Slate laws through Act 36 of 2023. The changes provide automatic or petition-based limited-access relief for additional qualifying records, including some misdemeanors and specified nonviolent felonies.

Eligibility depends on factors such as the offense, conviction history, waiting period, payment of required restitution and statutory exclusions.

In general, certain qualifying misdemeanor records may become eligible after seven years, while specified qualifying felony records may require ten years under the applicable limited-access provisions. These rules have important exceptions.

Delaware County ARD expungement procedure

Delaware County has a particularly useful local program detail: its Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program can provide qualifying defendants with an alternative to ordinary criminal prosecution.

Successful completion can result in the dismissal of charges and possible expungement, but completing ARD does not mean every record is automatically expunged.

The county publishes a dedicated ARD Expungement Procedure and packet instructions.

1. Confirm successful completion of ARD. Check that the case has the required completion and disposition information.
2. Obtain an ARD completion letter. The county instructs individuals to request confirmation through Adult Probation and Parole Services, ARD Unit, 201 West Front Street, Media, PA 19063.
3. Include the required identification information. The completion-letter request should provide the individual’s name and date of birth, with a self-addressed stamped envelope.
4. Review the expungement packet. The county provides forms and an established local filing procedure for qualifying ARD cases.
5. Prepare the required court petition. Depending on the case, documentation may include a completion certification, verification and the appropriate proposed order.
6. Complete the required service. Follow the local procedure for notifying the District Attorney and any other required parties.
7. File through the Office of Judicial Support. Use the applicable court procedure and confirm the current fee.
8. Obtain the final expungement order. Keep the signed court order and confirm the appropriate records agencies have processed it.

Requesting your full record before filing

The Pennsylvania State Police recommends requesting a personal Access and Review record using Form SP 4-170 when appropriate.

This is a $20 mail-in process and can include nonconviction information not shown in a normal public PATCH result.

The form and supporting identification should be sent to the Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository – RCPU, 1800 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758, with payment according to its instructions.

Delaware County legal assistance

If your case involves a previous denial, multiple charges, ARD completion or complicated eligibility issues, consider contacting your attorney or Delaware County’s Public Defender’s Office.

Why Can’t I Find Delaware County Criminal Records Online?

If a name search returns no result, first check whether you selected the correct court type and county.

Can you request corrections to a criminal docket?

If an official UJS case entry appears incorrect, contact the clerk for the court where the case was filed. Be prepared to provide the docket number and supporting documents.

If a PATCH criminal-history report contains an incorrect disposition, request the appropriate State Police record review and obtain certified court evidence supporting the correction.

What if you need a criminal court date?

The UJS Portal includes a Calendar Events section for available court cases. Find the correct criminal docket and review its scheduled events.

If the date is urgent or the portal has not updated, call the court where the case is pending. Do not rely on an absence of calendar data to assume a court appearance has been canceled.

Other Pennsylvania Criminal Records and Federal Court Sources

Delaware County, Ohio vs. Delaware County, Pennsylvania vs. the State of Delaware

The search phrase “Delaware County criminal records” can refer to more than one jurisdiction.

If the case occurred in Wilmington or Dover, Delaware, use Delaware state court and State Police services rather than the Pennsylvania UJS county search.

Official Delaware County Criminal Records and Pennsylvania Government Sources

The official sources below provide the searches, office instructions, current forms and fees discussed in this guide.

• Delaware County PA – Criminal Dockets
• Delaware County – Office of Judicial Support
• Delaware County – Public Access Records Gateway
• Pennsylvania UJS – Free Criminal Case Search
• Pennsylvania Judiciary – Public Case Information
• UJS – Official Case Search Instructions
• Delaware County – Magisterial District Court Locations
• Delaware County – Court Forms and Case Number Requirements
• Delaware County OJS – Phone and Office Directory
• Delaware County OJS – Fees
• Delaware County – Published Criminal Fee Schedule
• Pennsylvania State Police – PATCH Criminal History
• Pennsylvania State Police – Criminal Record Check Instructions
• Pennsylvania State Police – PATCH Results and Review
• Delaware County – George W. Hill Correctional Facility
• George W. Hill – Facility Records Department
• VINELink – Inmate Custody Information
• Delaware County District Attorney – Open Records and Investigative Requests
• Delaware County – ARD Expungement Procedures
• Delaware County – ARD and Criminal Diversion Programs
• Pennsylvania State Police – Expungement Instructions
• Pennsylvania Criminal History Record Information Act – Chapter 91
• Pennsylvania Department of Corrections – Inmate and Parolee Locator
• Pennsylvania State Police – Megan’s Law Registry
• PACER – Federal Criminal Case Search