Prothonotary

   Pursuant to Judicial Administrative Order dated February 2, 2021, the Lancaster County Courthouse is closed to public access through April 30, 2021.  However the Prothonotary's Office is OPEN for anyone who needs to conduct business in person. Individuals are encouraged to file via mail or electronic filing at:

www.fileandservexpress.com,

For assistance, please call or use the department specific emails found on the right-hand side of this website prior to seeking assistance in person.

Passport applications will be handled by appointment only. They may be scheduled via phone or email.

                                            IMPORTANT NOTICE

                RE: ACTION OF DIVORCE OR ANNULMENT OF MARRIAGE

RULE 1920.42— Obtaining Divorce Decrees Under Section 3301(c) or Section 3301(d) of the Divorce Code

EFFECTIVE — OCTOBER 1, 2019 —AMENDED PRAECIPE TO TRANSMIT RECORD  http://www.pacourts.us/assets/files/setting-4294/file-4572.pdf?cb=ab3649

  
                                                Notice:  

 Effective January 6, 2018, all documents filed in the Lancaster County Prothonotary Office must follow and comply with the AOPC’s Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania: Case Records of the Appellate and Trial Courts.

 

PRIOR TO FILING WITH THE PROTHONOTARY OFFICE, PLEASE REFER TO THE PA RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE AND LANCASTER LOCAL RULES OF COURT FOR APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTS AND RULES.

About the Prothonotary


The Office of Prothonotary is responsible for the recording and filing of legal papers for the civil side of the court system. These legal papers and documents can include topics and issues such as:

  • Accepts passport applications
  • Administers oaths
  • Appeals
  • Change of names
  • Civil actions
  • Conducts ceremonies for naturalization
  • Custody
  • Divorce
  • Issues certificates
  • Judgments
  • Mechanical, municipal, county, and state and federal income tax liens
  • Mental commitments
  • Mortgage foreclosures
  • Petitions for opening ballot boxes on recounts
  • Power of attorney registrations
  • Protection from abuse
  • Quiet titles
  • School audit reports
  • Treasurer sale deed records


Mission: To fulfill the statutory responsibilities in as efficient, cost effective manner as possible, while focusing on providing exemplary customer service and utilizing automation to achieve both efficiencies as well as improved public access to the civil record of the court.