Frequently Asked Questions

• Any death in which trauma, falls or fractures, chemical injury, asphyxia, exposure, fire, drug overdose, or reaction to drugs or medical treatment was a primary, secondary, direct or indirect, contributory, aggravating, or precipitating cause of death
• Any death wherein the body is unidentified or unclaimed
• Any sudden infant death
• Deaths known or suspected as due to contagious disease and constituting a public health hazard
• Deaths occurring as a result of violence or trauma, whether apparently homicidal, suicidal, or accidental
• Deaths occurring in a prison, penal institution, or in the custody of police
• Deaths occurring under suspicious circumstances including those where alcohol, drugs, or other toxic substances may have a direct bearing on the death
• Operative and peri-operative death in which the death is not readily explainable on the basis of prior disease
• Stillbirth
• Sudden deaths not caused by readily recognizable disease, or wherein a physician on the basis of prior medical attendance cannot properly certify the cause of death

• Age of decedent
• Cause and manner of death
• Coroner's name
• Date and time of death
• Name of decedent

The next of kin may request a copy of the Autopsy, Toxicology and/or Inquisition or Coroner Report.  This request must include:

• The name of the deceased
• Date of death

The report should be mailed to and signed by the legal next of kin. The fees associated with these reports are listed under the next question.

Insurance or legal requests for reports may be made in writing, or by using the report request form, and must accompany a written authorization release from the legal next of kin. A check or money order made payable to the Lancaster County Coroner for requested reports must be made prior to release of any reports.

Please verify which reports are available before sending a check. Cash is not accepted).

A fee is charged for copies of autopsy reports and toxicology reports at the following rates:

• Autopsy report: $500
• Toxicology report: $100
• Inquisition or Coroner Report: $100

• Culture growth
• Forensic entomology examinations (insects)
• Forensic neuropathology examination
• Microscopic examination
• Toxicology

Individuals and businesses have 30 days from the date the judgment is entered to file an appeal. If the required filing fee cannot be paid, and financial requirements are met, seek legal counsel through MidPenn Legal Services. Only the initial form with basic instructions is provided.

Once the appeal is filed, seek legal counsel.

If the required filing fee cannot be paid and financial requirements are met, contact MidPenn Legal Services. The custody clinic will assist the individual through setting up the first custody conference. Then legal counsel should be sought through your attorney or lawyer referral service.

Annulments are treated the same as a divorce. If financial requirements are met, contact MidPenn Legal Services. The divorce project through MidPenn will file the divorce for the individual. Otherwise, seek legal counsel through your attorney or lawyer referral service, or research the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure in the law library, located on the fourth floor of the new courthouse.

Prepare a petition and order to be presented to court. Contact legal counsel. Cost is listed on our fee bill as “petition for return of property.” For more detailed information, research the Pennsylvania rules of civil procedure in the law library, located on the fourth floor of the new courthouse.

Guardianship petitions are filed in the Register of Wills’/Clerk of the Orphans’ Court Office and should be prepared by an attorney.

• The decedent’s accounts do not exceed $10,000
• The funeral bill has been paid, and the receipt is presented

1. Surviving spouse
2. Intestate heirs
3. Principal creditors of the decedent
4. Other fit persons

The executors must report to the court house of the county where the decedent was legally domiciled at the time of death with the following items:

• A completed petition for probate and grant of letters (the form can be found on the PA Supreme Court website)
• The original will, all codicils, and/or any related documents giving direction as to how property should by disposed upon death
• A death certificate
• Appearance of executor(s)
• Witnesses to will (unnecessary if will is self-proven)
• Sworn English translation if will is written in a foreign language

Payment of Probate Fees Probate fees are due to the Register of Wills at the time of probate. The costs, based on the value of the estate, are documented on the Register of Wills' Fee Bill.

If a notarized self proving affidavit is attached to the original will, the will may be considered self-proven. If the will is not self-proving, two subscribing witnesses (witnesses who signed the will) must prove the signature of the decedent. If the witnesses to the will are available, they must sign an Oath of Subscribing Witness Form. If they cannot be located, the attorney for the estate or the representative must file an Oath of Unavailability.  Then two persons familiar with the signature of the decedent must sign an oath of non-subscribing witness, stating that they believe the signature on the will to be that of the decedent.

Responsibilities of executors vary greatly from estate to estate, depending on the particular circumstances of the decedent. However, there are certain forms that are required to be filed in all estates.

Notice must be given to all beneficiaries named in the will, and spouse and children if there is no will, of the death of the decedent and the appointment of the personal representative. A copy of the probated will may be sent to those named in the will.

Certification of notice must be filed with the Register of Wills verifying that the personal representative has sent these notices. One of the major responsibilities of the personal representative is to determine what assets the decedent had in his name alone (probate assets) and are, therefore, under the control of the personal representative and subject to distribution under the terms of the will.

These assets may be cash, bank accounts, stocks and bonds, investment accounts, personal property, business interest, real estate, life insurance, and/or retirement benefits. These assets may be subject to Pennsylvania inheritance tax and possible federal estate tax. Therefore, these assets must be valued as of date of death and reported as such on the death tax returns.

Outstanding debts of the decedent, along with funeral expenses and estate administration expenses, must be determined and paid out of the estate assets before any distributions to beneficiaries. These debts and expenses are allowable deductions for Pennsylvania inheritance tax and federal estate tax purposes. If the estate is insolvent (debts exceed assets), then the personal representative is responsible to pay claims based on a schedule of priority of payments.

A short certificate is a document issued by the Register of Wills after the will has been probated. It evidences the appointment of the personal representative to administer the estate. This document allows the personal representative to act on behalf of the estate to close bank accounts, file final income tax returns, process pension benefits, and close brokerage accounts.

The current charge can be found on the Register of Wills' Fee Bill, and each bank will require an original. It is called a short certificate because it is a one-half page form.

• Pennsylvania inheritance tax
• Federal estate tax
• Income tax

Upon notification of your order being ready for pick-up, Co-Op members may schedule the order pick -up at the county warehouse dock Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. The dock is located off W. Marion Street under the parking garage. Directions: Walnut (Rt.23) to Market St. (alley) crossover Chestnut. Market turns into W. Marion St. (alley). The entrance to the dock will be on your left. 

• Political Committee Registration Form
• Authorization Form signed by the Candidate
• A Chairperson
• A Treasurer
• A Bank Account

• Daily drawings
• Pull tabs
• Punch boards
• Raffles (includes lotteries)
• Weekly drawings

Yes. Small games of chance may only be played and eligible organizations licensed in those municipalities that have approved the licensing and conduct of small games of chance by voter referendum. A list of those municipalities that have and have not passed the referendum question can be viewed or downloaded from this site.

• Amount of proceeds used for public interest purposes
• Gross revenue collected from small games of chance
• Number of W-2G forms issued
• Proceeds
• Total expenses associated with small games of chance
• Total gross winnings reported on W-2G forms
• Total prizes paid

• The date and time of the drawing
• The location of the drawing
• The name of the club conducting the raffle
• The price of the ticket
• The prize or prizes to be awarded
• The small games of chance license number of the club
• The special permit number, if applicable

• Duke Street
• Penn Square
• East King Street
• Prince Street

The courthouse has a metal detector system and x-ray at the main entrance on Duke Street. All pocket books, briefcases, and packages will be scanned. You may not bring weapons, pocket knives, box cutters, or mace into the courthouse. If you do, the sheriffs will take them, give you a receipt, and keep them for you until you are ready to leave. There are also sheriffs in each courtroom to provide security and keep order.

• Complete an Non-DUI Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Application and submit to the District Attorney's Office along with a copy of the criminal complaint and affidavit
• Sign a Motion for Trial Continuance and Waiver Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Form

An offender will not be considered for ARD if any of the following apply:

• The offender has been convicted of DUI or accepted into the ARD program within 10 years of the date of the current offense
• An accident occurred in connection with the offense where a person, other than the offender, was killed or suffered serious bodily injury
• There was a passenger under 14 years of age in the motor vehicle the offender was operating
• The offender did not have a valid driver's license, and/or was suspended, and/or did not have insurance, regardless of whether charged with those specific offenses
• The offender has an extensive driving and/or criminal record as determined by the District Attorney
• The offender has a Commercial Driver's License whether they are operating a commercial or personal vehicle
• An offender with a BAC of .30%+, Heroin, and/or Fentanyl will be considered on a case by case basis and may be required to attend the ARD Panel

Exceptions may be made in extraordinary circumstances.

Yes. To be eligible for ARD, an offender must apply at the time of DUI Central Court hearing or prior to the status conference hearing. Your application must be in before your first status conference hearing for you to be eligible for the program.

To apply for ARD, an offender must complete the following four steps within 30 days of the filing of a criminal complaint:

• Waive the preliminary hearing
• Complete an ARD APPLICATION and submit to the District Attorney's Office along with a copy of the criminal complaint and affidavit
• Sign a continuance form provided by the District Attorney's Office

You schedule a CRN evaluation at DUI Central Court. The results of the evaluation will be sent to the Office of the District Attorney.

Please refer to the drivers license suspension guidelines.

• Complete the CRN assessment, as well as a full assessment for alcohol and drug addiction if the CRN indicates there is a need for counseling or treatment, or the blood alcohol content at the time of the offense was at least 0.16%
• Schedule any required drug and alcohol treatment with a licensed treatment program
• Schedule and successfully complete the Alcohol Highway Safety School
• Successfully complete community service hours
• Pay $600 in initial charges to the Treasurer's Office. Additional charges will be collected after admittance into the program

Once an offender has complied with all the requirements as identified, the District Attorney's Office will receive a memo from Adult Parole and Probation Services, at which time the offender will be scheduled by the district attorney for a date for formal admittance by a judge into the ARD program.

• Successfully complete any remaining community service requirements
• Successfully complete any required drug and alcohol treatment
• Pay any remaining restitution, fines, costs, fees, surcharges, and/or evaluation charges

go to:

go to:

The delivery dock for the County of Lancaster is located off W. Marion Street under the parking garage. Directions: Walnut (Rt.23) to Market St. (alley) crossover Chestnut. Market turns into W. Marion St. (alley). The entrance to the dock will be on your left.Deliveries are accepted between 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM Monday - Friday.

Birth certificates can be obtained through the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records, P.O. Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103. You may reach them via telephone at (724) 656-3100 or via information on their website at the following link:

For driving directions to Lancaster County Government Building at 150 N. Queen Street, see Google Maps below.

Once you arrive at the Building through the Chestnut Street Entrance, follow the corridor past the first set of Elevators until you go through a single open door with Vending Machines and a pair of Elevators.  Take these to the 3rd Floor.  The IT/GIS Department will be on the Right with a Front Desk Kiosk.

You can get a Plot Plan or Tax Map (also known as a Prod map) of your property through either the GIS or the Property Assessment Offices, both on the 3rd floor of 150 N. Queen St.  An 8.5"x11" map is $15 + tax.  If you need a larger map (11"x17" ($30 + Tax) or 33.5"x45" ($100 + Tax)), please contact GIS to create them.

Use our online Map application LanCo View 2.0 (found at the bottom of this question and on our main site on the right-side pane) to look up your property for lines and dimension lengths.  The application also allows users to look at properties with Aerial Imagery, Contours, School Districts, and other layers.

When you go to the LanCo View application, on the top right (both desktop and mobile) there is a circle symbol with an "i" in the middle.  Clicking that will open a panel with a tutorial on how to use the application.  If you have any further questions, please call us at 717-299-8257 and someone will be happy to assist you.

If there is a question about the positioning of a parcel boundary as shown on our maps, a GIS mapping technician will use a recorded deed and/or subdivision plan to determine if any corrections need to be made in the GIS data.

Please note:  GIS parcel lines are merely representations of the legal description found in the respective deed, and are shown for illustrative purposes only.  The actual, on-the-ground position and location of property lines should be determined by a Professional Land Surveyor licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

If you're receiving an error while accessing our online services, please check for any notices that indicate there is maintenance or our routine updates.  Note that we have updates from 7am to 9am every day for LanCo View at which time data may not display properly.  If you are seeing load errors and issues outside of those instances, please contact us at ithelpdesk@lancastercountypa.gov.

The primary source to download most of our data is from PASDA, hosted by Penn State University (link below).  This includes Parcel Data without Owner Names.

If you are looking for Parcels (with Owner Name), Zoning, Address Points, or Road Centerlines, you can purchase a calendar year subscription through our Request Forms for a price of $100.00 + Tax per year and a website to download from will be provided with login.

Any request beyond a Prod map would become a Custom Map; they are available at a rate of $100.00/hr + tax or $25.00/hr for nonprofits.  Someone in GIS Staff will determine the amount of hours required to create the map depending on the needed information, and send an invoice prior to working on it.

We do not. However, the Lancaster County Visitors Bureau offers a fold up countywide map at no charge. Another option is to purchase an ADC Map at a convenience store or book store.

When a request is submitted online, we take the following forms of payment: Credit, Debit, ECheck.  There is also an option to call in and relay Card information, or stop in to make your payment with Card, Check, or Cash.

Yes, public customers can use our online application, LanCo View, to look up properties and save and/or print out a map for their own use.  Please read the disclaimer prior to use to understand limitations and legality of information from the application.

We can only look at potential error in our data, however, you will need to report it directly to the company that maintains the data for your GPS unit or for the mapping website.  The main companies for mapping are Google, Apple, HERE, and OpenStreetMap.

Lancaster County GIS staff cannot resolve issues related to flood plain boundaries or determinations about whether a specific property is in a flood plain.  Your first stop should be the office for the municipality which a property is located in.

For all other questions about flood insurance or the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), please contact the NFIP Help Center at 1-877-336-2627 or visit www.FloodSmart.gov To view Flood Insurance Rate Maps or an interactive map showing Flood Hazard Areas for that location, use the FEMA Flood Map Service Center.

If you have a general question that is not covered by the above FAQ, please reach out to us by phone (717-299-8257) or by email (ithelpdesk@lancastercountypa.gov) and someone from the Lancaster County GIS Staff will respond or reach out to assist and/or look into the issues.

1. To start, identical street addresses may exist throughout the county, provided they are in different municipalities. For example, enter 102 for the house number and Sunrise for the street name; you will see in the results that there is a 102 Sunrise Ave. in both Elizabeth Township and Manheim Township.
2. Another circumstance that may lead to multiple search results would be when a house number and street name occur with a variety of street prefixes, types, and suffixes. An example would be to search for a house number of 200 and a street name of Second. The search results for this query would be 200 S Second St. and 200 E Second Ave. two very different addresses that share a common house number and street name.

County Parks are open!  Please follow social distancing etiquette when visiting our parks.  Programs and facilities rentals are however subject to closures and cancellations. Visit the Parks and Recreation page below for those updates.

LCPC is now accepting electronic submissions of subdivision and land development plans. Applications Coordinator Farah Eustace will review each application for completeness and ensure the submittal fee is calculated correctly. She will then contact the applicant about submitting payment for the review fee.

 For instructions on electronic submissions, please click here. Questions? Please contact Farah (feustace@co.lancaster.pa.us) or Dean Severson, Director for Community Planning (seversod@co.lancaster.pa.us).

Click on the link for the Property Assessment page to stay up-to-date on assessment appeals scheduling.

The Recorder of Deeds office is providing regular updates on notary information.  Click the link below for the latest information.

The Recorder of Deeds office is providing information on how to continue recording deeds.  Please see link below.

The Treasurer’s Office is providing updates on property tax payments.  Please follow the link below for current information.

You can!  Padoglicense.com

You can, although please expect a delay as staff is working on a modified schedule.  Please see information below on how to obtain records.

If you are experiencing a mental health emergency that requires immediate attention, please contact Crisis Intervention at 717-394-2631.  Or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. More information on the mental health services provided by BHDS can be found by following the link below.

Lancaster County Office of Aging can help!  Please see the link below for a list of their services.

The Lancaster County Drug & Alcohol Commission can provide those resources for you.  Please see link below.

Lancaster County Children and Youth Agency is here to help. To report suspected child abuse or neglect go to www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis or call Childline at 1-800-932-0313 or the Communication Center at 717-293-7724.  You can also follow the link below to see information on child abuse or neglect, plus other services including in-home protection, foster care, and adoption.

A current list of job openings can be found at the link below.

Services are available through Moneygram.  See below.

Following the Domestic Relations page for updated information.

Jury Services is updated their page with the latest information available.  Take a look by following the link below.

The Clerk of Court is the official record keeper for all matters relating to the Criminal Division of the Court of Common Pleas.  All documents pertaining to a criminal court case must be filed with the Clerk of Courts.  All records, with the exception of records involving juveniles and those not open to public inspection by statute or by court order, are open for public view.   

 This office is a fee office and is required to charge fees for services to maintain the office. See Act 36 of 2000.

The Staff of the Clerk of Courts Office is here to assist you.  However, please be advised that we cannot provide legal advice, nor can we provide information over the phone.  If you need assistance with a legal issue, please contact an attorney or visit the Lancaster County Law Library.

Bring with you an original of the motion/petition, notice or document you wish to file along with the appropriate number of copies—please check the Rules of Criminal Procedure for number of copies you will need to bring with you.  Please make sure that each document has the case caption, docket number, affidavit of service, and distribution on proposed orders with correct names and addresses of parties to be served, copies and original of any citation or exhibit you will be attaching to your filing.  For certain filings, there are filing fees.  Please bring cash, exact change only, or a certified check. 

 If you are filing for In Forma Pauperis status (IFP) or Nunc Pro Tunc, please make sure that every line item is completed and complies with the Rules of Criminal Procedure and the Instruction Packet attached to the request.  For nunc pro tunc petitions, you must include an explanation as to why the defendant failed to file his/her appeal within the 30-day time frame.

You can find your docket number(s) by using this link through the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts.  www.ujsportal.pacourts.us 

Bail can be posted at the Clerk of Courts Office, located on the 2nd floor of the Lancaster County Court house during the hours of 8:30 to 4:30 pm, excluding holidays.  The case for which you are posting bail must have been forwarded to and received by the Clerk of Courts Office to process bail, otherwise you will need to contact the Magisterial District Justice who set the bail.   Bail may be posted at the Magisterial District Judge Office.  See Rules of Criminal Procedure 520 – 536.

Types of payments accepted:

• Only cash or certified check is accepted for posting bail
• Bail bondsman
• Surety Company
• Real estate can be posted as surety for bail.

Click here to see our current, up to date Bail Bondsman List (LINK TO BAIL BONDSMAN TAB HERE)

The following procedure and information are required when requesting a record search from this office:

For Private Individuals:

Submit in writing a request to conduct a criminal record search and include the individual’s name, address, date of birth and full social security number.  Include a certified check made payable to “Clerk of Courts” with required fee(s).  Remember to include any aliases, maiden name, prior married names, etc.  This office will not accept requests by phone.  

Once complete, this office will forward the requester an official court seal letter stating the criminal charges, offense date and disposition of the case or cases filed against that individual or a letter stating that no record was found for that individual.  Should you require copies of the record(s), upon receipt of the required fees, those copies will be mailed to you.  If you would like for those records to be certified, additional fees apply. 

Please be advised that the record search results will only include convictions which occurred in Lancaster County.  For a complete criminal history, please contact Pennsylvania State Police

For Government Agencies and Police Departments:

Submit in writing or by fax on your official letterhead, the individuals’ name, address, date of birth and social security number.  Without proper identification of your agency, record searches will not be conducted. 

Fees:

$ 21.50 per search

$ 8.75 per certified copy requested

$ 0.25 per copy requested

THE FOLLOWING IS THE PROCEDURE FOR ACT 122 (DRIVER'S LICENSE RESTORATION) and Act 151 (Jail Time Completion):

If you are reporting to the Adult Probation/Parole Office about restoration of your driving privilege, or if you have received a restoration letter from PennDOT, here are the steps you must complete:

ACT 122

You will need to contact your probation officer by telephone to schedule an appointment to complete an Act 122 Form. At that appointment time, bring with you:

1. A letter of completion from the CARE Center or other approved treatment agency. This letter states that you have completed all DUI-related treatment and have paid for the services in full.
2. Your PA driver's license number. You must know your driver's license number to be put on the appropriate paperwork. If you do not know this number, it will be located on your restoration letter from PennDOT.

If you do not have all these items, the Act 122 will not be complete, and your driver's license will not be restored.

ACT 151 (JAIL TIME COMPLETION)

This states that jail time has been completed. If you are in the process of having your driver’s license restored, the Act 151 paperwork will be completed at the same time as the Act 122 (please see above for explanation). You will need to notify the probation officer at the Act 122 appointment that PennDOT does not have verification of your jail time.

If you have completed the process for an Act 122 but PennDOT does not have notification that your jail time was completed, contact your probation officer and ask them to complete an Act 151. It will be helpful if you are able to provide the dates in which you were incarcerated.

Once the Act 122 paperwork has been completed at the Adult Probation Office, they will electronically file the paperwork to the Clerk of Courts office where we handle processing and filing of this paperwork, and certify all information to PennDOT. 

For all other PennDot issues, please contact PennDot or click here to visit the website https://www.penndot.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx.

You can view your property information on our Property Search Site at Lancaster County Property Tax Inquiry .

We have instructions for how to use the site posted on our website. The direct link to the instructions is How-to-use-the-Property-Search-Website .

You can call our office at 717-299-8381 and speak to someone about the issue or you can send an email to paquestions@lancastercountypa.gov . You can also fill out a Property Correction Form at Property-Correction-Form- and email it to the above address. Depending on the complexity of the issue, we may be able to fix the information for you immediately, or a field check may be required.

Notices will be mailed with your new assessment value in the summer of 2026. Your appeal deadline will be 40 days from the mailing date of that notice and will be printed on the notice. All appeals must be postmarked by the appeal deadline date or delivered to our office by 5:00 pm on that date.

The reassessment value will go into effect for the 2027 tax year.

The millage rates for the 2027 County/Muni taxes will be determined towards the end of December, 2026. The millage rates for the 2027-2028 school year will be determined in June of 2027.

Not necessarily. The taxing bodies will have to adjust their millage rates down in proportion to the increase in taxable assessment in each individual district when they set their new budgets, beginning with the 2027 County/Muni taxes and the 2027-2028 School taxes. The millage rate set at that time will determine the amount of taxes that you will pay.

For residential properties, we will use valid, arms length sales of properties from 2022-2024 by neighborhood or area (for rural properties) to determine estimates of value for the surrounding properties. Data such as acreage, square footage, amenities (porches, garages, bathrooms etc.) have a value attributed to them and then those values are adjusted by comparing them to similar sales in your area by ratios for each neighborhood to generate a probable market value.

For Commercial/Industrial properties, a combination of Marshall & Swift cost values, sales, rents and incomes will be used to determine value.

We cannot go out to pick up improvements without a building permit issued for the property by your local municipality. Each municipality has different standards as to what requires a building permit. If you feel your neighbor has added something without a permit, please contact your local municipality. We will not go out and pick up improvements based on a call from a neighbor. They need to go through the appropriate channels.

The primary homesite is the average/most common acreage for each neighborhood. That way every parcel is valued at the same base acreage for their land. The residual land is any acreage that is over the primary homesite amount and then that extra land is valued at a lower rate. This keeps the land values more stable so higher acreage parcels do not have overly inflated values.

Actually, renters do pay property taxes, just indirectly. The rental industry in not a non-profit industry, so landlords must cover all of their expenses, including property taxes, in the rent they charge their tenant and allow for a margin of profit in the end. Although renters are not directly paying property taxes to the taxing body, they are paying the taxes to their landlord through their monthly rent.

One of the founding principles of our Country guarantees a free education to all. In order for that to happen, everyone must participate. An educated population is an essential benefit for our society.