Allegheny County Criminal Court Records
Allegheny County criminal court records are managed by the Department of Court Records, Criminal Division, located in Pittsburgh at the Allegheny County Courthouse. As the most populous county in western Pennsylvania with over 1.2 million residents, Allegheny County handles a large volume of criminal cases each year. Records are available online through the DCR Web Portal and the Pennsylvania UJS Portal, or in person at the courthouse. This page explains how to find and obtain Allegheny County criminal court records through each available method.
Allegheny County Quick Facts
Allegheny County Department of Court Records
Allegheny County operates a Department of Court Records (DCR) that serves as the official custodian of criminal case files. The Criminal Division is located in Room 115 of the Allegheny County Courthouse at 436 Grant Street in Pittsburgh. Michael McGeever serves as the director. The DCR handles all felony and misdemeanor case records for the Court of Common Pleas in Allegheny County.
The DCR provides several ways to access Allegheny County criminal court records. You can search online through the DCR Web Portal, visit in person at the courthouse, or submit a request by mail. Online access through the portal at dcr.alleghenycounty.us requires registration for full document access. Fees apply for downloading documents and obtaining certified copies. Same-day processing is available for simple requests. Mailed requests may take up to 10 business days to complete.
The Clerk of Courts office is nearby in Room 114 of the same building. The Clerk maintains official docket sheets and can assist with locating records. Copy fees are $0.25 per page for one-sided copies, $0.25 per side for two-sided copies, and $1.00 for record certification. Some older records are stored in archival facilities and may require advance notice for retrieval.
| Office | Allegheny County Department of Court Records, Criminal Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 436 Grant Street, Room 115, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 |
| Phone | (412) 350-1229 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
The Clerk of Courts office can also be reached at (412) 350-5323. More information about the Clerk's office is available at alleghenycountycourts.org/clerk-of-courts/. Public access terminals are available at the courthouse for on-site record searches at no charge.
Allegheny County DCR Online Portal for Criminal Records
Allegheny County offers online access to criminal court records through its dedicated DCR Web Portal. This is separate from the statewide UJS Portal and is specific to Allegheny County. The portal allows users to search by party name, case number, or filing date. Registered users can view and download case documents directly from the site.
To use the full features of the DCR portal, you must create a free account at dcr.alleghenycounty.us. Once registered, you can search criminal dockets, view filing histories, and access documents that are part of the public record. Fees apply for some document downloads. The portal includes video tutorials for new users, which are available at dcr.alleghenycounty.us/DCR_efiling_Video_Tutorials.html.
The Allegheny County Clerk of Courts page provides direct access to the DCR portal and guidance on obtaining Allegheny County criminal court records online and in person.
The Clerk of Courts page at alleghenycountycourts.org links to the DCR portal, fee schedules, and contact information for the Criminal Division in Pittsburgh.
Note: The DCR portal and the UJS Portal both show Allegheny County dockets, but the DCR portal may have more detailed document access for registered users seeking full case files.
Searching Allegheny County Criminal Court Records via UJS Portal
The statewide Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Portal also provides access to Allegheny County criminal court records at no cost. Go to ujsportal.pacourts.us and choose "Criminal Case Search" under the Common Pleas Courts section. You can search by defendant name, case number, or OTN.
Search results show the full docket sheet, listing every document filed in the case along with its filing date. You can see charge details, hearing dates, bail conditions, plea information, and the final disposition. The UJS Portal is updated frequently and covers both Court of Common Pleas cases and Magisterial District Court cases across Allegheny County.
The UJS Portal search interface allows anyone to search Allegheny County criminal case dockets by name or docket number without creating an account.
Search results on the UJS Portal include docket sheets, case status, charge descriptions, and scheduled hearing dates for Allegheny County criminal matters.
PACFile Electronic Filing in Allegheny County Criminal Cases
Allegheny County implemented PACFile as the exclusive electronic filing system for its Criminal Division effective November 12, 2019. All attorneys practicing in Allegheny County's criminal courts must use PACFile to submit documents. Self-represented parties may still file paper documents at the courthouse.
PACFile allows registered users to file documents online, receive electronic notifications of new filings, and access documents in active cases. Access to PACFile is through ujsportal.pacourts.us. The electronic filing system is maintained by the Pennsylvania courts and applies to all criminal filings at the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas.
Types of Criminal Court Records in Allegheny County
Allegheny County criminal court records document the entire span of a criminal case. They start when a complaint or arrest occurs and continue through arraignment, pre-trial proceedings, trial, sentencing, and any post-sentence appeals. Every action in the case generates a record that the DCR maintains at the courthouse.
The documents in an Allegheny County criminal case file typically include the criminal complaint and affidavit of probable cause, arraignment paperwork, bail documents, motions filed by either party, court orders, plea agreements, trial transcripts, sentencing orders, and appeal records. The docket sheet from the UJS Portal or DCR portal lists all of these by date and document type. The actual text of each document must be obtained from the DCR office or through the DCR portal.
The Pennsylvania Public Access Policy under 204 Pa. Code § 213.81 protects certain private information. Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and driver's license numbers are redacted from public filings. All other information in a criminal case file is generally available to the public. Under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9101-9183, the Criminal History Record Information Act, access to and dissemination of criminal history records is regulated across the state.
Criminal History Background Checks for Allegheny County
PATCH, the Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History system, provides statewide criminal history checks that include records from Allegheny County. The service is run by the Pennsylvania State Police and covers arrests and convictions from all Pennsylvania counties. The standard fee is $22 per search.
You can request a PATCH check at epatch.pa.gov. Additional information is available at pa.gov. Individuals checking their own records pay $20. Volunteers may qualify for a free check. The PATCH helpline is 1-888-783-7972. Records from the PATCH system reflect statewide data and are governed by CHRIA under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9101-9183.
Public Access to Allegheny County Court Records
Allegheny County criminal court records are public records under Pennsylvania law. The Right-to-Know Law at 65 P.S. § 67.101 grants access to government records, and the Pennsylvania courts have their own public access policies that apply to court documents. The Office of Open Records at openrecords.pa.gov handles disputes about access to government records statewide.
Public access terminals at the Allegheny County Courthouse let anyone search and view criminal court records without charge. Under Pa. Rule of Judicial Administration 509, courts cannot charge a fee just to view records in the courthouse. Copy fees apply only when you request printed copies. Most criminal records are open to any member of the public without needing to show cause or state a reason for the request.
Records that are not available to the public include expunged records, sealed records under the Clean Slate Law, juvenile delinquency records, and records involving certain protected individuals. The Clean Slate Law at 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.1 provides for the automatic sealing of eligible second and third-degree misdemeanor convictions after seven years with no new convictions.
Nearby Counties
Allegheny County is surrounded by several other Pennsylvania counties. Cases filed near county borders may be heard in a neighboring county's court depending on where the offense occurred.