Lancaster County Phone Directory
Lancaster County keeps a wide range of public contact records across its government offices in south-central Pennsylvania. This phone directory helps you locate numbers for courts, clerks, and county departments based in Lancaster City. Whether you need to reach the Recorder of Deeds, the Prothonotary, or the Board of Commissioners, this Lancaster County phone directory puts those connections at your fingertips. Residents and visitors can search for direct lines to the offices that serve this historic agricultural region.
Lancaster County Quick Facts
Lancaster County Phone Directory Contacts
Lancaster County is governed by a Board of Commissioners. The board includes Ray D'Agostino as Chairman, Joshua Parsons as Vice Chairman, and Alice Yoder as Commissioner. These three officials set policy for the county. They also oversee the budget and daily operations of Lancaster County departments.
The Lancaster County Government Center sits at 150 North Queen Street in Lancaster City. Most county offices are based here. Staff answer calls during normal business hours, Monday through Friday. You can also visit in person to ask questions or pick up forms. The phone directory for Lancaster County lists direct lines for each department housed in this building. Many residents call ahead to confirm hours before they drive to the office.
The Lancaster County official website provides a full list of departments and their phone numbers. You can browse by office name or service type. The site also posts hours, addresses, and staff names for each Lancaster County division.
Bookmark the county site for quick access to updated phone numbers. Lancaster County updates its directory when staff or hours change.
Lancaster County Court Phone Numbers
The Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas handles civil, criminal, family, and orphans' court matters. Court records are kept by the Prothonotary, the Clerk of Courts, the Register of Wills, and the Clerk of Orphans' Court. Each of these offices has its own phone line listed in the Lancaster County phone directory.
You can reach the courthouse at the Lancaster County Government Center. Staff there can direct your call to the right division. If you need case status, ask for the Prothonotary. For criminal case details, contact the Clerk of Courts. Family law questions go to the Family Court division. The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal also lets you search court records from Lancaster County online at no cost for basic case data.
The Lancaster County Courts page lists phone numbers for each court office and explains what records each one keeps.
Call the court clerk before your visit. Hours may shift on holidays or due to closures. Lancaster County court staff can tell you what forms to bring and what fees to expect.
Note: Court phone lines in Lancaster County may be busy during morning hours, so try calling after 1 PM for shorter wait times.
Property Records in Lancaster County
The Lancaster County Recorder of Deeds maintains all real estate records for the county. This office records deeds, mortgages, and other documents tied to land and property. The Recorder of Deeds is based at 150 North Queen Street in Lancaster.
You can search property records online through the county's document search system. The Lancaster County Recorder of Deeds page has a link to that search tool. Online searches are free for basic lookups. If you need certified copies, you must call or visit the office. The phone directory for Lancaster County lists the Recorder of Deeds line so you can call ahead with questions about fees or document availability.
Property records in Lancaster County go back many years. Older records may take more time to find. Staff can help you narrow your search by parcel number, owner name, or address. If you plan to visit, bring as much detail as you can about the property you need records for.
Lancaster County Phone Directory and Open Records
Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law gives the public access to government records. Lancaster County follows this law and has an Open Records Officer who handles all requests. Under 65 P.S. 67.101, any record held by a local agency is presumed public unless a specific exemption applies.
You must submit your request in writing. Lancaster County accepts requests by mail, email, or fax. The county must respond within five business days. If the request is complex, they may extend that window by up to 30 days with written notice to you. The Lancaster County Open Records page has the standard request form and instructions.
If your request is denied, you can appeal to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records in Harrisburg. The OOR reviews the denial and issues a ruling. This process is free to the requester. Many Lancaster County residents use the appeal process each year when they feel records were wrongly withheld.
Standard copy fees in Pennsylvania are $0.25 per page for black and white copies. Lancaster County may ask for prepayment if your request will exceed $100 in copy costs. Call the Open Records Officer through the Lancaster County phone directory to ask about expected fees before you submit your request.
Note: Lancaster County posts its Right-to-Know request form online, so you can fill it out before calling or visiting.
How to Use the Lancaster County Phone Directory
Start with the county website. It lists every department, office, and elected official in Lancaster County. Each listing shows a phone number, address, and hours of operation. You can also find email addresses for many offices.
If you are not sure which office to call, try these steps:
- For court cases, call the Prothonotary or Clerk of Courts
- For property records, call the Recorder of Deeds
- For marriage licenses or wills, call the Register of Wills
- For tax questions, call the Lancaster County Tax Claim Bureau
- For voting or elections, call Voter Registration
Each office in the Lancaster County phone directory can transfer you if you reach the wrong one. Staff are familiar with the county's structure. They know which division handles each type of record or service. A quick call to the main switchboard can save you time if you are unsure where to start.
The Pennsylvania state portal also links to Lancaster County resources. You can use it to find state-level offices that serve Lancaster County residents, such as PennDOT or the Department of Health.
Lancaster County Directory for Local Services
Beyond county government, Lancaster County has many local agencies with public phone lines. School districts, municipal offices, water authorities, and fire departments all maintain contact directories. Many of these are linked from the Lancaster County website or available through a quick online search.
Lancaster County is home to 60 municipalities. These include cities, boroughs, and townships. Each one has its own set of offices and phone numbers. If you need a local permit, zoning information, or code enforcement contact, start with your municipality. The Lancaster County phone directory covers county-level offices, but your township or borough office handles most local matters.
For state services in Lancaster County, the Commonwealth publishes a telephone directory each year. The Bureau of Publications in the Department of General Services produces this guide. It lists phone numbers for every state agency, department, and regional office. You can order a copy or call the Bureau at 717-704-1029. Lancaster County residents who need to reach a state office will find this directory helpful.
Note: Municipal phone numbers change when offices move or staff retire, so verify numbers on the municipality's own website before calling.
Vital Records Phone Contacts in Lancaster County
Vital records include birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses. In Lancaster County, the Register of Wills handles marriage licenses. Birth and death certificates are managed at the state level by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health Division of Vital Records is located at P.O. Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103. Their phone number is 724-656-3100. They hold birth records from 1915 and death records from 1906. Lancaster County residents can order certified copies by phone, mail, or online.
For marriage records in Lancaster County, call the Register of Wills at the Government Center. Staff can help you apply for a license or get a copy of an existing marriage record. Bring valid ID when you visit. Lancaster County requires both parties to appear in person when applying for a marriage license.
Nearby Counties
Lancaster County borders several other Pennsylvania counties. If you are not sure which county handles your records, check the address where you live. You must contact the right county for the office to have jurisdiction over your request.