Franklin County Clerk of Courts Criminal Records
The Clerk of Courts is the official record keeper for all matters relating to the criminal division of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. The county states that all documents pertinent to a criminal court case must be filed with the Clerk of Courts. Todd Rock is listed as Clerk of Courts/Orphans' Court, and Kimberly Kulpak is listed as Chief Deputy Clerk.
The office's local access details are unusually specific. Franklin County says all criminal records are open to the public except records involving juveniles. Records may be researched and viewed during regular operation hours, with two public computers available for public use to research criminal records dating back more than 30 years. Computer docket entries are viewable for records from 1993 forward, while docket books hold information on pre-1993 records.
Searchers may request the actual file for review and, for a fee, obtain copies or a printout of the docket. This local file process is different from the statewide UJS Case Search, which is useful for public docket sheets but may not replace a file review at the Clerk's office.
Franklin County Clerk of Courts Contact
The Clerk of Courts and Orphans' Court office is tied to the courthouse and Judicial Center at 14 North Main Street in Chambersburg. Use the official department page for current hours and any counter instructions before visiting. The email address captured in the research is clerkofcourts@franklincountypa.gov.
Franklin County Clerk of Courts / Orphans' Court
Todd Rock, Clerk of Courts/Orphans' Court
Chief Deputy: Kimberly Kulpak
14 North Main Street
Chambersburg, PA 17201
clerkofcourts@franklincountypa.gov
How to Request a Franklin County Criminal Copy
Use the Clerk of Courts when the request concerns a criminal Common Pleas case file, docket printout, or copy. The best request starts with a docket number from UJS or from the public computers at the Clerk's office. If the case predates computerized docket entries, be ready for staff to consult older docket books or retrieve the actual file.
- Search UJS by docket number, participant name, OTN, complaint number, incident number, or SID when available.
- Confirm that the case is a Franklin County Court of Common Pleas criminal matter.
- For records from 1993 forward, use the office's public computer access or docket entries when visiting.
- For pre-1993 records, ask about docket-book information and actual file review.
- Request copies or a docket printout from the Clerk and pay the applicable fee.
Franklin County Clerk Records Request Fields
A criminal records request should not ask the Clerk to run a broad certified background check. The county says the Clerk will not provide a certified record check and directs users who need a criminal background check to the Pennsylvania State Police. For court-file copies, provide case-level details.
| Field | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Docket number | Recommended | Common Pleas criminal docket numbers usually begin with CP. |
| Defendant name | Yes | Include date of birth or other identifiers only as the office permits. |
| OTN or complaint number | If known | Helpful for charges after arrest and cross-reference searches. |
| Document type | Yes | Examples include docket printout, sentencing order, plea order, or file copy. |
| Copy type | Yes | State whether plain copies, certification, or a docket printout is requested. |
Franklin County Clerk of Courts Fees
The Clerk of Courts fee schedule applies to criminal court copy and filing functions handled by the criminal clerk. It should not be confused with the Prothonotary fee schedule for civil filings or the Register/Recorder fees for estate and land records. The research did not capture exact copy or certification amounts, so the official schedule is the source to check.
| Item | Where to Confirm |
|---|---|
| Criminal docket printout | Clerk of Courts fee schedule |
| Plain criminal file copy | Clerk of Courts fee schedule |
| Certified criminal court copy | Clerk of Courts fee schedule |
| Certified criminal background check | Not provided by the Clerk; use Pennsylvania State Police. |
The official Franklin County Clerk of Courts fee schedule page is the source for criminal clerk charges.
This fee schedule belongs with criminal court records, while civil costs belong with the Franklin County Prothonotary.
Franklin County Criminal Records vs Background Checks
A Franklin County criminal court record shows court events in a specific case, such as charges, pleas, hearings, disposition, sentencing, and docket entries. A certified criminal-history background check is different. The county states that the Clerk of Courts will not provide a certified record check and points users to the Pennsylvania State Police for criminal background checks.
That distinction matters for employment, licensing, housing, adoption, and other situations where a court docket is not enough. UJS itself warns that public docket information should not replace a criminal-history background check. Use the court record to understand a case, and use PSP when the requirement is a certified statewide background check.
Franklin County Orphans' Court Clerk Functions
The Clerk of Courts is also associated locally with Orphans' Court functions. Probate terminology in Pennsylvania is Orphans' Court, and Franklin County estate users may also need the Register/Recorder because that office handles probate appointments for executors or administrators. Do not send estate probate questions to the Prothonotary just because the matter is a court record.
The county's Franklin County Orphans' Court clerk page is the source for local Orphans' Court clerk routing.
This office connection explains why some users see Clerk of Courts and Orphans' Court together in Franklin County records instructions.
Clerk of Courts vs Prothonotary in Franklin County
The Clerk of Courts handles criminal Common Pleas records. The Prothonotary handles civil Common Pleas records, including civil complaints, judgments, liens, divorce files, and family civil filings. If a case involves criminal charges after arrest, use the Clerk of Courts. If a case is divorce, judgment, lien, or civil lawsuit, use the Prothonotary. If a matter is estate probate, use the Orphans' Court and Register/Recorder channel.
The Franklin County Prothonotary fee schedule shows the separate civil-fee source.
Using the correct fee schedule is part of using the correct Franklin County clerk office.