Philadelphia County, PA Public Records

Court of Common Pleas - Civil
1 Broad & Market St 284
First Judicial District - Office of Judicial Records
Philadelphia, PA 19107 http://www.courts.phila.gov/common-pl
Hours: 9AM-5PM EST
P: 215-686-7000, 215-686-6653
F: 215-567-7380
Jurisdiction: Civil Actions Above $10,000
Restricted Records: No mental health, divorce, abuse, adoption records released
Has separate search unit (215-686-6656/8859), record unit (215-686-6661), and cert unit (215-686-4253). Get case number from web or search unit (Rm 262), then get case files from record unit (Record Rm 264), then certify at Rm 296.
Court of Common Pleas - Criminal Division
1301 Filbert St, 310B
Criminal Justice Ctr
Philadelphia, PA 19107 https://www.courts.phila.gov/common-p
Hours: 8AM-5PM EST
P: 215-683-7700, 215-683-7006
F: 215-683-7714
Jurisdiction: Felony
The Criminal Section has jurisdiction over all felony cases and appeals from Municipal Court for a trial de novo (new trial) including a right to a trial by jury.
Municipal Court - Civil Division
1339 Chestnut St, 10th FL
Philadelphia, PA 19107 https://www.courts.phila.gov/municipa
Hours: 9AM-4PM EST
P: 215-686-7950, 215-686-7989
F: 215-686-7575
Jurisdiction: Civil Actions under $12,000, Eviction, Small Claims
The Municipal Court Civil Division is the jurisdiction for civil cases where the amount in controversy is $12,000 or less for Small Claims; unlimited dollar amount for Landlord and Tenant Cases and $15,000 in real estate and school tax cases.
Municipal Court - Criminal Division
1301 Filbert St, #310
Center for Criminal Justice
Philadelphia, PA 19107 https://www.courts.phila.gov/municipa
Hours: 8:30AM-5PM EST
P: 215-683-7700, 215-683-7290
F: 215-683-7713
Jurisdiction: Misdemeanor (less than 5 years), Felony Hearings
MC has initial jurisdiction in misdemeanor trials and preliminary hearings for all felony cases. Therefore, some cases, such as those involving felony offenses, will initially be filed in MC but will be adjudicated in the Common Pleas.
Register of Wills
1 N Broad St
City Hall, Rm 180
Philadelphia, PA 19107-2502 http://secureprod.phila.gov/wills/
Hours: 8AM-4PM EST
P: 215-686-6250
F: 215-686-6268
Jurisdiction: Probate
Search marriage records free back to 1885 at http://secureprod.phila.gov/wills/marriagesearch.aspx. For marriage records call 215-686-2234.
Family Court
1501 Arch St
Philadelphia, PA 19102 http://www.courts.phila.gov/common-pl
Hours: 8AM-5PM EST
P: 215-686-4000
Jurisdiction: Domestic Relations, Juvenile
The Family Division consists of two major branches: the Juvenile Court and Domestic Relations.
Family Division, Common Pleas
1501 Arch St
Philadelphia, PA 19103 https://www.courts.phila.gov/common-p
Hours: 9AM-5PM EST
P: 215-686-4000
F: 215-686-6268
Jurisdiction: Family Court
Philadelphia Municipal Court Traffic Division
PO Box 56301
Philadelphia, PA 19130-6301 https://www.courts.phila.gov/traffic/
Hours: 8:30AM-6:30PM EST
P: 955-868-1675
Jurisdiction: Traffic
Direct all inquiries concerning parking violations to the Parking Authority at (215) 683-9600.
Philadelphia Municipal Court Criminal Division
1301 Filbert St, Rm 208
The Stout Center for Criminal Justice
Philadelphia, PA 19107 https://www.courts.phila.gov/municipa
Hours: 8AM-5PM EST
P: 215-683-7297
Jurisdiction: Felony, Misdemeanor, Summary
Felony case preliminary hearings are conducted here.
Philadelphia Municipal Court Civil Division
1339 Chestnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19107 https://www.courts.phila.gov/municipa
Hours: 9AM-5PM EST
P: 215-686-2910
F: 215-569-9254
Jurisdiction: Civil Actions $12,000 & Under, Small Claims, Landlord/Tenant

Philadelphia County, PA Vital Records

Contact the Philadelphia County Recorder of Deeds Office of the County Recorder of Deeds if you would like to find vital records, such as birth, death, marriage, divorce, and real estate records.

Philadelphia County Recorder of Deeds
County Recorder of Deeds
1400 JFK Blvd
City Hall, Rm 111
Philadelphia, PA 19107 https://www.phila.gov/Records/index.h
8AM-4PM EST
Phone: 215-686-2262, 215-686-2290
Fax: 215-686-2207
Recorded Documents

Philadelphia County Vital Certificates

If you would like to obtain a hard copy of a birth, death, marriage, divorce, or other vital record, you can do so by searching for and requesting a vital certificate. Vital certificates are hard copy documents, the same as those used by the United States government.

Get a vital certificate.

Philadelphia County Information

As one of the United States' three original counties, Philadelphia County in Pennsylvania is one of the most historic areas in the country. Formed in 1682, the County is the place where America was born. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were both drafted and signed here, and the City of Philadelphia even served as the nation's capital for a time. In an area with such a rich history, one can only imagine the notable sites and museums that can be found. Even people who aren't history buffs will enjoy visiting the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the Franklin Institute. You'll also find the homes of Edgar Allen Poe, the famed poet, and Betsy Ross, creator of the first American Flag.

There's more to Philadelphia County than historical sites and museums, however. With the City of Philadelphia as the county seat, the area is also heavily urbanized, which means you'll find a wide range of shopping and dining options, as well as nightclubs and other entertainment venues. The city is known for its "work hard, play hard" attitude, and Philadelphians take this seriously. Head to South Philly and you'll see blue collar laborers earning their paychecks in the public market. But it's not all work here; Philly knows how to cut loose as well. In addition to an exciting nightlife, there are also numerous public parks and golf courses where you can unwind. Philadelphia County is a great place to visit or to call home; in fact, many famous people have come from this area, including Kevin Bacon, Chubby Checker, Eve, and Bob Saget.

Philadelphia County Population Records

Total Land Area (2000): 135.09 sq mi
Population (2009): 1,547,297
  • Females: 53.2%
  • White: 48.6%
  • Black/African American: 43.7%
  • Asian: 5.7%
  • Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0.1%
  • Hispanic or Latino Origin: 11.7%
  • White, Not Hispanic: 39.7%
Population Change (2000-2009): 29,755
Foreign-Born Population (2000): 9%
Language other than English spoken at home (2000): 17.7%
Persons Below Poverty Level (2008): 23.8%
High School Graduates (2000): 71.2%
Bachelor’s Degree or Higher (2000): 17.9%
Persons per Household (2000): 2.48
Housing Units (2000): 661,958
Homeownership Rate (2000): 59.3%
Migration Flow to Philadelphia County, PA from (2007-2008):

Philadelphia County Records

Total Earnings by Industry, in thou. dol. (2007):
  • Total: $49,115,992
  • Construction: $1,029,353
  • Retail Trade: $1,553,431
  • Professional and Technical Services: $7,675,999
  • Healthcare: $7,637,531
  • Banking: $4,551,574
  • Retail Trade: $1,553,431
  • Accommodations and Food Services: $1,317,297
  • Manufacturing: $2,075,036
  • Farms: $-152
  • Government: $8,175,571
Employed (2000): 584,957
Unemployed (2000): 71,582
Unemployment Rate (2009): 10%
Annual Payroll per Employee (2007): $34,764
Local Government Employment (2007): 61,972
Local Government Revenue (2007): $7,925,192 (thou. dol.)
Local Government Debt (2007): $13,085,155 (thou. dol.)

Philadelphia County Birth, Death Records

Births (2007): 23,615
  • Per 1,000 population: 15.4
Deaths (2007): 15,247
  • Per 1,000 population: 10
Infant Deaths (2007): 290
  • Per 1,000 population: 12.3

Philadelphia County Criminal Records

Violent Crimes (2008): 20,783
  • Murder and non-negligent manslaughter: 331
  • Forcible rape: 1,038
  • Robbery: 9,618
  • Aggravated Assault: 9,796
Property Crimes (2008): 62,587
  • Burglary: 12,845
  • Larceny-Theft: 40,686
  • Motor Vehicle Theft: 9,056

Philadelphia County Genealogy Records