Clerk of Courts
The York County Clerk of Courts’ office is primarily responsible for processing, maintaining and recording criminal case records for the York County Court of Common Pleas. Among its other duties, the Clerk of Courts also collects court costs/fines, and licensing private detectives.
Clerk of Orphans’ Court
The responsibilities of the Clerk of the Orphans' Court include the maintaining of dockets and files for petitions for incapacitated persons, appointment of guardians, adoptions (which records are confidential) and any other issues which may come before the Orphans' Court Division. The Clerk's office is also responsible for taking applications for - and issuing - marriage licenses.
Court Administration
The District Court Administrator is appointed by the President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas to assist with all of the administrative responsibilities in the Courts. Duties include, but are not limited to, judicial and courtroom assignments, processing and disbursing proper paperwork for criminal, civil, and juvenile cases, scheduling and coordinating the use of hearing rooms and conference rooms.
Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
The mission of the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program is to provide advocacy in court for abused and neglected children that will lead to placement in safe and permanent homes.
District Attorney
The District Attorney is the chief law enforcement officer of the county, and has jurisdiction over all felony, misdemeanor, and summary offenses. In addition, this office is responsible for providing legal guidance in criminal matters for various police agencies and county departments.
District Courts
The Magisterial District Courts handle minor civil and criminal matters. District Judges also hear criminal complaints stemming from alleged felonies and misdemeanors, and determine whether a prima facie case has been shown by the prosecutor. If so, the judge orders the defendant held for trial at the York County Court of Common Pleas.
Divorce Masters
The Divorce Masters Office is part of the Family Law Division of the Court of Common Pleas. Hearing Masters are appointed by the court to conduct hearings and make recommendations in divorce cases where the parties have been unable to resolve issues involving fault divorce, irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, distribution of property, alimony, or related economic claims.
Domestic Relations
Domestic Relations is the York County agency responsible for all matters involving the establishment of paternity for children born outside of marriage and the establishment and enforcement of financial and medical support of spouses and/or children.
Law Library
The Law Library provides more than 30,000 volumes of material for legal research The Library is open to the public during normal business hours, but items may only be checked-out by members of the York County Bar Association.
Probation Services
Probation officers investigate, advise, counsel and monitor individuals - juveniles and adults - on probation and parole to foster their adjustment in the community. This department’s work involves the counseling and supervision individuals on probation or parole, completion of pre-sentence investigations, violation reports and pre-parole plans.
Protection From Abuse
The PFA Office is staffed by advocates from YWCA York Victim Services and YWCA Hanover Safe Home. They provide options counseling, safety planning and assistance for people seeking a PFA, PFI or SVP. Advocates do not provide legal advice.
Prothonotary
All civil litigation is filed with the Prothonotary. Such litigation includes mortgage foreclosures, personal injury cases, license suspension appeals, divorce, child custody and protection from abuse cases. The Prothonotary also accepts U.S. Passport applications.
Public Defender
The Public Defender’s Office is responsible for providing legal counsel to any person who, for lack of sufficient funds, is unable to obtain legal counsel in any situation where representation is constitutionally guaranteed. In general, a person is entitled to legal counsel whenever that individual's personal liberty is at stake.
Register of Wills
The Register of Wills, who also serves as the Clerk of the Orphans' Court, has jurisdiction of the probate of wills and the grant of letters to a personal representative.
Letters Testamentary (with a will) or Letters of Administration (no will) are granted to properly qualified individuals. The Register's office also collects inheritance taxes on behalf of the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, and is a great source for genealogical information.
Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff is an officer of the Courts whose responsibilities include service subpoenas, providing security in courtrooms and for transporting and securing prisoners to and from correctional facilities. The Sheriff’s Office also handles licenses to carry firearms.