Berks County Arrest Records
Berks County arrest records are public documents maintained by the Clerk of Courts at the courthouse in Reading, Pennsylvania. You can search these criminal records online or in person. The county uses the state court portal as well as local offices to give residents access to booking records, case files, and criminal history. This page explains where Berks County records are kept, how to find them, and what each source will tell you.
Berks County Quick Facts
Berks County Clerk of Courts
Beth A. Jones serves as the Clerk of Courts in Berks County. Her office keeps all criminal court records for the Berks County Court of Common Pleas. That includes arrest records, charges filed, hearing dates, and final dispositions. The office is at 633 Court Street, 4th Floor, Reading, PA 19601. You can call them at (610) 478-6550. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The Clerk processes expungement petitions when someone asks to have a record cleared. Her office also handles record sealing requests and collects court costs, fines, and restitution. Staff coordinate with Adult Probation and Parole on supervision records. Juvenile court records are kept in the same building but have restricted access under 42 Pa.C.S. § 6308. Adult criminal records in Berks County are generally open to the public.
The office at countyofberks.com lists information on how to request records and what fees apply. You can visit in person or submit a written request. Copies cost $0.25 per page under the standard state fee schedule.
The website from the Berks County Clerk of Courts shows the types of criminal records maintained at 633 Court Street in Reading.
The Clerk of Courts maintains all criminal case files, including felony and misdemeanor arrest records, for the Berks County Court of Common Pleas.
| Office |
Berks County Clerk of Courts Beth A. Jones, Clerk 633 Court Street, 4th Floor Reading, PA 19601 Phone: (610) 478-6550 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | countyofberks.com |
How to Find Berks County Criminal Records
The fastest way to search Berks County arrest records is through the Unified Judicial System portal. Go to ujsportal.pacourts.us and select "Public Web Docket Sheets." You can search by name or case number. The system shows criminal dockets from the Court of Common Pleas and all 24 Magisterial District Courts in Berks County. There is no charge to search basic case information.
Berks County has 24 Magisterial District Courts spread across the county. These courts handle preliminary hearings, summary offenses, and minor criminal matters. When someone is arrested in Berks County, their case often starts at a district court before moving to the Court of Common Pleas. Both sets of records are searchable through the UJS portal. The Court of Common Pleas is also at 633 Court Street in Reading. Cases filed there include felonies, major misdemeanors, and appeals from district courts.
Note: Court records on the UJS portal are updated regularly, but there can be a delay of one to two business days before new filings appear.
Berks County Open Records Requests
The Berks County Open Records Office handles Right-to-Know requests. The office is on the 13th Floor of the County Services Center at 633 Court Street in Reading. Their phone number is (610) 478-6136. You can also email Countyopenrecordsofficer@countyofberks.com or fax (610) 478-6293. Standard Right-to-Know forms are available online through countyofberks.com.
Under 65 P.S. § 67.101, the Right-to-Know Law gives the public access to most government records. Berks County must respond to records requests within five business days. Extensions are possible if additional time is needed to gather records. Copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies carry an added fee. If your request is denied, you can appeal to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records. Some law enforcement records are exempt under RTKL Section 708. Criminal investigation files and active arrest warrants may not be released through a public records request.
The Berks County open records page displays the standard request form and office contact details for submitting Right-to-Know requests.
The Open Records Office on the 13th Floor processes all public records requests for Berks County government documents, including qualifying criminal history files.
Berks County Sheriff and Active Warrants
The Berks County Sheriff's Office is on the 3rd Floor of 633 Court Street in Reading. The warrant inquiry line is (610) 478-6240. You can call this number to ask about active arrest warrants in Berks County. The office keeps a database of outstanding warrants searchable by name. Active warrants are orders from a judge directing law enforcement to arrest a named person.
The Sheriff also serves civil process papers and Protection from Abuse orders. They coordinate prisoner transport with Berks County Prison and take part in regional drug task force work. Warrant information is a law enforcement record. Not all of it is available through a standard public records request. The best way to check for an active warrant in Berks County is to call the Sheriff's warrant line directly at (610) 478-6240.
Note: Calling the warrant line to ask about someone else may require you to give your name and reason for the inquiry.
Statewide Criminal History Through PATCH
The Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History system, known as PATCH, gives you a statewide criminal record that includes arrests by all Pennsylvania agencies. Berks County arrest records are part of this system. You can access PATCH at epatch.state.pa.us. The cost is $22 per check. If you prefer to request by mail, use Form SP 4-164 and send it to the Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository.
A PATCH result covers the full state, not just one county. It will show arrest records from Berks County Police, the Berks County Sheriff, Reading City Police, and any other agency in Pennsylvania that reported an arrest. This makes PATCH the most thorough way to search a person's full Pennsylvania criminal history. Results include arrests, charges, convictions, and dispositions. Notarized copies are available for an added fee.
Under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9101, the Criminal History Record Information Act governs how criminal records in Pennsylvania are collected, stored, and shared. This law sets rules for who can access records and how they may be used.
You can also search the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections inmate locator at inmatelocator.cor.pa.gov to find someone currently in state prison.
Berks County Law Library and Self-Help Resources
The Berks County Law Library is on the 2nd Floor of 633 Court Street in Reading. Phone is (610) 478-6551. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The library provides free access to public terminals for legal research. Staff can help you locate court records, legal forms, and published case decisions. This is a good starting point if you are not sure how to begin your search.
Self-represented people can use the law library to find court forms, look up Berks County case law, and learn about the criminal record process. The library holds legal reference books and online databases. Staff do not give legal advice, but they can point you to the right resources for your situation. Access is free during library hours.
Cities in Berks County
Berks County includes Reading, which is the county seat and the largest city in the county. Arrest records for Reading residents are filed with the Berks County Clerk of Courts and the local district courts that serve Reading. You can search Reading cases through the UJS portal or in person at the courthouse.
Reading is the seat of Berks County government and the location of the Court of Common Pleas at 633 Court Street.
Nearby Counties
Berks County borders several other Pennsylvania counties. If you need records for a neighboring area, each county has its own clerk of courts and court system. You can search the UJS portal for any county in Pennsylvania.