Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Probation/parole officers obtain their authority from PA Act 277, August 6, 1963, and amended by PA Act 1992-117, December 4, 1992.  The law states that probation/parole officers shall have the power of peace officers in the performance of their duties and shall have police powers and authority throughout the Commonwealth to arrest with or without warrant any person on probation, intermediate punishment, or parole for any violation of probation, intermediate punishment, or parole.

Someone on probation has not served any time in jail on that sentence. A person on parole has served a portion of that sentence in jail. Usually there are no differences in the standard conditions of supervision governing probation or parole. The biggest difference occurs if the defendant violates his/her conditions. If you are on probation, your original sentence may be revoked and a new sentence imposed. If you are on parole you may have to return to prison to continue serving your original sentence.

Defendants under active supervision may not have any weapons, including but not limited to, rifles, shotguns, or handguns on their person, in their residence, or in their vehicle. Additionally, if someone is convicted of a crime that could have carried a maximum penalty of more than two years, or involved a firearm or explosive, they are prohibited from owning or possessing any firearm(s) under the provisions of the Federal Gun Control Act Of 1968 and 1986.

Someone under active supervision may only leave Pennsylvania temporarily if approved by their probation officer. Defendants should request a travel permission well in advance of their anticipated departure date. Defendants who travel outside of Pennsylvania without approval may be subject to arrest by any state they travel to.

Generally speaking, a sentence in which the defendant receives a term of imprisonment of one year or more will be under the jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole.

Some of the fines are mandated by law, while others are determined by the Court. Costs are mandated by law or local rule. Restitution is determined based on the amount of damage incurred.

Fines, costs, and restitution are paid in the Clerk of Courts office located on the second floor of the East Wing Annex of the new Courthouse. Payments may be mailed to: Clerk of Courts 1 Courthouse Square, Room 205 Carlisle, PA 17013

The Clerk of Courts contracted with a third-party vendor so court costs may be paid on the internet at Official Payments.com using American Express, MasterCard, Visa, or Discover credit cards. There is three percent processing fee charged by the vendor.

The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System has a website that lists all outstanding amounts due by docket number at the following address: http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/docketsheets/cp.aspx You can do a search either by “Common Pleas Docket Number” or by name by clicking on “Search Type” and entering the requested information.

Contact the Court Collections Unit at (717) 240-7340.

Any individual desiring to become an Adult Probation and Parole Officer must possess a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in the field of criminal justice or behavioral science. A resume, a copy of your college transcript, a completed Cumberland County Employment Application available from the Human Resources Department, and letter of intent must be sent to the following address: Cumberland County Human Resources Department One Courthouse Square, Suite 204 Carlisle, PA 17013 Applications are retained for six months. DO NOT send applications directly to the Adult Probation and Parole Department.

An advance health care directive is a written set of instructions expressing your wishes for medical treatment. It may contain a health care power of attorney, where you name a person called a “health care agent” to decide treatment for you, and a living will, where you tell your health care agent and health care providers your choices regarding the initiation, continuation, withholding, or withdrawal of life sustaining treatment and other specific instructions. You may limit your health care agent’s involvement in deciding your medical treatment so that your health care agent will speak for you only when you are unable to speak for yourself or you may give your health care agent the power to speak for you immediately.

As most people prefer to stay in their homes and live independently for as long as they can, federal, state, and local government agencies have collaborated to develop several programs that may provide for extended services and supports to be provided in home and community-based settings. Whether or not you are eligible for these programs will depend on your age, income and resources; your need for assistance; and the availability of funds. Contact our agency for more information about these programs.

After your Voter Registration Application has been processed, you will receive a Certificate of Voter Registration that will indicate your polling place and address. You can also contact the County Election Office for your polling place location or check our online listing of polling places.

Click here to access Mail-In/Absentee Application or Ballot Tracking. 

Please complete the Annual/Permanent Status Cancellation Form. This form can be returned to our office by regular mail, email to bureauofelections@cumberlandcountypa.gov or by fax to 717-240-7759.

For current information about the Voter ID requirements, see our Voter Identification page.

Absentee & mail-in ballot applications must be received by the County Elections Office no later than 5:00 pm on the Tuesday prior to the primary or election. However, we highly recommend that you apply as early as possible to allow time for necessary mailings. Postmarks are not accepted.

All voted absentee & mail-in ballots must be received by the County Election Office no later than 8:00 pm on the day of the primary or election.

Anyone wishing to become a candidate for a county, school or municipal level elected office may pick up a petition, instructions, and an election calendar from our office or may print these items from the "Running for Office" section of our website.

Each signer must be a registered elector in the same political party and political district referred to in the petition. Each signer must personally insert the information requested on the petition this includes: signature, residence as it appears on their voter registration, including municipality name, and date of signing. All information must be complete to be accepted by County Election Office. Each signer may sign petitions for as many candidates for each office as they are permitted to vote for.

The lifecycle of a voter registration can be viewed here.

The Clerk of Courts Office has 2 public terminals for your use or at the link below to a State Run Website.

You may pay your costs & fines at the Cumberland County Courthouse Costs & Fines Dept. on the 2nd floor, Mon.-Fri., between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:30 pm, mail your payment, or you may pay online with a credit card at the link below. However, online payments are limited to a maximum of $1,000 and are subject to a flat $2.75 convenience fee per payment. Any number of such payments are permitted. The following credit cards are accepted:  Visa, Master Card, American Express or Discover Cards.

Click here for Appeal Traffic/Non-Traffic Convictions

Expungement/Limited Access Petitions & Orders

Request a Transcript

Our office staff is not permitted to provide information over the phone.  You must contact your attorney or visit ujsportal.pacourts.us/CaseSearch     

Cumberland County Adult Probation must file a memo with our office indicating the date you were committed to prison, the date you were released from prison, and the total time incarcerated for an ACT 151.  Cumberland County Adult Probation must file a memo with our office indicating the date treatment was completed for an ACT 122.  Once either of these memos are received by our office, we will generate the appropriate form for PennDOT and that form will be electronically delivered to PennDot overnight.  If either of these forms are required in your case, please first contact your Cumberland County Probation Officer. 

270,738 is the most recent estimate (2023) from the U.S. Census Bureau.

A list of elected officials can be found at the link below.

No, the municipality or the state owns the roads.

A municipal list and contact information can be found at the link below.

Area legislators can be found at the following link.

Call the municipality in which the business will be located to see if they require a license. There is no requirement for a license or permit from the county, however, there may be a requirement with the local municipality, as well as the state. You may contact the Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations at 717.787.1057. For additional information, visit the Department of State's website. 

The county does not have a Consumer Affairs Office. You may contact the State Bureau of Consumer Protection at 800.441.2555 or the State Office of Consumer Advocate for Public Utilities at 717.783.5048. For additional information go to the Pennsylvania Attorney General's website.

You can find the elected Controller’s authority here:  Authority of the Controller | Cumberland County, PA - Official Website (cumberlandcountypa.gov)

You can find step-by-step instructions on how submit a Right-to-Know request here:  

Open Records Office | Cumberland County, PA - Official Website (cumberlandcountypa.gov)

Bid postings are handled through the County Solicitor's office.  Follow this link to the County Solicitations page to view current bid postings.

No, we do not currently offer electronic forms of payment to vendors.

Send an email request to controller@cumberlandcountypa.gov or call 717.240.6190.  Please include your full name or company name as the check was written, year requested, vendor number if known and contact information.  Copies of 1099’s will be mailed to the address on file or may be picked up in the Controller’s Office with proper identification.  

Submit your W9 via email to W9@cumberlandcountypa.gov or fax to 717.960.5530.

If you have any questions regarding invoice payment, please contact the department that you do business with.  If you are not sure of your contact person, you can email Accounts Payable at accountspayableco@cumberlandcountypa.gov or call 717.240.6188 and we will direct you to the correct department.

If you need to void or reissue a check, please contact the department that received your original invoice.  If you are not sure of your contact person, you can email Accounts Payable at accountspayableco@cumberlandcountypa.gov or call 717.240.6188 and we will direct you to the correct department.

If you suspect fraud or have a fraud tip, you can submit it, anonymously if you wish, to the Controller’s Office by using the online form here:  Cumberland County Fraud & Abuse Hotline Online Submission (ccpa.net)

Budget documents are available for download and viewing.   Follow this link:  Current and Prior Budgets | Cumberland County, PA - Official Website (cumberlandcountypa.gov) to the Finance and Administration page to view current and prior budgets.  

For retirement related questions, please email us at retirement@cumberlandcountypa.gov or call 717.240.6186.  

No, you must contact PNC Retirement Planning Services (located in Pittsburgh) at 1.800.765.6148 or you can use the PNC portal at PNC PayeeWeb | PNC.  

Complete a “Request for Replacement Form W-2” and return it to the payroll office. Note that replacement W-2 copies can only be mailed to the home address on file or picked up in the Controller’s Office by the individual making the request and with proper identification. If the individual needs to update their personal contact information, they must contact Human Resources.

Controller’s Office

Attn: Payroll

1 Courthouse Square, Room 207

Carlisle, PA 17013

Cumberland County Human Resources

16 West High Street, Suite 301

Carlisle, PA 17013

You can contact the Cumberland County Human Resources office at humanresources@cumberlandcountypa.gov or 717.240.6165.

The Cumberland County Law Library is located in the Bosler Memorial Library. Hours are posted on their website. 

The Dept. of Public Safety Office is open Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 

The 9-1-1 Center is open 24/7.

The Cumberland County Department of Public Safety is located just outside of Carlisle Borough off Claremont Rd. 

The address is 1 Public Safety Dr. Carlisle, PA 17013.

The Department of Public Safety is organized into two Operational Divisions, Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management. 

DPS employs a highly qualified and trained team of public safety professionals who work 24/7 to make sure Cumberland County is safe for our residents and visitors. 

Our services include:

• Emergency communications: 9-1-1 call-taking and radio dispatch
• Emergency management, preparedness, and coordination
• Public safety technology
• Public information and community outreach

No. Please contact the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office or your local Police Department. 

911 is the universal emergency number that you can use 24 hours a day for Police, Fire, or Emergency Medical Services.

911 is only to be used in emergency situations. 

An emergency is any situation that requires immediate assistance from the police, the fire department or an ambulance. 

Some examples are: 

• Fire (Ex: House, Wildfire, and Vehicle)
• A crime, if it is in progress or has just occurred
• Motor Vehicle Accident, especially if someone is injured, or trapped
• A Reckless driver
• Medical emergencies

Do not call 911 for non-emergencies. 

Some examples are: 

• For general information 
• For directory assistance
• For paying traffic tickets
• For directions/road conditions
• For power outages/phone repairs (unless other conditions exist e.g. wires arcing, smoke, fire, etc.)
• Non-emergency EMS transports 
• As a prank

If you call 9-1-1 by mistake, do not hang up. Tell the call taker what happened so they know there really isn't an emergency.

For non-emergencies, you may call the communications center at the following:

• Carlisle Area - 717.243.4121
• West Shore - 717.238.9676
• Shippensburg - 717.532.8878

The call taker will ask: 

• What is the address of the emergency? 
• What township or borough is the emergency in? This is very important as road names and addresses are repeated throughout the County. 
• What is the phone number you are calling from?
• What is your name?
• Tell me exactly what happened.

Yes. For non-emergencies, you may call the communications center at the following:

• Carlisle Area - 717.243.4121
• West Shore - 717.238.9676
• Shippensburg - 717.532.8878

Yes. To arrange a tour, please contact, Michael Snyder at mrsnyder@cumberlandcountypa.gov, or call 717.218.2916. 

Please refer to the Cumberland County Open Records page for a right-to-know request.

Cumberland County Emergency Management works to enhance the county’s resiliency by actively collaborating, communicating, and coordinating to prevent, mitigate, respond, and recover from disasters. 

EOC stands for Emergency Operations Center. An EOC is an area set aside for use by Emergency Management during a disaster to conduct coordinating operations regarding the disaster, conducts emergency communications, and distributes information to stakeholders and the media. 

• Prepare an Emergency Kit- This should include a 3-day supply of necessities for each person in your family, such as food, medicine, water, games, flashlight, and special toys to help keep your children calm during an emergency.
• Create a Family Emergency Plan-Some disasters strike without any warning, and family members may not all be in the same place. How will you get in touch with each other? Where will you meet? How will you get out of your house in case of a fire? What if your neighborhood is being evacuated? It's important to make a plan, now, so that you will know what to do, how to find each other, and how to communicate in an emergency.
• Be Informed, Stay Informed- Get vital information, such as emergency warnings and alerts, from reliable news sources and your local emergency management agency.
• For more Information- Go to www.ready.pa.gov/beprepared

A call to "shelter in place" happens when a severe emergency takes place.

To "shelter in place" means find shelter in the building you're in. You're not meant to find another place to shelter, as leaving the building is considered dangerous.

If you're outdoors during a shelter in place call, you need to get to safety as fast as possible.

A Shelter in place order is issued to keep people safe indoors while an emergency event takes place. The initiative hopes to reduce stress and ensure everyone's safety where they are.

You may be told to shelter in place for many reasons, including:

• Criminal activity: Active shooter, people with weapons, or threatening behavior
• Severe weather: Tornado, hail, winter storm, flooding, or hurricane
• Dangerous debris conditions: After an earthquake, or other destructive event
• Hazardous contaminants release: Chemical, biological, or radiological 

Under the Government – Finance/Purchasing - Budget – Prior Year Documents

Current and prior County budgets are available online or you can visit either the Finance Office (Historic Courthouse) or Commissioner's Office (Main Courthouse) in person to request a copy.

Questions can be emailed to finance@cumberlandcountypa.gov or you may contact the Finance office at 717-240-6515.

Government – Finance/Purchasing - Budget – OpenBook Data Visualizations or https://ccpa.openbook.questica.com/

Under the Government – Finance/Purchasing - Financial Analysis Committee Presentations tab

Under the Government – Finance/Purchasing - Financial Analysis Committee Presentations tab – Link to previous presentations

In the current year budget document under Government – Finance/Purchasing - Performance Management - Other Governmental Operations – General Fund Revenue.

Benchmarking Reports, Financial Conditions Reports, Department Profile Reports, and Departmental Financial Reports. All reports are found under the Government – Finance/Purchasing - Performance Management Reports tab.

Annually

All policies under Finance/Purchasing can be found under the Government – Finance/Purchasing - Policies tab.

In the current year budget document, the Tax Allocation section provides a calculation for the average home’s county tax bill.

Most of the files Cumberland County provides are in Adobe PDF format, but in some cases Cumberland County provides files in Microsoft format. Please follow the link provided to download the available readers.

Your local library’s contact information is on our Locations and Hours page.  If you need a fast answer to a question use our 24/7 live Chat reference service.

If you live or pay property taxes in Cumberland County or Shippensburg Area School District, you can use any library in Cumberland County. Your library's contact information is on our locations and hours page. It includes links to Google maps and a search by ZIP code. If you need a fast answer to a question use our 24/7 Live Chat reference service.

Library hours are included on our Locations and Hours page.  You can also check their home page for special hours or holiday closings. 

Our online catalog is best reached from the web site that serves all Cumberland County libraries. It is found at www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org. But since you looked here, we've got a direct catalog link for you!

The public libraries in Cumberland County, in cooperation with the administrative office of Cumberland County Library System, provide Library Services All in One Place. To find out specific information about a location, visit the Locations & Hours page.

Anyone may use any of the member libraries in the Cumberland County Library System (CCLS). Some benefits are limited to card holders.

Your countywide library card can be used at any Cumberland County Library System facility. Your card's blue Access Pennsylvania sticker also allows you to register at and use public libraries in Pennsylvania.

If you forget your card and need to borrow items, you must provide identification (such as a driver's license).

You must provide a personal identification number (PIN) when registering for a card. You will use your PIN to renew items, place holds and use the library's Internet resources.

You may renew items at the circulation desk, by phone, by self-service at the library's computer catalog or at the library's web site. You may renew most items twice. Videos and DVDs may only be renewed once. You may not renew an item if someone else is waiting to borrow it.

You may return items to any Cumberland County Library System member or any Access Pennsylvania public library.

The CCLS headquarters office is an independent agency of government. For this reason, the library system maintains a separate web site which includes an in-depth list of frequently asked questions.

We offer books, CDs, audiobooks, magazines, puzzles, games, equipment, DVDs, Playaways, and video games. We also lend eBooks, eAudiobooks, and streaming films.

For more information, visit the Cumberland County Library System's Borrow Items page.

Your first library card is free. If you live outside Cumberland County and do not have a valid Access Pennsylvania card, you may purchase a non-resident card for $5 per month.

• You can sign up online to get a temporary code for limited access.
• For full library access, you can visit your library and complete a library card registration form, or download a form to print out and return to your local library.
  • In English
  • بالعربية (Arabic)
  • Af-soomaali (Somali)
  • En español (Spanish)
• You can also request a Digital Library Card using our online form if you live in Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry counties and do not currently have a library card. This card will give you access to our databases and eBooks/eAudiobooks. You will not be able to check out physical items with a Digital Library Card.

Detailed information on getting a library card.

You'll need your library barcode number to enter into the PIN Request form. Then our system will send a message to the email address in your account. Follow the instructions in that message to reset your PIN. If you do not receive an email, please contact library staff for assistance.

Yes. Library2GO is available in both the iOS App Store and Google Play store.

• You can pay fines in-person at any Cumberland County library with cash, check or credit card.
• You can mail a check to your library.
• You can pay online with the SmartPay system.
• Online or in person, all transactions are final - no refunds will be issued.

To log into your library account, Click the "My Account" login at the top of the Library's homepage. 

Enter your library barcode number or username and PIN and click Submit. 

You can see the steps on our Log Into My Account page. 

To renew your library card, fill out and submit our Renew Library Card form.  *Please note: It may take up to two (2) business days before we will be able to respond to any queries.

Search the online catalog for the item.  

When you find a title or item you want to borrow, click the Request It button next to the item. 

If you haven't already logged in, enter your library card barcode number or your username and PIN. 

Choose your pickup location. 

If you have a deadline, please enter it. Your hold will be cancelled for you if it is not available before the deadline. 

Click Submit to be placed in the queue. Holds are filled in the order they are received with priority given to people picking it up at the owning library. 

For more options, visit our Request Item page.

• To get a text message to answer a question you have, text us at 717-400-9840 to chat with a librarian. 
• To get text notifications, and for live renewals and account information use our Shoutbomb Text Messaging service.

Public printing at the library is $0.25 per page. Find out about related services on our website.

You can borrow eBooks and eAudiobooks through OverDrive. Get the Libby app to access them on your mobile device. We also have other sources for eBooks. Find out more by visiting our eBooks page.

Streaming video is only available to residents of Cumberland County through our subscription to Kanopy.

Yes, you can donate items to the library.  However, each library has different donation practices.  Contact your local library to find out what donations they accept.

Anyone is welcome to use our libraries.  To borrow items, you’ll need a library card. You can get a library card at no charge if you live or pay property taxes in Pennsylvania.

Certain services are limited to Cumberland County residents.

Most items are available for 14 days with 3 renewals. DVDs, Playaways, and Video Games are available for 7 days with 3 renewals. Hotspots have 14- and 30-day loans. Due date receipts and account tools can help you track your due dates.

For more information, visit our Borrow Items page.

You can complete our My Account Changes form to report a lost or stolen library card. Or, you can contact your home library.

To leave a general comment, contact the Cumberland County Library System. We respond to emails within 48 hours. If you need immediate help, please call your local library. Your feedback is always welcome.

You can send your changes to your home library using our My Account Changes form.

If a title is not owned by our libraries, you can request to borrow the item from another library within Pennsylvania.  To do this, complete the Inter-Library Loan Requests form.  Select the form for the type of item you’d like to borrow.  We have separate forms for: 

• Book request
• Article/Microfilm request
• Audiobook request
• Movie request
• Music request
• Other request

See Passports on our homepage.

For a Certified copy of your divorce decree, you will need cash or money order for $20.00. You can do this by personally coming in to our office or by mail. If you choose to do this by mail, please include as much information as you can in your cover letter: docket number/plaintiff's name/defendant's name/phone number where you can be reached, etc.. Include a SASE and a money order for $20.00. Please make sure your request is legible.

You may find it on our website under the Real Estate Sales page.

The owner’s manual is not always correct because it is an estimate and/or several changes may have been made to the vehicle during production. In addition, a vehicle fuel gauge accuracy may vary from one fill to the next.

nsure that you check your yard for any standing water such as barrels, buckets, tires, clogged gutters, etc. and also treat or remove any shady vegetation such as ivy, arborvitae, and juniper plants. These are the two main draws for mosquitoes to a yard. Also use a box fan when sitting out to expel mosquitoes from your sitting area.

If there are no signs of trauma, and the bird has been dead of less than 24 hours complaints for dead birds can be logged here https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/a8e8ca4ac60841d4ab21dd74cf3cbeb4 

Ensure that you check your yard for any standing water such as barrels, buckets, tires, clogged gutters, etc. and also treat or remove any shady vegetation such as ivy, arborvitae, and juniper plants. These are the two main draws for mosquitoes to a yard. Also use a box fan when sitting out to expel mosquitoes from your sitting area. If these steps have been taken and you are still experiencing issues or you know of any locations that can not be treated such as retention ponds or catch basins mosquito complaints can be logged here https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/a8e8ca4ac60841d4ab21dd74cf3cbeb4 

Ensure that you check your yard for any standing water such as barrels, buckets, tires, clogged gutters, etc. and also treat or remove any shady vegetation such as ivy, arborvitae, and juniper plants. These are the two main draws for mosquitoes to a yard. Also use a box fan when sitting out to expel mosquitoes from your sitting area. 

Gypsy moths IE the Spongy Moth are treated at the state level by DCNR, a list of their contacts and spray locations can be found https://gis.dcnr.pa.gov/SpongyMoth/

Private pest control companies are the best ways to handle large nuisances. If they are large animals like deer, bear, skunk, ground hogs, raccoons, etc. please contact the PA Game Commission at 717-787-4250. 

Ensure that you check your yard for any standing water such as barrels, buckets, tires, clogged gutters, etc. and also treat or remove any shady vegetation such as ivy, arborvitae, and juniper plants. These are the two main draws for mosquitoes to a yard. Also use a box fan when sitting out to expel mosquitoes from your sitting area. 

Gas station or retail store issues can be reported here, https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/a8e8ca4ac60841d4ab21dd74cf3cbeb4 by clicking the Weights and Measures option when submitting a complaint. 

Annually gas stations in Cumberland County are tested using calibrated 5 gallon provers to test the exact discharge of individual pumps. 

Mild infections are common and include fever, headache, and body aches, often with skin rash and swollen lymph glands. Headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, occasional convulsions, and paralysis mark more severe infection.   If you suspect you are experiencing symptoms of (______) please seek medical attention for confirmation.

Spotted Lanternfly’s are handled but Penn State Extension and the PA Department of Agriculture. More information can be found https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly 

PA West Nile activity can be found https://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/ProgramIntegration/Vector-Management/Mosquitoes/Pages/default.aspx 

We are a county government office that assists service members, veterans, and their families in working with the Department of Veterans affairs and the PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. We also coordinate the Cumberland County Honor Guard to support veteran funerals.

No, we are the resource that assists veterans apply for county, state, and federal benefits. Our office can appeal unfavorable outcomes with state and federal benefits however, we do not make the decision to approve or deny.

No. All benefits are paid from the federal, or state, governments.

Eligibility is determined by many factors including, but not limited to, the type of discharge, type of service time and the dates of service. That is why it is important for us to review your situation to see what programs, if any, you will qualify to receive. Contact us at 717.240.6178.

The Director Cumberland County Office of Veterans Affairs & Services staff are accredited VSOs and can be reached at 717.240.6178 or 888.697.0371, ext 6178.

A spouse or custodial parent/guardian may file a support action by appearing at the Domestic Relations Office Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 3:30 P.M. For further information, please review

The amount of child support awarded by the court is established in accordance with the Pennsylvania Support Guidelines, which are in the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 1910.16. The Support Guidelines were developed on the premise that the child(ren) of separated or divorced parents should receive the same proportion of parental incomes as if the parents were together. For further information, please review

Upon filing for support, if the parties already have an agreement regarding the support issues (financial amount, medical provision, effective date), they may appear in the office to sign a support agreement. For further information, please review the third paragraph of

The Court will use all methods available by law to compel payment of the support order including incarceration. For further information, please review

Within 20 days of the Conference Officer's recommended order, either party has the option to file a request for a de novo hearing.  Within 20 days of the Support Master's recommended order, either party has the option to file exceptions.  For more information please refer to

Please visit the 'Municipal Zoning Maps' page for information on how to contact your local municipality.

Please click the link below to be directed to the 'Plan Submission & Recording Procedures' page.

There are various programs and agencies which can help with utility bills. Contact the Pennsylvania Link to determine which programs in your area can help.

Many people have issues with making ends meet financially. However, there are limited resources to help with providing funds directly to a consumer. Many times, the Link can help with determining programs for which a person may be eligible that might better use the money they have coming in. In some instances, however, a person may be better suited to speak with a program geared towards financial education or money management. Contact the Pennsylvania Link to see where you can access services to help with developing better financial plan.

The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners announced the formation of the CCCW on December 13, 1999. The CCCW was formalized in 2001. The Commission has a board of 25 members and meets quarterly.

• Enable women to develop their skills and continue their education.
• Build key partnerships with key organizations to promote women’s issues.
• Provide professional development training and networking opportunities for women.
• Support municipal, county and government organizations.
• Support women in politics and through the election process.

The Cumberland County Commission for Women (CCCW) is a nonpartisan, volunteer organization that seeks to increase opportunities for Cumberland County women and girls by identifying and promoting awareness of pertinent issues.

A term lasts three years. A member can sign up for another three years, for a total of six years on the CCCW board.

You must be a resident of Cumberland County and willing to volunteer your time and participate actively in the Commission's work to increase opportunities for women and girls in Cumberland County.

The board meets quarterly in the Cumberland County Courthouse in Carlisle.

Yes, although one absence each year can be approved with notice. 

CCCW is always looking for new members. Please visit our Become A Member page for more info and contact the Commission by emailing cumberlandwomen@gmail.com for any questions. 

Please download our member introduction sheet (DOC) which you can fill out electronically, save and email to cumberlandwomen@gmail.com.

CCCW continues to expand our support of the community through our members' skills and interests. Members have come from agriculture, engineering, utilities, and medical industries. CCCW has had members who serve the community through education, child care, civil rights, and in the political sphere. The primary goal is for members to continue to be engaged. Each member is required to join at least one committee and be present online and in person.

Please visit our community outreach page to view projects the CCCW has undertaken.

CCCW holds a strategic planning session during the fourth quarter meeting to determine community projects for the coming calendar year. Proposals are provided by members and then a vote is held. 

The Pennsylvania Local Option Small Games of Chance Act, 1988 P.L 1262, No. 156 as amended. The Act allows certain nonprofit organizations, known as "eligible organizations", to conduct specific small games of chance for the purpose of raising funds for the promotion of "public interest purposes". 

No. The Pennsylvania Crimes Code provides that all forms of gambling are illegal unless the activity is specifically authorized by the Pennsylvania Legislature.  Only those specific types of small games of chance as defined by the Act are permitted by virtue of being licensed under the Act.  Currently permitted by the Act are: 

• Punchboards 
• Pull-Tabs 
• Raffles 
• Daily Drawings 
• Weekly Drawings 
• 50/50 Drawings (Major League Sports Drawings) 
• Race Night Games o Pools (Excluding Sports Pools) 

Unless otherwise authorized by law all other forms of gambling are prohibited criminal offenses under the Pennsylvania Crimes Code. 

No, because it is not considered gambling. Pennsylvania courts have determined that gambling consists of three basic elements: Consideration (cost to play or event), Chance (event outcome based wholly or predominantly on chance), and Reward (return to the player for winning event). All three elements must be present to establish that an activity constitutes gambling. 

• Texas Hold’em Tournaments
• Paddle Auctions
• Casino Nights
• Sports Pools – football, basketball, NASCAR, etc.
• Vertical wheel or “Chuck-a-Luck Wheel”
• Video Gambling Devices - video poker or slots

None of these activities are authorized by the Small Games of Chance Act.

A license cannot be granted to an individual. Only an "eligible organization" as defined in Pennsylvania Local Option Small Games of Chance Act (the Act), 1988 P.L 1262, No. 156 as amended, can apply.   

The organization must meet the definition of an eligible organization found in §103 of the Act. The organization must be able to prove that it has been in existence for one year prior to making application for a license.  Upon making application for a Local Option Small Games of Chance License, the organization's Articles of Incorporation and/or bylaws must accompany the application.   If the organization is not incorporated, it must provide it bylaws and any other documentation that sets forth the organization's executive structure and purpose, most importantly providing for a President and Secretary.  The documentation that must accompany the license application can be found at the bottom of page 2 of the application.  

• A regular license, which permits year-long gaming, is $125.00.  
• A monthly license, which permits gaming for 30 consecutive days, is $25.00.  
• A special raffle permit is $25.00 and is required for each raffle with a prize in excess of $2,000. Only current license holders may apply for a Special Raffle Permit. The holder of a regular license is permitted to apply for and be granted no more than ten special permits per license year, except fire, ambulance, rescue, or conservations organizations (not club) which may apply for and be granted no more than 12 special permits per license year.

If the organization possesses a liquor license then they qualify as a club. Clubs must complete sections 4a and 4b of the Eligible Organization Games of Chance application, which request the Liquor Identification Number (LID) and Liquor License Number, respectively. Club applicants holding a liquor license must attach their most recent annual report filed with the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue to their Eligible Organization Games of Chance Application.

No. Only the organization in whose name the license is issued may conduct small games of chance. 

Yes. Auxiliary groups within eligible organizations shall be eligible to conduct small games of chance using the license issued to the eligible organization provided that the auxiliary group or groups are listed on the application for license and the license of the eligible organization.  Auxiliary groups shall not include branches of lodges or chapters of a Statewide organization. 

 No. The amendments made to the Act in 2012 now specifically prohibit an auxiliary to an eligible organization from applying for and being issued its own license.  

The parent organization can fill out a new application and select the “Change of Data” block in section 1. In this case, no additional documents need to be attached, and there is no charge for the change of data. On the new application, the auxiliary organization must be listed in Schedule E. An email to the Treasurer’s Office with details of the change of data is also acceptable in lieu of filling out a new application.

 No, public school districts, nor any political subdivision are eligible for licensing. Parochial schools are eligible for licensing if they otherwise meet the requirements for an eligible organization. 

No. An organization, whose purpose is non-partisan such as devoted to non-partisan voter registration efforts, would be eligible if they otherwise meet the requirements for an eligible organization.  

The District Attorney is charged with investigating violations of the Act, however, any State, county or local law enforcement official is empowered to investigate violations of the Act.  

Yes. The Cumberland County Treasurer can revoke a license upon the recommendation of the District Attorney if it is found that grounds for revocation listed in §107 of the Act exist.

No, it will be filed by the Treasurer with the application and becomes public information.

Yes. Small games of chance may only be played and eligible organizations licensed in those municipalities that have approved the licensing and conduct of small games of chance by voter referendum. A list of municipalities that have and have not passed the referendum question can be viewed on the Cumberland County Treasurer's website.

Small games of chance, with certain exceptions, may only be played at the eligible organization's "licensed premises" (regular place of business, or other location specifically listed on the eligible organization's application for license). Each eligible organization must list its "licensed premises" on its license application. Members of the eligible organization may sell raffle tickets in any municipality that has approved Small Games of Chance by voter referendum.

An eligible organization may also conduct small games of chance off its licensed premises at an annual carnival, fair, picnic or banquet held by the organization on an historic basis, but it is required to provide written notice to the District Attorney and Treasurer of its intent to do so. See Off-site Notification Letter link on Cumberland County Treasurer’s website.

Yes.  No one under 18 years of age may play small games of chance.   

Yes. An eligible organization may sell tickets in a county other than the county in which they are licensed, but must give written notice to the District Attorney and Treasurer of each county in which they intend to sell tickets of their intent to do so.  The notice must clearly set forth the location(s) and date(s) sales will take place. It is also suggested that the notice contain the eligible organization's license number. Remember, the Act applies to all counties, so sales of raffle tickets can only take place in municipalities that have approved the small games of chance question by voter referendum.

No. Only a "Bona fide member" of the eligible organization who is at least 18 years of age as defined by the Act may conduct small games of chance on behalf of the eligible organization. 

No. The Act specifically prohibits anyone from being paid or compensated in any manner for conducting small games of chance.

Yes.  The Act permits the proceeds to be used for only "Public interest purposes" as defined in §103 of the Act.  

Yes.  There are very specific prize limits.  Prize limits can be found in §302 of the Act.  Members of eligible organizations should review the Act.   

• Individual Prize Limit - Maximum cash prize which may be awarded for any single chance shall not exceed $2,000
• Raffle Prize Limit- Maximum cash prize which may be awarded in raffles in any calendar month shall not exceed $15,000
• Aggregate Prize Limit- Maximum weekly (7 day) prize limit awarded from games of chance by a licensed eligible organization shall not exceed $35,000

Raffles conducted under a special raffle permit are subject to separate prize limits (as noted in the Special Raffle Permits section). Daily and weekly drawings in which amounts are paid out in a carryover daily drawing or weekly drawing are not subject to the prize limits. A carryover occurs when there is no winner in the prior daily or weekly drawing and the prize from such drawing is carried over to be included as a prize in the next daily or weekly drawing. When daily or weekly drawings pay out 100 percent of the gross revenue from the game, the prize does not count against the weekly prize limit. Major league sports drawings are not subject to the general prize limits.

No.  Under 18 Pa. C.S.A. §5511.1 no animal, except goldfish, may be given away as a prize in any game of chance.  This prohibition does not apply to domestic animals given away or sold in connection with any agricultural, educational, or vocational program sponsored or sanctioned by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer is a trained citizen (21 years or older) who is appointed by a judge to represent the best interests of a child in court. Children helped by CASA volunteers include those in foster care for whom permanency is being addressed. Most of the children are victims of abuse and/or neglect.

CASA volunteers undergo a thorough training course conducted by the local CASA Program. Training requirements vary from program to program, but Cumberland County CASA offers 50 hours of training. CASA Volunteers learn about the child welfare system and effective advocacy techniques for children. Volunteers are educated about specific topics ranging from child sexual abuse to early childhood development and adolescent behavior. Volunteer trainees also observe dependency court proceedings.  In addition to the initial training volunteers receive, they are also expected to complete 12 hours of ongoing training annually.

As a child advocate, the CASA volunteer has four main responsibilities:

• to serve as a fact-finder for the judge by thoroughly GATHERING INFORMATION on the current and background facts of each assigned case;
• to provide these facts in report form to the Court and to speak for the child in the courtroom, ADVOCATING for the child’s best interests;
• FACILITATING communication between the parties in the case; and
• to continue MONITORING the parties in the case, ensuring that dependency is brought to a swift and appropriate conclusion in the child's best interests.

In order to prepare a recommendation, the CASA volunteer talks with the child, parents, family members, social workers, school officials, health providers and others who are knowledgeable about the child and their history. The CASA volunteer also reviews all records pertaining to the child—school, medical and caseworker reports, etc.

Caseworkers are employed by the County. They are responsible for multiple cases at one time. The CASA volunteer is assigned to only one child or sibling group at a time. The CASA volunteer does not replace a caseworker on a case; he or she is an independent appointee of the court. The CASA volunteer can examine a child’s case thoroughly, has knowledge of community resources, and can make recommendations to the Court, independent of state agency restrictions.

The CASA volunteer does not provide legal representation in the courtroom. That is the role of the attorney or Guardian ad litem. However, the CASA volunteer does provide crucial background information that assists attorneys in presenting their cases. It is important to remember that CASA volunteers do not represent a child’s wishes in court. Rather, they speak to the child’s best interests.

CASA volunteers come from all walks of life, with a variety of professional, educational and ethnic backgrounds. Nationwide approximately half of the volunteers are also employed in regular full-time jobs and approximately 80% are female. 

CASA volunteers offer children continuity and advocacy during complex legal proceedings. CASA volunteers spend time with the child to get to know them and what they need.  CASA volunteers help a child understand what is happening, the reasons they are in court, and the roles the judges, lawyers, and social workers play. CASA volunteers also encourage the child to express his or her own opinion and hopes, while remaining objective advocates.

Yes. Locally, Judge Edward Guido was instrumental in establishing the Cumberland County CASA Program in 2000. CASA has been endorsed by the American Bar Association, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the U.S. Dept. of Justice. The other Judges and Hearing Officer who hear dependency cases in Cumberland County also embrace and support the CASA concept.

Findings have shown that children who have been assigned a CASA volunteer tend to spend less time in court and in the foster care system than those who do not have CASA representation. Judges have observed that children with CASA volunteers also have greater chances of finding permanent homes than children who do not have a CASA.

Each case is different but the average amount of time is 10-20 hours per month.  There is a lot of flexibility for how/when to fit the CASA role in with one's other responsibilities and time needs. A CASA volunteer focuses on gathering information by reviewing records and completing interviews with the child and those involved in the family's life.   CASA volunteers meet with the child(ren) they are assigned to at least monthly.

The CASA volunteer remains committed to the case until it is permanently resolved, i.e., when the child is deemed to be safe and the court involvement (called dependency) is terminated.  This may take from 18 to 24 months or longer. One of the primary benefits of the CASA Program is that, unlike others involved, who often rotate cases, the CASA volunteer is a consistent figure in the proceedings and provides continuity for the child.

Children from birth to 21 years of age who are victims of abuse and/or neglect and who have become involved with Dependency Court may be assigned a CASA volunteer.

Not all deaths that occur in Cumberland County are reportable to the Coroner

Individuals who die from natural causes and are currently under the care of a physician are not always reportable

The following deaths are reportable to the Coroner in Cumberland County:

• Sudden deaths not caused by readily recognizable disease, or when the cause of death cannot be properly certified by a physician on the bases of prior medical history
• Deaths occurring as a result of violence or trauma whether apparently homicidal, suicidal, or accidental
• Any death wherein the body is unidentified or unclaimed 
• Any sudden infant death
• Deaths known or suspected as due to contagious disease constituting a public health hazard
• Deaths occurring in a prison or in the custody of police
• Deaths occurring under suspicious circumstances including those where alcohol, drugs, or other toxic substances may have a direct bearing on the death
• Operative and post-operative death in which the death is not readily explainable on the basis of prior disease

Each case is evaluated independently to determine the cause and manner of death. If the Coroner is unable to determine the cause and manner of death, the law requires that "he shall perform or order an autopsy".

If the Coroner orders an autopsy because he is unable to establish the cause and manner of death, the family does not have to give permission. If the Coroner does not order an autopsy, the family always has the right to have one done privately at their own expense.

The Coroner's office generates income from fees that are charged for copies of reports, photos, and for cremation authorizations. Generally these reports/photos are requested by insurance companies and/or attorneys to help them to verify the circumstances of the death. The reports are necessary to help determine whether to pay an insurance claim or whether a lawsuit may be successful.

The release for cremation is required for all persons whose bodies are to be cremated, buried at sea or otherwise disposed of so as to be thereafter unavailable for examination (usually those who are donating the body to science). The majority of these deaths are certified by the attending physicians and would not otherwise fall under the jurisdiction of the Coroner. Each of these deaths must be reviewed and often contact must be made with the physician's office or the medical records department of the facility where death occurred. This additional workload justifies a specific fee to be paid by the users of the specific service rather than by the taxpayers in general.

Deputy Coroners can perform all of the duties of the Coroner, in his place, and have the same authorities, subject only to internal office procedures.

Countywide GIS data, and paper maps of specific parcels are available for purchase from the Property Mapping Department.  Information for parcels can be accessed through the Property Mapper portal.  The Cumberland County Visitors Bureau offers a free county map with major roads.

Yes. The county currently has 1-foot pixel resolution color photography. These pictures were flown by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) in April 2007. In 2016, imagery was flown by EagleView Technologies (Pictometry).  This imagery is 9-inch resolution color photography. It is available on the 

The data is completely updated at least once quarterly. Layers that require weekly maintenance are updated more frequently. Road Center-lines and Address Points are generally updated every two weeks if possible. The tax parcel line work and related annotation is updated every week. New attribute information for the parcels is posted monthly.

Yes. It is a part of the data available for purchase from Tax Mapping. You can look for specific facts about your community on the

Please click on the Career Opportunities link on the bottom of our homepage. It will take you to the most recent job openings within the county. Then you can click on the job that you are interested in for a detailed description.

Yes, you must submit an online application.

Please feel free to contact our Human Resources Department with any questions regarding a position you may be interested in at humanresources@cumberlandcountypa.gov or 717.240.6165. 

Yes, you will need to fill out a new application for each job that you apply for. 

Unfortunately, no. We encourage you to continue to watch our posted positions as they change regularly when positions open. Please contact our Human Resources department with any questions regarding a position you may be interested in at humanresources@cumberlandcountypa.gov or 717.240.6165. 

We typically advise applicants to wait at least a week from the date the application was submitted before contacting our office. This gives our office the necessary time to process the application. 

Please visit the link on the Human Resource’s homepage titled “Overview of Benefits”

Yes, we do offer a comprehensive educational assistance plan for full-time county employees. 

Please visit the link on the Human Resources homepage titled “Accessibility” for information on ADA policies and procedures. 

Real Estate – All real estate property in Cumberland County is assessed at 100% of the 2010 year value. The real estate is levied by all School Districts, most Municipalities, and the County. The county charges an additional millage for the support of County libraries. A mill is a way to express tax rate. One mill equals one thousandth of a dollar. One mill is expressed as .001. The tax is computed by multiplying the millage rate set by the taxing body times the assessed value of the property. For example, a homeowner whose property is assessed at $125,000 may pay the following taxes: A. To the County – 2.285 mills .002285 x 125,000 = $285.63 B. To the County for libraries – .18 mill .00018 x 125,000 = $22.50 C. To the Municipality – .87 mill .00087 x 125,000 - $108.75 D. To the School District – 9.554 mills .009554 x 125,000 = $1,194.25 The actual taxes will depend upon the millage rates established each year by the taxing districts.

The Cumberland County Tax Claim Bureau collects delinquent County, Municipal and School real estate taxes. These taxes were originally billed from your local tax collector. The Bureau also collects Clean and Green Rollback taxes.

THIS BUREAU DOES NOT COLLECT EARNED INCOME TAX (EIT) OR LOCAL SERVICE TAX (LST). PLEASE CONTACT:

Cumberland County Tax Bureau 21 Waterford Drive, Ste 201

Mechanicsburg, PA 17050

717.590.7997 phone

717.590.7998 fax

www.cumberlandtax.org

Payment can be made by certified check, money order, cashier’s check, attorney check, mortgage company check or settlement agency check made payable to Cumberland County Tax Claim Bureau. All correspondence can be submitted to:

Cumberland County Tax Claim Bureau One Courthouse Square, Room 106 Carlisle, PA 17013-3387

Payment can also be made online by credit & debit card by calling 1-888-877-0450 (press opt. 1, then opt. 2, then opt. 3) or online at www.paylocalgov.com/cumberlandpa-tax . Use the control number of the property as reference.

Value Payment Systems (VPS) charges a convenience fee for payment processing. Acceptable cards are American Express®, Discover®, Master Card® and Visa®. Debit cards with the Master Card® or Visa® logo are also accepted.

A credit/debit card payment will take 24-72 hours to post to the tax claim account and the online delinquent listing. Payment via debit/credit card will not be accepted 2 days prior to a tax sale.

The Bureau receives your taxes from your local collector when they are at the penalty amount. A filling fee of $15.00 will be added to each tax bill that is delinquent. Interest in the amount of ¾ of 1% (9% a year) will accrue the month after taxes are turned over to the Bureau. Also mailing and posting fees will be added accordingly.

This is a flat tax levied upon each person 18 years of age and over living in the County. It is levied by most of the Municipalities. The County does not levy a per-capita tax. Some school districts levy a per capita tax which is mailed in July along with the school real estate tax bills.

All local payroll taxes can be address by contacting Cumberland County Tax Bureau at 717-590-7997 or at www.cumberlandtax.org .

Cumberland County enables consumers to pay their delinquent real estate taxes and fees by credit or debit card via the Internet. The payment process is simple and secure by visiting our webpage. Cumberland County residents can pay their delinquent county, library, municipal and school real estate taxes plus costs by using American Express®, Discover®, MasterCard®, and VISA® credit cards and debit cards with the MasterCard® or VISA® logo.

Paying taxes and fees by credit or debit card allows consumers to take advantage of card rewards, payment flexibility, convenience, and safety. A nominal fee is charged by Certified Payments (CP) based on the transaction amount. The consumer is notified of this fee before their payment is made.

A Tax Certification is a written statement of the status of delinquent taxes on property. Certifications can be obtained by sending in a request along with check or money order made payable to Cumberland County Tax Claim Bureau, One Courthouse Square, Room 106, Carlisle, PA 17013 or on-line at www.paylocalgov.com/cumberlandpa-tax using the tax parcel number of the property as reference. (convenience fee applies to on-line request).

American Express®, Discover®, Master Card® and Visa® credit cards. Also debit cards with the Master Card® or Visa® logo.

Certified Payments (CP) charges a convenience fee for processing the payment transaction. The fee is not charged by or paid to the Cumberland County Tax Claim Bureau or Cumberland County. The convenience fee is assessed to cover operating costs and the costs associated with servicing thousands of card transactions.

You will be informed of all charges and fees before you authorize the payment. When a consumer uses the service, two line items will appear on their card bill. One is for the tax and costs owed to the Tax Claim Bureau and the other are for the convenience fee charged by VPS.

The system has been tested and proven. The IRS and several state and local governments have chosen Value Payments System (VPS) as an electronic service provider for their constituents. The information gathered is private and will not be forwarded to anyone.

Yes. You will be provided a confirmation number at the end of the payment transaction either by phone or on-line. This confirmation number and your card statement will provide confirmation of your card payment to the Tax Claim Bureau. Additionally, if you provide us your email address or send in a self-addressed stamped envelope to Cumberland County Tax Claim Bureau, One Courthouse Square, room 106, Carlisle, PA 17013, you will receive a receipt of your online payment.

You can verify the payment of your delinquent real estate taxes by calling the Tax Claim Bureau the next business day at 717.240.6367 or 1.888.697.0371, ext. 6367. You may request a receipt to be emailed to you or send in a self-addressed stamped envelope to Cumberland County Tax Claim Bureau, One Courthouse Square, Rm. 106, Carlisle, PA 17013.

Contact Certified Payments (CP) at 1-866-549-1010 first to see what the status of the transaction is.  If the status is approved, then you would be advised to contact your banking institution.

Your online payment will take 24-72 hours to be applied to your Tax Claim Bureau account and the same amount of time to post to the delinquent listing on the Tax Claim Bureau website.

Yes, you may visit the Tax Claim Bureau and make a credit/debit card payment using a public terminal.

You may check your delinquent tax balance on the Delinquent Real Estate Tax Database page. You will be asked to either enter your parcel number or the street address. This information is on your tax bill. You may also call the Tax Claim Bureau at 717.240.6367 or 888.697.0371 ext. 6367 to obtain a verbal balance or request a tax certification which includes a $5.00 fee.

Bring the following: - Photo ID - Fingerprint orders You will be required to complete additional paperwork at time of fingerprinting or you can complete, print and bring this Fingerprint Form with you.

$51.00 (This amount is subject to annual legislative fee adjustment - 2023 fee shown) made payable to whichever District Court is performing the wedding. You must apply for the license at least 3 business days prior to the ceremony in the Cumberland County Register of Wills office. The following MDJ's perform weddings:  Beckley , Delozier (Lower Allen Township, New Cumberland Borough, Shiremanstown Borough residents only). The following MDJ's do not perform weddings: Birbeck, Hanner, Martin, Silcox.

You may file a suit with a magisterial district judge at the Magisterial District Court if you have a complaint against a person or business and wish to recover an amount of money totaling $12,000 or less. This is called a civil lawsuit. The $12,000 limit does not include the court costs involved in the suit, or any interest which may be due on your claim. If you are successful, you are entitled to be reimbursed for court costs. The MDJ is a judge assigned to hear these types of cases. If you are involved in a dispute over a landlord/tenant issue, the time frame for hearings and appeals is different from those addressed in this pamphlet. You may also be brought before a district judge to answer a summary offense charge or a motor vehicle violation. The proceedings are similar but each has specific rules not covered in this pamphlet.

Claims for $12,000 or less may be filed in Common Pleas Court; however, District Courts are less formal, less expensive and faster than Common Pleas Courts. Also, you need an attorney in Common Pleas Court. In a District Court, an attorney is not required, but it may be advisable to have one present for certain types of cases.

In Magisterial District Court proceedings, individuals may be represented by themselves or by counsel and corporations may be represented by their officers or counsel. It must be a person legally authorized to handle and settle the claim (After 1 August 2006 a non lawyer with personal knowledge of the case may represent a party IF the appropriate paper work has been filed with the Court for each and every case that the non lawyer will act as representative.)

If you decide to sue in a District Court, you must decide which district judge has authority to handle the suit. There are rules that govern where a suit may be filed. Generally, the suit must be filed where the person you are suing lives or is located, or where your claim arose. For example, a small claim arising out of a traffic accident or contract dispute could be filed with the district judge who serves the territory where the accident occurred or where the contract was signed. The District Court closest to you can tell you if the suit is within that district. District judges may be listed in the yellow pages of the telephone book under "District Justice" or "Justice of the Peace."

Once you have found the correct office, the next step is to file a complaint on a standard form you can obtain from the District Court. The form is easy to complete. 

The important items on the form are: 

• Your name and address; 
• The name and address of the person or business you want to sue;
• The amount of money you are suing for, including all expenses; and a short statement of why you believe you are entitled to the money. 

Be sure to provide enough information so the person you are suing knows why he or she is being sued. Include the date when things important to your case may have happened. Although the complaint may be filed by mail, it is advisable to submit it personally to the District Court. It will be easier for the clerk to tell you whether your complaint has been properly completed, and, if it is not, how it should be corrected. It will also be easier to determine precisely what fees you must pay. Keep in mind that if you succeed in the suit, the party you are suing (the defendant) will be required to pay you back for the cost of filing the suit. There will be an additional fee for service of the complaint to the defendant which will vary according to how it is served.

Once you have filed a civil complaint, the clerk will schedule a hearing between 12 and 60 days from the time you file. The law requires that before the hearing, the other party must receive a copy of the complaint. 

This can be done in one of two ways: 

• You can request that the complaint be sent by certified mail. The letter will be delivered to the defendant and the receipt will be returned to the district judge as proof that it was received; or
• The complaint can be delivered by the constable for an additional fee which can be recovered if you win the suit. Sometimes having the complaint personally served is more effective because a person may not be home or may refuse to accept a certified letter and a constable can make certain that the complaint is served.

No. If a defense is entered a new civil action hearing time and date will be set and notice sent to all parties. The original date is the time by which the other party must notify the District Court that they intend to enter a defense to the suit. If no defense is entered by that set date a default judgment will be awarded in your favor.

Continuances are permitted at the discretion of the judge. You can file a written request or motion justifying the need for a continuance that may be granted or denied. You will need to contact the other party to see if they are willing to agree to the continuance, which will enhance your ability to get the continuance.

You should gather all documents and papers relating to the suit. It is also a good idea to line up supportive witnesses to be present at the hearing.

At the trial, those present will be the judge, you (the plaintiff), your witnesses, and your lawyer if you choose to have one, the defendant, defense witnesses, and possibly the defendant's lawyer. The courtroom will always be open to the public. The judge will explain the procedure to you. Do not be afraid to ask questions. During the trial, you will be given an opportunity to tell what happened that caused you to sue the defendant. Show any papers, bills, receipts, or letters you have to the judge. You will probably be asked questions by the other side, or by the judge. Then your witnesses will be allowed to tell what they know about the case. The defendant will be given the same opportunity. You and the defendant will be permitted to ask questions of any witness. The judge's decision will be made within five days of the trial and all parties are notified by mail.

If you succeed, the other party may arrange to pay you in installments, lasting up to 12 months, as set by the district justice. However, the defendant has 30 days to appeal the decision to Common Pleas Court and you cannot collect your money until that time has passed. If there is an appeal, a Notice of Appeal is filed with the prothonotary in the county courthouse. Copies of the notice will be served on both you and the district judge who made the decision. The notice prevents you from collecting any money until the appeal is decided. If the district justice's decision is in favor of the defendant, you have the right to appeal in the same manner. Please note that any party filing an appeal must also file a Proof of Service of copies of his Notice of Appeal no later than 10 days after the appeal is filed. If appealed, the case will then be heard in Common Pleas Court. Since the procedure of this court is governed by more formal rules, the presence of an attorney is strongly advised.

Call the Pennsylvania Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service toll free at 800.692.7375 or 717.238.6807. The Cumberland County Bar Association number is 717.249.3166. Check your yellow pages under "attorneys" for more details.

NOT in the beginning and NOT with the search bar. SEE the “HOW TO PAGE” on the Archives Home Page with an example of a name search.

Some dates are missing.

The 3-digit number indicates the court year, the month of the court term or session, and the case number.

The Prothonotary is the chief clerk for the civil courts.

Go to previous pages until “Archives Listings” appears on the top ribbon. This will take you to the Records Group page where you can select from the list what Office or Department you want.

Microfilm: Only a list can be seen on this web site. Most early volumes are on microfilm and are available at the Cumberland County Historical Society or the Pennsylvania State Archives. Some County Offices have microfilm available. The Location heading will indicate where microfilm is available. 

Electronic: Information from electronically born records can only be accessed through the Office or Department referred to. 

Objects: Information about some historic county objects held by the County are available through the Archives web site.

Example: Click Commissioners (Record Group). Then Click Cuban Windows. The windows can be viewed on-line

Various institutions have Cumberland County government records in their collections. Pennsylvania State Archives has many early records when the county Commissioners reported to the Colonial Governor.

County records are organized by their function. Depending on what you are researching, think of functions such as Tax Records, Criminal Cases, Civil Cases, Estate Papers, etc. Many records, such as Wills are still with the Register of Wills Office.

The records are organized first by the Office or Departments that created them or has possession of them when transferred to the Archives. An Office or Department is called a Record Group. The records are then organized alphabetically by title. The title usually reflects the function of the records – such as Minutes. 

Yes. On Mondays (except holidays) no appointment is needed. Other days appointments are required.

For genealogical research, contact other offices first: 

• 1. Estate Records: contact the Register of Wills Office. 
• 2. Land Records: contact the Recorder of Deeds Office. 
• 3. Vital records: contact the Cumberland County Historical Society. If a lead is found for a county government record, contact us. County governments were not required to keep birth, death (except for Coroner Inquests), and marriage information until much later. Birth, Death, and Marriage information was mostly kept by churches. The Cumberland County Historical Society has extensive church and cemetery records for present municipalities in Cumberland County. 
• 4. Tax Records: The Tax Rates Books are available on the Archival website. Click Commissioners (Record Group). Then Click Tax Rate Books. Then Click “Holdings” to identify the volume covering the year(s) of interest to you. Then Click the camera image to view the volume pages. Early ones are difficult to read. Tax Rates are listed in the Books by municipality (townships and boroughs). 
• 5.Lancaster County Archives: Prior to Cumberland County’s founding in 1750, about 3,000 people lived in the territory that became Cumberland County. Prior to 1750 the land was part of Lancaster County. If you think ancestors lived in Cumberland County prior to 1750, contact the Lancaster County Archives. 

Starting in 1750 Cumberland County reached west almost to what is now Pittsburgh. The last county created from Cumberland County was Perry County in 1820. The first was Bedford County in 1771

Any child living in Cumberland or Perry County who is between birth and the age of three, having a qualifying delay in development determined by an evaluation or a diagnosis.

Evaluations and services are provided at no cost to the family.

Services are provided in settings that are a part of the child's daily routine, for example:

• Child Care Centers
• Community Locations
• Home
• Preschool Programs

• Assistive Technology
• Behavior Services
• Hearing Services
• Nutrition
• Physical Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Social Work
• Special Instruction
• Speech Therapy
• Vision Services

Sheriff's Sales of real estate are regularly scheduled four times per year (March, June, September and December). And all of our sales are held at 10:00 AM

In addition to the listed quarterly sale dates, a Monthly Continuance Sale of Real Estate is scheduled for each calendar month in the year in order to provide the Mortgage Companies overflow dates to accommodate extenuating legal circumstances related to the sales. 

The sales are advertised on our Website under the Real Estate Section for three consecutive Fridays prior to the Real Estate Sale. The first advertisement is approximately thirty days prior to the sale date. 

The license fee is $20.00. Cash, check, money order or Credit/Debit payments are accepted. This fee is collected when you submit your application for processing. When applying online the fee is $25.00

• After a complete criminal history check has been made and your application has been approved, your license will be issued while you wait. Assuming approval, this process can be as short as 15 minutes but can be up to 45 days. When you receive your license, please carry it with you while in possession of a firearm at all times. This license is valid for a period of five years only in the State of Pennsylvania.

You will be required to show photo identification, preferably your current driver’s license or a photo identification card issued by PennDOT, with correct address. You will also need to bring the required fee (cash, money order, certified check or Credit/Debit card (accepted in office only).

PA passed an Extended Producer Responsibility electronics recycling law in 2010 which, quite frankly, has failed to provide the robust manufacturer supported electronics recycling opportunities many thought it would.  Primarily in response to the lack of manufacturer supported TV recycling opportunities, Cumberland County opened a fee-based electronics recycling center in July 2017.  For details, please visit our 

Computer equipment is accepted for recycling at the Cumberland County Electronics Recycling Center at a fee of $0.50 per pound.  For a list of other places that might accept computer equipment for recycling, please visit our

Per Cumberland County's Municipal Waste Management Plan, waste generated in Cumberland County must be disposed of at facilities identified in the plan. For waste disposal facilities that can accept Cumberland County generated waste, please visit our

For detailed information on disposal options for these types of products, please visit our

Unwanted latex or water-based paint can be disposed of in your normal trash if prepared properly. For more information on managing latex paint, see

Please contact your hauler for acceptable recyclables.  Your hauler may be identified using our 

For a list of places that accept these items, please visit our

If you have curbside recycling where you live, you can simply put your old telephone books in your curbside recycling container. Phone books are also accepted for recycling at the

For a list of residential service providers, please visit our

For a list of municipalities that have yard waste recycling sites for their residents, please visit our

Residents of Cumberland or Perry Counties may call either Merakey 717.243.6033 x234  -OR- Penn State Holy Spirit;717.763.2219. Ask for Intake

Services can also be accessed via the following methods:

1. CASSP Elementary School Based Program
2. Elementary Student Assistance Program (ESAP)
3. Student Assistance Program (SAP)- secondary schools 
4. Base Service Unit- BSU Merakey  or Penn State Holy Spirit
5. Network Providers- contact member services on the back of your insurance card
6. Perform Care- Behavioral Health Managed Care Organization under Medical Assistance 
7. Doctor/ Physician’s office
8. Emergency Room- Crisis 

Residents who have medical assistance (or HealthChoices) can contact PerformCare of Pa at 888.722.8646 and ask for member services. 

For residents with limited or no private insurance coverage, no eligibility for Medical Assistance / HealthChoices, and no other resources to pay for mental health services, the County Mental Health Program Office funds local agencies to provide behavioral health services. The County Program also pays for selected specialized services that typical private insurance and HealthChoices do not cover. Priority is given to persons with serious and persistent mental illness.

To receive a prescription requires an evaluation by a staff psychiatrist or certified nurse practitioner and are ordinarily scheduled six weeks to two months in advance. The best thing to do immediately is to contact the doctor who has been seeing you and arrange for prescriptions to cover you for up to two months. Then contact either The Stevens Center in Carlisle at 717.243.6033 (x225 or x234) or Holy Spirit Behavioral Health Center in Camp Hill at 717.763.2219 and ask for intake.

If the behavior is threatening or violent, take steps to protect (remove) yourself and loved ones immediately, then call the police (9-1-1). If you believe there is a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately. If the behavior is not immediately dangerous, call Crisis Intervention at 717.763.2222 or 988.

The Pennsylvania office of Attorney General runs a youth violence prevention program.  Recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and to “say something” BEFORE it is too late. With Safe2Say Something, it’s easy and confidential to report safety concerns to help prevent violence and tragedies

All private insurance companies issue member cards. Usually there is a phone number for member services on that card to get information regarding services and providers. If you are uncertain about your coverage, contact your employers Human Resources Department to understand your coverage. 

Many insurance companies now also maintain websites with similar information available.

Act 65 of 2020 allows children ages 14 and up to consent for their own mental health treatment, which cannot be overridden by their parent/legal guardian's refusal. However, this act also clearly states that parents/legal guardians can consent to mental health treatment for their children, of any age, with or without the child's consent. 2020 Act 65 - PA General Assembly (state.pa.us)

Abbreviations and Acronyms

To find out if you or your family member can receive services, we need to determine if the person meets the eligibility requirements established by Pennsylvania’s Office of Developmental Programs (ODP). 

Contact our office at (717)240-6325 and ask for IDD intake. They will assist you in determining eligibility for ID or Autism services. It is important to note that it is your responsibility to provide the necessary documentation for eligibility determination. The IDD Intake Specialist can assist you by completing releases to request information from other entities in order to confirm eligibility determination.

The Cumberland/Perry IDD program serves children and adults who have an eligible intellectual disability, developmental disability, Autism diagnosis or are a medically complex child and reside in Cumberland or Perry Counties.

An intellectual disability is when intellectual functioning (learning, problem solving and reasoning) and adaptive behavior (issues with everyday skills) are significantly limited. The intellectual disability occurs before the age of 22 and is a lifelong condition.

For Autism there needs to be an Autism diagnosis and testing showing that adaptive behavior (difficulties with everyday skills) is significantly limited, the disability occurs before the age of 22 and is a lifelong condition. An individual with Autism must be financially eligible for Medicaid services.

If you are eligible for IDD services, a Supports Coordinator will assist you in navigating the system. You will meet with your Supports Coordinator to develop an individualized plan, called an ISP (Individualized Service Plan). Funding is based upon availability.

The Individual Support Plan (ISP) process helps to identify your needs. Your Supports Coordinator will discuss the types of supports and services that may be available to help with those needs.

Supports and services can come from many sources:

• Family, friends, neighbors and other informal supports.
• Faith communities, community resources, non-profit organizations and other generic supports.
• Formal supports/services provided with funding through the Office of Developmental Programs.

Your Supports Coordinator will help to locate, coordinate and monitor the supports and services that you need.

There are times when your Supports Coordinator cannot arrange formal supports and services immediately due to the lack of available funding through the Office of Developmental Programs. When this happens, your Supports Coordinator will assist you to complete the PUNS (Priority of Urgency of Need for Services). This document records your unmet service need. It will help your Supports Coordinator and County ID Program understand and plan for your needs. The county and the state use the information to create their upcoming annual budgets and service plans. It also tells the Office of Developmental Programs the types of supports people are waiting for in each county and identifies gaps in services and supports in specific areas.

• Employment services can help a person find a job or learn skills right on the job.
• Community residential options include group homes, single apartments with a roommate, or a family living setting.
• People are provided supports in their family home or their own home.
• Day services and recreation are provided to people who live in residential settings and at home.
• A wide array of services and supports are also available to families caring for a child or adult sibling with an intellectual disability.

In Pennsylvania, every middle school and high school and some elementary schools have a Student Assistance Program (SAP). The purpose of this program is to be a resource for parents, school staff, and other people who care when students are showing warning signs of problems which may affect their success in school.

Student Assistance Programs exist in every middle school and high school in Cumberland and Perry Counties - and in some elementary schools as well.

Sometimes it can be difficult to recognize the signs of alcohol and other drug use in adolescents, but there are some behaviors that are definite warning signs.

Call or come into the Cumberland-Perry D&A office, where we have local meeting schedules available. Or contact the following answering services: Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)....717.234.5390 or [toll-free] 888.930.4589 Narcotics Anonymous (NA).....717.233.3733 Al Anon/Alateen..........................717.257.1033 or [toll-free] 877.501.1205 Or find this information online...

If you think you need detox, contact Cumberland-Perry D&A during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM). If you are calling after business hours, you can contact one of the following: Crisis Intervention Holy Spirit Hospital.............................717.763.2222 Carlisle Regional Medical Center...717.243.6005 All other areas.....................................800.350.HELP Common Ground (Harrisburg)........888.237.8984 Roxbury (Shippensburg)..................800.648.4673

If you are scheduled for an assessment at Cumberland-Perry Drug & Alcohol, please bring a photo ID, verification of your income, and information about any medical problems and prescription medications that you may have to your appointment.  (If you go directly to a detox facility without first meeting a case manager from Cumberland-Perry Drug & Alcohol, you should bring a photo ID and any prescription medications that you have with you to the treatment facility.)

Yes. Intensive Case Management (ICM) services are available to clients who are actively pursuing recovery and need a more involved level of case management. ICM services address a variety of needs, including help with getting housing, education, child care, and employment.

Contact Cumberland-Perry D&A for information about local, licensed outpatient treatment providers, or contact one of our contracted providers directly.

Appointments are strongly encouraged!  Please arrive before 3:30 p.m. to allow time to complete your transaction.  

Yes, you can find information on searching our records and subscriptions to view records at CumberlandPA

The trees should be "Healed in". Dig a small hole or trench, tamp the seedlings in the ground, keep watered.

Dig a hole deep enough to make sure roots extend downward and do not form a "J". Make sure the hole is deep enough to cover all roots. Pack soil firmly around the roots. Keep watered. If possible, keep weeds and grass from growing to high or thick, blocking the sunlight from the tree.

A tree shelter is a biodegradable polypropylene tube that surrounds your hardwood seedlings and protects them from deer, rabbits, rodents, herbicides, mowers and weed trimmers. Tree shelters create a greenhouse environment that encourages seedling growth. Not recommended for evergreens.

It is located under programs on the Erosion & Sedimentation page.

Cumberland County will take steps to secure computers with hard drives and hard drives by themselves while in the possession of Cumberland County and awaiting transportation to our R2 certified recycler.  Cumberland County cannot, however, 100% guarantee the security of such information.  We recommend you erase all personal and private files from your computer or hard drive before turning it over to us.    

Fees are required to pay for the costs of this program.  Cumberland County has never used general fund tax dollars for its Recycling & Waste program expenses.  Only those who choose to use the program will be required to pay for it through the fees that we charge.

Yes, Pennsylvania has a law that requires electronics manufacturers to fund the recycling in a given year the total weight of products they sold two years ago.  Recently manufactured electronics weigh considerably less than those made ten or more years ago.  As a result, manufacturer recycling requirements decrease every year because the sales weight of newer electronics decreases.  Meanwhile, most of the electronics recycling stream is comprised of older, heavier units that enable manufacturers to quickly meet their established weight-based recycling goals, after which they typically suspend their recycling efforts for the remainder of the year.  In the end, manufacturer supported recycling programs do not meet the demand for electronics recycling in Pennsylvania.  No electronics manufacturers have offered to support electronics recycling in Cumberland County.  

Absolutely not!  Leaving electronics at the recycling center during closed hours is considered illegal dumping. High resolution security cameras have been installed in multiple locations around the facility to identify illegal dumpers. Illegal dumpers will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.    

Anyone can use the facility.  One benefit of a fee based site is source of material is not an issue.  As long as the recycling fee is paid, it does not matter where the customer lives or whether the electronics are from homeowners, businesses, or institutions.

The drop off of large volumes of electronics must be scheduled in advance.  We would prefer to work with you to prepackage your electronics ahead of time versus showing up with a dump truck load of electronics that may take a while to sort through and weigh.

The County is primarily attempting to address the lack of television recycling opportunities Pennsylvania's electronics recycling law has created.  Televisions are the most difficult and most expensive of the electronics to recycle.  This is why it is so hard to find a place to recycle them.  We will gladly accept the other electronics on our acceptable items list but want the public to know that recycling outlets for the other electronics may exist at better rates.  Click here to view possible outlets for electronics other than televisions.  

Pennsylvania's electronics recycling law bans televisions and computer equipment from disposal as solid waste.

Electronics will be sorted into like materials and packaged on either pallets or in Gaylord boxes.  Once a full load of electronics is obtained (18,000 pounds), the collected electronics will be sent to our contracted recycler, Sunnking, in Brockport, New York.  Sunnking is certified to the R2 Standard.  The R2 Standard provides a common set of processes, safety measures, and documentation requirements for businesses that repair and recycle used electronics.  R2 is rigorously and independently audited, emphasizing quality, safety, and transparency.  

No. Currently, the Grants Administration Department is focusing on writing grants to raise revenue for county programs.

Maybe! Please contact the Grants Administration Department to discuss your grant idea.

To apply for a Land Partnerships Grant, contact the Planning Department.

Maybe! Please contact the Commissioners’ Office for this request.

Maybe! Please contact the Planning Department for this request.

Please contact the Cumberland County Aging and Community Services Department and/or Cumberland County Housing and Redevelopment Authorities

Please contact the Cumberland County Housing and Redevelopment Authorities and/or  Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation (CAEDC).

Please contact our Communications Director by phone at 717.240.6343 or by email. 

Find a complete listing of all county social media platforms on our social media page.

All releases are posted on press release page.

A facilities master plan (FMP) is a comprehensive document, based on an analysis of data, that identifies facility needs and provides set of options to address these needs. 

 Cumberland County has completed its first-ever FMP, which includes independent expert recommendations to proactively address its obsolete facilities, growing facility space deficits and increasing demand for county services.

 For years, Cumberland County has managed facility and space challenges through a series of short-term fixes, including renovations, relocations and consolidations. The county FMP marks a shift towards a long-term, comprehensive approach to facility and space planning over the next 20 years. It will inform future facility decisions, enabling the county to provide services to residents in the most effective and fiscally responsible manner for generations to come.

Many county government facilities aren’t just old, but some are functionally and structurally obsolete. Renovations can’t or won’t cost-effectively address fundamental issues like the need for more space, improving accessibility and meeting modern operational standards. In many cases, building new makes more sense in the long run by avoiding continuous costly repairs on outdated structures.

The FMP presents data, analysis, and independent expert recommendations with estimated costs ranging from $200,000 for facility improvements to over $200 million for new facilities. It does not represent actual costs or any decisions. The county will only advance projects that are fiscally and operationally responsible. The county also anticipates offsetting costs by selling properties that no longer meet its needs and reducing spending on leases. The FMP proactively addresses obsolete facilities and increasing demand for essential services in the most fiscally responsible way for generations to come.

While the FMP provides a comprehensive range of options, the county does not intend to pursue every option in the plan. The county will strategically select facility projects that will best address future needs and make the most sense fiscally and operationally.

The county has been making changes across its facilities to address space challenges for years. These changes include renovations, relocations and consolidations. However, as one of the fastest growing counties in the Commonwealth, it became apparent that a long-range comprehensive approach to facility and space planning was needed. The FMP is the county’s first broad forward-looking approach to ensure that its facility infrastructure will support the county’s growth for generations to come. It represents the county’s commitment to strategic, long-term planning to best serve residents with essential government services.

The primary goal is to improve services. By centralizing and improving facilities, the county will aim to enhance customer access, convenience and safety, and ensure that county staff have adequate and secure space to perform their duties effectively. This will ultimately lead to better service for residents and more efficient operations for the county.

County facilities are fundamental to providing essential county services. As the demand for services grows with our population, obsolete and insufficient facilities directly impact the county’s ability to serve residents effectively and efficiently. The data, analysis and options in the FMP will help guide future facility and space planning so the county can fulfill its mission to provide impactful and essential county services in the most effective and financially responsible manner possible.