Pennsylvania public records
Pennsylvania court dockets use judiciary access rules, while agency requests use the Right-to-Know Law. Counties hold modern deeds, marriage records and divorce files; state archives' historical land records are a different resource. Use PATCH when you need its defined Pennsylvania criminal-history report.
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Official record sources
Choose the document you need before searching. A case index, parcel assessment, recorded deed and certified certificate are different records. The links below lead to the responsible government service or its official directory.
| Record / custodian | How to access | Costs and coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Court recordsUnified Judicial System of Pennsylvania | Use public docket services and the relevant court's document-request procedure. | Public docket access and certified-copy services differ. Judicial records have court-specific rules; the executive-agency Right-to-Know process is not a universal court-file request route. |
| Property and land recordsPennsylvania local-government resources | Find the county assessment office and recorder of deeds for the property's location. | County searches and document-copy charges vary. State archives' historical land warrants do not replace modern county deed records. |
| Business recordsPennsylvania Department of State | Use the business-record search and order the appropriate filing or certificate. | Basic lookup and ordered documents have separate charges. Entity registration does not establish professional licensing or actual business operations. |
| Birth, death, marriage and divorcePennsylvania Department of Health | Order eligible birth/death certificates; use county marriage-license offices or court clerks for marriage/divorce records. | State certificates and county copies have different fees. The state vital office does not issue certified marriage records or divorce decrees. |
| Criminal-history checksPennsylvania State Police PATCH | Use PATCH for Pennsylvania criminal-history requests and the relevant applicant-check route. | Fees depend on request type; qualifying volunteer checks may have a waiver. PATCH is Pennsylvania repository information, not a nationwide fingerprint check or complete case file. |
A criminal charge is not a conviction. A name match does not establish identity. Use the official case disposition and the appropriate authorized record-check process when those distinctions matter.
Requesting agency records in Pennsylvania
Use this process for existing government agency records. Court case copies, vital certificates and criminal-history reports use the separate procedures in the table.
- Who can request
- The Right-to-Know Law process is available to legal residents of the United States. Send a written request to the Agency Open Records Officer.
- How to submit
- Identify the Pennsylvania agency, municipality or county that maintains the record, then use its published records-custodian contact or accepted request channel. Describe existing documents, identifiers and dates. Keep the submitted request and acknowledgement; court copies and vital certificates use the separate services above.
- Response and delivery
- The agency normally has five business days to respond. A valid written extension can add up to 30 calendar days unless the requester agrees to more.
- Fees and estimates
- Filing is free. Duplication and specialized production charges follow the applicable fee schedule; advance payment may be required for estimates over $100.
- If access is denied
- Most OOR appeals must be filed within 15 business days of a denial or deemed denial. Some records and agencies use a different appeals officer.
Pennsylvania records-request example
Replace the brackets, narrow the dates and send this to the agency that holds the records. Use its required form or portal when applicable. This example requests agency documents; it is not a certificate application or court filing.
To: [the agency's designated records custodian] Subject: Pennsylvania public-records request — [record or project identifier] Under the Right to Know Law (65 Pa. Stat. § 67.102 et seq.), I request electronic copies of the agency's executed contract and final paid invoices for [procurement number]. Please use existing records in their available electronic format. If any material is withheld, identify the legal basis and provide the non-exempt portions. Before incurring charges above [your limit], please send an itemized estimate. Please confirm receipt and the expected response date. [Name and contact details required by the receiving agency] [Requester eligibility or residency information, where required]
Before sending, check requester eligibility above. Keep the submission confirmation, cost estimate, response and any exemption cited so a follow-up or appeal can refer to the same request.
Pennsylvania public records FAQ
Where can I find Pennsylvania court records?
Use public docket services and the relevant court's document-request procedure. Judicial records have court-specific rules; the executive-agency Right-to-Know process is not a universal court-file request route.
Sources: Unified Judicial System of PennsylvaniaAre Pennsylvania public records free?
Filing is free. Duplication and specialized production charges follow the applicable fee schedule; advance payment may be required for estimates over $100. Certificate and court-document services follow the separate charges listed above.
Sources: Pennsylvania official public-records guidance; Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania Department of HealthHow do I get birth, death, marriage or divorce records in Pennsylvania?
Order eligible birth/death certificates; use county marriage-license offices or court clerks for marriage/divorce records. The state vital office does not issue certified marriage records or divorce decrees.
Sources: Pennsylvania Department of Health; Unified Judicial System of PennsylvaniaIs a Pennsylvania court search a complete criminal-history check?
No. PATCH is Pennsylvania repository information, not a nationwide fingerprint check or complete case file. Use PATCH for Pennsylvania criminal-history requests and the relevant applicant-check route.
Sources: Pennsylvania State Police PATCH; Unified Judicial System of PennsylvaniaSources and review
Each link identifies the official custodian or its published directory. Portal coverage and fees can change; confirm the current order details before paying. The date below records the source review, not the date a government record was created.
- Pennsylvania official public-records guidance — checked
- Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania — checked
- Pennsylvania local-government resources — checked
- Pennsylvania Department of State — checked
- Pennsylvania Department of Health — checked
- Pennsylvania State Police PATCH — checked
Browse other jurisdictions
Public-records access rules vary by jurisdiction. Continue through the directory or return to the full list to choose the agency location you need.
All public-records jurisdictions