Centre County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Centre County?
Public records in Centre County are official documents and information created, received, or maintained by government agencies that are accessible to the public pursuant to the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (RTKL), specifically 65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq. These records document official business, transactions, and activities of Centre County government.
Centre County maintains numerous types of public records across various departments:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, family, and orphans' court proceedings maintained by the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and property transfers recorded by the Recorder of Deeds Office
- Vital Records: Birth and death certificates (1893-1905), marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations
- Tax Records: Property tax assessments, tax maps, and payment records
- Voting Records: Voter registration data and election results maintained by the Elections Office
- Meeting Records: Minutes, agendas, and resolutions from County Commissioner meetings and other boards
- Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements
- Law Enforcement Records: Certain police reports, arrest logs, and incident reports (with statutory limitations)
- Land Use Records: Zoning permits, subdivision plans, and planning documents
The Records Management Office serves as the central repository for many historical records, while current records are typically maintained by the originating department. Select historical records of special interest, including Naturalization Records, Revolutionary War Declarations, and Slave Records, are available through the county's digital archives.
Is Centre County an Open Records County?
Centre County fully complies with the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (RTKL), which establishes the presumption that all government records are public unless specifically exempted by law. Under 65 P.S. § 67.301, "a public record, legislative record or financial record shall be accessible for inspection and duplication in accordance with this act."
The law specifically states that "a record in the possession of a Commonwealth agency or local agency shall be presumed to be a public record." This presumption of openness guides Centre County's approach to records management and public access.
Centre County has established a comprehensive Open Records Request process in accordance with state law. The county has designated an Agency Open Records Officer who processes all requests for county government records and ensures compliance with statutory timelines.
Additionally, Centre County adheres to Pennsylvania's Sunshine Act (65 Pa.C.S. §§ 701-716), which requires public meetings to be open to the public with proper notice. Meeting minutes, which document official actions taken during these public meetings, are maintained as public records and made available for inspection.
The county's commitment to transparency is further demonstrated through its online records portal, which provides digital access to many frequently requested documents, reducing the need for formal RTKL requests in many cases.
How to Find Public Records in Centre County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records from Centre County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:
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Online Access: Many records are available through the county's official website. Interested parties may access:
- Court records through the Centre County Civil Court Online Portal
- Property records via the Recorder of Deeds online search system
- Meeting minutes and agendas on the County Commissioners' webpage
- Budget documents in the Finance Department section
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Submit a Right-to-Know Request: For records not readily available online, individuals may submit a formal request through the county's Open Records Request system. Requesters should:
- Complete the standard RTK request form
- Provide specific details about the records sought
- Submit the request to the designated Agency Open Records Officer
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Visit County Offices: Records may be inspected in person at the appropriate county office during regular business hours:
- For court records: Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Office
- For property records: Recorder of Deeds Office
- For historical records: Records Management Office
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Contact the Specific Department: Direct inquiries to the department that maintains the desired records:
- Tax Assessment Office for property valuations
- Planning Office for zoning and land use records
- Elections Office for voter and election information
The county is required to respond to formal RTK requests within five business days, though complex requests may qualify for a 30-day extension under 65 P.S. § 67.902.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Centre County?
Centre County assesses fees for public records in accordance with the fee schedule established under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law and county ordinances. The current standard fees include:
- Photocopies: $0.25 per page for standard 8.5" x 11" black and white copies
- Certified Copies: Additional $5.00 per document for certification
- Specialized Documents: Varies by document type and size
- Maps and large format documents: $3.00-$5.00 per page
- Color copies: $0.50 per page
- Digital Media: $1.00 per CD/DVD; $6.00 per USB drive (if provided by the county)
- Postage: Actual cost when mailing is requested
The Recorder of Deeds Office maintains a separate fee schedule for property records:
- Deed recording: $63.50 for the first four pages, plus $2.00 for each additional page
- Mortgage recording: Varies based on mortgage amount and document length
- Document copies: $0.50 per page
- Certified copies: $1.50 per page
Pursuant to 65 P.S. § 67.1307, fees must be reasonable and based on the actual cost of providing the records. The county accepts payment by cash, check, money order, and credit card (in most offices). Electronic payments may be available for online services.
Fee waivers may be granted when the county determines that the release of records is in the public interest. Additionally, no fee is charged for reviewing records on-site, though copying fees still apply if physical copies are requested.
Does Centre County Have Free Public Records?
Centre County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with Pennsylvania law. The following records are available at no cost:
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On-site Inspection: Members of the public may inspect any non-exempt public records during normal business hours at no charge, as guaranteed by the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law. While inspection is free, copying fees apply if physical copies are requested.
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Online Records: Several categories of records are freely accessible through the county's website:
- County Commissioner meeting agendas and minutes
- Annual budgets and financial reports
- Election results and campaign finance reports
- Public notices and announcements
- Civil court case information (basic docket information)
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Historical Archives: The Records Management Office provides free online access to digitized historical records of special interest, including:
- Naturalization Records (1802-1929)
- Revolutionary War Declarations
- Slave Records
- Select historical court records
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Public Terminals: Computer terminals are available at several county offices for free public access to electronic records, including:
- The Prothonotary's Office for court records
- The Recorder of Deeds Office for property records
- The Assessment Office for property assessment data
While these resources are provided at no cost, fees may still apply for printed copies, certified documents, or records requiring extensive staff time to compile or redact.
Who Can Request Public Records in Centre County?
Under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request public records from Centre County government agencies. According to 65 P.S. § 67.102, a "requester" is defined as "a person that is a legal resident of the United States and requests a record pursuant to this act." This includes:
- Pennsylvania residents
- Residents of other states
- Legal residents of the United States
- Business entities registered in the United States
- Non-profit organizations
- Media organizations
- Government agencies
Requesters are not required to:
- Explain why they want the records
- Disclose their intended use of the records
- Provide identification for most record types (though ID may be required for certain sensitive records)
However, special provisions apply to certain categories of records:
- Criminal Justice Records: Access may be restricted based on the requester's relationship to the case and the case status
- Vital Records: Birth and death certificates from 1906 onward are maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, not Centre County, and have specific eligibility requirements
- Voter Registration Records: While the voter registry is public, certain information is restricted to specific uses under the Pennsylvania Voter Registration Act
- Personal Records: When requesting records about oneself, identification may be required to verify identity
Commercial entities requesting records for commercial purposes may be subject to additional fees to cover the cost of record compilation, as permitted under 65 P.S. § 67.1307(c).
What Records Are Confidential in Centre County?
While Centre County operates under the presumption of openness, certain records are exempt from public disclosure under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law. Pursuant to 65 P.S. § 67.708, the following records are generally considered confidential:
- Personal Identifying Information: Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, financial account numbers, and home addresses of judges, law enforcement officers, and certain other officials
- Medical Records: Health-related information protected under HIPAA and state medical privacy laws
- Personnel Records: Employee performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, and other personnel file contents (though names, positions, salaries, and length of service are public)
- Criminal Investigative Records: Active investigation materials, witness statements, and intelligence information
- Juvenile Records: Court records and law enforcement records involving minors, with limited exceptions
- Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and strategy documents protected by attorney-client privilege
- Predecisional Deliberations: Internal discussions and draft documents created during policy development
- Trade Secrets: Proprietary business information submitted to the county
- Security Information: Building security plans, emergency response protocols, and infrastructure vulnerability assessments
- Sealed Court Records: Records sealed by court order, including certain expunged criminal records and adoption files
Additionally, other state and federal laws may protect specific record types:
- Child welfare records under the Child Protective Services Law
- Mental health treatment records under the Mental Health Procedures Act
- Educational records protected by FERPA
- Tax return information protected under state tax confidentiality provisions
When a record contains both public and confidential information, the county will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder, as required by 65 P.S. § 67.706.
Centre County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Centre County Recorder of Deeds
Willowbank Office Building
420 Holmes Street, Room 123
Bellefonte, PA 16823
(814) 355-6801
Recorder of Deeds
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Additional County Records Offices:
Centre County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts
Centre County Courthouse
102 South Allegheny Street, Room 102
Bellefonte, PA 16823
(814) 355-6794
Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts
Centre County Records Management Office
Willowbank Office Building
420 Holmes Street, Room 130
Bellefonte, PA 16823
(814) 355-6883
Records Management
Centre County Open Records Officer
Willowbank Office Building
420 Holmes Street, Room 205
Bellefonte, PA 16823
(814) 355-6700
Open Records Request
Lookup Public Records in Centre County
Centre County Civil Court Case Search