Perry County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Perry County in 2026
PerryRecords.org aggregates publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Perry County, Pennsylvania. Members of the public seeking official documentation may find data pertaining to a broad range of record categories, including court filings, property transactions, vital statistics, and law enforcement logs. The information presented reflects what is accessible through government custodians and authorized online portals, and availability may vary depending on the record type, the custodian agency, and applicable state law.
Record categories that members of the public may encounter include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and assessment records
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Business licenses and fictitious name registrations
- Tax and assessment records
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Budget and financial documents
- Law enforcement incident reports and arrest logs
- Land use, zoning, and permit records
Records in Perry County may be accessed through official court resources, the county clerk's office, public access terminals located at the courthouse, and authorized online tools.
Online Access: The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania maintains the UJS Web Portal, through which members of the public may search docket information for cases filed in the Juniata/Perry County Court of Common Pleas. The portal does not require registration for basic docket searches. Property records and recorder of deeds documents may be searched through the Perry County Recorder of Deeds office portal. The Pennsylvania Department of State provides access to business entity filings through its online business search tool.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Perry County Courthouse to submit records requests in person. The Prothonotary's Office handles civil court records, while the Clerk of Courts manages criminal case files. The Recorder of Deeds maintains property and land records. Public access terminals are available at the courthouse during regular business hours.
Perry County Courthouse
25 West Main Street
New Bloomfield, PA 17068
(717) 582-2131
Perry County Government
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests submitted under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law must identify the records sought with sufficient specificity. Requests should be directed to the designated Open Records Officer at the relevant county agency. Under state law, agencies are required to respond within five business days of receipt of a written request.
Phone/Email: The Perry County main line is (717) 582-2131. Individual offices within the courthouse may be reached through the county's main directory. Email contact information for specific departments is available through the Perry County Government website.
What Are Public Records in Perry County?
Public records in Perry County are defined by the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.102, as any record, including a financial record, of a Commonwealth or local agency that is not exempt under the statute or protected by a privilege. The following record types are maintained by designated county offices:
| Record Type | Custodian Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Prothonotary / Clerk of Courts |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | Recorder of Deeds |
| Vital records (birth, death) | PA Department of Health |
| Marriage licenses | Register of Wills / Orphans' Court |
| Business registrations | PA Department of State |
| Property tax and assessments | Perry County Assessment Office |
| Voting and election records | Perry County Election Bureau |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | Perry County Commissioners' Office |
| Budget and financial documents | Perry County Fiscal Office |
| Law enforcement records | Perry County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Perry County Planning Department |
Birth and death certificates are issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Health Vital Records program, which maintains official records of births, deaths, and fetal deaths occurring within the Commonwealth. Court docket information for Perry County cases may be searched through the UJS Portal case search, which includes records from the Juniata/Perry County Court of Common Pleas.
Is Perry County an Open Records County?
Perry County operates in full compliance with the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (RTKL), which governs public access to government records throughout the Commonwealth. Under 65 P.S. § 67.301, a record in the possession of a local agency is presumed to be a public record unless it is exempt under the RTKL, protected by a privilege, or required to be kept confidential under another law or court order.
As stated by the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records, "The Right-to-Know Law provides citizens with the right to access public records of government agencies." Each county agency designates an Open Records Officer responsible for receiving and responding to written requests. Perry County's compliance with the RTKL means that any person — regardless of residency — may submit a request for public records maintained by county offices. The Pennsylvania Sunshine Act further requires that meetings of government agencies be open to the public, and that official actions be taken at public meetings.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Perry County?
The current fee structure for public records in Perry County is governed by the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law and the fee schedule established by the Office of Open Records. Standard fees applicable to most requests are as follows:
| Fee Type | Standard Amount |
|---|---|
| Black-and-white paper copies (letter/legal) | $0.25 per page |
| Certification of a record | $1.00 per record |
| Electronic duplication (CD/DVD) | $1.00 per disc |
| Conversion to paper from electronic format | $0.25 per page |
| Postage | Actual cost |
| Inspection of records | No charge |
Accepted payment methods at Perry County offices include cash, check, and money order made payable to the relevant county office. Fees for specific record types — such as certified copies of deeds from the Recorder of Deeds or certified court documents from the Prothonotary — may differ from the standard RTKL schedule and are set by separate statutory authority. Fee waivers are not broadly mandated under the RTKL, though agencies retain discretion to waive fees in certain circumstances.
Does Perry County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available in Perry County. Under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, agencies may not charge a fee for the inspection of public records at the agency's office. Members of the public may review records in person at the relevant county office without incurring a copy fee, provided they do not request physical copies.
Free online access to certain record categories is available through the following government resources:
- Court docket searches: The UJS Web Portal provides free access to docket information for cases filed in Pennsylvania courts, including the Juniata/Perry County Court of Common Pleas.
- Inmate and supervised individual records: The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections inmate locator provides free public access to information on individuals currently incarcerated or under departmental supervision, including those associated with Perry County.
- Business entity records: The Pennsylvania Department of State provides free online searches of registered business entities.
- Property assessment data: The Perry County Assessment Office makes property assessment information available for public inspection.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no charge, reproduction of records is subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Perry County?
Any person may request public records from Perry County agencies under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law. Requestors are not required to be Pennsylvania residents, and agencies may not require a requestor to state the purpose of the request as a condition of access. Identification is not required for most public records requests, though certain record types — particularly those involving personal information — may require the requestor to demonstrate an authorized interest.
Specific provisions apply to the following situations:
- Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records pertaining to themselves may be entitled to access records that would otherwise be restricted to third parties, such as certain law enforcement or personnel records.
- Requesting records about others: Access to records containing personal identifying information, juvenile records, or medical data is subject to statutory restrictions regardless of the requestor's identity.
- Non-residents: Non-residents retain the same rights as residents under the RTKL and may submit requests by mail, in person, or electronically.
- Attorneys and legal representatives: Attorneys acting on behalf of clients follow the same request procedures but may be entitled to expedited processing in certain circumstances.
Requests for vital records such as birth and death certificates are subject to additional eligibility requirements established by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, which limits certified copy issuance to qualified applicants including the registrant, immediate family members, and authorized legal representatives.
What Records Are Confidential in Perry County?
Certain records maintained by Perry County agencies are exempt from public disclosure under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law and related statutes. 65 P.S. § 67.708 enumerates the categories of records that agencies are not required to disclose, including but not limited to:
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Juvenile delinquency and dependency records
- Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations
- Personal identifying information (Social Security numbers, financial account data)
- Medical and psychological records protected under HIPAA
- Adoption records
- Child welfare and protective services records
- Personnel and employment records (with limited exceptions for public employees)
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information
- Security plans, infrastructure vulnerability assessments, and emergency response procedures
- Attorney-client privileged communications
- Records protected by grand jury secrecy rules
As noted by the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records, "An agency bears the burden of proving that a record is exempt from public access." Agencies invoking an exemption must identify the specific statutory basis for withholding the record. Requestors who believe a record has been improperly withheld may appeal to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records within 15 business days of a denial.
Perry County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Perry County Recorder of Deeds
25 West Main Street, Suite 10
New Bloomfield, PA 17068
(717) 582-2131 ext. 3
Perry County Recorder of Deeds
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on federal and state holidays.
Perry County Prothonotary / Clerk of Courts
25 West Main Street
New Bloomfield, PA 17068
(717) 582-2131
Perry County Prothonotary
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Perry County Register of Wills / Orphans' Court
25 West Main Street
New Bloomfield, PA 17068
(717) 582-2131
Perry County Register of Wills
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Perry County Assessment Office
25 West Main Street
New Bloomfield, PA 17068
(717) 582-2131
Perry County Assessment Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Pennsylvania Department of Health – Division of Vital Records
101 South Mercer Street
New Castle, PA 16101
(724) 656-3100
Pennsylvania Vital Records Program