Philadelphia County Public Records

What Is Public Records in The Philadelphia County?

Public records in Philadelphia County are official documents and information maintained by government agencies that are accessible to the public. These records include property deeds, marriage licenses, birth certificates, court records, tax information, and various other documents created or maintained by city and county offices.

The Philadelphia Department of Records is the primary custodian of many public records in the county. Department of Records, City Hall, Room 156, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Public records serve several important purposes:

• They provide transparency in government operations
• They document property ownership and transfers
• They preserve historical information about the city and its residents
• They maintain vital statistics and legal proceedings

These records are maintained according to Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law and other applicable regulations that govern public access to government information.

Is Philadelphia County an Open Records County?

Yes, Philadelphia County operates under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, which establishes the presumption that government records are public and accessible to citizens. The law, enacted in 2008 and amended several times since, provides a framework for requesting and accessing public records.

Key aspects of Philadelphia's open records policy include:

1. The presumption of openness for most government records
2. Established procedures for requesting records
3. Designated Open Records Officers in each department
4. Clear timelines for responding to requests
5. An appeals process for denied requests

The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records oversees the implementation of the Right-to-Know Law. Pennsylvania Office of Open Records, 333 Market Street, 16th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17101

While Philadelphia County maintains an open records policy, certain exemptions exist to protect privacy, security, and other sensitive information as outlined in state law.

How Do I Find Public Records in Philadelphia County in 2025

Finding public records in Philadelphia County in 2025 can be accomplished through several methods:

1. Online Access

   • Philadelphia Department of Records website offers digital access to many records
   • The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania portal provides court records
   • Property records can be searched through the city's property database

2. In-Person Visits

   • Philadelphia City Archives: City Archives, 548 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123
   • Records Department at City Hall: City Hall, Room 156, Philadelphia, PA 19107
   • Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas: Philadelphia City Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19107

3. Written Requests

   • Submit Right-to-Know requests to the specific department holding the records
   • Include detailed information about the records you're seeking

4. Third-Party Services

   • Various commercial services offer record retrieval for a fee
   • Title companies can access property records

For specific record types, contact the appropriate department:

• Vital Records (birth/death certificates): Department of Public Health, 1401 JFK Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19102
• Marriage Records: Orphans' Court Division, City Hall, Room 415, Philadelphia, PA 19107
• Criminal Records: First Judicial District of Pennsylvania, 100 S. Broad Street, 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19110

How Much Does It Cost To Get Public Records In Philadelphia County?

The cost of obtaining public records in Philadelphia County varies depending on the type of record, format requested, and the department providing the information:

Standard Fee Structure:

• Paper copies: $0.25 per page
• Certified copies: $5-15 per document
• Electronic copies: Often lower fees or sometimes free
• Research fees: May apply for extensive searches ($25-50 per hour)

Specific Record Costs:

• Deed copies: $25 for first page, $2 for each additional page
• Birth certificates: $20 per copy
• Marriage licenses: $10 for search, $10 for certificate
• Court records: $0.25 per page, additional fees for certified copies

The Philadelphia Department of Records and other agencies accept payment by credit card, check, money order, and sometimes cash for in-person requests. Department of Records, City Hall, Room 156, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Fee waivers may be available for certain requests that serve the public interest, though these are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Agencies must provide a fee estimate for requests exceeding $100 before proceeding.

Does Philadelphia County Have Free Public Records?

Philadelphia County does offer some public records at no cost, particularly through online access:

Free Online Records:

• Basic court docket information through the Unified Judicial System portal
• Property assessment data through the Office of Property Assessment website
• Campaign finance reports
• City Council records and legislation
• Meeting minutes and agendas for public bodies

Free In-Person Access:

• Public terminals at the City Archives allow free viewing of digital records
• Court dockets can be viewed at public terminals in the courthouse
• Public libraries offer access to some historical records and databases

The Philadelphia City Archives provides free public access to historical records, though copying fees may apply. City Archives, 548 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123

While viewing many records is free, obtaining copies typically involves fees as outlined in the previous section. Additionally, commercial websites may aggregate some public records and offer them for free, though these sources may not always be complete or current.

Who Can Request Public Records In Philadelphia County?

Under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, virtually anyone can request public records from Philadelphia County agencies:

Eligible Requesters:

• Pennsylvania residents
• Non-residents of Pennsylvania
• Business entities
• Non-profit organizations
• Media representatives
• Government agencies
• Incarcerated individuals (with some limitations)

There is no requirement to provide identification or state a reason for most record requests. However, certain specialized records may have additional requirements or restrictions based on state or federal law.

Requests can be submitted in several ways:

• Online through department websites
• In writing via mail or email
• In person at the appropriate agency
• By fax where available

The Philadelphia Law Department handles complex records requests and can provide guidance on accessibility. Law Department, One Parkway Building, 1515 Arch Street, 17th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102

While the law provides broad access, agencies may require clarification for vague requests or deny requests that would create an unreasonable burden on resources.

What Records Are Confidential In Philadelphia County?

Despite Philadelphia County's commitment to transparency, certain records remain confidential under state and federal laws:

Protected Records Include:

• Personal health information (HIPAA protected)
• Juvenile records (with limited exceptions)
• Records related to ongoing criminal investigations
• Social Security numbers and financial account information
• Records that would jeopardize public safety if disclosed
• Attorney-client privileged communications
• Personnel records containing private information
• Records related to child abuse investigations
• Trade secrets and confidential proprietary information

The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records provides guidance on exemptions. Pennsylvania Office of Open Records, 333 Market Street, 16th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17101

Additionally, certain records may be partially redacted to remove confidential information while still providing access to the public portions of the document.

Records related to critical infrastructure, emergency response plans, and security measures are typically restricted to protect public safety. The determination of confidentiality is made by the agency holding the records, though these decisions can be appealed.

Lookup Public Records in Philadelphia County

For comprehensive access to public records in Philadelphia County, the following resources provide valuable starting points:

• Department of Records | Homepage | City of Philadelphia - The official homepage providing access to business and historical records for city agencies and the public.

• Public Records | Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania - Access to public records within the Pennsylvania court system, including court opinions and docket sheets.

• Get a copy of a deed or other recorded document | Services - Details the process for obtaining copies of deeds and other property documents in Philadelphia.

• City Archives | Department of Records - City of Philadelphia - Information about the Philadelphia City Archives, which preserves historical city records.

• Case Search - Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System - A portal for searching case information within Pennsylvania's court system, offering free public access to court records.

These resources allow residents and interested parties to access various public records maintained by Philadelphia County and Pennsylvania state agencies.