Westmoreland County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Westmoreland County?
Public records in Westmoreland County are defined as information, regardless of physical form, that documents a transaction or activity of an agency and is created, received, or retained pursuant to law or in connection with a transaction, business, or activity of the agency. This definition is established under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (RTKL), specifically in 65 P.S. § 67.102.
Westmoreland County maintains a comprehensive collection of public records that are accessible to citizens. These records include:
- Court Records: Civil court dockets, criminal court records, family court documents, and probate/orphans' court files maintained by the Clerk of Courts
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and property assessments maintained by the Recorder of Deeds Office
- Vital Records: Marriage licenses (available through the Register of Wills), while birth and death certificates are maintained at the state level through the Pennsylvania Department of Health
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations
- Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax claim data
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information and election results maintained by the Elections Bureau
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of county commission meetings, board proceedings, and other public bodies
- Budget and Financial Documents: County financial reports, budgets, and expenditure records
- Law Enforcement Records: Certain police reports, incident logs, and arrest records (with statutory limitations)
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning decisions, and building permits
The Westmoreland County public records portal provides centralized access to many of these record types. Different county departments maintain specific record categories, with the Prothonotary handling civil court records, the Clerk of Courts managing criminal court records, and the Register of Wills overseeing estate and marriage records.
Is Westmoreland County an Open Records County?
Westmoreland County fully complies with the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (RTKL), which governs public access to records throughout the Commonwealth. 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 establishes a presumption of openness, stating: "A record in the possession of a Commonwealth agency or local agency shall be presumed to be a public record." This presumption places the burden on government agencies to justify why a record should not be disclosed, rather than requiring requestors to prove why they should have access.
Westmoreland County has implemented specific procedures to facilitate public access to records in accordance with state law. The county has designated an Open Records Officer responsible for receiving and processing record requests, as required by the RTKL. Additionally, the county adheres to Pennsylvania's Sunshine Act (65 Pa.C.S. §§ 701-716), which requires public meetings and deliberations.
The county has established a comprehensive public records policy that outlines procedures for requesting records, applicable fees, and the appeals process. This policy reflects the county's commitment to transparency and public access to government information.
How to Find Public Records in Westmoreland County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Westmoreland County may utilize several methods to locate and access the information they need:
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Online Access: The county maintains a comprehensive public records search portal where citizens can access many records electronically. Available online records include:
- Civil and criminal court dockets
- Property records and deeds
- Tax assessment information
- Marriage licenses
- Estate records
- GIS/Tax mapping data
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In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours to request records in person. Staff members are available to assist with locating specific documents.
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Written Requests: For records not readily available online, citizens may submit a formal Right-to-Know request using the county's official request form. These requests may be submitted:
- By mail to the Open Records Officer at 2 N Main Street, Suite 103, Greensburg, PA 15601
- By fax to (724) 830-3055
- By email to the designated Open Records Officer
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Department-Specific Searches: Certain specialized records require contacting specific departments:
- For court records: Prothonotary (civil) or Clerk of Courts (criminal)
- For property records: Recorder of Deeds
- For marriage licenses and estate records: Register of Wills
- For tax information: Tax Assessment Office
When submitting a formal records request, requestors should:
- Clearly identify the specific records being sought
- Provide sufficient detail to enable staff to locate the records
- Indicate preferred format (paper copies, electronic files, inspection only)
- Include contact information for follow-up questions
The county is required to respond to formal 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 Westmoreland County?
Westmoreland County assesses fees for public records in accordance with the fee schedule established under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law. Current standard fees include:
- Photocopies: $0.25 per page for standard 8.5" x 11" black and white copies
- Specialized Documents: Actual cost for non-standard documents (blueprints, color copies, etc.)
- Electronic Records: No charge for records already maintained electronically if provided via email; actual cost of media if provided on CD/DVD
- Certification: $5.00 per record for certified copies
- Postage: Actual cost for mailing records
Specific departments may have additional fee structures for specialized records:
- Recorder of Deeds: Recording fees vary by document type and page count, with current base fees starting at $18.50 for the first four pages
- Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts: Court document fees vary by document type, with certified copies typically costing $10.00 for the first page and $2.00 for each additional page
- Register of Wills: Marriage license fees are currently $80.00
The county accepts payment by cash, check, money order, and credit card (in most offices). Some online services may require credit card payment or establishment of a subscription account.
Fee waivers may be granted at the discretion of the Open Records Officer when the request is made in the public interest by a nonprofit organization. Additionally, the RTKL provides that "fees for duplication by photocopying, printing from electronic media or microfilm, copying onto electronic media, transmission by facsimile or other electronic means and other means of duplication shall be established by the Office of Open Records." (65 P.S. § 67.1307)
Does Westmoreland County Have Free Public Records?
Westmoreland County provides free access to certain public records in accordance with state law. The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law guarantees the right to inspect public records at no cost during regular business hours. Citizens may visit county offices to view records without paying fees, provided they do not request copies.
The following free record access options are currently available:
- In-Person Inspection: All public records may be inspected free of charge at the appropriate county office during normal business hours
- Online Access: Many records are freely accessible through the county's public records search portal, including:
- Basic property information through the GIS/Tax Mapping system
- Court docket information
- Meeting minutes and agendas
- County budgets and financial reports
- Election results
The Westmoreland County Recorder of Deeds offers free online index searching, though fees apply for viewing or printing document images. Similarly, the Clerk of Courts provides free docket searches, with fees applicable only for document copies.
The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records maintains that agencies may not charge for:
- Staff time spent searching for records
- Staff time spent redacting exempt information
- Staff time spent reviewing records to determine if they are public records
Who Can Request Public Records in Westmoreland County?
Under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request public records from Westmoreland County. The law defines "person" broadly to include individuals, corporations, partnerships, associations, and governmental entities.
Key eligibility points include:
- No Residency Requirement: Requestors need not be Pennsylvania residents or Westmoreland County residents
- No Identification Requirement: For most records, requestors are not required to show identification or state the purpose of their request
- No Age Restriction: Minors may request public records, though certain sensitive records may have access limitations
- Legal Entities: Businesses, organizations, and other legal entities may request records
Exceptions to these general rules apply in limited circumstances:
- Criminal History Information: Requests for criminal history information through the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system may require identification and purpose statements
- Vital Records: Birth and death certificates require proof of relationship or legal interest
- Certain Court Records: Some court records may require identification or demonstration of legal interest, particularly for sealed or confidential cases
The law specifically states in 65 P.S. § 67.301(b) that "a local agency may not deny a requester access to a public record due to the intended use of the public record by the requester unless otherwise provided by law."
When requesting your own records versus those of others, different standards may apply. For example, individuals have greater access rights to their own records that might otherwise be confidential, such as personnel files or certain medical information.
What Records Are Confidential in Westmoreland County?
While Westmoreland County maintains a presumption of openness for public records, certain categories of information are exempt from disclosure under Pennsylvania law. The Right-to-Know Law, specifically 65 P.S. § 67.708, establishes numerous exemptions to protect privacy, security, and other important interests.
Records that are generally confidential in Westmoreland County include:
- Sealed Court Records: Records sealed by court order, including certain expunged criminal records and sealed juvenile records
- Juvenile Records: Most juvenile court records and juvenile law enforcement records
- Ongoing Investigation Records: Records relating to criminal and noncriminal investigations, including complaints, investigative materials, and confidential sources
- 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 records protected under HIPAA and other medical privacy laws
- Adoption Records: Adoption proceedings and related documents
- Child Welfare Records: Child abuse reports and child protective services records
- Personnel Records: Performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, and other personnel file information (with limited exceptions)
- Trade Secrets: Confidential proprietary information and trade secrets
- Security Information: Building plans, infrastructure details, emergency procedures, and security measures that could jeopardize public safety
- Attorney-Client Communications: Records protected by attorney-client privilege or attorney work product doctrine
- Predecisional Deliberations: Internal predecisional deliberations of agencies, including recommendations and draft policies
The Case Records Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania provides additional guidance on confidential court records, including specific redaction requirements for sensitive information in court filings.
When records contain both public and confidential information, the county will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder, as required by 65 P.S. § 67.706.
Westmoreland County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Westmoreland County Recorder of Deeds
40 N Pennsylvania Ave, Suite 420
Greensburg, PA 15601
Phone: (724) 830-3518
Fax: (724) 853-2376
Recorder of Deeds
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays
Additional County Records Offices:
Westmoreland County Prothonotary
2 N Main Street, Suite 205
Greensburg, PA 15601
Phone: (724) 830-3502
Fax: (724) 830-3592
Westmoreland County Clerk of Courts
2 N Main Street, Suite 203
Greensburg, PA 15601
Phone: (724) 830-3734
Fax: (724) 830-3571
Clerk of Courts
Westmoreland County Register of Wills
2 N Main Street, Suite 301
Greensburg, PA 15601
Phone: (724) 830-3177
Fax: (724) 830-3165
Westmoreland County Open Records Officer
2 N Main Street, Suite 103
Greensburg, PA 15601
Phone: (724) 830-3140
Fax: (724) 830-3055
Open Records Request
Lookup Public Records in Westmoreland County
Westmoreland County Records Services
Recorder of Deeds Public Access Web Service