Luzerne County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Luzerne County?

Public records in Luzerne County encompass a wide range of documents created, received, or maintained by county government agencies in the course of official business. According to the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (RTKL), 65 P.S. § 67.101, public records are defined as "information, regardless of form, that documents a transaction or activity of an agency, and that is created, received, or retained pursuant to law or in connection with a transaction, business, or activity of the agency."

Luzerne County maintains numerous categories of public records, including:

• Court Records: Civil, criminal, family, orphans' court, and probate proceedings maintained by the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas
• Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and property transfers
• Vital Records: Birth certificates (1893-1905), death certificates (1893-1905), marriage licenses (1885-present)
• Business Records: Fictitious name registrations, business licenses, permits
• Tax Records: Property tax assessments, tax claims, tax sales
• Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, campaign finance reports
• Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County council meetings, boards, authorities, and commissions
• Budget and Financial Documents: Annual budgets, financial reports, audits
• Law Enforcement Records: Certain police reports, incident logs (with statutory limitations)
• Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning applications, subdivision plans

The primary custodians of these records include:

Luzerne County Clerk of Courts
Luzerne County Courthouse
200 North River Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
570-825-1500
Luzerne County Clerk of Courts

Luzerne County Recorder of Deeds
Luzerne County Courthouse
200 North River Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
570-825-1641
Luzerne County Recorder of Deeds

Luzerne County Register of Wills
Luzerne County Courthouse
200 North River Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
570-825-1668
Luzerne County Register of Wills

Is Luzerne County an Open Records County?

Luzerne County fully complies with the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (RTKL), 65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq., which establishes the presumption that all government records are public unless specifically exempted by law, sealed by court order, or protected by privilege. This comprehensive statute governs access to public information throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Under Section 67.301 of the RTKL, "a public record shall be accessible for inspection and duplication in accordance with this act." The law further stipulates that agencies must respond to requests within five business days, with possible extensions under certain circumstances.

Luzerne County has established specific procedures for handling public records requests in accordance with state law. The county has designated an Open Records Officer who processes requests and ensures compliance with statutory requirements. The county's public records policy adheres to the principles of transparency and accessibility mandated by the RTKL.

Additionally, Luzerne County complies with Pennsylvania's Sunshine Act (65 Pa.C.S. §§ 701-716), which requires public meetings to be open to the public with proper notice. Meeting agendas, minutes, and related documents are considered public records under both the Sunshine Act and the RTKL.

The county's commitment to transparency is reflected in its Open Records Policy, which outlines procedures for requesting records and establishes guidelines for county departments in responding to such requests.

How to Find Public Records in Luzerne County in 2026

Members of the public seeking access to Luzerne County records may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:

1. Submit a Right-to-Know Request
   • Complete the county's standard RTK request form, available on the Luzerne County website
   • Submit requests to the designated Open Records Officer by email, mail, fax, or in person
   • Clearly identify the records being sought with reasonable specificity
   • Requests may be submitted to:

Luzerne County Open Records Officer
Luzerne County Courthouse
200 North River Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
570-825-1500
Luzerne County Right-to-Know

2. Visit Department Offices Directly

   • Many records may be inspected in person during regular business hours
   • Contact the specific department beforehand to ensure availability
   • Bring proper identification and any required documentation

3. Access Online Resources

   • Property records: The Luzerne County Real Estate Portal provides property assessment information
   • Court records: The Unified Judicial System Web Portal offers access to court dockets
   • County Council documents: Meeting agendas and minutes are available on the County Council webpage
   • Tax information: The Tax Claim Bureau provides tax sale and delinquent tax information

4. Contact Specific Record Custodians

   • For vital records: Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records
   • For property records: Recorder of Deeds Office
   • For court records: Appropriate court clerk (Civil, Criminal, Family, Orphans')
   • For voter information: Bureau of Elections

5. Research Historical Records

   • The Luzerne County Historical Society maintains historical documents and records
   • Older county records may be archived at the Pennsylvania State Archives

When requesting records, individuals should provide sufficient detail to identify the specific information sought. Requests that are overly broad may be denied or require clarification. The county is required to respond to all requests within five business days, though extensions may apply in certain circumstances as permitted by the RTKL.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Luzerne County?

Luzerne County assesses fees for public records in accordance with the fee schedule established under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law and county ordinances. Current standard fees include:

• Photocopies: $0.25 per page (black and white, 8.5" x 11")
• Color Copies: $0.50 per page (8.5" x 11")
• Specialized Documents: Actual cost of reproduction
• Certification of Records: $5.00 per record
• Electronic Media: Actual cost of media (CD/DVD/flash drive)
• Postage: Actual cost for mailing records

Specific departments may have additional or different fee structures as authorized by law:

• Recorder of Deeds:

  • Deed Recording: $63.50 for first four pages, $2.00 each additional page
  • Mortgage Recording: $63.50 for first four pages, $2.00 each additional page
  • Certified Copies: $1.50 per page with $5.00 minimum

• Prothonotary's Office:

  • Civil Case File Review: $17.00
  • Copies from Civil Files: $0.50 per page
  • Certified Copies: $5.00 plus $1.00 per page

• Register of Wills:

  • Probate Fees: Variable based on estate value
  • Marriage License: $80.00
  • Certified Copies of Marriage Records: $10.00

Pursuant to 65 P.S. § 67.1307, fees must represent the actual cost of providing the records. The law prohibits charging fees for reviewing records to determine whether they are subject to access, redacting information, or staff time for complying with the request.

Payment methods accepted by Luzerne County include:

• Cash (in-person only)
• Personal checks
• Money orders
• Credit cards (for certain departments and online services)

Prepayment may be required if the estimated cost exceeds $100. The county may waive fees when doing so is in the public interest. Requestors experiencing financial hardship may submit a fee waiver request, which will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Does Luzerne County Have Free Public Records?

Luzerne County provides several avenues for accessing public records at no cost:

Free In-Person Inspection Under 65 P.S. § 67.701, all public records must be available for inspection during regular business hours at no charge. Members of the public may visit the appropriate county office during normal business hours to view records without incurring fees, provided that:

• The records are not in active use
• Staff is available to supervise the inspection
• Advance notice may be required for voluminous records

Free Online Resources Luzerne County offers several free online databases and resources:

• Luzerne County Assessment Records - Property assessment information, ownership details, and tax data
• County Council Meeting Portal - Agendas, minutes, and video recordings of meetings
• Election Results - Current and historical election outcomes
• County Budget Documents - Annual budgets and financial reports
• County Ordinances and Resolutions - Legislative actions of the County Council

Free Public Access Terminals The following locations provide free public access terminals for searching certain records:

Luzerne County Law Library
Luzerne County Courthouse
200 North River Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
570-825-1628

Luzerne County Recorder of Deeds Office
Luzerne County Courthouse
200 North River Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
570-825-1641

While inspection is free, fees may still apply for copies, certification, or specialized formats of records. Additionally, certain online searches may be free, but obtaining official copies or certified documents typically incurs standard fees.

Who Can Request Public Records in Luzerne County?

Under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law 65 P.S. § 67.301, any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request access to public records in Luzerne County. The law defines "person" broadly to include individuals, corporations, partnerships, associations, and governmental entities.

Key eligibility considerations include:

• Residency Requirements: No Pennsylvania residency is required to submit a request
• Identification: While basic contact information must be provided on the request form, requestors are not required to show identification to inspect records
• Purpose Disclosure: Requestors generally do not need to explain why they want records or how they will use them
• Commercial Use: Records may be requested for commercial purposes, though certain specialized records may have specific use restrictions
• Anonymous Requests: Anonymous requests are not permitted; the RTKL requires requestors to provide their name and address

For certain specialized records, additional requirements may apply:

• Criminal History Records: Access may be restricted based on the requestor's relationship to the subject and intended use
• Voter Registration Records: While public, commercial use is restricted under the Pennsylvania Voter Registration Act
• Medical Records: Generally restricted to the individual or their authorized representative
• Juvenile Records: Access is highly restricted and generally unavailable to the public

When requesting records about oneself versus records about others:

• Self-Records: Individuals requesting their own records may need to provide identification to verify their identity
• Third-Party Records: Requests for records about other individuals are subject to redaction of personal identifying information protected by privacy exemptions

Legal representatives, including attorneys, may request records on behalf of clients by providing appropriate documentation of their representation status.

What Records Are Confidential in Luzerne County?

Certain records maintained by Luzerne County are confidential and exempt from public disclosure under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law 65 P.S. § 67.708, which establishes 30 specific exemptions from disclosure. These exemptions include:

Personal Privacy Protections

• Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and personal financial information
• Home addresses and telephone numbers of judges, law enforcement officers, and certain public officials
• Personal medical, psychiatric, and psychological records
• Personal identification information that would risk personal security if disclosed

Law Enforcement and Public Safety Records

• Records relating to active criminal investigations
• Records that would reveal the identity of confidential informants
• Records that would jeopardize homeland security or public safety
• 911 recordings except as ordered by a court
• Juvenile records, including delinquency proceedings

Administrative and Deliberative Records

• Predecisional deliberations of agencies
• Draft documents and working papers
• Communications protected by attorney-client privilege
• Trade secrets and confidential proprietary information
• Personnel records, including performance evaluations and disciplinary actions

Court-Protected Records

• Records sealed by court order
• Adoption records
• Mental health commitment records
• Records related to child abuse investigations
• Protection from abuse proceedings

Other Protected Records

• Academic transcripts
• Certain procurement documents during the bidding process
• Records that would disclose the location of archaeological sites
• Library circulation records

The county applies a balancing test when determining whether to release certain records, weighing the public interest in disclosure against privacy interests and potential harm from release. This test is particularly relevant for records that contain both public and exempt information, where redaction may be appropriate.

When records contain both public and confidential information, Luzerne County will redact (remove) the confidential portions and provide access to the remaining public information as required by 65 P.S. § 67.706.

Luzerne County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Luzerne County Recorder of Deeds
Luzerne County Courthouse
200 North River Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
570-825-1641
Luzerne County Recorder of Deeds

Regular Office Hours:
Monday through Friday: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Services Provided:

• Recording of deeds, mortgages, and other property documents
• Recording of military discharge papers (DD-214)
• Issuance of certified copies of recorded documents
• Maintenance of property records dating back to the county's founding
• Notary public commissions and registrations
• UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) filings

Document Recording Requirements:

• Original documents must be presented for recording
• Documents must be signed and notarized as required by law
• Proper identification required for certain transactions
• Payment of applicable recording fees

Online Services: The Recorder's Office maintains an online records search system accessible through the county website. This system allows users to search property records, view document indices, and purchase copies of recorded documents. Access to the online system requires registration and may involve user fees for certain functions.

Research Facilities: Public access terminals are available in the office for in-person research during regular business hours. Staff members are available to assist with basic questions, but cannot provide legal advice or conduct research on behalf of the public.

Additional Information: The Recorder of Deeds serves as the official repository for all real estate transactions within Luzerne County. The office is responsible for maintaining the integrity and accessibility of these vital public records while ensuring compliance with all applicable state laws and regulations.

Lookup Public Records in Luzerne County