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How to Find Public Records in Somerset County in 2026
SomersetCountyRecords.org provides publicly available information and data related to public records maintained by government agencies in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Members of the public seeking court documents, property filings, vital records, or other official documents may find this resource a useful starting point for locating relevant record categories and understanding the request process.
Somerset County maintains a range of public records through multiple offices, and requestors may access them through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The categories of records that may be available include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family law)
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, tax assessments)
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates)
- Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations
- Tax and assessment records
- Voting and election records
- Meeting minutes, agendas, and budget documents
- Law enforcement records (where permitted by law)
- Land use and zoning records
Online Access:
The Somerset County government website provides access to select online databases and portals. Property assessment records and tax information are searchable through the county's online systems. The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal allows members of the public to search court dockets for civil and criminal cases filed in Somerset County courts. No registration is required for basic docket searches.
In-Person Requests:
Members of the public may visit the Somerset County Courthouse to inspect records at the relevant office. The Prothonotary's Office handles civil court records, while the Clerk of Courts maintains criminal case files. The Recorder of Deeds office maintains property-related documents. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Written/Mail Requests:
Written requests should be directed to the appropriate office and must include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for response. Under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.901), agencies are required to respond within five business days of receiving a written request.
Phone/Email:
- Somerset County Courthouse main line: (814) 445-1400
- Recorder of Deeds: (814) 445-1548
- Prothonotary's Office: (814) 445-1426
What Are Public Records in Somerset County?
Public records in Somerset County are defined under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law as any information, regardless of physical form or characteristics, that documents a transaction or activity of a Commonwealth or local agency and is created, received, or retained pursuant to law or in connection with a transaction, business, or activity of the agency.
The following record types are maintained by specific offices within Somerset County:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil court records | Prothonotary's Office |
| Criminal court records | Clerk of Courts |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | Recorder of Deeds |
| Property tax assessments | Assessment Office |
| Vital records (birth, death) | Pennsylvania Department of Health |
| Marriage licenses | Register of Wills |
| Probate and estate records | Register of Wills |
| Business/fictitious name filings | Prothonotary's Office |
| Voting and election records | Somerset County Election Bureau |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | Somerset County Commissioners |
| Zoning and land use records | Planning and Zoning Office |
The Somerset County Recorder of Deeds maintains land records dating back to the county's founding and serves as the primary repository for real property documents. The Pennsylvania Department of Health maintains certified vital records, while the Register of Wills handles marriage licenses and probate filings.
Is Somerset County an Open Records County?
Somerset County operates in full compliance with Pennsylvania's statewide open records framework. Under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq., all local agencies, including county government offices, are required to make public records available for inspection and copying upon request.
The Office of Open Records, established under the same statute, provides oversight and adjudicates appeals when agencies deny access to records. As stated in the law, "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 the agency to demonstrate that a record is exempt from disclosure, rather than on the requestor to justify access.
Somerset County does not maintain a separate county-specific open records ordinance; the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law governs all public records requests submitted to county offices. The county's Open Records Officer is designated to receive and process formal written requests submitted under the statute. Pennsylvania's Sunshine Act, 65 Pa. C.S. § 701 et seq., further requires that meetings of government agencies be open to the public, and that meeting minutes and agendas be made available as public records.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Somerset County?
The current fee structure for public records in Somerset 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 | 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 |
| Postage | Actual cost |
| Inspection of records | No charge |
- Inspection of public records at the agency's office is provided at no cost.
- Fees for paper copies are capped at $0.25 per page for standard letter- or legal-size documents under the Office of Open Records fee schedule.
- Certification fees apply when an official seal or attestation is required.
- Agencies may charge for the actual cost of postage when mailing copies.
- Fee waivers are not broadly mandated under Pennsylvania law, though individual agencies retain discretion to waive fees in certain circumstances.
- Accepted payment methods vary by office but typically include cash, check, and money order payable to the relevant county office.
Fees may vary by record type and the office maintaining the record. The Recorder of Deeds, for example, may apply separate recording and copy fees for land records pursuant to the county's established fee schedule.
Does Somerset County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at Somerset County government offices. Under Pennsylvania law, agencies are not permitted to charge for the inspection of records on-site; fees apply only when copies are requested.
Members of the public may inspect records at no cost at the following offices:
- Somerset County Prothonotary's Office – civil court dockets and filings
- Somerset County Clerk of Courts – criminal case records
- Somerset County Recorder of Deeds – property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Somerset County Register of Wills – probate records and marriage licenses
- Somerset County Assessment Office – property assessment and tax records
Online, the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal provides free access to court docket information for cases filed in Somerset County. The Pennsylvania Department of State offers free online searches for business entity registrations and fictitious name filings. Property assessment data may be searchable at no cost through the county's online portal.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while any person may review records in person without charge, obtaining paper or electronic copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Somerset County?
Any person may submit a public records request to a Somerset County agency under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law. The statute does not restrict access to residents of Pennsylvania or Somerset County; non-residents retain the same right to request records as county residents.
Requestors are not required to:
- Demonstrate residency in Pennsylvania or Somerset County
- Provide government-issued identification for most standard requests
- State the purpose for which the records are sought
- Explain how the records will be used
Certain record types carry additional access requirements. For example, individuals requesting their own criminal history records through the Pennsylvania State Police must follow a separate process and may be required to provide identification. Requests for records containing sensitive personal information, such as adoption records or juvenile court files, are subject to statutory restrictions regardless of the requestor's identity.
Under current law, the right to inspect and copy public records extends equally to individuals requesting their own records and those requesting records pertaining to other persons or entities, subject to applicable exemptions. Requests submitted under the Right-to-Know Law must be directed to the agency's designated Open Records Officer and may be submitted in writing, by mail, or electronically where the agency accepts electronic submissions.
What Records Are Confidential in Somerset County?
Certain records maintained by Somerset County agencies are exempt from public disclosure under Pennsylvania law. The Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.708, enumerates categories of records that agencies are not required to disclose. As the Office of Open Records notes, "the burden of proving that a record is exempt from public access rests with the agency."
Records that are currently exempt or restricted from public access include:
- Sealed court records – records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the general public
- Juvenile records – records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Pennsylvania law
- Ongoing criminal investigation records – records that would compromise an active investigation
- Personal identifying information – Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from disclosed records
- Medical and health records – protected under both state law and federal HIPAA regulations
- Adoption records – sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal circumstances
- Child welfare and protective services records – maintained as confidential by the county Children and Youth Services agency
- Personnel records – employee records are exempt with limited exceptions for salary and position information
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information – submitted to agencies in confidence
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details – exempt to protect public safety
Agencies applying exemptions are required to notify the requestor of the specific statutory basis for each denial. Requestors who believe a denial is improper may appeal to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records within 15 business days of the agency's response.
Somerset County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Somerset County Recorder of Deeds
111 East Union Street, Suite 160
Somerset, PA 15501
Phone: (814) 445-1548
Somerset County Recorder of Deeds
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on federal and state holidays
Somerset County Prothonotary's Office
111 East Union Street, Suite 100
Somerset, PA 15501
Phone: (814) 445-1426
Somerset County Prothonotary
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Somerset County Clerk of Courts
111 East Union Street
Somerset, PA 15501
Phone: (814) 445-1418
Somerset County Clerk of Courts
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Somerset County Register of Wills
111 East Union Street, Suite 140
Somerset, PA 15501
Phone: (814) 445-1538
Somerset County Register of Wills
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Somerset County Assessment Office
111 East Union Street, Suite 190
Somerset, PA 15501
Phone: (814) 445-1536
Somerset County Assessment Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Pennsylvania Office of Open Records
333 Market Street, 16th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: (717) 346-9903
Pennsylvania Office of Open Records