logo
HuntingdonRecords.us
Search Public Records

Huntingdon County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Huntingdon County?

Public records in Huntingdon County are defined under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.102, as any information, regardless of physical form or characteristic, created or received by a Commonwealth agency or local agency that documents a transaction or activity of the agency. Members of the public may inspect a broad range of documents maintained by county offices, including but not limited to the following categories:

  • Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings maintained by the Huntingdon County Court of Common Pleas
  • Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and assessments maintained by the Recorder of Deeds and the Assessment Office
  • Vital records — Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates; birth and death records are maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, while marriage licenses are issued through the Huntingdon County Register of Wills
  • Business records — Fictitious name registrations, business licenses, and permits maintained by the Prothonotary's Office and the Pennsylvania Department of State
  • Tax records — Property tax and assessment records maintained by the Huntingdon County Tax Claim Bureau and Assessment Office
  • Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results maintained by the Huntingdon County Election Bureau
  • Meeting minutes and agendas — County Commissioner meeting minutes, board agendas, and related documents available through the Commissioner's Office
  • Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, expenditure reports, and audit records maintained by the County Controller's Office
  • Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, available through the Huntingdon County Sheriff's Office or applicable municipal police departments
  • Land use and zoning records — Zoning permits, subdivision plans, and land development records maintained by the Huntingdon County Planning Department

The Huntingdon County official website provides access to various county offices and serves as the primary portal for locating the appropriate custodian for each record type.

Is Huntingdon County an Open Records County?

Huntingdon County fully complies with Pennsylvania's statewide open records framework, which governs all county agencies and local government bodies. Under 65 P.S. § 67.301, a public record in the possession of a local agency shall be accessible for inspection and duplication by a requester. The law establishes a presumption of openness, meaning that all records are presumed public unless a specific exemption applies. Key provisions of the Right-to-Know Law include:

  • A five-business-day response period for agencies to fulfill or deny a records request
  • The right of any requester to appeal a denial to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records
  • A requirement that agencies designate an Open Records Officer to receive and process requests

Pennsylvania's Sunshine Act, 65 Pa. C.S. § 701 et seq., further requires that all deliberations and official actions of county agencies be conducted at open public meetings, with advance notice provided to the public. Huntingdon County does not maintain a separate county-specific open records ordinance, as the Commonwealth's Right-to-Know Law provides a uniform standard applicable to all local agencies within Pennsylvania.

How to Find Public Records in Huntingdon County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Huntingdon County public records through several official channels. The following steps outline the standard process for submitting a records request:

  1. Identify the custodial office. Determine which county office maintains the record being sought. Property records are held by the Recorder of Deeds; court filings are maintained by the Prothonotary or Clerk of Courts; vital records are available through the Pennsylvania Department of Health or the Register of Wills.
  2. Submit a written request. Under the Right-to-Know Law, requests must be submitted in writing to the designated Open Records Officer of the relevant agency. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, by fax, or by email.
  3. Use the state online portal. Members of the public may submit requests electronically through the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records request form, which routes submissions to the appropriate agency.
  4. Await agency response. The agency is required to respond within five business days of receiving the request. The agency may grant, deny, or request a thirty-day extension.
  5. Appeal if necessary. If a request is denied or not answered within the required timeframe, the requester may file an appeal with the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records within fifteen business days of the denial.
  6. Visit in person. For immediate access to certain records, members of the public may visit the relevant county office during posted public counter hours.

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

Current fees for public records in Huntingdon County are governed by the fee schedule established under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law and applicable county office schedules. Standard fees applicable to most requests include:

  • Photocopies: $0.25 per page for standard black-and-white copies, as established by the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records fee schedule
  • Certification fees: Additional charges may apply for certified copies of court documents, deeds, or vital records, varying by office
  • Vital records copies: The Pennsylvania Department of Health currently charges $20.00 for a certified birth certificate and $20.00 for a certified death certificate
  • Recording fees: The Recorder of Deeds charges standard recording fees for deeds and other instruments per the county fee schedule
  • Electronic records: Agencies may charge the actual cost of duplication for records provided in electronic format

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, and money order payable to the relevant county office. Under 65 P.S. § 67.1307, fee waivers or reductions may be granted at the agency's discretion when the requester demonstrates that the information is primarily in the public interest and that disclosure is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of agency operations.

Does Huntingdon County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to members of the public under Pennsylvania law, which requires agencies to permit in-person review of public records at no charge. The following resources are currently available at no cost:

  • In-person inspection: Members of the public may inspect any non-exempt public record at the custodial office during regular business hours without incurring a fee; charges apply only when copies are requested
  • Online court records: The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System web portal provides free online access to certain court docket information for cases filed in the Huntingdon County Court of Common Pleas
  • Property assessment data: The Huntingdon County Assessment Office makes property assessment records available for public inspection at no charge
  • Inmate records: The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections operates the inmate and department-supervised individual locator, which provides free online access to current incarceration status and facility assignment for individuals in state custody
  • County government documents: Meeting minutes, agendas, budgets, and other official county documents are made available through the Huntingdon County official website at no cost
  • Vital records information: General vital records guidance and certain public health data are accessible through the Pennsylvania Department of Health at no charge

Who Can Request Public Records in Huntingdon County?

Any person may submit a public records request in Huntingdon County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law does not restrict access to residents of the Commonwealth, and non-residents retain the same rights as Pennsylvania residents when requesting records from county agencies. Specific eligibility provisions include:

  • No residency requirement: Requesters are not required to be residents of Huntingdon County or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
  • No identification requirement: Agencies may not require a requester to provide identification as a condition of receiving public records, except in limited circumstances involving records that contain personal information about the requester
  • No purpose requirement: Requesters are not required to state the reason for their request, and agencies may not condition access on the requester's stated purpose
  • Restrictions for specific record types: Certain records, such as adoption records, juvenile court records, and sealed court files, are accessible only to parties with a demonstrated legal interest or by court order
  • Requesting one's own records: Individuals seeking records that contain their own personal information, such as assistance program records maintained by the Huntingdon County Assistance Office, may be required to provide proof of identity to protect against unauthorized disclosure

What Records Are Confidential in Huntingdon County?

Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Pennsylvania law and are not subject to inspection or copying by members of the general public. The Right-to-Know Law, at 65 P.S. § 67.708, enumerates the following categories of exempt records:

  • Sealed court records: Documents sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the public
  • Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under the Juvenile Act and are accessible only to authorized parties
  • Ongoing investigation records: Records compiled in the course of a criminal investigation that would compromise an active investigation or endanger individuals are exempt
  • Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar personal data are redacted from otherwise public documents
  • Medical and health records: Records protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Pennsylvania health privacy statutes are not subject to public disclosure
  • Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related documents are sealed by statute and accessible only through court order
  • Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by child protective services agencies are confidential under the Child Protective Services Law
  • Personnel records: Employee personnel files are exempt, with limited exceptions for records relating to compensation and job titles of public employees
  • Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Confidential commercial or financial information submitted to an agency is exempt from disclosure
  • Security plans and infrastructure details: Records relating to the security of public buildings, infrastructure, or emergency response plans are withheld to protect public safety

When an agency determines that a record is partially exempt, it is required to redact the exempt portions and provide the remainder of the document to the requester, consistent with the balancing framework established under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law.

Huntingdon County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Huntingdon County Recorder of Deeds is the principal custodian of property-related public records, including deeds, mortgages, and other instruments affecting real property in the county. Members of the public may inspect and obtain copies of recorded documents during regular public counter hours.

Huntingdon County Recorder of Deeds 233 Penn Street, Huntingdon, PA 16652 (814) 643-3091 Huntingdon County

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Huntingdon County Prothonotary / Clerk of Courts 233 Penn Street, Huntingdon, PA 16652 (814) 643-2740 Huntingdon County

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Huntingdon County Register of Wills 233 Penn Street, Huntingdon, PA 16652 (814) 643-2740 Huntingdon County

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Huntingdon County Assessment Office 233 Penn Street, Huntingdon, PA 16652 (814) 643-3521 Huntingdon County

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Huntingdon County Assistance Office 7591 Lake Raystown Shopping Center, Huntingdon, PA 16652 1-800-237-3434 County Assistance Offices — Department of Human Services

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Lookup Public Records in Huntingdon County