Right to Know

Open Records - PA Right to Know Law

The County of Lancaster Board of Commissioners passed Resolution No. 29 of 2012 on April 4, 2012 approving an updated Right to Know Policy for the County of Lancaster for record requests made pursuant to the Right to Know Law as set forth in Act 3 of 2008. This Resolution supersedes all ordinances and resolutions or parts thereof, including but not limited to Resolution No. 99 of 2008 which established the county’s Right to Know Policy.

 

Contact Information

Right to know Forms

FAQs

Law Enforcement/Judge Registration

Fee Structure

PA Office of Open Records

 

Commonly Sought Public Records & Document Information

Archives

In 1975, Lancaster County established Archives which serves as the repository for the permanently valuable records produced within the county. View a historical indexes such as deeds, births, marriages, wills, and other records.


Budget Services

Established in May of 2008, Budget Services assists with the creation and oversight of the county's budget. View for budget and financial information.


Clerk of Courts

The Clerk of Courts handles all the filing for the Lancaster county criminal courts. Search the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Docket Sheets for criminal records.


Property Assessment

The Lancaster County Assessment Office assesses real estate within the county for the local property tax levy. View Lancaster County Assessment Online Information (wEdge).


Prothonotary

The Lancaster County Prothonotary Office serves as the Clerk for the Court of Common Pleas by providing external oversight of judicial records. Search Civil Court Records. Common records include divorce decrees, change of name filings, mortgage foreclosure, tax lien, and numerous other records.


Recorder of Deeds

The Recorder of Deeds Office is responsible for recording documents related to real estate, the uniform construction code, and various other documents. Search public records for this office.


Register of Wills

The Register of Wills Office provides services related to probate of decedent estates, issuance of marriage licenses, collection of inheritance taxes, and maintenance of records pertaining to adoptions, guardianship, and estates. Search for probate or marriage records.


Sheriff

The Sheriff's Office conducts judicial sales of real and personal property in addition to other assigned duties. View information relating to sheriff's sales or mortgage foreclosure surplus.


Treasurer

The Treasurer's Office performs a range of duties including receipt of county taxes, investing county receipts, collecting hotel room rental tax, and issuing hunting, fishing, dog, bingo, and small games of chance licenses and permits. To see a list of tax sale surplus, please visit the Treasurer's Office link above.