Armstrong County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Armstrong County?

Public records in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, are defined under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.102, as any record, document, or information created or received by a Commonwealth agency, local agency, or judicial agency in connection with the transaction of public business. Members of the public may inspect and obtain copies of these records subject to the exemptions established by statute.

Armstrong County maintains a broad range of public records across multiple offices and agencies, including:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings are maintained by the Armstrong County Court of Common Pleas and are searchable through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System case search portal
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and recorded instruments are maintained by the Armstrong County Recorder of Deeds; assessment records are held by the Armstrong County Assessment Office
Vital records — Birth and death certificates are issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Health; marriage licenses are filed with the Armstrong County Register of Wills; divorce decrees are held by the Court of Common Pleas
Business records — Fictitious name registrations, business licenses, and permits are maintained by the Armstrong County Prothonotary and the Pennsylvania Department of State
Tax records — Property tax records and assessment data are maintained by the Armstrong County Tax Claim Bureau and the Assessment Office
Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results are maintained by the Armstrong County Election Bureau
Meeting minutes and agendas — Records of Armstrong County Commissioner meetings, board sessions, and public hearings are maintained by the County Commissioners' Office
Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, expenditure reports, and audit records are available through the County Commissioners' Office; the Pennsylvania Department of the Auditor General has conducted performance audits of Armstrong County school districts, including the Freeport Area School District
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are maintained by the Armstrong County Sheriff's Office and local municipal police departments
Land use and zoning records — Zoning permits, subdivision plans, and land use approvals are maintained by the Armstrong County Planning Commission

Is Armstrong County an Open Records County?

Armstrong County fully operates under Pennsylvania's statewide open records framework and does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance. 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. This provision establishes a presumption of openness: all records are considered public unless a specific exemption applies.

Pennsylvania codified the citizen's right to access government records through Act 3 of 2008, commonly known as the Right-to-Know Law (RTKL). As documented by Washington Township in Armstrong County, this law also established the Office of Open Records, an independent state agency that adjudicates appeals when agencies deny records requests. All Armstrong County agencies — including the County Commissioners, Recorder of Deeds, Prothonotary, Sheriff's Office, and municipal townships — are subject to the RTKL's requirements.

Pennsylvania's Sunshine Act, 65 Pa. C.S. § 701 et seq., further requires that deliberations and official actions of Armstrong County's governing bodies be conducted at open, publicly noticed meetings. Meeting agendas, minutes, and related documents generated pursuant to the Sunshine Act are considered public records accessible under the RTKL.

How to Find Public Records in Armstrong County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Armstrong County public records through several channels, depending on the record type sought. The following steps outline the standard process:

Identify the custodial office — Determine which Armstrong County office or agency maintains the record. Court records are held by the Court of Common Pleas; property records by the Recorder of Deeds; vital records by the Pennsylvania Department of Health or Register of Wills; and financial audit records by the Pennsylvania Auditor General, which has published findings on Armstrong County entities such as the Apollo-Ridge School District performance audit
Submit a Right-to-Know request — Complete a written RTK request form addressed to the designated Open Records Officer of the relevant agency. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, by email, or by fax. No specific form is mandated by law, but the request must identify the records sought with sufficient specificity
Await agency response — Under the RTKL, the agency must respond within five business days of receiving the request. The agency may grant, deny, or request a thirty-day extension
Appeal a denial — If a request is denied, the requester may appeal to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records within fifteen business days of the denial
Search online portals — Certain records are available without a formal request through online databases, including court case searches via the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System and inmate location data through the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections inmate locator
Visit the office in person — Members of the public may inspect records in person at the relevant county office during regular business hours without submitting a formal written request for records that are routinely available at the public counter

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

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

Photocopies — $0.25 per page for standard black-and-white copies on letter or legal-size paper, as established under the RTKL fee schedule
Certification of records — Additional fees may apply for certified copies of court documents, deeds, or vital records; these vary by office and are set by individual fee schedules
Electronic records — Agencies may charge for the actual cost of duplication when records are provided in electronic format, including the cost of storage media if applicable
Postage and mailing — Actual postage costs are charged when records are mailed to the requester
Vital records copies — The Pennsylvania Department of Health charges a standard fee for certified copies of birth and death certificates; current fee information is available through the Pennsylvania Department of Health vital records office

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, or money order payable to the relevant county office. Under 65 P.S. § 67.1307, agencies may not charge fees that exceed the actual cost of duplication. Fee waivers are not broadly mandated under Pennsylvania law, though individual agencies retain discretion to waive fees in appropriate circumstances, such as for indigent requesters or requests serving a clear public interest.

Does Armstrong County Have Free Public Records?

Members of the public are entitled to inspect public records at no charge under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law; fees apply only when copies or duplication are requested. The following government resources currently provide free access to Armstrong County records:

In-person inspection — Any person may inspect public records at the relevant Armstrong County office during regular business hours at no cost, provided no duplication is requested
Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System — Court case information, docket entries, and related filings for Armstrong County cases are searchable at no charge through the Pennsylvania court case search portal
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections — The public may search for individuals currently incarcerated or under department supervision, including those held at Armstrong County Jail, through the inmate and supervised individual locator at no cost
Pennsylvania Auditor General — Audit reports covering Armstrong County entities, including the Plum Creek Township Non-Uniformed Pension Plan audit, are available for free download from the Auditor General's website
County Assistance Office records — Certain public benefit program information is accessible through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services County Assistance Office portal

Who Can Request Public Records in Armstrong County?

Any person may submit a public records request in Armstrong County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law does not restrict access to residents of the Commonwealth, nor does it require requesters to provide identification or explain the reason for their request when seeking non-restricted public records. Specifically:

Residency — Non-residents of Armstrong County and non-residents of Pennsylvania retain the same right of access as county residents
Identification — Requesters are not required to provide identification when submitting a standard RTK request, though identification may be required for certain sensitive record types or when requesting one's own records from specific agencies
Purpose — Agencies may not condition the release of public records on the requester disclosing the intended use of the information
Requesting your own records — Individuals seeking their own records, such as personal court files, tax records, or assistance program records, may be required to provide proof of identity to protect against unauthorized disclosure of personal information
Restrictions for specific record types — Certain records, such as juvenile court files, adoption records, and sealed criminal proceedings, are accessible only to parties with a demonstrated legal interest or by court order, regardless of the requester's identity

Members of the public who are federal benefit recipients or who require assistance navigating county services may also contact the Armstrong County Assistance Office for guidance on accessing records related to public benefit programs.

What Records Are Confidential in Armstrong County?

Not all government records in Armstrong County are subject to public disclosure. Under 65 P.S. § 67.708, the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law enumerates specific categories of records that are exempt from mandatory disclosure. The following record types are currently withheld from public access in whole or in part:

Sealed court records — Records sealed by judicial order, including certain civil and criminal proceedings
Juvenile records — Records pertaining to juvenile delinquency proceedings are confidential under the Pennsylvania Juvenile Act and are not accessible to the general public
Ongoing investigation records — Records compiled in connection with a criminal investigation that could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings or endanger the safety of any individual
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar personal identifiers 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
Adoption records — Records pertaining to adoption proceedings are sealed by statute and accessible only by court order or to parties with a direct legal interest
Child welfare and protective services records — Records maintained by child protective services agencies are confidential under Pennsylvania's Child Protective Services Law
Personnel records — Employee personnel files are exempt from disclosure, with limited exceptions for records relating to compensation of public employees
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Confidential commercial or financial information submitted to a government agency in connection with a license, permit, or contract
Security and infrastructure plans — Records containing information that could compromise the security of public buildings, infrastructure, or emergency response systems

When an agency determines that a record is exempt, it must notify the requester in writing and identify the specific statutory basis for the exemption. Requesters who believe an exemption has been improperly applied may appeal to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records.

Armstrong County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Armstrong County Recorder of Deeds is the principal custodian of property-related public records, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and other recorded instruments. The Prothonotary's Office maintains civil court filings, and the Register of Wills maintains probate and marriage license records. All three offices are located within the Armstrong County Courthouse complex in Kittanning, Pennsylvania.

Armstrong County Recorder of Deeds 500 E. Market Street, Kittanning, PA 16201 (724) 548-3224 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Armstrong County Recorder of Deeds

Armstrong County Prothonotary 500 E. Market Street, Kittanning, PA 16201 (724) 548-3251 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Armstrong County Prothonotary

Armstrong County Register of Wills 500 E. Market Street, Kittanning, PA 16201 (724) 548-3222 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Armstrong County Register of Wills

Armstrong County Assessment Office 500 E. Market Street, Suite 4401, Kittanning, PA 16201 (724) 548-3289 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Armstrong County Assessment Office

Armstrong County Assistance Office 1280 North Water Street, Kittanning, PA 16201 (724) 543-1651 Pennsylvania Department of Human Services — County Assistance Offices

Constituent services related to federal matters, including assistance navigating federal agency records, are periodically available through Armstrong County constituent office hours hosted by the office of U.S. Representative Glenn "GT" Thompson.