Carbon County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Carbon County?

Public records in Carbon County, Pennsylvania, are defined under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.102, as any record — including documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, and electronic data — created or received by a Commonwealth agency or local agency in connection with a transaction of public business. The Carbon County government maintains a broad range of records accessible to members of the public through various county offices.

The following categories of records are currently available through Carbon County agencies:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records are maintained by the Carbon County Court of Common Pleas, located at the Carbon County Courthouse.
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and related instruments are recorded and maintained by the Carbon County Recorder of Deeds. Property assessment data is accessible through the county's online property records database.
Vital records — Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are managed at the state level by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, with local filings processed through the Carbon County Register of Wills.
Business records — Fictitious name registrations, business licenses, and permits are filed with the Pennsylvania Department of State and, where applicable, with county offices.
Tax records — Property tax and assessment records are maintained by the Carbon County Tax Assessment Office and are searchable through the Carbon County property records database.
Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results are maintained by the Carbon County Election Bureau.
Meeting minutes and agendas — Records of Carbon County Commissioner meetings, board sessions, and public hearings are available through the county's official website.
Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, audits, and financial reports are public records maintained by the Carbon County Controller's Office.
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are maintained by the Carbon County Sheriff's Office and local municipal police departments.
Land use and zoning records — Zoning ordinances, subdivision plans, and land development records are maintained by the Carbon County Planning Commission.

Is Carbon County an Open Records County?

Carbon County fully complies with the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, which governs public access to government records throughout the Commonwealth. Under 65 P.S. § 67.301, a local agency is required to provide access to public records in accordance with the provisions of the Act, and a record in the possession of a local agency is presumed to be a public record unless it is exempt under the law, protected by a privilege, or required to be kept confidential by another statute.

The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records serves as the oversight body responsible for administering the Right-to-Know Law, adjudicating appeals, and providing guidance to both agencies and requesters throughout the state. Carbon County designates an Open Records Officer within each agency to receive and process requests in accordance with statutory timelines. Under current law, agencies are required to respond to a written request within five business days, with the possibility of a 30-day extension under specified circumstances. Pennsylvania's Sunshine Act further requires that meetings of government agencies be open to the public, ensuring transparency in the conduct of public business.

How to Find Public Records in Carbon County

Members of the public may obtain Carbon County public records through several established channels. The process is straightforward and does not require legal representation or specialized knowledge.

Submit a written Right-to-Know request — Requesters must submit a written request to the Open Records Officer of the specific agency that maintains the record. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, by fax, or by email. The Carbon County government website provides contact information for county offices and, in many cases, downloadable request forms.
Search online databases — Property assessment and tax records are currently searchable through the county's online portal without submitting a formal request. The Carbon County property records database allows members of the public to search by parcel number, owner name, or address.
Visit the Recorder of Deeds — Deeds, mortgages, and other recorded instruments may be inspected in person at the Carbon County Recorder of Deeds office during regular business hours.
Access court records — Civil and criminal court records may be reviewed at the Carbon County Courthouse through the Prothonotary's Office or the Clerk of Courts, respectively.
Contact the Pennsylvania State Archives — For historical records and permanently-valuable public documents, the Pennsylvania State Archives maintains collections that supplement county-level holdings.
Identify the correct custodian — Each record type is maintained by a specific office. Directing a request to the appropriate custodian ensures the fastest possible response within the statutory five-business-day window.

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

Standard fees for public records in Carbon County are governed by the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law and the fee schedule established by the Commonwealth's Office of Open Records. Under 65 P.S. § 67.1307, agencies may charge fees for duplication of records, but may not charge for the time spent searching for or retrieving records unless the request requires an exceptional amount of time.

Current standard fees applicable to Carbon County public records include:

Paper copies — $0.25 per page for standard black-and-white copies (8.5" x 11" or 8.5" x 14")
Certification of records — An additional fee may apply for certified copies of documents such as deeds or court records
Recorder of Deeds copies — Fees for recorded instruments vary by document type and page count; current fee schedules are posted at the Recorder of Deeds office
Vital records — Certified copies of birth and death certificates carry fees set by the Pennsylvania Department of Health
Electronic records — Where records are provided in electronic format, fees are limited to the actual cost of the electronic medium used

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, and money order. Fee waivers are available in limited circumstances, including 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 the operations or activities of the government.

Does Carbon County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to members of the public under Pennsylvania law, which provides that any person may inspect a public record of a local agency during regular business hours without charge. Inspection does not require the submission of a formal Right-to-Know request in all cases, and no fee may be charged solely for viewing records on-site.

The following free resources are currently available:

Online property records — The Carbon County property records database provides free online access to property assessment and tax information for all parcels within the county.
County website resources — Meeting agendas, minutes, budgets, and other government documents are posted at no cost on the Carbon County official website.
In-person inspection — Members of the public may inspect deeds, mortgages, and other recorded instruments at the Carbon County Recorder of Deeds office free of charge during public counter hours.
Pennsylvania State Archives — The Pennsylvania State Archives provides free access to many historical Commonwealth records for research purposes.

Who Can Request Public Records in Carbon County?

Any person may submit a Right-to-Know request for public records maintained by Carbon County agencies. Under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, there is no residency requirement — requesters need not be Pennsylvania residents or Carbon County residents to access public records. The law extends this right to individuals, corporations, partnerships, associations, and other legal entities.

Key eligibility provisions include:

No identification required — Requesters are not required to provide identification when submitting a standard public records request, though certain offices may require identification for in-person inspection of sensitive records.
No stated purpose required — Members of the public are not required to state the reason for their request, and agencies may not condition access on the requester's purpose.
Non-residents — Non-residents of Carbon County and Pennsylvania retain full rights to request and receive public records under current law.
Requesting your own records — Individuals seeking records that contain their own personal information may be entitled to access records that would otherwise be restricted, subject to verification of identity.
Restrictions for specific record types — Certain categories of records, such as juvenile court records, adoption records, and sealed court files, are subject to additional access restrictions regardless of the requester's identity or purpose.

What Records Are Confidential in Carbon County?

Not all government records in Carbon County are subject to public disclosure. The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law enumerates specific categories of exempt records, and additional confidentiality protections arise from federal law and other state statutes. The following records are currently exempt from mandatory public disclosure:

Sealed court records — Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the general public.
Juvenile records — Records pertaining to juvenile offenders are confidential under Pennsylvania law.
Ongoing investigation records — Records compiled in connection with a criminal investigation or prosecution that could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings are exempt.
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar personal data are redacted or withheld from disclosed records.
Medical records — Health and medical information is protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Adoption records — Records relating to adoption proceedings are sealed and accessible only under specific legal circumstances.
Child welfare and protective services records — Records maintained by child protective services agencies are confidential under state and federal law.
Personnel records — Employee personnel files are generally exempt, with limited exceptions for certain categories of information such as job titles and compensation of public employees.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Confidential commercial or financial information submitted to a government 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.

The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records provides detailed guidance on the application of exemptions and the balancing test applied when an agency asserts that a record is exempt from disclosure. Where an agency denies a request, the requester retains the right to appeal to the Office of Open Records within 15 business days of the denial.

Carbon County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Carbon County Recorder of Deeds is an elected row office responsible for recording, indexing, and maintaining all instruments relating to real property within the county, including deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, and related documents.

Carbon County Recorder of Deeds 2 Hazard Square, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229 (570) 325-3611 Carbon County Recorder of Deeds

Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding official county holidays. Members of the public may inspect recorded instruments and request certified copies during these hours. The office accepts requests submitted in person, by mail, and, where applicable, through the county's online records portal.

Carbon County Administration 2 Hazard Square, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229 (570) 325-3611 Carbon County Home Page

Carbon County Tax Assessment Office 2 Hazard Square, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229 (570) 325-3611 Property Records Database – Carbon County

Pennsylvania Office of Open Records 333 Market Street, 16th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17101 (717) 346-9903 PA Office of Open Records

Pennsylvania State Archives 350 North Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120 (717) 783-3281 The Pennsylvania State Archives