Lycoming County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Lycoming County?

Public records in Lycoming County are defined as information, regardless of physical form, that documents government business and is created, received, or maintained by a public agency. According to the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (RTKL), specifically 65 P.S. § 67.102, a public record is any record that is not exempt under Section 708, not exempt under Federal or State law or regulation, or not protected by privilege.

Lycoming County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

• Court Records: Civil, criminal, family, and orphans' court records maintained by the Lycoming County Court of Common Pleas
• Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments maintained by the Recorder of Deeds and Assessment offices
• Vital Records: Birth and death certificates (1893-1906), marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
• Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations
• Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax claim data
• Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance reports
• Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County commissioners' meetings, planning commission, and other boards
• Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, financial statements, and audit reports
• Law Enforcement Records: Certain police reports, incident logs, and jail records
• Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning permits, and subdivision plans

The Lycoming County Prothonotary's Office maintains civil court records, while the Clerk of Courts maintains criminal court records. Property records are maintained by the Recorder of Deeds, and vital records are primarily maintained by the Register of Wills.

Is Lycoming County an Open Records County?

Lycoming County fully complies with the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.), which governs access to public records throughout the Commonwealth. This law establishes the presumption that all records in possession of local agencies, including county governments, are public records unless specifically exempt by law.

The RTKL states: "Unless otherwise provided by law, a public record, legislative record or financial record shall be accessible for inspection and duplication in accordance with this act." (65 P.S. § 67.701(a))

Lycoming County has established specific procedures for handling public records requests in accordance with state law. Each county department has designated an Open Records Officer responsible for receiving and responding to requests. The county also adheres to the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act, which requires that official meetings of public agencies be open to the public.

The county's commitment to transparency is reflected in its official public records policy, which outlines procedures for requesting records, applicable fees, and appeal processes. This policy is designed to facilitate public access while protecting confidential information as required by law.

How to Find Public Records in Lycoming County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records from Lycoming County may follow these procedures to obtain the information they need:

1. Determine the appropriate office: Identify which county department maintains the records you seek. The Lycoming County website provides a directory of departments and their respective record holdings.

2. Submit a formal request: While some records may be available for immediate inspection, many require a formal Right-to-Know request. Requestors may:

   • Complete the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records standard form
   • Submit a written request to the appropriate department's Open Records Officer
   • Visit the department in person to complete a request form

3. Provide specific details: Requests should clearly identify the records sought with sufficient specificity to allow the county to locate them.

4. Allow response time: Under the RTKL, agencies have 5 business days to respond to requests, with a possible 30-day extension for complex requests.

5. Arrange for inspection or copies: Once approved, requestors may inspect records at no cost during normal business hours or obtain copies for applicable fees.

For court records, the Lycoming County Unified Judicial System Web Portal provides online access to docket information. Property records can be searched through the county's Property Records Search system.

For criminal history information, the Pennsylvania State Police maintains the central repository, while information about current inmates can be found through the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections inmate locator.

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

Lycoming County assesses fees for public records in accordance with the fee schedule established under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law. Current standard fees include:

• Photocopies: $0.25 per page (black and white, 8.5" x 11")
• Certified copies: $5.00 per record plus copy fees
• Specialized documents: Actual cost of reproduction
• Electronic records: No charge for records provided via email; actual cost of media if provided on disc or other storage device
• Postage: Actual cost for mailing records

Additional specialized fees may apply for certain record types:

• Deed recordings: $86.50 for the first four pages, $2.00 for each additional page
• Marriage license: $80.00
• Birth/death certificates (historical, 1893-1906): $10.00 per certificate
• Criminal history check: $22.00 (through Pennsylvania State Police)

Payment methods accepted include cash, check, and money order. Some departments may accept credit cards for in-person transactions.

Pursuant to 65 P.S. § 67.1307, fees must be reasonable and based on the prevailing fees for comparable services. The law also provides that fees may be waived when the agency determines that it is in the public interest to do so.

Requestors should note that prepayment may be required if fees are expected to exceed $100, and agencies may require a 100% deposit for requests where the requestor has previously failed to pay fees.

Does Lycoming County Have Free Public Records?

Lycoming County provides free access to certain public records in accordance with Pennsylvania law. The Right-to-Know Law specifically allows for free inspection of records during regular business hours, provided the records do not require redaction.

Records available at no cost include:

• In-person inspection of non-confidential public records at county offices during regular business hours
• County Commissioner meeting minutes and agendas available on the Lycoming County website
• Election results published on the Lycoming County Elections website
• County budget documents posted online for public review
• Court docket information available through the Unified Judicial System Web Portal
• Sex offender registry information through the Pennsylvania Megan's Law Website

Additionally, the Lycoming County Law Library provides free public access to legal resources, including county ordinances and regulations.

For electronic records that can be emailed, the county typically does not charge a fee, though standard copy fees apply if the records must be converted from paper to electronic format.

Who Can Request Public Records in Lycoming County?

Under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request public records from Lycoming County agencies. The law defines "person" broadly to include individuals, corporations, partnerships, associations, and governmental entities.

Key provisions regarding requestors include:

• No residency requirement: Non-Pennsylvania residents have the same rights to access public records as state residents
• No identification requirement: Requestors are not required to show identification or state the reason for their request for most records
• Anonymous requests: While anonymous requests are permitted, providing contact information is necessary if copies are requested or if the agency needs to respond in writing
• Legal entities: Businesses, organizations, and media outlets may request records through authorized representatives

For certain specialized records, additional requirements may apply:

• Criminal history information: Requests for criminal history records through the Pennsylvania State Police require identification and payment of applicable fees
• Vital records: Requests for birth and death certificates from the Pennsylvania Department of Health may require proof of relationship or legal interest
• Voter registration records: While voter lists are public, 25 Pa.C.S. § 1404(c) restricts their use to election purposes

Individuals requesting their own records may need to provide identification to verify their identity, particularly for records containing personal information.

What Records Are Confidential in Lycoming County?

Certain records maintained by Lycoming County are confidential and exempt from public disclosure under Pennsylvania law. The Right-to-Know Law, specifically 65 P.S. § 67.708, establishes numerous exemptions from disclosure.

Records that are generally confidential include:

• Personal identification information: Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, financial account numbers, and home addresses of judges, law enforcement officers, and certain other officials
• Medical records: Health-related information protected under HIPAA and state medical privacy laws
• Juvenile records: Court records and law enforcement records involving minors, except in limited circumstances
• Child welfare records: Reports and investigations related to child abuse and neglect
• Criminal investigative records: Information that would reveal confidential sources, investigative techniques, or endanger an investigation
• Personnel records: Employee performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, and other personal employment information
• Attorney-client privileged communications: Legal advice and strategy documents
• Trade secrets and confidential proprietary information: Business information that would cause competitive harm if disclosed
• Predecisional deliberations: Internal discussions and draft documents prior to agency decisions
• Records that would jeopardize public safety: Infrastructure security information, emergency response plans
• Grand jury materials: Testimony and evidence presented to grand juries

Additionally, records sealed by court order and records specifically exempted by other state or federal laws remain confidential.

The county applies a balancing test when records contain both public and confidential information, redacting exempt information while releasing the remainder when possible.

Lycoming County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Lycoming County Register and Recorder's Office
48 West Third Street
Williamsport, PA 17701
(570) 327-2263
Lycoming County Register and Recorder

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays

Services Provided:

• Recording of deeds, mortgages, and other land records
• Issuance of marriage licenses
• Probate of wills and administration of estates
• Maintenance of historical birth and death records (1893-1906)
• Military discharge recording

Additional County Offices for Public Records:

Lycoming County Prothonotary
48 West Third Street
Williamsport, PA 17701
(570) 327-2251
Lycoming County Prothonotary

Lycoming County Clerk of Courts
48 West Third Street
Williamsport, PA 17701
(570) 327-2260
Lycoming County Clerk of Courts

Lycoming County Assessment Office
48 West Third Street
Williamsport, PA 17701
(570) 327-2301
Lycoming County Assessment Office

Lookup Public Records in Lycoming County

Pennsylvania Inmate Locator

Pennsylvania Office of Open Records Request Form

Pennsylvania County Assistance Offices

Pennsylvania Megan's Law Website