Chester County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Chester County?

Public records in Chester County are defined according to the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (RTKL), specifically under 65 P.S. § 67.102, as any information, regardless of physical form, that documents a transaction or activity of an agency, and that is created, received, or retained pursuant to law or in connection with a transaction, business, or activity of the agency.

Chester County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

• Court Records: Civil, criminal, family, and probate case files maintained by the Chester County Court of Common Pleas
• Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments maintained by the Chester County Recorder of Deeds
• Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, 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 information and election results maintained by Chester County Voter Services
• Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of county commission meetings, board proceedings, and other public bodies
• Budget and Financial Documents: County financial reports, budgets, and expenditure records
• Law Enforcement Records: Certain police reports, arrest logs, and incident reports where permitted by law
• Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning permits, and land development plans

Each record type is maintained by a specific county department or office. The Chester County Records and Archives serves as the central repository for many historical records, while current records are typically held by their respective departments.

Is Chester County an Open Records County?

Chester County fully complies with the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (RTKL), enacted under 65 P.S. § 67.101-3104, which establishes the presumption that all government records are public unless specifically exempted by law.

Under 65 P.S. § 67.301, the law states: "A Commonwealth agency shall provide public records in accordance with this act." This provision establishes the fundamental right of public access to government information.

Chester County has implemented specific policies to facilitate public access to records. Each county department has designated an Open Records Officer responsible for processing record requests. The county maintains an official public records request policy that outlines procedures for requesting and accessing public information.

Additionally, Chester County adheres to Pennsylvania's Sunshine Act (65 Pa.C.S. §§ 701-716), which requires public meetings to be open to the public with proper notice. This commitment to transparency extends to making meeting minutes, agendas, and other public meeting documents readily accessible.

How to Find Public Records in Chester County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Chester County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they require:

1. Online Access: Many records are available through the county's official website. The Chester County Records Search Portal provides access to various public records including property information, court dockets, and recorded documents.

2. In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours to request records in person. For example:

   • Court records can be accessed at the Chester County Justice Center
   • Property records are available at the Recorder of Deeds Office
   • Vital records may be requested at the Register of Wills

3. Written Requests: The county accepts formal written requests under the Right-to-Know Law. The standard Right-to-Know Request Form may be submitted to the appropriate agency's Open Records Officer.

4. Electronic Submissions: Many departments accept requests via email or through department-specific online portals. The county's official website provides contact information for each department.

5. Telephone Inquiries: While not all records can be provided via telephone, county staff can provide guidance on how to access specific records.

For court records specifically, the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania provides online access to docket information. Certain voter registration information can be accessed through the Chester County Voter Services department.

When requesting records, individuals should provide specific information about the records sought, including relevant dates, names, and document types to facilitate efficient processing of the request.

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

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

• Photocopies: $0.25 per page for standard 8.5" x 11" black and white copies
• Certified Copies: Additional $1.00-$5.00 per document, depending on record type
• Specialized Documents: Variable fees based on actual cost of reproduction
  • Large format documents (maps, plans): $3.00-$5.00 per page
  • Electronic media (CD/DVD): $1.00-$3.00 per disc
• Postage: Actual cost when records are mailed
• Complex/Extensive Requests: May include additional fees for staff time when redaction or extensive document compilation is required

The fee structure is governed by 65 P.S. § 67.1307, which stipulates that fees must be reasonable and based on the actual cost of providing the records.

Payment methods accepted by Chester County offices typically include:

• Cash (in-person only)
• Personal checks
• Money orders
• Credit/debit cards (in most offices and for online transactions)

Fee waivers may be granted at the discretion of the agency when the request is made in the public interest or by qualifying nonprofit organizations. The county may also waive fees when the cost of collecting the fee would exceed the amount of the fee itself.

Specialized records may have different fee structures. For example, birth certificates through the Pennsylvania Department of Health currently cost $20.00 for the first copy and $10.00 for each additional copy of the same record requested at the same time.

Does Chester County Have Free Public Records?

Chester County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with Pennsylvania law. Under the Right-to-Know Law, the public has the right to inspect public records at no cost during normal business hours. The following free options are available:

• In-Person Inspection: Members of the public may examine non-exempt records at the appropriate county office without charge during regular business hours. This right is explicitly protected under 65 P.S. § 67.701.

• Online Resources: Chester County provides free access to numerous records through its official website, including:

  • County Commissioner meeting minutes and agendas
  • County budget documents
  • Election results
  • Basic property information through the County Assessment Office

• Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals are available at various county offices for free public use to access digital records, including:

  • Court case information at the Chester County Justice Center
  • Land records at the Recorder of Deeds Office
  • Tax information at the Treasurer's Office

• Public Safety Information: Basic information about recent incidents and arrests may be available through the Chester County Department of Emergency Services website.

The Chester County Library System also provides free public access to certain county historical records and documents, as well as computers with internet access that can be used to search online public records.

Who Can Request Public Records in Chester County?

Under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request public records from Chester County agencies. The law defines "requester" broadly in 65 P.S. § 67.102 as "a person that is a legal resident of the United States and requests a record pursuant to this act."

Key provisions regarding eligibility include:

• No Residency Requirement: Requesters need not be residents of Chester County or Pennsylvania to request most public records.

• Identification Requirements: For most general records, requesters are not required to provide identification or state the purpose of their request. However, certain specialized records may require verification of identity, particularly when:

  • Requesting one's own confidential records
  • Seeking records with restricted access due to privacy concerns
  • Requesting vital records such as birth certificates

• Legal Representatives: Attorneys, legal guardians, and those with power of attorney may request records on behalf of others with proper documentation.

• Business Entities: Corporations, LLCs, and other business entities may request public records through authorized representatives.

• Media Organizations: Journalists and news outlets have the same access rights as other requesters, with no special privileges or restrictions.

For certain record types, such as those available through the Pennsylvania Sex Offender Registry, access is available to any member of the public as a means of public protection, though use is restricted to that purpose as specified under 42 Pa.C.S.

When requesting records that contain confidential information about oneself, such as certain court records or vital documents, proper identification is typically required to verify the requester's identity and right to access the information.

What Records Are Confidential in Chester County?

While Chester County operates under the presumption of openness, certain records are exempt from public disclosure under Pennsylvania law. Pursuant to 65 P.S. § 67.708, the following records are generally considered confidential:

• Personal Identifying Information: Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, financial account numbers, and home addresses of judges, law enforcement officers, and certain other officials

• Juvenile Records: Court records and law enforcement records pertaining to minors, except in limited circumstances as provided by the Juvenile Act

• Criminal Investigative Records: Information related to ongoing criminal investigations, intelligence information, and victim information

• Medical Records: Health information protected under HIPAA and other medical privacy laws

• Personnel Records: Employee performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, and other personnel file contents (with exceptions for certain basic employment information)

• Attorney-Client Communications: Records subject to attorney-client privilege or attorney work product doctrine

• Adoption Records: Documents related to adoption proceedings, which are sealed by court order

• Child Welfare Records: Information regarding child abuse investigations and child welfare services

• Trade Secrets: Confidential proprietary information, trade secrets, and intellectual property

• Infrastructure Security Information: Records that would jeopardize public safety or preparedness if disclosed, including building security plans and emergency response protocols

• Predecisional Deliberations: Internal predecisional deliberations of agencies, including recommendations and draft policies

• Academic Records: Educational records protected under FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)

The county applies a balancing test when determining whether to release records that may contain both public and exempt information. In such cases, the county will redact exempt information while releasing the remainder of the record when possible.

Sealed court records, including expunged criminal records and certain family court matters, are also confidential and not accessible to the general public. Access to these records typically requires a court order.

Chester County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Chester County Recorder of Deeds
313 W. Market Street, Suite 3302
West Chester, PA 19380
(610) 344-6330
Chester County Recorder of Deeds

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Additional Contact Information:
Fax: (610) 344-6408
Email: RODinfo@chesco.org

The Recorder of Deeds Office is responsible for recording, maintaining, and providing access to land records including deeds, mortgages, easements, rights-of-way, and other property-related documents. The office also records military discharge papers (DD-214) and notary public commissions.

Chester County Prothonotary
201 W. Market Street, Suite 1425
West Chester, PA 19380
(610) 344-6300
Chester County Prothonotary

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

The Prothonotary serves as the clerk of the civil division of the Court of Common Pleas and maintains all civil court records.

Chester County Register of Wills
201 W. Market Street, Suite 2200
West Chester, PA 19380
(610) 344-6335
Chester County Register of Wills

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:15 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

The Register of Wills Office maintains probate records, marriage licenses, and serves as clerk of the Orphans' Court Division.

Lookup Public Records in Chester County

Court case information

Voter registration and election information

Birth certificate records

Sex offender registry information

Federal court records for Eastern Pennsylvania