Lackawanna County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Lackawanna County?

Public records in Lackawanna County are defined under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101) as any information, regardless of 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. These records are generally accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law.

Lackawanna County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, family, and orphans' court proceedings maintained by the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments
Vital Records: Birth certificates (1893-1905), death certificates (1893-1905), 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
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County commissioners' meetings, board proceedings, and public hearings
Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, financial statements, and audit reports
Law Enforcement Records: Certain police reports, incident logs, and jail records (with restrictions)
Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning permits, and subdivision plans

The Lackawanna County Department of Records serves as the primary custodian for many county records, while specialized departments maintain others. The Recorder of Deeds maintains property records, the Register of Wills handles estate matters, and the Clerk of Judicial Records oversees court documents.

Lackawanna County Department of Records
123 Wyoming Avenue, 1st Floor
Scranton, PA 18503
570-963-6702
Lackawanna County Department of Records

Is Lackawanna County an Open Records County?

Yes, Lackawanna County fully complies with Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101-3104), which governs access to public records throughout the Commonwealth. This comprehensive statute establishes the presumption that all records in possession of local and state government agencies are public unless specifically exempted by law, privileged, or protected by court order or decree.

Under Section 67.301 of the law, "a public record shall be accessible for inspection and duplication by a requester in accordance with this act." The statute further specifies that agencies may not deny access to public records based on the intended use by the requester, the identity of the requester, or for any other reason contrary to the provisions of the act.

Lackawanna County has designated an Open Records Officer as required by Section 67.502 of the law, who is responsible for receiving, tracking, and responding to all public records requests. The county has established clear procedures for requesting records in accordance with state requirements.

Additionally, Lackawanna County adheres to Pennsylvania's Sunshine Act (65 Pa.C.S. §§ 701-716), which requires that official actions and deliberations by county agencies take place at public meetings with proper notice. This commitment to transparency ensures citizens have access to both records and the decision-making processes of their local government.

The county maintains an official public records policy that outlines procedures for requesting records, applicable fees, and the appeals process if a request is denied. This policy is available on the county website and at county offices.

How to Find Public Records in Lackawanna County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records from Lackawanna County may utilize several methods to access information. The county has established standardized procedures pursuant to state law.

To obtain public records from Lackawanna County:

Determine the appropriate department: Identify which county department likely maintains the records you seek. Different offices maintain different record types:
- Property records: Recorder of Deeds Office
- Court records: Clerk of Judicial Records
- Vital records: Register of Wills (older records) or PA Department of Health (current records)
- Tax records: Tax Claim Bureau or Assessment Office
Submit a formal request: Complete the county's Right-to-Know request form, available on the Lackawanna County website or at county offices. Requests may be submitted:
- In person at the appropriate county office
- By mail to the designated Open Records Officer
- By email to the county's Right-to-Know email address
- Through the county's online portal (for certain record types)
Provide specific information: Clearly describe the records requested with sufficient specificity to enable the county to identify the records. Include relevant dates, names, property addresses, or case numbers when applicable.
Allow response time: Under Pennsylvania law, agencies must respond to requests within five business days, though extensions may apply for certain complex requests.
Arrange for inspection or copies: If approved, determine whether you wish to inspect records in person or receive copies. Electronic copies may be available for certain records.

Lackawanna County Open Records Officer
123 Wyoming Avenue, 6th Floor
Scranton, PA 18503
570-963-6800
Lackawanna County Administration

For court records, the public may also utilize the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania Web Portal, which provides online access to certain court documents. Property records may be searched through the county's online property records database, though complete access may require in-person visits.

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

Lackawanna County assesses fees for public records in accordance with the fee schedule established under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law. The current fee structure includes:

Photocopies: $0.25 per page for standard 8.5" x 11" black and white copies
Specialized documents: Actual cost for non-standard documents (blueprints, color copies, etc.)
Certification: $5.00 per record for certified copies
Specialized information: Reasonable market value for complex data sets or specialized information
Postage: Actual cost when mailing is requested

Additional department-specific fees may apply:

Recorder of Deeds: $13.00 for the first page of a deed, $4.00 for each additional page
Marriage License: $80.00
Divorce Decree Copy: $10.00 per copy
Criminal Record Check: $25.00

The county accepts payment by cash, check, money order, and credit card (with processing fee) for most transactions. Some departments may have limited payment options.

Pursuant to 65 P.S. § 67.1307, fees must be reasonable and based on the actual cost of providing the records. The law prohibits charging fees for reviewing records to determine whether they are subject to access, searching for records, or retrieving records from storage.

Fee waivers may be granted at the discretion of the agency when the agency determines that release of the information primarily benefits the general public. Requesters seeking fee waivers should include this request with their initial records request, explaining how disclosure serves the public interest.

Does Lackawanna County Have Free Public Records?

Yes, Lackawanna County provides free access to certain public records. Under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, all citizens have the right to inspect public records at no cost during regular business hours. While copying fees may apply, the mere inspection of records is free of charge.

The following records are available at no cost:

In-person inspection: Any non-exempt public record may be viewed in person at the appropriate county office during regular business hours without charge
County Commissioner meeting minutes and agendas: Available on the county website
County budgets and financial reports: Accessible online through the county's transparency portal
Election results: Posted on the Lackawanna County Bureau of Elections website
Property assessment data: Basic information viewable through online property search
Court docket information: Basic case information through the Unified Judicial System portal

Lackawanna County Commissioners' Office
123 Wyoming Avenue, 6th Floor
Scranton, PA 18503
570-963-6800
Lackawanna County Commissioners

Lackawanna County Bureau of Elections
123 Wyoming Avenue, 2nd Floor
Scranton, PA 18503
570-963-6737
Lackawanna County Elections

The county continues to expand its online offerings to increase public access to government information. Many departments now provide searchable databases and downloadable documents through the county website, reducing the need for formal requests and associated fees.

Who Can Request Public Records in Lackawanna County?

Under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.102), any "person" may request public records from Lackawanna County. The law defines a person as "a natural person, corporation, partnership, association or other legal entity."

Key eligibility information includes:

Residency: Pennsylvania residency is not required to request public records
Identification: Requesters are not required to show identification for most records requests
Purpose: Requesters do not need to explain why they want records or how they will use them
Format: Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, by email, or through online forms where available

For standard public records requests, the county may not:

Require explanation of why records are being requested
Deny access based on the requester's identity
Require the requester to sign a contract or waiver
Limit the number of records a person may request

However, certain specialized records have additional requirements:

Criminal history information: May require identification and purpose statement under the Criminal History Record Information Act
Voter registration records: Commercial use is restricted under the Pennsylvania Voter Registration Act
Property records: While accessible to anyone, certain bulk requests may have additional requirements
Vital records: Birth and death certificates less than 105 years old are restricted under state law and require proof of relationship or legal interest

Non-U.S. citizens maintain the right to access public records under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, as the state law does not restrict access based on citizenship status.

What Records Are Confidential in Lackawanna County?

Certain records maintained by Lackawanna County are confidential and exempt from public disclosure under Pennsylvania law. 65 P.S. § 67.708 establishes numerous exceptions to the presumption of openness, protecting sensitive information from disclosure.

Records that are generally confidential in Lackawanna County 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 information protected under HIPAA and state medical privacy laws
Personnel records: Employee performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, and similar employment records (with limited exceptions)
Juvenile records: Court records and law enforcement records involving minors, except in limited circumstances
Ongoing criminal investigations: Records that would impair an active investigation or deprive a person of a fair trial
Attorney-client privileged communications: Legal advice and strategy documents between county officials and county solicitors
Predecisional deliberations: Internal discussions and draft documents prior to agency decisions
Trade secrets and confidential proprietary information: Business information that would cause competitive harm if released
Building plans and infrastructure records: Documents that would create a security risk if disclosed
Child welfare records: Reports of child abuse and related social service records
Sealed court records: Records sealed by court order, including certain expunged criminal records
Adoption records: Documents related to adoption proceedings

The county applies a balancing test when records contain both public and exempt information. When possible, the county will redact exempt information and release the remainder of the record, as required by Section 67.706 of the Right-to-Know Law.

Requesters denied access to records may appeal to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records within 15 business days of denial, as provided in Section 67.1101 of the law.

Lackawanna County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Lackawanna County Recorder of Deeds
Lackawanna County Government Center
123 Wyoming Avenue, 1st Floor
Scranton, PA 18503
570-963-6702
Lackawanna County Recorder of Deeds

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays

The Recorder of Deeds Office maintains and provides access to property records including deeds, mortgages, easements, rights-of-way, and other land records for properties within Lackawanna County. The office also records military discharge papers (DD-214) for veterans.

Additional County Records Offices:

Lackawanna County Clerk of Judicial Records
Lackawanna County Government Center
123 Wyoming Avenue, 1st Floor
Scranton, PA 18503
570-963-6702
Lackawanna County Clerk of Judicial Records

Lackawanna County Register of Wills
Lackawanna County Government Center
123 Wyoming Avenue, 1st Floor
Scranton, PA 18503
570-963-6702
Lackawanna County Register of Wills

Lackawanna County Assessment Office
Lackawanna County Government Center
123 Wyoming Avenue, 3rd Floor
Scranton, PA 18503
570-963-6726
Lackawanna County Assessment Office