Bradford County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Bradford County?
Public records in Bradford County are defined under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.102) as any record, document, plan, book, map, photograph, tape, or other documentary material created or received by a Commonwealth agency or local agency in connection with the transaction of public business. Members of the public may inspect a broad range of documents maintained by Bradford County offices, including:
- Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings maintained by the Bradford County Court of Common Pleas
- Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments maintained by the Recorder of Deeds and Assessment Office
- Vital records — birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates maintained by the Register of Wills and the Pennsylvania Department of Health
- Business records — fictitious name registrations, business licenses, and permits maintained by the Prothonotary's Office
- Tax records — property tax bills and assessment records maintained by the Bradford County Tax Claim Bureau and Assessment Office
- Voting and election records — voter registration data and election results maintained by the Bradford County Election Bureau
- Meeting minutes and agendas — Bradford County Commissioner meeting minutes, board agendas, and resolutions
- Budget and financial documents — annual budgets, expenditure reports, and audit records
- Law enforcement records — arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted under applicable law, maintained by the Bradford County Sheriff's Office
- Land use and zoning records — zoning maps, subdivision plans, and land development applications maintained by the Bradford County Planning Commission
Each record type is maintained by a specific county office. The Bradford County Prothonotary's Office serves as the primary custodian of civil court filings, while the Register of Wills maintains probate and estate records. Property-related documents are filed with the Recorder of Deeds.
Is Bradford County an Open Records County?
Bradford County fully complies with Pennsylvania's statewide open records framework, which governs all local agencies within the Commonwealth. Under 65 P.S. § 67.301, a local agency shall provide public records in accordance with the Right-to-Know Law, and all records in the possession of a local agency are presumed to be public unless specifically exempted by law. This presumption of openness places the burden of proof on the agency to justify any denial of access.
Pennsylvania's Sunshine Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 701 et seq., further requires that all deliberations and official actions of Bradford County's governing bodies — including the Board of County Commissioners — be conducted at open public meetings. Meeting agendas and minutes are made available to the public as part of this requirement.
Bradford County designates an Open Records Officer within each agency to receive and process Right-to-Know requests. County agencies are required to respond to written requests within five business days, with the possibility of a 30-day extension under defined circumstances. No county-specific ordinance currently restricts access beyond what state law permits.
How to Find Public Records in Bradford County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain Bradford County public records through several official channels. The following steps outline the standard process:
- Identify the custodial office. Determine which county office maintains the record being sought. Court records are held by the Prothonotary or the Court of Common Pleas; property records by the Recorder of Deeds; vital records by the Register of Wills or the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
- Submit a written Right-to-Know request. Requests must be submitted in writing to the designated Open Records Officer of the relevant agency. Pennsylvania does not require requestors to use a specific form, though many offices provide a standard request form for convenience.
- Submit in person, by mail, or electronically. Requests may be delivered in person at the county courthouse, mailed to the appropriate office, or submitted via email where the agency accepts electronic requests.
- Await agency response. The agency must acknowledge the request within five business days and either fulfill it, deny it with written explanation, or invoke a 30-day extension.
- Search court records online. Civil and criminal court case information for Bradford County may be searched through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System case search portal, which provides docket-level information for cases filed in the Court of Common Pleas.
- Appeal a denial. If a request is denied, the requestor may appeal to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records within 15 business days of the denial.
Bradford County Courthouse 301 Main Street Towanda, PA 18848 (570) 265-1707 Bradford County Government
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Bradford County?
Standard fees for public records in Bradford County are governed by the fee schedule established under 65 P.S. § 67.1307, which authorizes agencies to charge reasonable fees for duplication. Current fees applicable to most county offices include:
- Paper copies: $0.25 per page (standard 8.5" x 11" black-and-white)
- Oversized copies: Actual cost of duplication for maps, plans, or documents larger than 11" x 17"
- Certified copies: Additional certification fees apply, typically ranging from $5.00 to $20.00 depending on the record type and issuing office
- Electronic records: Provided at no charge when transmitted electronically, unless conversion from paper requires staff time
- Postage and shipping: Actual cost of postage when records are mailed upon request
Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, and money order payable to the specific county office. Some offices may accept credit or debit card payments. Fee waivers may be granted at the discretion of the agency 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 agency operations.
Does Bradford County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to members of the public at the offices of the relevant county agencies during regular business hours, without charge. Pennsylvania law does not permit agencies to charge a fee solely for inspecting records on-site. The following free resources are currently available:
- In-person inspection at the Bradford County Courthouse, 301 Main Street, Towanda, PA 18848, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Online court records accessible at no cost through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System case search portal, which allows searches of civil and criminal dockets filed in Bradford County
- Bradford County Court of Common Pleas records available through the Bradford County court information page, which provides access to court contact information and filing resources
- Voter registration and election data available for public inspection through the Bradford County Election Bureau
- Property assessment data available for review through the Bradford County Assessment Office without charge
Who Can Request Public Records in Bradford County?
Any person may submit a Right-to-Know request to a Bradford County agency, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law does not restrict access to residents of the Commonwealth, and non-residents retain the same rights of access as Pennsylvania residents. Specifically:
- Residency is not required. Any individual, corporation, partnership, or other entity may submit a request.
- Identification is generally not required. Requestors are not obligated to provide personal identification when submitting a standard public records request.
- Purpose need not be stated. Under current law, agencies may not require requestors to explain why they are seeking a record as a condition of access.
- Restrictions apply to certain record types. Some records — such as criminal history information maintained by law enforcement — may require the requestor to demonstrate a legitimate interest or may only be released to the subject of the record.
- Requesting your own records. Individuals seeking records about themselves, such as criminal history or personal court filings, may be required to provide identification to verify identity and protect against unauthorized disclosure.
- Organizational requestors. Businesses, nonprofit organizations, and legal entities may submit requests on behalf of the organization, provided the request is signed by an authorized representative.
What Records Are Confidential in Bradford County?
Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Pennsylvania law. 65 P.S. § 67.708 enumerates the specific exemptions applicable to all Commonwealth and local agencies, including Bradford County. Records currently exempt from disclosure include:
- Sealed court records — documents sealed by judicial order, including expunged criminal records
- Juvenile records — records pertaining to juvenile delinquency proceedings, protected under the Juvenile Act
- Ongoing investigation records — records compiled in connection with a criminal investigation that would interfere with law enforcement proceedings
- Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and home addresses of private individuals
- Medical and health records — records protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Pennsylvania health privacy statutes
- Adoption records — sealed by court order and accessible only under specific statutory conditions
- Child welfare and protective services records — records maintained by Children and Youth Services relating to abuse or neglect investigations
- Personnel records — employee performance evaluations, disciplinary records, and personal information, with limited exceptions for salary and job title
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information — confidential commercial or financial information submitted to the county
- Security plans and infrastructure details — documents relating to the security of public buildings, utilities, or critical infrastructure
When an agency denies a request based on an exemption, it must provide a written explanation citing the specific statutory basis for the denial. Pennsylvania's Office of Open Records applies a balancing test in appeals to determine whether the public interest in disclosure outweighs the interest in confidentiality.
Bradford County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
The Bradford County Recorder of Deeds is the official custodian of real property records, including deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, and related instruments. Members of the public may inspect and obtain copies of recorded documents during regular office hours.
Bradford County Recorder of Deeds 301 Main Street, Suite 203 Towanda, PA 18848 (570) 265-1702 Bradford County Recorder of Deeds
Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Bradford County Prothonotary's Office 301 Main Street Towanda, PA 18848 (570) 265-1707 Bradford County Prothonotary
Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Bradford County Register of Wills 301 Main Street Towanda, PA 18848 (570) 265-1701 Bradford County Register of Wills
Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Bradford County Assessment Office 301 Main Street Towanda, PA 18848 (570) 265-1700 Bradford County Assessment Office
Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.