Cumberland County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Cumberland County in 2026
CumberlandCountyRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. Members of the public seeking court documents, property filings, vital records, or other official documents may use this resource as a starting point for locating relevant government offices and online tools.
Records that may be accessible through official channels include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Business licenses and fictitious name registrations
- Property tax and assessment records
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Budget and financial documents
- Law enforcement records (where permitted by law)
- Land use and zoning records
Records can be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by county and state agencies.
Online Access:
The Cumberland County government portal provides access to a range of public documents and departmental resources. Property records and assessment data are searchable through the Cumberland County Assessment Office. Court records may be accessed through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal, which allows searches of docket information without registration.
In-Person Requests:
Members of the public may visit the relevant county office to inspect records in person. The Prothonotary's Office handles civil court records, while the Clerk of Courts manages criminal court filings. The Recorder of Deeds maintains property-related documents. Public access terminals are available at the courthouse complex during regular business hours.
Written/Mail Requests:
Written requests submitted under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law must include sufficient identifying information to locate the requested record. Under state law, agencies are required to respond within five business days of receiving a written request.
Phone/Email:
- Cumberland County Prothonotary: (717) 240-6195
- Cumberland County Recorder of Deeds: (717) 240-6370
- Cumberland County Clerk of Courts: (717) 240-6193
Official request forms are available through the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records.
What Are Public Records in Cumberland County?
Public records in Cumberland County are defined under Pennsylvania law as any information, regardless of physical form or characteristic, created or received by a Commonwealth agency, local agency, or judicial agency that documents a transaction or activity of the agency. Under § 102 of the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.102), a "public record" is a record, including a financial record, of a Commonwealth or local agency that is not exempt from disclosure.
The following record types are maintained by Cumberland County agencies:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil court records | Prothonotary's Office |
| Criminal court records | Clerk of Courts |
| Property deeds and mortgages | Recorder of Deeds |
| Property assessments | Assessment Office |
| Birth and death records | Pennsylvania Department of Health |
| Marriage licenses | Register of Wills / Orphans' Court |
| Business/fictitious name filings | Prothonotary's Office |
| Voter registration records | Cumberland County Election Office |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Commissioners' Office |
| Zoning and land use records | Planning Department |
The Cumberland County Recorder of Deeds maintains property-related instruments, while the Pennsylvania Department of Health is the primary custodian of vital records statewide.
Is Cumberland County an Open Records County?
Cumberland County operates in full compliance with Pennsylvania's statewide open records framework. Under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.), all local agencies, including county government offices, are presumed to be open and records are presumed to be public unless a specific exemption applies.
As stated by the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records, "The Right-to-Know Law presumes that government records are public. Agencies bear the burden of proving that a record is exempt from public access." This presumption of openness places the responsibility on the agency—not the requester—to justify any denial of access.
Cumberland County does not maintain a separate county-specific open records ordinance; the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law governs all requests submitted to county offices. The county has designated an Open Records Officer to receive and process requests in accordance with state requirements. Compliance with Pennsylvania's Sunshine Act (65 Pa. C.S. §§ 701–716) also ensures that meetings of the Board of County Commissioners and other public bodies are open to the public, with advance notice and published agendas.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Cumberland County?
Current fees for public records in Cumberland County are governed by the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law and the fee schedule established by the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records. Standard fees applicable to most requests are as follows:
| Fee Type | Standard Rate |
|---|---|
| Black-and-white paper copies (letter/legal) | $0.25 per page |
| Certification of a record | $1.00 per record |
| Electronic duplication (CD/DVD) | Actual cost of media |
| Postage and mailing | Actual cost |
| Inspection of records | No charge |
- Inspection of records at a public office is free of charge; fees apply only when copies are requested.
- Agencies may charge for the actual cost of electronic media when records are provided in digital format.
- Fees for certified copies of vital records (birth, death, marriage) are set separately by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and differ from standard copy fees.
- The Recorder of Deeds charges recording fees for instruments submitted for recording; these are distinct from public records access fees.
- Payment methods accepted at county offices include cash, check, and money order; individual offices may also accept credit or debit cards.
- Fee waivers are not broadly mandated under state law, though agencies retain discretion to waive fees in certain circumstances.
The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records publishes the official fee schedule applicable to Commonwealth and local agency requests.
Does Cumberland County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at Cumberland County government offices during regular business hours. Under Pennsylvania law, agencies may not charge a fee for the inspection of records on-site; fees apply only when physical or electronic copies are requested.
The following resources provide free access to public records:
- The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal allows free online searches of court docket information, including civil and criminal case records.
- The Cumberland County Assessment Office provides free online access to property assessment data.
- The Cumberland County government portal publishes meeting minutes, agendas, budgets, and other county documents at no cost.
- Voter registration status may be verified at no charge through the Pennsylvania Voter Registration portal.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: members of the public may review records in person without charge, but obtaining paper or electronic copies is subject to the applicable fee schedule.
Who Can Request Public Records in Cumberland County?
Any person may submit a public records request to a Cumberland County agency under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law. Requesters are not required to be Pennsylvania residents, and agencies may not require a requester to state the purpose of the request as a condition of access.
Key eligibility provisions include:
- Residency: Not required. Non-residents of Pennsylvania retain the same right to request public records as residents.
- Identification: Agencies may not require a requester to provide identification as a condition of submitting a request, though identification may be required for certain sensitive record types.
- Purpose: Requesters are not obligated to explain why they are seeking a record for standard public records requests.
- Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records about themselves may have access to certain records that are otherwise restricted, such as personal criminal history through the Pennsylvania State Police.
- Restrictions for specific record types: Certain records, such as adoption records, juvenile court records, and records protected by court order, are subject to additional access restrictions regardless of the requester's identity.
Entities such as corporations, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies may also submit public records requests. The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law defines "person" broadly to include individuals, partnerships, corporations, associations, and other legal entities.
What Records Are Confidential in Cumberland County?
Not all government records are subject to public disclosure. The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law enumerates specific categories of records that are exempt from public access. Under 65 P.S. § 67.708, the following categories of records are exempt from disclosure:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by court order are not accessible to the general public.
- Juvenile records: Records relating to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Pennsylvania law.
- Ongoing investigation records: Records compiled in the course of a criminal investigation are exempt while the investigation is active.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from disclosed records.
- Medical and health records: Records protected under HIPAA and Pennsylvania health privacy laws are not subject to public disclosure.
- Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related documents are sealed under Pennsylvania law.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by child protective services agencies are confidential.
- Personnel records: Employee personnel files are exempt, with limited exceptions for salary and position information of public employees.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Confidential commercial or financial information submitted to an agency is protected from disclosure.
- Security plans and infrastructure details: Records relating to the security of public buildings, infrastructure, or emergency response plans are exempt.
As noted by the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records, "An agency may redact information that is exempt from access from a record and provide the requester with the remaining information." This balancing approach ensures that partial disclosure is provided when only portions of a record are exempt.
Cumberland County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Cumberland County Recorder of Deeds
One Courthouse Square, Suite 200
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 240-6370
Cumberland County Recorder of Deeds
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on county-observed holidays
Additional Offices:
Cumberland County Prothonotary
One Courthouse Square, Suite 100
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 240-6195
Cumberland County Prothonotary
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Cumberland County Clerk of Courts
One Courthouse Square, Suite 110
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 240-6193
Cumberland County Clerk of Courts
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Cumberland County Assessment Office
One Courthouse Square, Suite 210
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 240-6350
Cumberland County Assessment Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Pennsylvania Office of Open Records
333 Market Street, 16th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: (717) 346-9903
Pennsylvania Office of Open Records
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM