Cambria County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Cambria County?

Public records in Cambria County are official documents and information created, received, or maintained by county government agencies that are accessible to the public under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law (RTKL), specifically 65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq. These records document government activities, transactions, and decisions, serving as a foundation for governmental transparency and accountability.

Cambria County maintains numerous categories of public records, including:

• Court Records: Civil, criminal, family, and probate cases maintained by the Cambria County Prothonotary's Office, which serves as the keeper of civil court records
• Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other land transactions recorded by the Recorder of Deeds Office
• Vital Records: Birth and death certificates (limited access), marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
• Business Records: Business licenses, permits, fictitious name registrations
• Tax Records: Property tax assessments, tax liens, and payment records
• Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, campaign finance reports
• Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County Commissioner meetings, board proceedings, and other public body deliberations
• Budget and Financial Documents: County expenditures, financial statements, audits, and contracts
• Law Enforcement Records: Certain police reports, arrest logs, and incident reports (with statutory limitations)
• Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning applications, and property development plans

Each record type is maintained by specific county departments. For example, the Cambria County Court of Common Pleas maintains judicial records, while the County Commissioners' Office maintains meeting minutes and policy documents.

Is Cambria County an Open Records County?

Cambria County fully complies with Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law (RTKL), which establishes the presumption that all government records are public unless specifically exempted by law. Under 65 P.S. § 67.301, "a public record, legislative record or financial record shall be accessible for inspection and duplication in accordance with this act."

The county has established a comprehensive open records policy that outlines procedures for requesting public information. This policy designates an Open Records Officer responsible for receiving, tracking, and responding to record requests in accordance with statutory timelines.

Cambria County also 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 dual compliance with both the RTKL and Sunshine Act demonstrates the county's commitment to governmental transparency.

The county's open records procedures are designed to facilitate public access while protecting information that is confidential under state or federal law. All county departments and offices are required to cooperate with the Open Records Officer to ensure timely responses to public record requests.

How to Find Public Records in Cambria County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records from Cambria County may utilize several methods to access information. The county has established streamlined procedures to facilitate record retrieval:

1. Submit a Written Request: Complete the county's standard Right-to-Know request form available through the Cambria County Open Records portal. Requests must:

   • Clearly identify the records sought
   • Provide contact information for the requestor
   • Specify preferred format (paper or electronic)

2. Online Access: Many records are available through dedicated online portals:

   • Court records via the Cambria County Civil Court Online Portal
   • Property records through the Recorder of Deeds online search system
   • Criminal case information through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal

3. In-Person Inspection: Visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours:

   • For court records: Prothonotary's Office at the Cambria County Courthouse
   • For property records: Recorder of Deeds Office
   • For general county records: County Administration Building

4. Contact the Records Custodian: Direct inquiries to the specific department maintaining the desired records:

Cambria County Records Storage
1150 Wilmore Road
Ebensburg, PA 15931
(814) 472-2353
Open Records

Pursuant to 65 P.S. § 67.901, the county must respond to requests within five business days, though complex requests may require an additional 30-day extension with written notification to the requestor.

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

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

• Photocopies: $0.25 per page (black and white, 8.5" x 11")
• Certified Copies: Additional $1.00-$5.00 per document (varies by department)
• Specialized Documents: Actual cost of reproduction
• Electronic Records: No charge for records already maintained electronically if delivered via email
• Media Storage Devices: Actual cost of the media
• Postage: Actual cost for mailing records

Specific departments may have additional authorized fees:

• Recorder of Deeds: Recording fees range from $18.50 to $84.50 depending on document type and page count
• Prothonotary's Office: Filing fees vary by document type and case category
• Vital Records: Marriage license ($80.00), certified copies of marriage records ($10.00)

Payment methods accepted include cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards (in select offices). All fees must be paid in advance of receiving requested records.

The county may waive fees when doing so is in the public interest. Additionally, pursuant to 65 P.S. § 67.1307(g), fees may not be imposed for the agency's review of records to determine if they are subject to access.

Does Cambria County Have Free Public Records?

Cambria County provides several avenues for accessing public records at no cost:

• In-Person Inspection: Members of the public may inspect accessible records at no charge during regular business hours at the appropriate county office. This right is explicitly protected under 65 P.S. § 67.701(a), which states that "a public record shall be accessible for inspection and duplication."

• Online Resources: The county provides free access to several digital record repositories:

  • Cambria County Commissioner meeting minutes and agendas
  • Basic property ownership information through the county assessment office
  • Court docket information through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal
  • Inmate location information through the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections

• Electronic Delivery: Records already maintained in electronic format may be provided via email at no cost, though fees may apply for conversion of paper records to electronic format.

• Public Terminals: Computer terminals are available at certain county offices, including the Prothonotary's Office and Recorder of Deeds, allowing free access to digitized records on-site.

The county also waives duplication fees when the total cost would be minimal (typically under $1.00) or when the request is made by certain governmental entities for official purposes.

Who Can Request Public Records in Cambria County?

Under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request public records from Cambria County. As specified in 65 P.S. § 67.102, a "requester" is defined 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:

• Identification Requirements: Requestors are not required to show identification to inspect records, though certain records may require verification of identity if they contain confidential information related to the requestor.

• Purpose Disclosure: Requestors are not required to explain why they want records or how they will use them, except in limited circumstances involving certain types of records (e.g., criminal investigation records).

• Legal Entity Status: Requests may be submitted by individuals, businesses, non-profit organizations, media outlets, and governmental entities.

• Inmate Restrictions: Pursuant to 65 P.S. § 67.708(b)(16), inmates in state correctional facilities have limited access to certain records.

• Commercial Use: While commercial entities may request records, the county may charge additional fees for requests intended for commercial purposes.

For records containing personal information, the county may require verification that the requestor is authorized to access such information, particularly for records protected by federal laws such as HIPAA or FERPA.

What Records Are Confidential in Cambria County?

While Cambria County operates under the presumption of openness, certain records are exempt from public disclosure under 65 P.S. § 67.708 and other applicable laws. These confidential records include:

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

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

• Juvenile Records: Court records and law enforcement reports involving minors, except in limited circumstances

• Criminal Investigative Records: Active investigation materials, intelligence information, and victim information

• Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and strategy documents between county officials and county attorneys

• Personnel Records: Employee evaluations, disciplinary actions, and personal information (though certain employment information remains public)

• Sealed Court Records: Records sealed by judicial order, including certain expunged criminal records and adoption proceedings

• Trade Secrets: Proprietary business information submitted to the county that would cause competitive harm if disclosed

• Security Information: Building security plans, emergency response protocols, and infrastructure vulnerability assessments

• Predecisional Deliberations: Internal discussions and draft documents prior to policy decisions

• Child Welfare Records: Reports and investigations related to child abuse or neglect

The county applies a balancing test when determining whether to release records that may contain both public and exempt information. When possible, exempt information is redacted while the remainder of the record is released, in accordance with 65 P.S. § 67.706.

Cambria County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Cambria County Recorder of Deeds Office
200 South Center Street, Suite 100
Ebensburg, PA 15931
(814) 472-1473
Recorder of Deeds Office

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

Additional County Records Offices:

Cambria County Prothonotary's Office
200 South Center Street, 1st Floor
Ebensburg, PA 15931
(814) 472-1644
Prothonotary Office

Cambria County Register of Wills
200 South Center Street
Ebensburg, PA 15931
(814) 472-1440
Register of Wills

Cambria County Open Records Office
1150 Wilmore Road
Ebensburg, PA 15931
(814) 472-2353
Open Records

Lookup Public Records in Cambria County

Cambria County land records and property documents

Request public information through the Open Records Office

Search civil court cases through the County Suite Portal

Access civil court records through the Prothonotary's Office

Find information about Cambria County Court of Common Pleas

Search Pennsylvania court cases through the Unified Judicial System

View Cambria County court records and documents

Locate inmates in Pennsylvania correctional facilities