Fayette County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Fayette County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, may access a broad range of publicly available information through official county offices, state repositories, and online portals. FayettePARecords.us aggregates publicly available data that may assist individuals in locating records maintained by county and state agencies. Fayette County maintains records across multiple departments, and the availability of specific documents depends on the record type, the custodial office, and applicable state law.
Records that may be accessible through official channels include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Tax assessment and property tax records
- Business licenses and fictitious name registrations
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Budget and financial documents
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted)
- Land use and zoning records
Online Access: The Fayette County Recorder of Deeds maintains an online portal for searching land records, including deeds, mortgages, and related instruments. The PA Office of Open Records provides a statewide directory of agency open records officers and an electronic appeal filing portal. No registration is required to submit a Right-to-Know request to most county offices.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the relevant county office directly. The Fayette County Courthouse, located at 61 East Main Street, Uniontown, PA 15401, houses several record-keeping departments. Visitors should identify the appropriate custodial office before arriving, as records are distributed across departments including the Recorder of Deeds, Prothonotary, Register of Wills, and Clerk of Courts.
Written/Mail Requests: Written Right-to-Know requests must be submitted to the designated open records officer of the relevant agency. Under 65 P.S. § 67.703, agencies are required to respond within five business days of receiving a written request.
Phone/Email: Individual offices maintain separate contact lines. The Fayette County main administrative line is (724) 430-1200. Requestors may also contact the North Union Township Right-to-Know Officer, Curtis Matthews, at (724) 438-6316 for township-level records.
What Are Public Records in Fayette County?
Public records in Fayette County are defined under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law as any record of a Commonwealth agency or local agency that documents a transaction or activity of the agency and is created, received, or retained pursuant to law or in connection with a transaction, business, or activity of the agency. The following record types are maintained by specific county offices:
| Record Type | Custodial Office |
|---|---|
| Deeds, mortgages, liens | Recorder of Deeds |
| Civil and criminal court records | Prothonotary / Clerk of Courts |
| Probate and estate records | Register of Wills |
| Birth and death certificates | PA Dept. of Health / local registrar |
| Property tax assessments | County Assessment Office |
| Business/fictitious name filings | Prothonotary |
| Election and voter records | County Election Bureau |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Commissioners' Office |
| Zoning and land use records | County Planning Commission |
Vital records, including Pennsylvania birth certificates, are maintained at the state level by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and are available through the Division of Vital Records.
Is Fayette County an Open Records County?
Fayette County fully complies with Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq., which establishes the public's right to access records held by Commonwealth and local agencies. Under this statute, all records of a local agency are presumed to be public unless specifically exempted by law, regulation, judicial order, or decree.
As stated by the PA Office of Open Records, "The Right-to-Know Law presumes that all records of Commonwealth agencies and local agencies are public records." This presumption places the burden on the agency to demonstrate that a record is exempt from disclosure, rather than on the requestor to justify access.
Each county agency and municipality within Fayette County is required to designate an open records officer responsible for receiving and responding to Right-to-Know requests. North Union Township, for example, designates a specific Right-to-Know Officer to handle such requests at the municipal level, consistent with statewide requirements.
Pennsylvania's Sunshine Act, 65 Pa. C.S. § 701 et seq., further requires that deliberations and official actions of agencies be conducted at open public meetings, with advance notice provided to the public.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Fayette County?
The fee structure for public records in Fayette County is governed by the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law and the regulations established by the Office of Open Records. Current standard fees are as follows:
| Fee Type | Standard Amount |
|---|---|
| Black-and-white copies (letter/legal) | $0.25 per page |
| Certification of a record | $1.00 per record |
| Electronic duplication | Actual cost of the medium |
| Inspection of records | No charge |
| Postage/shipping | Actual cost |
- Agencies may not charge a search fee or retrieval fee under standard Right-to-Know requests.
- Fee waivers are available at the discretion of the agency if the requester demonstrates that the information is primarily for the public interest and not for commercial purposes.
- Accepted payment methods vary by office but typically include cash, check, or money order payable to the relevant county office.
- The Recorder of Deeds charges separate recording and copy fees for land records, which are set by state statute and may differ from standard Right-to-Know copy fees.
Members of the public are advised to confirm current fee schedules directly with the custodial office prior to submitting a request, as fees for certified copies of vital records and recorded instruments are set independently.
Does Fayette County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at county offices during regular business hours, as required under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law. Members of the public may inspect records in person without charge; fees apply only when copies or certified documents are requested.
The following free access options are currently available:
- Online land record searches: The Fayette County Recorder of Deeds provides online access to land records, allowing members of the public to search and view documents at no cost.
- Statewide records directory: The PA Office of Open Records offers a free online directory of agency open records officers, appeal filing tools, and guidance documents.
- Vital records information: The Pennsylvania Department of Health provides information on how to obtain birth certificates and other vital records through official state channels.
- In-person inspection: Any member of the public may visit a county office and inspect public records at no charge during posted business hours.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing a record carries no fee, obtaining a physical or electronic copy is subject to the standard fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Fayette County?
Any person may submit a Right-to-Know request to a Fayette County agency or municipality, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, requestors are not required to:
- Be a Pennsylvania resident
- Provide government-issued identification
- State the reason for the request
- Demonstrate a personal interest in the records sought
These provisions apply to the broad category of public records. Certain record types, however, carry additional eligibility requirements. Certified copies of vital records, for example, are restricted to the subject of the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or others with a demonstrated legal interest, as administered through the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Individuals requesting their own records held by law enforcement or other agencies may be subject to identity verification procedures. Non-residents retain the same rights as residents under the Right-to-Know Law and may submit requests by mail, in person, or electronically.
What Records Are Confidential in Fayette County?
Not all government records are subject to public disclosure. Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law enumerates specific categories of records that are exempt from public access. The following records are currently withheld from public disclosure under applicable state and federal law:
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Juvenile delinquency and dependency records
- Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations
- Social Security numbers and financial account information
- Medical and mental health records (protected under HIPAA)
- Adoption records (sealed by court order)
- Child welfare and protective services records
- Personnel records, including performance evaluations (with limited exceptions)
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to agencies
- Security plans, infrastructure vulnerability assessments, and emergency response protocols
As noted by the PA Office of Open Records, "An agency bears the burden of proving that a record is exempt from public access." Agencies must cite a specific statutory exemption when denying a request, and requestors retain the right to appeal a denial to the Office of Open Records within 15 business days of the agency's response.
Fayette County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Fayette County Recorder of Deeds
61 East Main Street, Suite 101
Uniontown, PA 15401
(724) 430-1236
Fayette County Recorder of Deeds
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Fayette County Prothonotary / Clerk of Courts
61 East Main Street
Uniontown, PA 15401
(724) 430-1272
Fayette County Assessment Office
61 East Main Street
Uniontown, PA 15401
(724) 430-1350
North Union Township (Right-to-Know Requests)
3 West Church Street
Uniontown, PA 15401
(724) 438-6316
North Union Township
Pennsylvania Office of Open Records
333 Market Street, 16th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 346-9903
PA Office of Open Records
Pennsylvania Department of Health – Division of Vital Records
101 South Mercer Street
New Castle, PA 16101
(724) 656-3100
Pennsylvania Department of Health – Vital Records