Pittsburgh Public Records
Pittsburgh public records include documents created or received by the City of Pittsburgh in carrying out its official duties. As Pennsylvania's second-largest city, Pittsburgh maintains a wide range of records through its departments and offices. Residents can request public records from the City of Pittsburgh under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law. Court records for Pittsburgh cases are filed through Allegheny County. This page explains where to find Pittsburgh records and how to get them.
Pittsburgh Quick Facts
Where Pittsburgh Residents Access Records
Pittsburgh city records are kept by individual departments throughout city government. Each department has its own Open Records Officer who handles requests under the Right-to-Know Law. The City of Pittsburgh website at pittsburghpa.gov provides contact information for each department. Most residents start their search there.
Allegheny County offices hold records that overlap with city activity. The county courthouse sits in downtown Pittsburgh and houses the Prothonotary, Recorder of Deeds, and other record-keeping offices. Property records, court filings, and other documents involving Pittsburgh addresses are often found at the county level. Both city and county offices serve Pittsburgh residents depending on the type of record you need.
For vital records like birth and death certificates, contact the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Vital records are a state function and are not held by Pittsburgh city offices. State police criminal history records are available through the Pennsylvania State Police.
Note: The City of Pittsburgh is not required to create records that do not already exist or compile data in formats it does not currently maintain.
Pittsburgh Court Records in Allegheny County
Court records for Pittsburgh cases are maintained by the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. The Prothonotary keeps civil court records. The Clerk of Courts handles criminal case records. Both offices are located at the Allegheny County Courthouse in downtown Pittsburgh. You can visit in person or search online through the state portal.
The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania maintains an online search tool for court records statewide. Pittsburgh residents can search civil and criminal cases by name or docket number at ujsportal.pacourts.us. The portal shows case status, party names, and filing dates at no cost. Full copies of filed documents may require an in-person visit or written request to the Allegheny County Prothonotary.
Magisterial District Court records cover lower-level civil and criminal matters originating in Pittsburgh neighborhoods. These courts handle small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, and summary criminal offenses. Records from Magisterial District Courts in Pittsburgh are also searchable through the UJS Portal.
Pittsburgh City Government Public Records
Pittsburgh city government produces a large volume of public records across many departments. City Council meeting minutes, agendas, and votes are public records maintained by the City Clerk. Budget documents, financial reports, and Controller's audits are also available as public records. The Mayor's Office produces correspondence and administrative records that residents may request.
Building permits, zoning approvals, and code enforcement records come from the Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections. Police incident reports are available from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. Public works contracts, bid records, and project documents are maintained by the Department of Public Works. Each of these offices has an Open Records Officer who processes RTKL requests.
The City Controller's office publishes financial audits and spending reports. These are often posted on the city website and do not require a formal records request. Election records for Pittsburgh are maintained by the Allegheny County Division of Elections.
Note: Records that are exempt under Section 708(b) of the Right-to-Know Law or protected by federal and state law are not available through standard public records requests.
How to Request Pittsburgh Public Records
Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law took effect on January 1, 2009. Under this law, records held by Pittsburgh city agencies are presumed to be public unless a specific exemption applies. You do not need to explain why you want a record. You just need to ask for it in writing.
To request a record from the City of Pittsburgh, submit a written request to the Open Records Officer of the department that holds the record. Requests can be sent by mail, email, or fax depending on the department. The city must respond within five business days. If they need more time, they must notify you in writing. The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records at openrecords.pa.gov oversees compliance statewide and provides appeal guidance if a request is denied.
Requests that are denied can be appealed to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records. The appeal must be filed within 15 business days of the denial. The Office of Open Records will review the matter and issue a final order. Pittsburgh residents use this process to challenge improper denials of public records.
Pittsburgh Property and Land Records
Property records for Pittsburgh are filed at the Allegheny County Office of Property Assessments and the Recorder of Deeds. Deeds, mortgages, and liens recorded against Pittsburgh properties are held by the Recorder of Deeds at the county courthouse. The Office of Property Assessments maintains assessed values, ownership data, and tax information for all Pittsburgh properties.
Allegheny County provides an online property search tool where you can look up Pittsburgh addresses by owner name, parcel ID, or street address. Tax records and assessment history are included. These records are free to search online and do not require a formal records request. The county assessor's office can answer questions about how values are set and how to appeal an assessment.
Pittsburgh also participates in various urban development programs. Records related to Urban Redevelopment Authority projects, tax increment financing, and land bank transactions are public records. These documents show how the city has managed property in various neighborhoods over the years.
Pittsburgh Police and Safety Records
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police maintains incident reports, arrest records, and other public safety documents. Incident reports for crimes reported in Pittsburgh can be requested through the Bureau. Some reports are exempt from disclosure if releasing them would compromise an ongoing investigation.
Pennsylvania State Police maintain a central repository of criminal history records for the state. For statewide criminal background checks, visit the Pennsylvania State Police website. These records cover arrests and convictions beyond Pittsburgh city limits. The state repository is useful when you need a broader background check.
Pittsburgh crime statistics and public safety data are published by the Bureau of Police. These reports show crime trends by neighborhood and type. They are available on the city website and through data portals that Pittsburgh participates in. You can often download these reports without making a formal records request.
Note: Victim information and certain records related to ongoing investigations are exempt from public disclosure under Pennsylvania law.
Pittsburgh is in Allegheny County
Pittsburgh is the county seat of Allegheny County. Many records related to Pittsburgh residents and properties are maintained at the county level, including court filings, deeds, and tax records. Visit the Allegheny County public records page for more information about county-level record access.
Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Other cities near Pittsburgh also have public records available through their local offices and county courts.