Reading Pennsylvania Public Records
Reading public records cover documents created and maintained by the City of Reading and Berks County government. Reading is the county seat of Berks County and the fourth-largest city in Pennsylvania. City departments, the Mayor's Office, and City Council all produce records that are available to the public. Residents can request public records from city offices under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law and can search court records through Berks County. This guide explains where Reading records are held and how to access them.
Reading Quick Facts
Where Reading Residents Access Records
Reading city records are held at City Hall and by individual departments throughout city government. The city website at readingpa.gov provides department listings and contact information. City Hall is the main access point for most Reading public records requests. The City Clerk maintains Council minutes, ordinances, and official city documents.
Berks County government offices maintain a separate set of records that cover Reading residents and properties. The county courthouse is located in Reading and houses the Prothonotary, Recorder of Deeds, Register of Wills, and other county offices. Property records, court filings, and estate documents involving Reading addresses are filed at the county level. Both city and county records together form the full picture of public records for Reading residents.
The Pennsylvania state government portal connects residents to records and services that fall under state jurisdiction. Birth and death certificates are available through the Pennsylvania Department of Health. State financial audits and agency reports are published through the Pennsylvania Auditor General.
Reading Court Records in Berks County
Court cases involving Reading residents are filed at the Berks County Court of Common Pleas. The Prothonotary keeps civil court records. The Clerk of Courts manages criminal case files. Both are located at the Berks County Services Center in Reading. You can also search these records online through Pennsylvania's court portal.
The UJS Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us lets you search Reading court records by name or docket number for free. Civil, criminal, and domestic relations cases filed in Berks County are searchable. The portal shows basic case information including filing dates, party names, and current status. For copies of filed documents, contact the Prothonotary's office directly.
Magisterial District Courts in Reading handle small claims, landlord-tenant cases, and summary offenses. These local court records are also available through the UJS Portal. A Magisterial District Judge presides over these lower-level matters before they can be appealed to the Court of Common Pleas.
Note: Some court records in Berks County may be sealed by court order and are not available through public searches.
Reading City Government Public Records
Reading city government produces records through its various departments. City Council meeting minutes and agendas are maintained by the City Clerk and are available as public records. The Mayor's Office generates correspondence, policy directives, and administrative documents. Budget documents and financial reports from the city are also public records that show how Reading spends public funds.
Building permits and zoning records are maintained by the relevant city department. These records show approval dates, permit types, and property addresses. Code enforcement records document violations and resolutions. Public works contracts and project records reflect city spending on infrastructure. Police incident reports are held by the Reading Police Department.
The city also produces election records, which are shared with Berks County election officials. City budget documents are often posted online and available without a formal request. For documents not posted on the city website, you may need to submit a Right-to-Know request to the appropriate Reading department.
How to Request Reading Public Records
Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law applies to all Reading city agencies. Records held by city departments are presumed to be public unless an exemption under state or federal law applies. You have the right to request any public record without explaining why you want it.
To submit a request, identify the Reading city department that holds the record. Send a written request to the department's Open Records Officer. The department must respond within five business days. If they need more time, they must tell you in writing. The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records provides request forms and guidance on its website. You can also use their online form to submit requests electronically.
If a Reading city department denies your request, you can appeal to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records within 15 business days. The Office will review the denial and issue a binding final determination. Reading residents have used this appeal process to successfully obtain records initially withheld by city departments.
Reading Property Records and Deeds
Property records for Reading addresses are filed at the Berks County Recorder of Deeds office. Deeds, mortgages, and liens recorded against Reading properties are public records. The county assessor maintains ownership data, assessment values, and tax history for all properties in Reading.
Berks County offers an online property search tool for looking up Reading addresses. You can search by owner name, parcel ID, or street address. Assessment history and current ownership are included in the online records. These searches are free and do not require a formal records request.
Property tax records for Reading are managed through Berks County. Tax liens on Reading properties are public records. If you are researching the history of a specific property in Reading, start with the Recorder of Deeds and the Berks County online property search system. For questions about assessed values, contact the county assessor's office directly.
Note: The Berks County Recorder of Deeds maintains records dating back many decades, making it a valuable resource for researching Reading property history.
Reading is in Berks County
Reading serves as the county seat of Berks County. Many records related to Reading residents, including court filings and property documents, are maintained at the county level. Visit the Berks County public records page to learn more about county record access.
Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Other cities near Reading keep public records through their city offices and county courthouses.