Armstrong County Public Records Database
Armstrong County public records are kept by elected offices and county departments in Kittanning, Pennsylvania. The county provides access to court records, property records, land documents, and vital records in compliance with Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law. Residents, researchers, and legal professionals can search Armstrong County records in person during regular business hours Monday through Friday. This page explains the types of records available and how to locate them.
Armstrong County Quick Facts
Armstrong County Government and Public Records
Armstrong County government is based in Kittanning, where the county courthouse is located. The courthouse houses several offices that keep public records, including the Prothonotary, Clerk of Courts, Register of Wills, Recorder of Deeds, and Sheriff's Office. All of these offices are open to the public on regular business days, Monday through Friday. Staff at each office can assist you in locating records and obtaining copies.
The Armstrong County website provides information about each county department, including contact details and descriptions of the records each office maintains. This is a helpful first stop before visiting the Kittanning courthouse in person. The website includes links to online resources and explains how to reach county offices by phone or mail if you cannot visit in person.
Armstrong County also maintains public financial records including the county budget, annual reports, and commissioner meeting minutes. These documents are open to any resident under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law. The county commissioners meet regularly, and their meeting agendas and minutes are kept as part of the official county record. These documents reflect decisions about spending, policies, and county operations.
The Armstrong County government website connects residents to departments maintaining records for Kittanning and surrounding communities throughout the county.
Armstrong County Court Records Search
The Prothonotary in Armstrong County is the clerk of the civil Court of Common Pleas. This office maintains records for all civil cases filed in Armstrong County, including civil lawsuits, judgments, protection from abuse orders, and other civil proceedings. The Clerk of Courts handles criminal case records separately. Both offices are located at the Kittanning courthouse and are open during regular business hours.
You can search Armstrong County court records online through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Portal. Visit ujsportal.pacourts.us to search by name or case number across all Pennsylvania counties, including Armstrong. The portal shows docket information, party names, case status, and filing history at no charge. For certified copies of court documents or access to the full case file, you must contact the Armstrong County Prothonotary or Clerk of Courts in Kittanning directly.
Magisterial district court records for Armstrong County are also searchable through the UJS Portal. These lower-level court records include civil claims, summary offenses, and preliminary hearings. The PAeDocket mobile app lets you search these same records from a smartphone, making it easier to check Armstrong County case information on the go.
Note: UJS Portal docket information is not an official criminal history record. For official background check purposes, contact the Pennsylvania State Police at pa.gov/agencies/psp.
Armstrong County Land and Property Records
The Recorder of Deeds in Armstrong County maintains all recorded land documents for the county. These records include deeds that transfer ownership of real property, mortgages and mortgage satisfactions, easements, rights-of-way, and related documents. Anyone purchasing property in Armstrong County should review deed records before closing a transaction. Title searches often rely on this office's records to trace the chain of title for a parcel.
Visit the Recorder of Deeds page on the county website for office hours, location, and contact information. Staff in Kittanning can help you search the index by owner name, grantee name, or property address. Copies of recorded documents are available for a per-page fee. Title companies, real estate attorneys, and surveyors use these records regularly when working on transactions in Armstrong County.
Property assessment and tax records are kept by the county assessment office. These records show the current assessed value of each parcel and the owner of record for tax purposes. Property tax records are separate from the deed records but are equally important for real estate research in Armstrong County.
Requesting Armstrong County Public Records
Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law gives residents the right to request public records from Armstrong County government agencies. To make a request, you must submit it in writing. The county's Agency Open Records Officer will respond within five business days. The response will grant access, deny the request with a legal explanation, or request a time extension to respond. Most routine government records are accessible without delay.
If you need help submitting a Right-to-Know request in Armstrong County, the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records provides a standard request form and guidance at openrecords.pa.gov. The OOR also handles appeals when requests are denied. If the county denies your request and you believe the denial was improper, you can file an appeal with the OOR within 15 business days of the denial. The appeals process is free and designed to be accessible to any Pennsylvania resident.
Common public records available from Armstrong County include meeting minutes, budgets, contracts, property assessment rolls, and sheriff's sale listings. Most records are available during business hours at the Kittanning courthouse.
Vital Records in Armstrong County
The Register of Wills in Armstrong County issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records. Couples who wish to marry in Armstrong County apply for their license at the Register of Wills office in Kittanning. The Register of Wills also probates wills and administers estates, maintaining records of all estate filings. These records are public and can be searched at the office during business hours.
Birth and death certificates for Armstrong County are issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. You can request copies of these records through the Health Department's vital records division online, by mail, or through an authorized third-party vendor. The state holds records from 1906 onward. For older historical records, the Armstrong County historical society may be able to assist with genealogical research. Certified copies of vital records from the Health Department are commonly needed for legal purposes such as estate administration, name changes, and insurance claims.
Nearby Counties
Armstrong County is bordered by several western Pennsylvania counties. Records for properties or cases that cross county lines may be held in more than one county courthouse.