Find Public Records in Berks County
Berks County public records are maintained by elected offices and county departments in Reading, Pennsylvania. The county provides access to court records, property assessments, land records, election results, and vital records under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law. Berks County operates an online property assessment search tool along with other resources that let residents and researchers access public records without visiting the courthouse in person. This guide covers the main record types and how to find them.
Berks County Quick Facts
Berks County Public Records Overview
Berks County maintains a full range of public records through its courthouse offices in Reading. The major record-keeping offices include the Prothonotary, Clerk of Courts, Register of Wills, Recorder of Deeds, Assessment Office, Election Services Office, Sheriff's Office, and Tax Claim Bureau. Each office maintains specific categories of documents that are available to the public under state law. Many Berks County records can be accessed online or in person at the Reading courthouse.
The Berks County government website at co.berks.pa.us provides information about county services, department contacts, and access to online record search tools. This is the official source for Berks County records and services. Residents who are unsure which office holds a particular record can use the website to identify the correct department and find contact information before making the trip to Reading.
Election records in Berks County are maintained by the Election Services Office. These include voter registration rolls, past election results, and related election documents. The county provides election results online following each primary and general election. These results are public and available to all residents.
The Pennsylvania state portal at pa.gov links to state agencies that maintain additional records for residents of Berks County and Reading.
Berks County Property Assessment Records
The Assessment Office in Berks County maintains property values for every parcel in the county. These assessments are used to calculate property taxes owed by landowners in Reading and throughout Berks County. The county provides an online property assessment search tool that allows anyone to look up property information by owner name, address, or parcel number. This tool is one of the most widely used public databases in Berks County.
Access the Berks County Property Assessment Search at co.berks.pa.us/Dept/Assessment/Pages/PropertyAssessmentSearch.aspx. Search results show the current assessed value, the legal description of the property, the owner of record, and other details. This system is free and available around the clock. Real estate professionals, lenders, and property buyers use it frequently to research parcels across Berks County.
The Tax Claim Bureau in Berks County handles delinquent property taxes and manages the sale of properties with unpaid taxes. Tax claim records are public and show which properties are in delinquency. These records are available at the Tax Claim Bureau office in Reading or through written requests.
Note: Property assessment values used for tax purposes may differ from market value. Contact a licensed appraiser or real estate agent for a current market analysis of any Berks County property.
Berks County Court Records
The Prothonotary in Berks County maintains all civil court records for cases filed in the Court of Common Pleas. These include civil lawsuits, domestic relations cases, protection from abuse orders, and other civil matters. The Clerk of Courts handles criminal cases. Both offices are located at the Berks County courthouse in Reading and are open to the public during business hours. Staff can help locate specific cases and provide copies of court documents upon request.
Berks County court records can be searched online through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us. This free statewide tool lets you search by party name or case number. The portal covers civil, criminal, and family cases from the Court of Common Pleas, as well as records from magisterial district courts in Berks County. The PAeDocket mobile app provides the same search features on a smartphone. For certified copies of documents, visit the Prothonotary or Clerk of Courts at the Reading courthouse.
Berks County Land and Deed Records
The Recorder of Deeds in Berks County records and maintains all real estate instruments filed by property owners, buyers, sellers, and lenders. Deeds, mortgages, mortgage satisfactions, subdivision plans, and other land records are all held by this office. These documents form the legal chain of title for all real property in Berks County. Anyone researching the ownership history of a parcel in the Reading area or elsewhere in Berks County can do so through the Recorder of Deeds office.
The Recorder of Deeds office in Berks County is located at the county courthouse in Reading. Staff maintain an index of recorded documents searchable by grantor and grantee name. Copies of recorded instruments are available for a fee. Title searches in Berks County typically rely heavily on these records to confirm ownership and identify any liens, mortgages, or encumbrances affecting a property.
Sheriff's sale records are also public in Berks County. When a property goes through foreclosure or tax delinquency proceedings and is offered at a sheriff's sale, the county maintains records of these sales. These records show properties sold, their addresses, and the sale prices. Researchers and investors often review sheriff's sale records in Berks County to identify distressed properties.
Right-to-Know Requests in Berks County
Under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, any resident of the United States may request public records from Berks County government. The county has designated an Agency Open Records Officer to handle these requests. Submit your request in writing by mail, fax, or in person. The county must respond within five business days. To learn more about the RTKL process or to download a standard request form, visit openrecords.pa.gov.
Berks County records commonly requested under the RTKL include meeting minutes from the county commissioners, county budget documents, financial audits, contracts, and bid records. Most of these documents are available without a formal request through the county website. If a specific record is not online, submit a written RTKL request to the appropriate office in Reading. If the county denies your request, you may appeal to the state Office of Open Records within 15 business days.
Nearby Counties
Berks County is located in southeastern Pennsylvania and borders several other counties with their own public records offices.