Lehigh County Public Records
Lehigh County public records are maintained by county offices in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The county is located in southeastern Pennsylvania in the Lehigh Valley and is one of the state's more populous and active counties. Court records, property deeds, tax assessments, estate filings, and government documents are all part of the public record in Lehigh County. Residents and researchers can search Lehigh County records online, visit county offices in Allentown, or submit a right-to-know request. This guide explains how to find and access the documents you need.
Lehigh County Quick Facts
Lehigh County Records Overview
Lehigh County is located in southeastern Pennsylvania and is part of the Lehigh Valley, a fast-growing region that includes the cities of Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton. Allentown is the third-largest city in Pennsylvania and the county seat of Lehigh County. The Lehigh County official website provides a comprehensive directory of county departments, online services, and resources for finding public records. County government in Lehigh County is led by an elected executive and county council.
Lehigh County has invested in online services that allow residents to access records and pay bills without visiting county offices in person. Current tax bills can be paid online by credit or debit card and by eCheck. Nursing home resident payments are also accepted online. The county offers a Volunteer Firefighter Real Estate Tax Credit program that creates its own set of records for eligible participants. These services reflect Lehigh County's commitment to accessible and efficient government.
Public records in Lehigh County include property deeds, court filings, tax assessments, estate documents, and commissioner or council meeting minutes. These documents are open to the public under Pennsylvania law. The volume of records is large given Lehigh County's population and economic activity. The county's online tools make accessing many records faster and easier than ever before.
Note: Lehigh County's online payment and records systems are accessible through the county website at any time, making it possible to handle many records needs without visiting offices in Allentown.
Lehigh County Court Records
The Court of Common Pleas in Lehigh County handles all civil, criminal, and family law matters for the county. The Prothonotary maintains civil court records including case filings, judgments, and liens. The Clerk of Courts manages criminal records. Both offices are located at the Lehigh County Courthouse in Allentown.
Lehigh County court records are searchable online through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System at ujsportal.pacourts.us. The portal is free and available to anyone. You can search by party name or case number. For certified copies or full access to court files, contact the Prothonotary or Clerk of Courts in Allentown. Given the volume of cases in Lehigh County, the online portal is the most efficient first step for most searches.
Court records in Lehigh County cover civil disputes, criminal cases, family law matters, and estate proceedings. Most are public. Juvenile cases and sealed matters are not available for public review. Lehigh County courts handle a large volume of cases each year due to the county's size and economic activity, so the online portal is especially useful for avoiding unnecessary visits to the courthouse.
Lehigh County Property Records
The Recorder of Deeds in Lehigh County records all real estate documents filed in the county. Deeds, mortgages, liens, and satisfactions are maintained as permanent public records. The Lehigh County Recorder of Deeds is the primary office for tracking property ownership, searching for encumbrances, and reviewing the history of real estate transactions in Lehigh County. Every property transfer in the county creates a recorded document available to the public.
Property records in Lehigh County reflect the county's mix of urban, suburban, and rural land. The Lehigh Valley has seen significant real estate activity over many decades, making Lehigh County deed records especially valuable for title searches and ownership research. Mortgage records, lien documents, and satisfaction pieces are also recorded here and searchable by the public.
Tax assessment records for properties in Lehigh County are maintained by the Assessment Office. The Lehigh County Assessment Office tracks the taxable value of all parcels in the county. These records are public and complement deed records for a full view of property in Lehigh County. The Assessment Office also handles appeals from property owners who believe their assessed value is incorrect.
Right-to-Know Requests in Lehigh County
Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law gives any person the right to request public records from Lehigh County government offices. You submit a written request to the relevant department, and the agency must respond within five business days. No reason is required and residency is not a factor in whether your request is accepted.
If a Lehigh County Right-to-Know request is denied, you can appeal to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records at openrecords.pa.gov. The appeal is free and most are resolved within 30 days. The Office of Open Records can order Lehigh County to produce records if the denial was not legally justified. Their website provides sample request forms and guidance on how to navigate the process effectively.
Many Lehigh County records are already available without a formal request. Court records, deed indexes, assessment data, and online services make most routine records accessible. The formal Right-to-Know process is most useful for internal agency documents, budget reports, and correspondence not routinely shared with the public.
Lehigh County Online Services and Tax Records
Lehigh County has developed a range of online services that make government interactions easier. Current property tax bills can be paid online using credit or debit cards and eChecks. Residents no longer need to visit county offices in Allentown to make tax payments. The Volunteer Firefighter Real Estate Tax Credit program is available to eligible volunteer firefighters in Lehigh County, and the county maintains records of all applicants and approvals for this benefit.
Nursing home residents can also submit payments online through the county's system. These types of online services create their own records, and residents can request documentation of payments and account history through the appropriate county office. Lehigh County's investment in online access reflects its commitment to efficient and transparent local government for residents across the Lehigh Valley.
For additional financial oversight and reporting, the Pennsylvania Auditor General publishes public audit reports at paauditor.gov. These reports may include reviews of Lehigh County finances. Pennsylvania law and regulations governing Lehigh County record-keeping can be found through pacodeandbulletin.gov.
Nearby Counties
Lehigh County is part of the Lehigh Valley and borders Northampton, Berks, Carbon, and Bucks counties. Research crossing county lines may require records from neighboring offices.