Blair County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Blair County?

Public records in Blair County are defined according to the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (RTKL), specifically under 65 P.S. § 67.102, as any information, regardless of physical form, that documents a transaction or activity of an agency, and that is created, received, or retained pursuant to law or in connection with a transaction, business, or activity of the agency.

Blair County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court proceedings maintained by the Blair County Courthouse
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments maintained by the Blair County Recorder of Deeds
Vital Records: Birth and death certificates (1893-1905), marriage licenses, and divorce decrees maintained by the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations
Tax Records: Property tax information and assessment records maintained by the Blair County Assessment Office
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results maintained by the Blair County Election Board
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of county commission meetings, board proceedings, and municipal meetings
Budget and Financial Documents: County financial reports, budgets, and expenditure records
Law Enforcement Records: Certain police reports, incident logs, and arrest records (with statutory limitations)
Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning permits, and land development plans

The Blair County Prothonotary's Office maintains civil court records, while the Clerk of Courts handles criminal court records. Property records are maintained by the Recorder of Deeds, and vital records are primarily the responsibility of the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court.

Is Blair County an Open Records County?

Blair County fully complies with the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.), which establishes the presumption that all records in possession of state and local agencies are public records unless:

Disclosure is prohibited by law, regulation, or court order
The record is protected by a privilege
The record is specifically exempt under Section 708 of the RTKL

The law states: "Unless otherwise provided by law, a public record, legislative record or financial record shall be accessible for inspection and duplication in accordance with this act." This establishes the fundamental right of public access to government information in Blair County and throughout Pennsylvania.

Blair County government offices, including municipalities like Logan Township, have designated Open Records Officers who process requests in accordance with the RTKL. The county also adheres to Pennsylvania's Sunshine Act (65 Pa.C.S. §§ 701-716), which requires public meetings and deliberations.

Each Blair County agency maintains its own public records policy in compliance with state law. These policies outline procedures for requesting records, applicable fees, and the appeals process when requests are denied.

How to Find Public Records in Blair County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Blair County may follow these procedures to access public information:

Identify the Appropriate Agency: Determine which county office maintains the records you seek. The Blair County Courthouse houses most county departments.
Submit a Written Request: While verbal requests may be honored for some records, a written Right-to-Know request is recommended for formal documentation. Requests should:
- Be addressed to the agency's Open Records Officer
- Clearly describe the records sought
- Indicate preferred format (paper or electronic)
- Include contact information
Use the Standard RTK Request Form: The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records provides a standard form that requestors may use, though agencies must accept any written request that identifies the desired records.
Submit Your Request: Deliver your request in person, by mail, email, or fax to the appropriate agency. Many Blair County agencies now accept requests through their websites.
Track Response Timeline: Agencies must respond within 5 business days, though they may invoke a 30-day extension for complex requests.
Review Response: The agency will either grant access, deny the request (with specific legal reasons), or request clarification.
Appeal if Necessary: If a request is denied, requestors may appeal to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records within 15 business days.

For court records, the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania Web Portal provides online access to certain court documents. Property records may be searched through the Blair County Recorder of Deeds office.

Many Blair County municipalities, including the City of Altoona, maintain their own records and have designated Open Records Officers to process requests for municipal documents.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Blair County?

Blair County agencies charge fees for public records in accordance with the fee schedule established under 65 P.S. § 67.1307 of the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law. The standard fees currently in effect include:

Photocopies: $0.25 per page (black and white, 8.5 x 11 or 8.5 x 14)
Color Copies: $0.50 per page
Specialized Documents: Actual cost (includes photographs, maps, and non-standard sized documents)
Electronic Records: No charge for electronic records emailed to requestor; actual cost of media if provided on CD/DVD
Certification of Records: $5.00 per record
Postage: Actual cost for mailing records

Additional fees may apply for specialized records:

Court Records: The Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts offices charge filing and copying fees according to their fee schedules
Deeds and Mortgages: The Recorder of Deeds charges recording fees based on document type and length
Vital Records: Marriage licenses, birth and death certificates have specific statutory fees

Agencies may require prepayment if fees are expected to exceed $100. Payment methods accepted typically include cash, check, and money order. Some offices may accept credit cards for in-person transactions.

The RTKL prohibits agencies from charging for:

Staff time for record retrieval
Legal review of records
Redaction of exempt information

Requestors experiencing financial hardship may request a fee waiver, though approval is at the agency's discretion based on the public interest served by disclosure.

Does Blair County Have Free Public Records?

Blair County provides free inspection of public records in accordance with the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law. Members of the public may examine non-exempt records during regular business hours without charge, though fees apply for copies or certification.

The following free public record resources are available:

In-Person Inspection: All county offices allow free on-site inspection of public records during normal business hours
Online Resources: Several free online databases provide access to Blair County records:
- The Blair County Assessment Office offers property assessment information online
- The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System provides free access to court docket information
- Blair County Election Results are available online at no cost
- County and municipal meeting minutes are often posted on government websites
Public Terminals: Computer terminals at the Blair County Courthouse provide free access to certain court records
Public Libraries: The Altoona Area Public Library and other county libraries offer free internet access to online public records

The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records maintains resources to help citizens understand their rights regarding public records access without charge.

While inspection is free, requestors should note that fees apply for copies, certification, specialized searches, or records provided on physical media.

Who Can Request Public Records in Blair County?

Under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.301), any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request public records from Blair County agencies. The law states that "a Commonwealth agency shall provide public records in accordance with this act."

Key eligibility considerations include:

No Residency Requirement: Requestors need not be Pennsylvania or Blair County residents
No Age Restriction: Minors may submit requests, though some records may have access restrictions
No Purpose Statement Required: Requestors generally do not need to explain why they want records
Identification: While basic contact information is required, formal identification is typically not necessary except for certain restricted records
Legal Entities: Businesses, organizations, and media outlets may request records
Inmates: Incarcerated individuals have limited rights to request records under 65 P.S. § 67.708(b)(1)(ii)

For certain record types, additional verification may be required:

Vital Records: Birth and death certificates require proof of relationship or legal interest
Medical Records: Access is restricted by HIPAA and requires authorization
Criminal History: Complete criminal history information requires fingerprinting and identity verification
Juvenile Records: Generally confidential with limited exceptions

Blair County agencies process requests from all individuals equally, regardless of their purpose or relationship to the county, except where specific statutory restrictions apply.

What Records Are Confidential in Blair County?

Blair County maintains certain records as confidential in accordance with 65 P.S. § 67.708 of the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, which exempts specific categories of records from public disclosure. These exemptions include:

Personal Identification Information: Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, financial account numbers, and home addresses of judges, law enforcement officers, and certain public officials
Medical Records: Health-related information protected under HIPAA and state medical privacy laws
Personnel Records: Employee performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, and personal information (though names, positions, salaries, and length of service are public)
Criminal Investigative Records: Active investigation materials, witness statements, and intelligence information
Juvenile Records: Court and law enforcement records involving minors, with limited exceptions
Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and attorney work product
Predecisional Deliberations: Internal discussions and draft documents prior to agency decisions
Trade Secrets and Confidential Proprietary Information: Business information that would cause competitive harm if disclosed
Infrastructure Security Information: Building plans, emergency response protocols, and security systems details
Sealed Court Records: Records sealed by court order, including certain expunged criminal records and adoption files
Child Welfare Records: Reports and investigations regarding child abuse or neglect
Donor Information: Identity of individual donors to public agencies (except where required by law)

When a record contains both public and confidential information, agencies will redact the exempt portions and release the remainder. The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law requires agencies to apply a balancing test in certain cases, weighing the public interest in disclosure against privacy interests or potential harm from release.

Agencies must cite the specific legal basis for any denial of access to records, referencing the applicable exemption under Section 708 or other state or federal laws that prohibit disclosure.

Blair County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Blair County Recorder of Deeds
423 Allegheny Street, Suite 113
Hollidaysburg, PA 16648
Phone: (814) 693-3095
Blair County Recorder of Deeds

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Blair County Prothonotary
423 Allegheny Street, Suite 144
Hollidaysburg, PA 16648
Phone: (814) 693-3080
Blair County Prothonotary

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Blair County Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court
423 Allegheny Street, Suite 142
Hollidaysburg, PA 16648
Phone: (814) 693-3095
Blair County Register of Wills

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Blair County Assessment Office
423 Allegheny Street, Suite 41
Hollidaysburg, PA 16648
Phone: (814) 693-3110
Blair County Assessment Office

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays