Open Records
Right-to-Know Law and Open Records Policy
The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (RTKL) allows the public to inspect and/or obtain copies of Allegheny County's public records.
If you are requesting documents or records from the following departments, please follow the appropriate link.
All other requests will go through the Allegheny County Office of Open Records.
Allegheny County Office of Open Records
If the records you are seeking are not listed above or are not available for immediate access, you may submit a request to the Allegheny County Office of Open Records. Requests can be submitted online, or submitted via mail, fax, email, or in-person to the Open Records Officer using the Right-to-Know paper request form.
Open Records Officer
Jessica Garofolo
Allegheny County Courthouse, Room 202
436 Grant Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Google Directions
Phone: 412-350-6109
Fax: 412-350-4925
Email: openrecords@alleghenycounty.us
About the Process
Upon submitting a request, you will receive one of the following responses within five business days of the receipt of request:
- Notice on how and when you may inspect or obtain copies of the requested records
- Notice that additional time will be needed for legal review of your request, or for the gathering/duplicating of the requested records, or staffing limitations
- Notice that some or all of the requested records are not subject to production under the Right-to-Know Law
If you disagree with a determination from the Allegheny County Open Records Office, you may file an appeal with the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records. Guidelines and forms for appeals may be found at Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Open Records Office. Decisions of the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records may be appealed in court.
Fees
A fee will be charged for all paper copies requested. Copies will not be provided until the applicable fees have been paid. In a few instances, fees are determined by a statute other than the Right-to-Know Law. Rates are subject to change and may vary due to request type or complexity.
| Request Type |
Standard Fees |
| Photocopies (standard sizes only)
|
One-sided:
25¢ per page
Two-sided:
25¢ per side |
| Record Certification |
$ 1.00 |
| Redaction |
No fee for redacting nonpublic information in a public document.
There is a charge for making all copies needed to produce redacted material for viewing by the requester. |
| Blueprints, Maps, or Specialized Documents |
Applicant pays the county's cost of reproduction |
| Postage |
Applicant pays the county's cost of applicable mailing |
| Electronic Data |
Rates are determined by the county, with approval of the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records |