Snyder County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Snyder County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Snyder County, Pennsylvania, may access a range of publicly available information through official county offices, online portals, and authorized databases. SnyderRecords.us aggregates publicly available data that may assist individuals in locating records maintained by county agencies. The types of information that may be found include property records, court filings, tax assessments, deeds, mortgages, and other documents maintained by county departments. Access to specific records depends on the nature of the document, the custodial office, and applicable state law.
Records available through official channels may include:
- Property deeds and mortgage documents
- Civil and criminal court filings
- Probate and estate records
- Tax assessment and delinquent tax records
- Notary commissions and bonds
- Voter registration and election records
- County meeting minutes and financial documents
Online Access:
Several county departments provide online access to records. The Snyder County Assessment office maintains a searchable online database where members of the public may access assessed property values, deed references, and tax history information without registration. Delinquent real estate tax records are accessible through the Tax Claim Bureau portal. Court-related documents may be reviewed through the Snyder County Courts page, which provides calendars, forms, and links to court administration resources.
In-Person Requests:
Members of the public may visit the Register & Recorder's Office or the Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts to inspect and request copies of records. Both offices are located at the Snyder County Courthouse, 9 West Market Street, Middleburg, PA 17842. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Written/Mail Requests:
Written requests should be directed to the appropriate custodial office at Snyder County Courthouse, 9 West Market Street, Middleburg, PA 17842. Requests must include a description of the record sought, the requester's name and contact information, and the preferred format for response. Under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, agencies are required to respond within five business days of receiving a written request.
Phone/Email:
- Register & Recorder: (570) 837-4207
- Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts: (570) 837-4282
- Tax Assessment Office: (570) 837-4220
What Are Public Records in Snyder County?
Public records in Snyder County are defined under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.102, as records, including financial records, of a Commonwealth agency, local agency, judicial agency, or legislative agency that are not exempt from access under the statute. The following record types are maintained by county departments:
| Record Type | Custodial Office |
|---|---|
| Deeds, mortgages, estates | Register & Recorder |
| Civil, criminal, orphans' court filings | Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts |
| Property assessments, tax history | Assessment Office |
| Delinquent tax records, judicial sales | Tax Claim Bureau |
| Court calendars, judicial orders | Courts Administration |
| Notary commissions and bonds | Register & Recorder |
| Voter registration, election results | County Election Bureau |
| Budget and financial documents | County Commissioners' Office |
| Zoning and land use records | County Planning Office |
The Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts is responsible for recording all civil, criminal, and orphans' court procedures, along with signing and sealing all writs and processes. Vital records such as birth and death certificates are maintained at the state level by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Is Snyder County an Open Records County?
Snyder County operates in full compliance with Pennsylvania's statewide open records framework. Under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.), all local agencies, including county governments, are presumed to be open and records are presumed to be public unless a specific exemption applies. The Office of Open Records, the state body that oversees compliance, states that "the goal of the Right-to-Know Law is to empower citizens by expanding access to government records."
The county does not maintain a separate local open records ordinance that supersedes state law. Each county department designates an Open Records Officer responsible for processing requests and ensuring timely responses. Requesters who are denied access may appeal to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records within 15 business days of the denial. The county's compliance with the state Sunshine Act, 65 Pa. C.S. § 701 et seq., also ensures that meetings of county governing bodies are open to the public.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Snyder County?
The fee structure for public records in Snyder County is governed by the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law and applicable county fee schedules. Under 65 P.S. § 67.1307, agencies may charge fees for duplication but may not charge for the time spent searching or retrieving records.
| Fee Type | Standard Amount |
|---|---|
| Black-and-white paper copies (letter/legal) | $0.25 per page |
| Certification of records | Varies by office |
| Electronic records (where applicable) | Actual cost of duplication |
| Inspection of records | No charge |
| Notary commission recording | Set by county schedule |
| Deed recording | Set by county fee schedule |
Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order made payable to Snyder County. Fees for recording instruments such as deeds and mortgages are established separately under the Pennsylvania Recorder of Deeds fee schedule and may differ from standard copy fees. Fee waivers are not broadly mandated under state law, though agencies retain discretion to waive fees in certain circumstances.
Does Snyder County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to any member of the public at the custodial county office during regular business hours. Under Pennsylvania law, agencies may not charge a fee for the inspection of records; fees apply only when copies are requested. The following resources are currently available at no cost:
- Online property assessment data: The county assessment database provides free access to assessed values, deed references, and tax history for all parcels in the county.
- Delinquent tax records: Members of the public may access delinquent real estate tax information through the Tax Claim Bureau online portal at no charge.
- Court information: The Snyder County Courts page provides free access to court calendars, forms, and links to judicial resources.
- In-person inspection: Records held by the Register & Recorder and the Prothonotary may be inspected in person at no cost during office hours.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing a record at a public counter incurs no fee, obtaining a paper or electronic copy is subject to the applicable duplication fee schedule.
Who Can Request Public Records in Snyder County?
Any person may submit a public records request in Snyder County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law does not require requesters to be Pennsylvania residents, to provide identification, or to explain the reason for their request when seeking access to public records. This broad access standard reflects the legislature's intent that government records belong to the public.
Specific conditions apply in limited circumstances:
- Identification: Requesters are not required to provide identification for standard public records requests. However, individuals seeking records that contain their own personal information may be asked to verify identity to protect third-party privacy.
- Purpose: Agencies may not condition access to public records on the requester disclosing the intended use of the information.
- Restrictions by record type: Certain records, such as juvenile court files, adoption records, and sealed court documents, are restricted by statute and may only be accessed by authorized parties such as the subject of the record, legal counsel, or court order.
- Non-residents: Non-residents of Pennsylvania retain the same rights as residents under the Right-to-Know Law and may submit requests by mail, email, or in person.
Individuals requesting their own records from law enforcement or court systems may be subject to additional identity verification procedures established by those agencies.
What Records Are Confidential in Snyder County?
Not all government records are subject to public disclosure. Pennsylvania law enumerates specific categories of exempt records under 65 P.S. § 67.708, which agencies are required to apply when responding to records requests. The following categories are currently exempt from public access:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the general public.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Pennsylvania law and accessible only to authorized parties.
- Ongoing criminal investigation records: Records compiled in the course of a criminal investigation are exempt while the investigation is active.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from disclosed records.
- Medical and health records: Records protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) are not subject to public disclosure.
- Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related documents are sealed by statute.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by child protective services agencies are confidential.
- Personnel records: Employee personnel files are exempt, with limited exceptions for salary and position information of public employees.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Confidential commercial or financial information submitted to government agencies is protected.
- Security and infrastructure plans: Documents detailing security systems, emergency response plans, or critical infrastructure are withheld to protect public safety.
As the Office of Open Records notes, "the exemptions in the Right-to-Know Law are to be narrowly construed," meaning agencies must disclose all portions of a record that are not specifically exempt, even if other portions are withheld.
Snyder County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Snyder County Register & Recorder 9 West Market Street, Middleburg, PA 17842 (570) 837-4207 Register & Recorder – Snyder County
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM Closed on federal and state holidays.
The Register & Recorder maintains deeds, mortgages, estate records, notary commissions and bonds, and military discharge papers. Military discharge papers are available to family members but are not classified as a general public record.
Snyder County Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts 9 West Market Street, Middleburg, PA 17842 (570) 837-4282 Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts – Snyder County
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM Closed on federal and state holidays.
Snyder County Assessment Office 9 West Market Street, Middleburg, PA 17842 (570) 837-4220 Assessment – Snyder County
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Snyder County Tax Claim Bureau 9 West Market Street, Middleburg, PA 17842 (570) 837-4220 Tax Claim – Snyder County
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Snyder County Courts Administration 9 West Market Street, Middleburg, PA 17842 (570) 837-4282 Snyder County Courts
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Lookup Public Records in Snyder County
- Deeds, mortgages, and estate records – Register & Recorder
- Civil, criminal, and orphans' court filings – Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts
- Property assessment and tax history – Snyder County Assessment
- Court calendars, forms, and judicial resources – Snyder County Courts
- Delinquent real estate tax records – Tax Claim Bureau