Providing Access to Public Records

• Asking questions and looking for answers is not a legitimate request.
• You must request specific documents and/or records.
• “Any and All” verbiage when making a request lacks specificity and that request will be denied.

Emails

Not all emails are public records. Each email, like any other record, goes through the same analysis to determine whether it is a public record. 

Record

Please refer to the definitions below defined in the RTK Law:

• Information, regardless of physical form or characteristics, 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. The term includes a:
  • Book
  • Data processed or image-processed document
  • Document
  • Film or sound recording
  • Information stored or maintained electronically 
  • Letter
  • Map
  • Paper
  • Photograph
  • Tape

Public record

A record, including a financial record, of a Commonwealth or local agency that:

• Is not exempt from being disclosed under any other Federal or State law or regulation or judicial order or decree
• Is not exempt under section 708
• Is not protected by a privilege

Review the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law

Pennsylvania Right to Know Law

How do I know if the documents and/or records I request can be given to me? 

Answer:  Section 703, Section 705 and Section 708(b) of the "Right To Know Law" describe what types of documents cannot legally be given to the public.

Submit a Request

Complete the Luzerne County Right To Know Request Form (PDF). Once completed the form may be submitted to the appropriate Open Records Officers.