Public records are documents or pieces of information that have been filed or recorded by local, state, federal, or other government agencies. These records are preserved by the government because they are perceived to hold long-term value. In Pennsylvania, information from government databases are made accessible to the public in line with the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law. These records include, but aren’t limited to, criminal records, court records, property records, and other sorts of public accounts. Final adjudication can be found through these online databases for free or a minimal cost for physical copies.

The Pennsylvania Open Records Law has been in existence since 1957 but was significantly amended by Act 3 of 2008, which took effect on January 1, 2009. The updated law expanded public access to include not only traditional paper records but also electronic ones. This shift has allowed various services to offer online background screening checks, which leverage these public records to provide comprehensive information about individuals.

Web-based services conducting online background screening checks have become popular for both professional and personal uses. Employers, landlords, and people who are dating online are finding these services extremely beneficial. On one hand, these checks often help employers and landlords make informed decisions about potential employees or tenants. On the other, online daters use these tools to ensure they are meeting someone that portrays themselves accurately over the internet.

The Types of Public Records in PA

Public records in Pennsylvania are separated into different categories, each housing particular types of records. Below are some of the commonly used categories:

• Legal Records: These may include filings, case documents, court decisions, and other related documents from various court levels.
• Criminal Records: The Pennsylvania State Police maintain these records, which include criminal history summary, fingerprints, and arrest documents.
• Vital Records: Birth and death certificates, marriage, and divorce records fall under this category. These documents come from the Department of Health’s Division of Vital Records.
• Property Records: The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue maintains the real estate ownership documents, deeds, and records of sales.

Accessing Public Records in PA

Public records in Pennsylvania can be requested from the relevant government department or office. However, one has to consider various factors such as purpose, urgency, and confidentiality while seeking these records. While some of these records are immediately accessible online, some might require a formal request or even a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) application.

For instance, to access criminal history records, one has to request via the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) system. On the other hand, vital records requests can be made online through the Department of Health’s website. Property owners can check tax information on the Department of Revenue’s site, along with other property-related documents.

The advent of web-based tools that utilise public records to carry out online background screening checks has made it easier for individuals and organisations to access comprehensive, accurate information quickly and at any time. While these checks draw on public records, they consolidate the information in a user-friendly manner, eliminating the time-consuming process of scouring various databases.

Before conducting an

online background screening check

or accessing public records, it’s important to be aware of Pennsylvania’s rules concerning privacy and disclosure to ensure that the search does not infract on anyone’s rights. Equal attention must be given to verify the authenticity of online platforms offering access to public records or providing screening checks.

Public records in Pennsylvania, when leveraged correctly, can be powerful tools in today’s information-driven world, drivings decision-making based on facts, upholding transparency, and safeguarding community interests.