ERIE PUBLIC RECORDS

What Are Erie City Public Records?

Erie City public records refer to any nonexempt document, file, or material maintained by – or on behalf of – a government agency that contains information of its transactions, activities, and businesses in the city. These records may be in any form, including books, letters, photographs, maps, tapes, films, papers, audio recordings, and information stored electronically. A requester may receive Eric City public records in a requested format if it exists in that format, receive it in the available form, or pay extra to get it in the requested form.

According to the Right-to-Know Law, public records are not exempted by law, court order, privilege, or other statutory protections. Hence, requesters should note that not all government records are classified as public. Some may fall under statutory exemptions and have access restricted to authorized entities. Examples of public records exemptions include:

• Autopsy records
• A person’s medical record, psychological/psychiatric history, or disability status
• Personal financial information
• Trade secrets and confidential proprietary information
• A minor’s personal identification information
• Information protected by a privilege, such as doctor-patient privilege, attorney-client privilege, and other recognized privileges
• DNA and RNA records
• Academic transcripts
• Sensitive personal identification information like driver's license number, Social Security numbers, home address, and personal telephone numbers
• Criminal investigation records
• Non-criminal investigation records that may hinder operations or endanger an individual’s life, physical safety, or right to impartial trial if disclosed
• Information that may jeopardize an organization’s operations or endanger public safety or personal security

If an integral part of a record does not contain exempted information, an agency may grant access to the public information contained by redacting the confidential sections.

Public Erie city records may also be accessible from third-party websites. Record seekers may either opt to use these non-governmental platforms to search for a specific record or multiple city records. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search, such as:

• The address of the requestor
• A case number or file number (if known)
• The location of the document or person involved
• The name of the subject involved in the record (not juvenile)
• The last known or current address of the registrant

Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.

Erie City Crime Statistics

The recent city-by-city crime index provided by the FBI revealed that Erie City recorded 476 violent crimes and 1,817 property crimes in 2019. A breakdown of violent crimes shows that the city had nine murder and nonnegligent manslaughter cases, 54 rape offenses, 93 robberies, 320 aggravated assaults. Meanwhile, property crimes consisted of 342 burglaries, 1,379 larceny thefts, 96 motor vehicle thefts, and 33 arson incidents.

Compared to the 2018 statistics, indexed violent crimes (299) increased by 59.2%, whereas property crimes (1,880) reduced by 3.4% in a year. The crime categories that increased in occurrences between 2018 and 2019 included rape (+38.5%), robbery (+2.2), aggravated assault (+102.5%), and larceny-theft offenses (+1.8%). On the other hand, varying levels of decrease were witnessed in burglary (-18.6%), motor vehicle theft (-8.6%), arson (-40%), and murder and nonnegligent manslaughter cases (-18.2%).

Are Erie City Criminal Records Public?

Erie City criminal records are public information unless otherwise restricted by law. The Pennsylvania State Police is the custodian of criminal history information for Erie City and other areas in the states. Interested persons, volunteers, criminal justice agencies, and non-criminal justice agencies may use the ePATCH system or conduct criminal background checks by sending filled request forms (individuals, volunteers) to:

Pennsylvania State Police
Central Repository - RCPU
1800 Elmerton Avenue,
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758

Or

Pennsylvania State Police
Central Repository – 164
1800 Elmerton Avenue,
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758

Volunteers can request background checks for free. The Pennsylvania State Police charges $22 for a standard request, $20 for individual access and review, and a $5 notary fee.

Additionally, the Erie County Clerk of Courts conducts adult criminal record checks for $10 per search. Interested persons may visit the website or contact the clerk at:

Clerk of Courts
Erie County Courthouse
140 West Sixth Street,
Room 103
Erie, PA 16501
Phone: (814) 451-6221
Email: clerksrequests@eriecountypa.gov

How to Obtain Erie City Police Reports and Arrest Records

Individuals who wish to access records generated or maintained by the Erie Police Department should send requests to the Right to Know Officer for the Erie PD at:

Erie Police Department
Right to Know Officer
Room 111
626 State Street
Erie, PA 16501

Requesters may fill the standard Right-to-Know request form, law enforcement records request form, or write a letter containing the location, date, and time of the incident, arrest, or arrest along with any known incident or case number. Requests for video and audio recordings will also involve persons to provide a statement of relationship to the recorded event and identify persons present if the event happened inside a residence.

The Erie Police Department charges 25 cents per copy (black and white) for the first 1,000 copies, 20 cents beyond 1,000 copies, and 50 cents per color copy. Furthermore, certification costs $5 per record, and audio/video copies cost $100 each.

Requesters may appeal a right-to-know request denial through the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records within 15 days of denial, while denied requesters for law enforcement records like audio or video recordings may file a petition for judicial review in the Erie County Court of Common Pleas within 30 days.

Note: Criminal courts will have records of case disposition.

How to Find Sex Offender Information in Erie City

Individuals can locate sex offenders in Erie City and obtain sex offender information through the Pennsylvania Megan’s Law website. Established by Pennsylvania Law and maintained by the Pennsylvania State Police, the Megan’s Law site discloses information on sexually violent predators and sexual offenders registered in the state. Users may use the search tools on the page to:

• Search by county
• Search by municipality
• Search by city
• Search by zip code
• Search by mile radius to a specific address
• Search by name
• Search for non-compliant offenders
• Search for sexually violent predators or sexually violent delinquent child
• Search for transient offenders

Hence, interested persons may find a list of offenders in Erie City by using the city search tool, typing “Erie” in the text box, and indicating if the results should include incarcerated offenders. Information on each offender listed on the result page may include:

• Name and aliases
• Offender's physical description such as gender, race, height, weight, birth year, body markings, and eye and hair color
• Photographs
• Offender type and registration details
• Primary offense
• Offense and conviction date
• Residential, employment, or school address
• Vehicles owned

Additional resources available on the Megan’s Law website include:

• Total count of active offenders
• Megan’s Law Annual Report
• Active offender statistics by residence, county, employment, and school
• Active community notifications on sexually violent predators or sexually violent delinquent child

How to Find Erie City Inmate Records

The Department of Corrections keeps records of inmates in the Erie County Prison. Persons interested in obtaining inmate records may call (814) 451-7500 or contact the department at:

Erie County Prison
1618 Ash Street,
Erie, PA 16503-2168
Email: correctionsinfo@eriecountypa.gov

In addition, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections maintains an inmate locator tool that persons may use to search for inmates under its jurisdiction. Users may conduct searches using the inmate's name, parole number, inmate's number, gender, race, current location, committing country, and other criteria. Persons may also sort search results by name, date of birth, or other details.

How Do I Visit an Inmate in Erie City Jail?

Only approved persons on an inmate’s visiting list may have in-person or remote visits at the Erie County Prison. To schedule visits, the inmate must sign the person's name in the list for that visiting date, but visiting date, time, or hours may differ. Interested persons should check the visitation page for visitation schedules according to the housing unit or place of detainment.

Remote visitors have to create an account with the approved video visitation vendor and conduct visits with a smartphone application or computer with a webcam. Onsite visitors may not exceed three persons for one inmate at the same time, excluding cases where parents visit with two minors. Visitors must present government-issued photo ID, and persons accompanying minors must present proof of guardianship in the form of certified birth certificates, court orders, or adoption papers. All visitors must dress appropriately and avoid breaking visitation rules. For more information, visit the inmate visitation page or call (814) 451-7500.

What Are Erie City Vital Records?

Erie City vital records are government-generated documents that contain information on life events that took place in the city or happened to residents of the city. These documents may be gathered or maintained at city, county, or state levels and may be available as certificates, licenses, court decrees, or verification letters. Examples include Erie City birth certificates, divorce decrees, marriage licenses, and death verification letters. Persons may obtain certified or uncertified copies of Erie City vital records. However, not all records are publicly available.

Where and How to Obtain Erie City Divorce Records

The Erie County Clerk of Courts (Prothonotary) maintains records concerning divorces filed in the county’s Court of Common Pleas. Like most court records, interested persons may access Erie City divorce records or request copies by sending requests to the clerk at:

Record Offices - Prothonotary
Erie County Courthouse
140 West Sixth Street,
Room 120
Erie, PA 16501
Phone: (814) 451-6250
Fax: (814) 451-7400
Email: prothonotary@eriecountypa.gov

Along with the requester's information and contact details, written requests should contain information that will facilitate record search and retrieval, such as the divorce date, case or docket number, and names of the divorce party. The clerk will charge requesters for record copies and may also include search fees if the record is old and retrieval will take more time than usual.

Where and How to Get Public Erie City Marriage Records

The Marriage Bureau maintains Erie City marriage records and issues copies to persons with direct interest or authorization for $5 per copy. The couple mentioned in the marriage license, persons with court orders, and other authorized parties may request certified copies of a marriage license by sending completed request forms, fees, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:

Marriage Bureau
Erie County Courthouse
140 West Sixth Street
Room 123
Erie, PA 16501

Requesters must provide the marriage date, husband's full name, and wife's full (maiden) name in the request form. Fees paid in person can be in cash, but mailed payments should be in checks or money orders made payable to the Clerk of Records. For more information, visit the Marriage Bureau website or call (814) 451-6264.

Where and How to Find Erie City Birth Records

The Bureau of Health Statistics and Registries issues birth records for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania since 1906. However, the bureau only grants access to eligible applicants, such as:

• Record subject
• Parent or step-parent with proof of relationship in the form of a marriage certificate
• Spouse
• Descendant including step-son or step-daughter with proof of relationship in the form of the parent’s marriage certificate
• Grandparent or great-grandparent
• Grandchild or great-grandchild
• Siblings, including half-brothers and half-sisters
• A relative who is not listed above if the record subject is deceased and a copy of the death certificate is provided
• Persons with Power of Attorney
• The legal representative or attorney of the record subject (with supporting documents)

Eligible persons may request copies of Erie City birth certificates in person, online, or via mail for $20. For walk-in services, visit the Erie Public Office location at 1910 West 26th Street, Erie, on weekdays (excluding holidays) from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (appointment may be needed). Requesters should take along fees, valid government-issued identification, and other supporting documents.

For mail requests, send filled application forms, copy of valid identification, and fees in check or money order to:

Division of Vital Records
Birth Certificate Processing Unit
P.O. Box 1528
New Castle, PA 16103

Where and How to Find Erie City Death Records

Records of deaths that happened in Erie City and other areas in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania since 1906 are available at the Bureau of Health Statistics and Registries. However, the bureau only grants access to eligible applicants, such as:

• Deceased’s parent or step-parent with proof of relationship in the form of a marriage certificate
• Spouse or ex-spouse
• Direct descendants, including step-son or step-daughter with proof of relationship in the form of the parent’s marriage certificate
• Grandchild or great-grandchild
• Grandparent or great-grandparent
• Siblings, including half-brothers and half-sisters
• Extended family members who can prove a direct relationship to the deceased
• Persons with Power of Attorney
• The legal representative or attorney of the record subject (with supporting documents)
• Representative of the deceased's estate (with proof)
• Individual indicating a direct financial interest to the deceased (with supporting documents)
• The government office that has assumed control of the deceased’s estate (must provide needed documents)

Eligible persons may request copies of Erie City death certificates in person, online, or via mail for $20. For walk-in services, visit the Erie Public Office location at 1910 West 26th Street, Erie, on weekdays (excluding holidays) from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (appointment may be needed). Requesters should take along fees, valid government-issued identification, and other supporting documents.

For mail requests, send filled application forms, copy of valid identification, and fees in check or money order to:

Division of Vital Records
Death Certificate Processing Unit
P.O. Box 1528
New Castle, PA 16103