OPEN PUBLIC RECORDS

Because You Need to Know

Common Questions About Public Records in Bloomsburg

Real questions from people researching records in Bloomsburg. Each answer is verified against official agency sources — no third-party services.

Where can I find an accident report in Pennsylvania?
To find an accident report in Pennsylvania, use the PA State Police Crash Report Order at https://www.psp.pa.gov/services/Pages/Crash-Report-Request.aspx (online ordering for $22) or by mail with Form SP 7-0015 to the responding troop. For local-jurisdiction accidents, contact the city or borough police that responded. Drivers involved in a crash, their insurers, and attorneys with consent can obtain full reports under PA Motor Vehicle Code 75 Pa.C.S. §3751. PennDOT does not issue accident reports. PA Right-to-Know Law (RTKL, 65 P.S. §67.101) limits public access to non-personal report data. Sources: PA State Police (https://www.psp.pa.gov/), 75 Pa.C.S. §3751 (https://www.legis.state.pa.us/).
Tagged: Pennsylvania · general
⚖️ How do I look up a court case in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania court case lookup: Pennsylvania UJS Web Portal (https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/) — free statewide name search across all Common Pleas, Magisterial District, and Appellate courts. PACFile (https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/PACFile.aspx) for e-filing. Federal cases: PACER (https://pacer.uscourts.gov/) for U.S. District Courts (E.D., M.D., W.D. of PA). Statute 42 Pa. C.S. (Judicial Code, https://www.legis.state.pa.us/). PA Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. §67.101). Records request to county Prothonotary or Clerk of Courts for paper case files. Common Pleas court for civil/criminal/family. Magisterial District Courts for traffic, summary criminal.
Tagged: Pennsylvania · court
Where can I find out if 911 logs are public records in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, 911 logs (computer-aided dispatch records) are NOT automatically public records under the Right-to-Know Law (RTKL, 65 P.S. §67.101). The PA Office of Open Records has consistently held that 911 recordings, dispatch logs, and CAD records are exempt under §708(b)(18)(i) (911 records of personal identification), §708(b)(2) (criminal investigation), and 35 Pa.C.S. §5300 (Public Safety Emergency Telephone Act, which restricts 911 recording disclosure). However, redacted incident summaries and arrest reports may be releasable. Appeals go to the PA Office of Open Records at https://www.openrecords.pa.gov/. Sources: PA Office of Open Records (https://www.openrecords.pa.gov/), PA 911 Act (https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/).
Tagged: Pennsylvania · general

Have a question about records in Bloomsburg? The agencies that hold these records are listed throughout this page — start there.

Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania · Public Records

Bloomsburg Public Records, Court Cases & Arrests

Search court records, arrest information, criminal history, and police reports for Bloomsburg, located in Columbia County, Pennsylvania. All records linked here come from official government sources.

Records access in Bloomsburg

The law enforcement needs of Bloomsburg are primarily met by the Bloomsburg Police Department. The Columbia County Sheriff's Office also is key to law enforcement, overseeing broader county issues and maintaining the county jail, where individuals may be detained. If you need access to criminal records, the process begins with contacting the local police records unit. Individuals can request arrest records and booking information directly from the Bloomsburg Police Department, located in the heart of the town. For more extensive records, including those that may have occurred county-wide, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office can assist. The Pennsylvania State Police’s Bureau of Investigation operates a state criminal repository where residents can obtain full criminal history reports. Many of these records are accessible online through designated portals, streamlining the process for those who prefer digital access. In terms of the judicial system, Bloomsburg falls under the jurisdiction of the Columbia County Court, which handles various legal matters, including civil and criminal cases. Individuals seeking access to court records can do so through the court’s official online portal, which allows for efficient searching of case files and documents. For those preferring in-person assistance, the clerk of court’s office welcomes requests directly at its location. Vital records, such as birth, death, and marriage certificates, are managed by the Columbia County Clerk-Recorder, providing essential documentation for residents. These records can often be requested online or through direct contact with the office. Property records are similarly maintained by the county assessor and recorder, with online resources available for public access. Citizens interested in general public records can submit requests under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, which typically mandates a response within 5 to 10 business days, for public access and accessibility for all residents.

Bloomsburg · Population & demographics

Total population14855
White89.6%
Black or African American6.2%
Asian1.6%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)3.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau decennial count.

Pennsylvania public records law

Records held by Bloomsburg city offices, the Columbia County Sheriff, and the Columbia County courts are subject to the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101).

Where to file a records request in Bloomsburg

Police records: file with the Bloomsburg Police Department or via the Columbia County Sheriff for unincorporated areas.

Court records: Columbia County courts handle criminal, civil, family, and probate matters.

Booking and inmate records: Columbia County Sheriff publishes a public inmate roster including booking photos and charges.