Right to Know Requests / Open Records Requests
Law Enforcement Related Right-to-Know (RTK) Requests
Only requests for information pursuant to Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law ("RTKL"), 65 P.S. §§ 67.101 et seq about law enforcement matters should be directed to the District Attorney's Office.
RTK requests for all other types of information are handled by the Open Records Officer for Susquehanna County.
Procedure for Submitting RTK Requests
Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, by fax or by email; however, it is recommended that requests be submitted via email to ensure timely receipt and response.
Email: righttoknow@susqco.com
U.S. Mail: Chief Clerk/Open Records Officer Susquehanna County, 31 Lake Ave. Montrose, PA 18801
Requests must be submitted using the standard statewide form (https://www.openrecords.pa.gov/Documents/RTKL/RTKRequestForm.pdf). Any request not submitted using the standard statewide form will be considered an informal request and not subject to the RTKL.
Verbal or anonymous requests will not be accepted. Each request must include (1) the name and address of the person making the request and (2) identify or describe the records sought with sufficient specificity to ascertain which records are being requested.
Fees for RTK Requests
Please note that there may be fees associated with providing requested records. Records will not be provided until applicable fees have been paid. Fee amounts are set in accordance with the standard fee schedule established by the Office of Open Records (https://www.openrecords.pa.gov/RTKL/FeeStructure.cfm).
Appeals of a RTK Denial
You may appeal a denial within 15 business days of the mailing date of the denial.
The appeal must be in writing and include:
1. a copy of your original Right-to-Know request
2. any extension notice, if applicable
3. a copy of the denial letter
4. a statement that contains a concise statement of all relevant facts and addresses each of the agency's reasons for the denial
5. any other all relevant correspondence or documents
Upon properly filing an appeal, the Appeals Officer may:
1. Set a schedule for the requester and the Open Records Officer to submit documents in support of their positions;
2. Review all information filed relating to the request. The Appeals Officer may or may not hold a hearing. A decision to hold or not to hold a hearing is not appealable. The Appeals Officer may admit into evidence testimony, evidence and documents that the appeals officer believes to be reasonably probative and relevant to an issue in dispute. The appeals officer may limit the nature and extent of evidence found to be cumulative; and
3. Issue a final determination on behalf of the Office of the District Attorney, including a written explanation of the reason for the decision, which shall be mailed to the requester and the agency within thirty (30) days of receipt of the appeal.
The determination by the Appeals Officer shall be a final order. If the Appeals Officer fails to issue a final determination within 30 days, the appeal is deemed denied.
More information regarding Right to Know requests may be found on the state's open records website: https://www.openrecords.pa.gov
This policy is not intended to override any applicable state or federal laws regarding requests. The list is not exhaustive, an entire explanation of rules and laws can be found at: https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/Li/Public/index.cfm