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Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law

Police Records Request Letter Generator for Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, anyone can ask a police department for copies of its records under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. 67.101 and following). The law sets this response timeline: Right-to-Know requests: the agency must respond within 5 business days, or the request is deemed denied, and may take one extension of up to 30 calendar days (65 P.S. 67.901, 67.902). POLICE VIDEO AND AUDIO are different: under Act 22 of 2017 they are NOT available through the Right-to-Know Law and must be requested within 60 days of the recording, on a separate request that includes the date, time and location and your relationship to the event. The agency then has 30 days to respond.. Use the generator below to write a clear request that cites the law, asks for electronic copies, and asks for a fee estimate first.

Last reviewed October 7, 2026. Statute: 65 P.S. 67.101 and following (opens in a new tab).

Write your Pennsylvania request

Search for the department to start your letter. CopFax is not a law firm and this is not legal advice.

How to send your request

  1. Step 1

    Pick the records

    Check the kinds of records you want, such as body camera video, incident reports, or use of force reports.

  2. Step 2

    Fill in the details

    Add the date, location, officer name or badge number, and case number if you have them, plus your name and contact.

  3. Step 3

    Send it to the records custodian

    Copy, print, or email the letter to the department's records custodian or public records portal, and keep a dated copy.

  4. Step 4

    Follow up after the deadline

    If you have no response by the legal deadline, follow up in writing, and ask for the specific exemption for anything withheld.

Request specific records in Pennsylvania

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to give a reason to request police records in Pennsylvania?
Most public records laws, including the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. 67.101 and following), do not require you to explain why you want most records. Some categories, such as certain criminal justice or investigative records, can involve more agency discretion, so a short description of what you need can help. CopFax is not a law firm; check the statute for details.
How long does a Pennsylvania agency have to respond?
Under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. 67.101 and following), the response timeline is: Right-to-Know requests: the agency must respond within 5 business days, or the request is deemed denied, and may take one extension of up to 30 calendar days (65 P.S. 67.901, 67.902). POLICE VIDEO AND AUDIO are different: under Act 22 of 2017 they are NOT available through the Right-to-Know Law and must be requested within 60 days of the recording, on a separate request that includes the date, time and location and your relationship to the event. The agency then has 30 days to respond.. If you hear nothing by then, follow up in writing and keep a copy.
What does a public records request cost in Pennsylvania?
Agencies may charge copying, media, or labor fees allowed by the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. 67.101 and following). Requesting electronic copies usually keeps costs down, and the CopFax letter asks the agency for a fee estimate before costs exceed $25.
What if a Pennsylvania police department denies my request?
Ask the agency to cite the specific legal exemption for each record withheld and to release any parts that are not exempt. The Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. 67.101 and following) may provide an appeal or court review; check the statute and consider talking to a lawyer or a press freedom group.

Public records law in PennsylvaniaPolice departments and incidents in Pennsylvania